Discover ELLE’s Escapes in Río Grande, Puerto Rico, From El Yunque to Island Boat Trips

Explore Rainforest and Coast

A nature walk or hike in El Yunque National Forest is a key Río Grande outing. Visitors can join a guided tour or drive to trails suited to different experience levels. The forest is home to varied plant and animal life, including the island-native Puerto Rican spindalis.

Golfers can try Bahía Beach Golf Club, an 18-hole, par-72 course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. in 2008. Its 6,890 yards pass through tropical scenery, with 15 holes beside water and the final holes along the Atlantic coastline.

Boat trips depart from nearby Fajardo for Culebra and Icacos Island. Visitors can spend a morning, afternoon or full day aboard, swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing or relaxing near the islands’ beaches.

Restaurants for Local Flavors

Perla, at Four Seasons, opened in November under executive chef Victor Rosado. The restaurant serves small plates such as Parker House rolls with smoked butter and spicy salmon mousse, along with seafood dishes including hamachi and Chilean sea bass.

Don Pepe is a casual local favorite focused on Puerto Rican cooking. Its menu includes beef piononos, mofongo, grilled pork loin, a signature burger and lobster risotto, while its cocktails feature locally produced Don Q rum.

Ocean Terrace, another Four Seasons Resort option, is an open-air restaurant along the shoreline. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a varied menu.

Cocktails and Ocean Views

Palm Court offers a polished lounge setting, with plush seating and a white marble bar at the center of its modern interior. An outdoor terrace provides space to dine or have a drink in the ocean breeze.

At Bahía Beach Club, Sugar Beach Bar is an open-air spot for cocktails and shareable bites. Its drinks include options made with local rum or tequila, with views of the ocean and Sugar Beach Pool.