Río Grande sits on the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and stretching inland toward the foothills of the Sierra de Luquillo. Founded in 1840, the municipality is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo metropolitan area and lies between the neighboring towns of Loíza and Luquillo, with Canóvanas to the west and the coastal plain opening toward the capital region. The municipality is defined by its natural setting. A substantial portion of El Yunque National Forest — the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest System — lies within Río Grande's boundaries, and the town serves as one of the principal gateways to the forest's trails, waterfalls, and mountain scenery. The coastal lowlands, meanwhile, hold long Atlantic beaches and a cluster of resorts, including the St. Regis Bahia Beach and the Wyndham Río Mar, which anchor a significant tourism sector. Río Grande is organized around its downtown pueblo and eight surrounding barrios, with development ranging from the coastal resort corridor to inland residential and agricultural areas. The municipality offers a mix of urban and rural character, and its economy is tied to tourism, hospitality, and the surrounding metropolitan area. For residents and relocating buyers, Río Grande combines rainforest and beach access with proximity to San Juan and the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, a short drive west in neighboring Carolina. It tends to appeal to those seeking a coastal, nature-rich setting within reach of the capital's employment and amenities, and its blend of protected forest, Atlantic shoreline, and resort infrastructure gives it a distinctive place on the island's eastern coast.