Spa, Sand, and Salsa Nights: Puerto Rico’s Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Reignites

In the know A-towners are finding a hot winter escape where the rainforest kisses the sea at Puerto Rico’s newly relaunched Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest Beach and Golf Resort.

Perched along more than two miles of uninterrupted beach just northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest Beach and Golf Resort is a tucked-away escape where the ocean meets the rainforest.

Set on the edge of El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest system, Rio Mar is welcoming a new generation of travelers with a freshly completed $70 million reimagining that blends luxury, nature, and plenty of new experiences.

From a luxe spa and two PGA championship golf courses, healing sound baths and water sports by day to fine dining, a buzzing casino, and a speakeasy cabaret that sizzles after dark, guests discover the best of the Caribbean here in extra-sunny Puerto Rico. No passport required. Paradise has never felt closer to home.

Here’s what you’ll find:

Reimagined Space

Lush, jewel-toned landscaping greets visitors on arrival at Rio Mar, with manicured gardens offering the first hint of what awaits across the resort’s refreshed public spaces and 400 rooms and suites.

Guests step into a striking new entrance and light-filled lobby inspired by the surrounding rainforest and Puerto Rican culture. Soaring arches, indigenous artwork, and a colorful mix of ceramic tile, wrought iron, and warm terracotta set the tone. Tropical greenery, curved modern furnishings, and textiles by local artisans add warmth and personality, while a rainforest observation deck brings the outdoors in.

The vibe is polished yet relaxed—decidedly island-inspired and designed for lingering, unwinding, and gathering in style.

Guest rooms are spacious and inviting, with expansive baths featuring double rain showerheads for a little extra pampering. There’s 24-hour in-room dining and plenty of room to spread out. Many rooms include balconies—perfect for morning coffee and sunrise views. Four signature suites dial up the wow factor with bespoke amenities, from designer entertainment spaces to hidden children’s bunk rooms that feel like a secret clubhouse.

Dining at Rio Mar

Savor the flavors of the Island of Enchantment at more than a dozen dining outlets. A few favorites:

• Roots Coastal Kitchen – Executive Chef Ramón Carrillo, in collaboration with Top Chef finalists Jeff McInnis and Janine Booth, serves up island-inspired comfort food all day. Breakfast buffets shine with local coffee, waffles, tropical fruit, and Puerto Rican staples like revoltillo (scrambled eggs with savory mix-ins) and flaky cheese quesitos.

• Palio – This longtime favorite delivers Sicilian-style fare with impeccable service, a stellar wine list, and house-made pastas that steal the show. Bucatini Cacio e Pepe, Spinach Gnocchi Sancipirilese, and Lumache with ’nduja and saffron had our table convinced we’d landed in Italy. Crispy zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta and mint practically float off the plate. Steaks and just-caught seafood anchor the menu, and thoughtful vegan dishes prove everyone eats well here.

• Iguanas – Chef Jorge Catala brings the soul of Puerto Rican cocina to this stunning golf-course-view setting. From arroz con pollo and mofongo to crispy Chuleta Kan-Kan and sweet plantain piononos stuffed with picadillo, it’s the spot for a true taste of Puerto Rico.

Recharge

Chill by the pool, stroll the seemingly endless beach, book a spa treatment, tee off, or head into the rainforest—Rio Mar makes it easy to do as much (or as little) as you like.

Pools abound. Families flock to Coqui Splash Pool and Turtle Cove for water slides, splash zones, tubes, and kid-friendly fun.

Adults, meanwhile, claim their own oasis at Aura Adult Swim Lounge, where private cabanas, an oversized hot tub, and shady loungers set the scene for laid-back afternoons.

Rio Mar Beach stretches for more than two miles of soft sand, with cabanas, loungers, Jet Skis, and kayaks ready for action.

Explore beyond the beach with morning yoga on the lawn, guided forest walks, miles of hiking trails, and Xplorer’s Club bird walks.

At El Yunque Spa, therapeutic massage takes center stage. Inspired by the ancient Taíno word Yuké—meaning “the anvil,” a symbol of strength and transformation—the spa leans into the island’s natural elements to restore balance and energy.

Golfers can choose between two championship courses designed by Greg Norman and George Fazio. The Ocean Course dazzles with scenic seaside holes, while the tighter, tree-lined River Course rewards precision—where par feels like a real victory. Book a lesson with head pro Michael Walburger for a focus on swing rhythm and tempo that just might transform your game.

Nightlife

Casino Rio Mar tempts Lady Luck with table games, slots, and a sportsbook lounge.

And then there’s the Vault Speakeasy Cabaret—a sultry lounge experience featuring an hour-long show packed with Latin dance, burlesque, live music, and seriously eye-catching costumes. It’s bold, playful, and the perfect exclamation point to a day in paradise.

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Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest Beach and Golf Resort

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Photos courtesy Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest Beach and Golf Resort and Michael J. Solender.

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