Best Beaches of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has 272 miles of coastline, and plenty of beaches to go around it. To contrast, there are places with water as calm as a pond and fantastic breakers with world class surf. Beaches here may be lined with high-rise condos and hotels, or in pristine national wildlife refuges.

But it doesn't matter what you're up to - a laid-back siesta with a clean hammock, or a party with the best reggaeton around - there is a beach in Puerto Rico for you. Here, you'll find a great system of balnearios, or public beaches, that - like Curacao, charge a small fee. They have ample parking and lifeguards, concessions and bathrooms.

And we found something special here; four of the beaches, two in San Juan, one at Luquillo, and one on Isla Culebra - are Blue Flag Beaches. This means they are administered in a safe and environmentally conscious manner.

San Juan has been a tourist destination for decades, with convenience and casinos, age-old Latin culture and weather that's hard to beat. The fortress guarding the harbor here, San Felipe del Morro, is a must visit. But let's head out to the beaches which are sure to please.

First a note about Puerto Rican beaches. We found that the most white were on the smaller islands of Culebra and Vieques. We believe this is because there is less silt content in the sand from the mountains of the main island.

But tan beaches can be enjoyable. Some beaches we found had too much sea grass to make them nice to wade in. Others were just downright treacherous. Off the northwest coast are the best surf beaches - but you must mind the currents or you can get in trouble real quick.

And finally, there's a move about to give Puerto Rico autonomy. You'll see and hear chatter about it everywhere. And that's okay. Puerto Ricans need what's theirs. On Vieques, bad vibes still exist over the Navy's long occupation, turning much of the island into a target range. Some places on the island are still off limits because of unexploded bombs.

So we start out with my favorite, Condado. It's close enough to see from the airport and worth the visit. Next! >>>

Flamenco Beach Culebra - Puerto Rico

If you want to get exotic, check out Isla Culebra. This is a small island which is really closer to St. Thomas than to Puerto Rico, but Puerto Rico calls it its own. Now there's a ferry which is really inexpensive - $2.25 one-way, and sails three times a day from Fajardo. So why check out this out of the way island? Flamenco Beach!

Flamenco Beach is a Blue Flag Beach. Divers rent the B and B's and small apartments here on Culebra, but otherwise this island would probably sink into obscurity if it weren't for Flamenco Beach. Take my advice and select one of the B and B's. You'll have an experience you will cherish for a lifetime. Who knew this island was here and a part of a U.S. Territory?

Truly the best location for the beach, on Culebra's wild western shore, it's only five minutes from the ferry dock. And bus fare is $2.00 from where you put in, at Dewey, the main settlement of Culebra. And when I look at this photo, I am taken back. Just think what you and your family could do here. Some could stay up on the sand and walk along the tree line. Others could get their snorkel gear and spend the whole day looking down at the pristine reef. Still others could simply swim and soak up the Caribbean sunshine. It's incredible! And still not many come here!

Flamenco Beach is horseshoe shaped, half-mile-wide, is bordered by the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, one of America's oldest preserves from 1909. What makes the beach special is the surf break over the reef which is about a quarter-mile offshore on the west side. If you're curious, there's an old World War II tank, half-buried and rusting as a reminder that Culebra was once a firing range for the military.

But the balneario at Flamenco on the west shore is first class. Fine, white-sand greets you and goes gently around to a pleasant picnic area. Here you'll find some vendors and the beginning of the campground area. We found the bottom here relatively rock free. And when you try snorkeling out towards the rock outcroppings, there are some nice brain coral with plenty of parrot fish, blue tang, and wrasse to see.

Your calmest water will be on the east side. It does get a little rough in the middle of the beach because this is the area that is more exposed to the open sea. You're not going to find a bad spot on the beach. Trust us. Puerto Rico sits with the Caribbean Sea on the south coast and the mighty Atlantic on the north coast. Culebra basks in the Caribbean and the waters are warm.

Flamenco Beach Culebra - Beach Index:

• Sand - fine grain and white/tan
• Facilities - a Blue Flag beach, full facilities
• Shade - available, trees, beach huts
• Sports - fishing, swimming, snorkeling, diving
• Notes - recommended
  

Another wonderful island, steeped in controversy is up next. Vieques has some of the best beaches of Puerto Rico! >>

Luquillo Beach - Luquillo, Puerto Rico

Up the coast from Pinones Beach, after those dunes we discussed, the area gives way to luxury resorts and with good reason: the beach! Under construction, and opening in 2009, the Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club features two miles of beach front! Their "St. Regis" hotel/condos will be sharing the Puerto Rican countryside with a magnificent golf course designed by none other than Robert Trent Jones Jr.

And things have been changing at Luquillo Beach. The Wyndham announced their purchase of the 600 room Rio Mar Beach Golf Resort & Spa which offers rooms at $459 in the low season, and $689 in high season. With room prices like that, imagine what Luquillo Beach is like?

Just across the bay from the Wyndham is beautiful Luquillo Beach. Some say it's the nicest "balneario" on this coast. We found over a mile of nice hard fine sand lined by an old coconut plantation. Talk about gorgeous. Luquillo Beach is a Blue Flag facility.

There are lifeguards at Luquillo Beach, along with changing rooms, bathrooms, and a recycling station - nice! You'll fine shaded picnic areas which also come in handy for the afternoon rain showers that develop off the El Yunque mountain rainforest. Sometimes a nice rain is cooling.

When you think you've seen it all, beachfront campsites are available. Now, we did this in Hawaii, and it was a great experience for the kids. Here in Puerto Rico, with the protection of the park, this is a treat. There are rentals for kayaks and jet skis.

One thing that touched us while here was the Mar Sin Barreras program. The name means Sea Without Barriers and these guys have special wheelchairs with balloon tires that make strolling along the beach with your handicapped loved one so very special.

Luquillo Beach - Beach Index:

• Sand - hard packed, nice to walk on, clean
• Facilities - full, a Blue Flag Beach
  
• Shade - grab yourself a place under the coconut trees
• Sports - full service at the beach, kayak, jet skis, swimming
• Notes - recommended
  

On the east coast there are spectacular islands with dramatic terrain. We found the best beach on Isla Palominos and it's Next! >>

Condado Beach - San Juan, Puerto Rico

You couldn't ask for a more convenient address. Condado is just a 10-minute drive from the airport (Luis Munoz Marin International), or even Old San Juan (where San Felipe del Morro is). It's a favorite of tourists from all over, and the location isn't the only reason. Condado sits just beyond Gran Ventana al Mar plaza, and the nicest section fronts the San Juan Marriot Resort & Stellaris Casino.

Past the hotels, Condado just gets a little rougher. It's hard to negotiate due to the ironshore outcrops, yet here you'll find a natural protected pool. Take care in the water here. There are strong undertows and the shore break can be challenging.

The reason we love Condado so much is because it is calm, and it feels like you're in a neighborhood - much like Praia dos Ossos Beach in Buzios, Brazil. For example, Ashford Drive, the main street just south of the water, has a nice variety of cafes and restaurants. You'll find your share of portoriqueno cuisine here.

Want an even more "local" feel? Check out El Escambron, a Blue Flag Beach just a half-mile from here with fantastic views of the fortress in Old San Juan. We found Escambron really alive on the weekends, with the locals playing dominoes. El Escambron has a great area for snorkel as well.

Just east of Condado, there's the beautiful curved Ocean Park Beach. This beach is two miles long - but because of the gated community here, it's hard to find the entrance to the beach. Take the narrow walk at Park Boulevard and you'll find Ocean Park Beach. It's a fun beach to tan, but because of the tradewinds, the water is choppy making it perfect for kiteboarders.

Condado/El Escambron - Beach Index:

• Sand - thin sand for the most part, light to medium-brown
• Facilities - full
• Shade - none
• Sports - snorkel at El Escambron, surfing, windsurfing
• Notes - El Escambron can get crowded on weekends
  

Let's hop over to where the beautiful people want to be seen on Puerto Rico - Isla Verde! Next >>