El Faro de las Cabezas de San Juan

El Yunque & East Coast


Built in 1882, El Faro de las Cabezas de San Juan is Puerto Rico’s oldest lighthouse. Adorned with rich neoclassical detail and topped by a distinctive Spanish colonial tower, it overlooks the peninsula’s steep, craggy cliffs where the stormy Atlantic meets the Sonda de Vieques (Vieques Sound). At the time of research, the Cabezas de San Juan reserve is closed for repairs and maintenance.

Situated on a verdant headland in the like-named nature reserve, it houses a small nature center and an observation deck with splendid views. It can be visited as part of several tours offered in the Cabezas de San Juan Reserva Natural.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby El Yunque & East Coast attractions

1. Cabezas de San Juan Reserva Natural

1.1 MILES

A nodule of land on Puerto Rico’s northeast tip, this Para La Naturaleza–run reserve protects the Laguna Grande bioluminescent bay, rare flora and fauna,…

2. Parque las Croabas

1.38 MILES

On the eastern side of Fajardo's peninsula, this small seaside park is edged by seafood restaurants looking across the water to Culebra. There's not much…

3. Playa Seven Seas

1.45 MILES

On the southwestern shore of Las Cabezas' peninsula, Playa Seven Seas is a sheltered, palm-shaded, horseshoe-shaped public beach. Quiet at times, it gets…

4. Playa La Pared

6.4 MILES

A block from Luquillo’s plaza, this is the place to catch a surf break, admire the sculpture by local artist Carlos Guzmán, grab a bite from a gourmet…

5. Puerto del Rey

6.68 MILES

Standing behind a breakwater 2 miles south of Fajardo and around 5.5 miles north of the ferry dock, this is one of the largest marinas (more than 1000 wet…

6. Playa Luquillo

7.36 MILES

Along with its must-visit kioskos, Luquillo is synonymous with its fabulous – and hugely popular – beach. Set on a calm, northwest-facing bay and…

7. Las Paylas

7.97 MILES

This series of natural waterslides in El Yunque's foothills is popular with locals, especially on weekends. The water bounces over boulders, ending in a…

8. Medio Mundo y Daguao Reserva Natural

8.23 MILES

Pioneering nonprofit Para la Naturaleza acquired 3408 acres of land in the Roosevelt Roads US Navy base for conservation purposes. Currently, it offers…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "puerto-rico/eastern-puerto-rico/fajardo-and-around/attractions/el-faro-de-las-cabezas-de-san-juan/a/poi-sig/1425597/358121",
      "destination": "El-Yunque-&-East-Coast",
      "continent": "Caribbean",
      "country": "Puerto-Rico",
      "region": "El-Yunque-&-East-Coast",
      "position": "superzone"
    }