Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirador de Las Croabas (overlooking the islands)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Laguna Grande (home to diverse waterfowl and egrets)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally prohibited on public beaches; allowed in private designated camps nearby
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- El Yunque National Forest (15-20 min drive from Fajardo)
- National Parks Nearby
- Arrecifes de la Cordillera Nature Reserve (accessible by boat)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Walking trails in Las Cabezas de San Juan
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS (Domestic rates apply), FedEx, UPS
- Tech Repair Services
- Fix It PR (Nearby in Canovanas) or Best Buy in Carolina (35 mins away)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Complex Deportivo de Fajardo
- Language Classes
- Isla Language (Online and private tutors available locally)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal de Fajardo (Quiet but check AC status)
- Community Centers
- Centro Comunitario de Las Croabas
- Gaming Lounges
- No dedicated lounges; gamers meet at local internet cafes in the Plaza
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino at El Conquistador Resort
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,100 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $94,500)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $72,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,300 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $149,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $117,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $225,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $180,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 18.5% Base Tax + Surtax (Puerto Rico has its own tax code separate from US Federal)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% for residents
- Tax System
- Territorial Tax System (Bona fide residents generally exempt from US Federal income tax on PR source income)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 33%
- VAT
- IVU (Sales & Use Tax) is 11.5%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, complex interaction between US and PR codes apply
- Property Tax
- Yes, administered by CRIM (based on 1957 valuation)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Minimal documentary stamps/recording fees (~0.5-1%)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Act 60 (Export Services) offers 4% corporate tax and 0% on dividends/capital gains for qualifying individuals
Essentials
- City
- Fajardo, Puerto Rico, USA
- Population
- Approx. 32,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-300 Mbps (Liberty PR and Claro Fiber available)
- Currency & Banking
- USD ($); ATM fees approx. $3.00 - $5.00 for non-bank customers
- Tap Water
- Technically drinkable (PRASA), but locals and nomads prefer filtered or bottled water due to heavy mineral content
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (Standard US plugs)
- SIM Card
- Liberty PR, T-Mobile, Claro (T-Mobile offers best coverage for nomads); $40-$60/mo for unlimited
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Popular, FirstBank, Oriental Bank, and US mainland banks like Chase or Wells Fargo (via ATMs)
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, VRBO, and local Facebook groups like 'Alquileres Fajardo'
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, major cards and ATH Movil (local P2P app) are widely accepted; keep $20 cash for small kiosks
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local guest houses ($800 - $1,800/month for studios/1BRs)
- Budget Accommodation
- Moonlight Bay Hostel (approx. $35/night for dorms, $75 for private rooms)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Las Croabas (walking distance to bioluminescent bay tours and Seven Seas Beach)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- El Conquistador area or Isleta Marina (gated communities with reliable power/fiber)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Engine-4 (located in Bayamón, 1hr drive); locally in Fajardo, Co-Working at El Conquistador Resort (~$40 daily pass)
- Best Cafe for Work
- L'Estacion (outdoor/indoor mix) or Panaderia y Reposteria Gran Paris (opens 6AM, stable Wi-Fi)
- Networking Events
- Fajardo Business Meetups (check Eventbrite) and Marina Puerto Del Rey social nights
- Social Events for Expats
- Puerto Rico Digital Nomads Facebook Group; Friday nights at Las Croabas kiosks
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (limited availability in Fajardo compared to San Juan); local taxi line: Fajardo Taxi (787-860-4618)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Fajardo Bike Rental ($35/day) located near Seven Seas
- Best Beach Nearby
- Seven Seas Beach (Blue Flag certified, free entry, $5 parking)
- Top Regional Airline
- Cape Air or Silver Airways (flying out of Ceiba Airport-RVR nearby)
- Top International Airline
- JetBlue, American Airlines, United (via Luis Muñoz Marín International - SJU, 45 min drive)
- Highway Access
- PR-3 (Main arterial road) and PR-53 (Toll road connecting south)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Ceiba Ferry Terminal (for Vieques and Culebra transport)
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal city pass; 'Públicos' (shared vans) cost $2-$5 depending on distance
- Regional Travel
- Ferry to Culebra/Vieques ($2.00 - $4.00 one way); Rental car is essential for coastal travel
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital HIMA San Pablo Fajardo (24/7 ER and multi-specialty)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga at Seven Seas (seasonal beach classes, ~$15 drop-in)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Planet Fitness Fajardo ($10-$25/month) located in Eastern Shopping Center
- Laundry Services
- Laundromat El Pueblo (PR-3); approx. $1.50 per pound for wash/dry/fold
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Uva and Munchies (Local PR apps often better than UberEats here)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Mofongo stuffed with Caribbean lobster (approx. $22 - $28)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- La Estación (Vegetarian mofongo options) and Pure & Fresh (Salads/Smoothies)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Wanda’s Sweet Desserts (Cakes and local pastries)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Econo Supermarket or Walmart Supercenter (Fajardo Plaza)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Standard shipping takes 3-7 days), ClasificadosOnline
- Grocery Delivery
- Econo To Go (via their mobile app)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Las Croabas Park (Kiosks and open-air bars like El Carey)
- Local Brewery
- Ocean Lab Brewing Co. (available in local bars); nearby Ceiba has small craft outlets
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Cellar at El Conquistador
- Street Food Stalls
- Kiosko El Mas Sabroso (Pincho de Pollo approx. $4.00)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pasión por el Fogón (Upscale Puerto Rican/Fusion)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve (Lighthouse)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Fajardo Lighthouse Museum (Inside the reserve)
- Historical Sites
- Old Fajardo Town Square (Plaza de Recreo)
- Religious Sites
- Santiago Apóstol Cathedral
- Annual Events
- Festival de la Zafra (Spring); Festival Patronal de Santiago Apóstol (July)
- Cultural Districts
- The waterfront strip at Puerto Real
- Theater Venues
- Teatro José M. Lugo Emmanuelli
- Local Markets
- Fajardo Farmers Market (Saturday mornings near the plaza)
- Music Scene
- Live Salsa and Reggaetón at local bars in Las Croabas
- Street Art
- Murals along Calle Union in the town center
- Cooking Classes
- Caribbean Cooking Classes at Coqui Experience (approx. $95 per person)
- Art Galleries
- Galeria de Arte Fajardo
- Historic Buildings
- Casa Alcaldía de Fajardo (City Hall)
- Local Heritage
- Marine heritage; center for sailing and fishing in the Caribbean