Attractions Nearby Bayamon, Day Trips and Excursions

(Bayamon, Puerto Rico)

Within easy reach of Bayamon and San Juan's metropolis are dozens of notable attractions worth an afternoon of your time. Natural wonders such as the caves of Rio Camuy and the flora of El Yunque National Forest dominate the list of choices, making great excursions for visitors that need a nature break from the city.

Beaches galore await those willing to do a little driving along the northern coast, and a handful of historic Spanish colonial relics can be found within an hour or two of Bayamon, where they are more than suitable for day trips. Particularly notable attractions are the towns of Barranquitas, Condado, Fajardo and Loiza Aldea, and the wealth of shopping opportunities in nearby Catano.

Rio Camuy Cave Park

Address: Rio Camuy Cave Park, Route 129, Puerto Rico, PR
Tel: +1 787 898 3100
Just an hour west of San Juan is the third-largest cave system in the world. It took millennia for one of the planet's biggest underground rivers to carve out the caverns of Rio Camuy, which are part of the larger Karst Country area. Guided tours can take visitors up to 185 metres / 600 feet down into stunning chambers with running water. If you want a bit of adventure, Rio Camuy is the ticket. Best of all, you can combine the trip with a visit to the Arecibo Observatory just down the road. It is the world's largest radio telescope, and pretty cool if you like stars.
Open hours: Wednesday to Sunday - 08:00 to 15:45
Admission: charge

El Yunque National Forest

Address: El Yunque National Forest, Route 191, Puerto Rico, PR
A mere 56 km / 35 miles east of San Juan is the amazing tropical rainforest protected by the El Yunque National Forest. If nature is your thing, make this nature preserve your priority - it is a hiking and photography wonderland. There are dozens of trails in the park, from the easy 45-minute walk to La Mina Falls to the tough 10-km / 6-mile El Toro Trail that leads to the highest point in the park. The El Portal Tropical Center is also here to explain what all this flora and fauna really means.
Open hours: daily - 06:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge

Fajardo

Located some 70 km / 43 miles to the east, the Caribbean coastline around Fajardo is home to some of the best beaches in Puerto Rico. Snorkelling and sailing excursions off the coast are popular activities and easily organised in San Juan. Las Cabezas de San Juan and Seven Seas are both amazing stretches of beach that rarely have a crowd. A few minutes away is one of the island's best-known beaches, Luquillo. The proximity of Fajardo to El Yunque makes this stretch of coast a great day trip.

Bioluminescent Bays

Address: La Parguera, Puerto Rico, PR
Puerto Rico is one of the best places on the planet to experience the magic of bioluminescence in the sea. The most popular spot to see this is at La Parguera, where a local industry has developed to show the bay to the public. Another spectacular location is Vieques and its Mosquito Bay. The closest spot to San Juan is the Laguna Grande, just outside of Fajardo. Tours to check out this natural phenomenon can be arranged at most travel shops in San Juan.

Loiza Aldea

Often referred to as just 'Loiza', the town of Loiza Aldea is located approximately 48 km / 30 miles to the east of Bayamon and is not known for its tourism infrastructure. The town is centred around the Plaza de Recreo, which is presided over by the 17th-century Church of the Holy Ghost and St. Patrick (La Iglesia del Espiritu Santo y San Patricio). In late July and early August, the nine-day Fiesta de Santiago is the best reason to come here and this lively festival features drums, music and Puerto Rican masks aplenty.

San Juan

Being just 30 minutes away, Bayamon is often considered to be a suburb of San Juan, and so the two cities have very close ties. The majority of the attractions reside within the historic district named Old San Juan, although a few other interesting sights are based around the Condado, Rio Piedras and Santurce areas. San Juan really does deserve more than just a single day trip and most Bayamon holiday makers spend much of their time here, at fortresses such as El Morro, the Fuerte San Cristobal and La Fortaleza. Those with an interest in museums will enjoy investigating the Ballaja Barracks (Cuartel de Ballaja), the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture (Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena) and the Museum of San Juan (Museo de San Juan).

More information about San Juan attractions nearby.

Barranquitas

The Puerto Rican mountain town of Barranquitas lies some 40 km / 25 miles to the south and is surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Barranquitas literally translates as 'Place of Mud Slides', which gives you an indication of the problems that it faces during heavy rain. Therefore, its oldest attractions only date from the early part of the 20th century. Much of the charm resides within the narrow winding streets and plentiful small shops. If you are planning to sightsee in Barranquitas, then check out the Casa Museo Luis Munoz Rivera, the Plaza de Recreo and the Museum of Art and Anthropology (Museo de Arte y Antropologia).

Catano

Catano contains a real concentration of strip malls and is only 15 km / 9 miles to the north. Being so close, the attractions of Catano generally merge with those of Bayamon, with its Tablado esplanade being particularly notable and fronting the bay, where it offers distant views of San Juan's El Morro fortress. As you stroll along this promenade, look out for the imposing monument to regional Taino culture.

Condado

The seaside town of Condado is roughly 13 km / 8 miles away and to the north-east. Condado has seen various waves of popularity and tourism over the years, and is currently enjoying much renewed interest, mainly thanks to considerable reinvestment and revamping of its hotels. A number of new condos and high-rise hotels have arrived in recent years, standing alongside the beachfront and offering commendable accommodation at sensible prices.

Isla Verde

The Isla Verde area is a districts of Carolina and to be found 19 km / 12 miles to the north-east of Bayamon. It is the curving Playa Isla Verde that functions as the principal tourism magnet here, with the strip of modern hotel chains and numerous casinos also appealing to many a holidaymaker. Various water sports are possible around Isla Verde, including both sailing and snorkelling.