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! >>>

La Playuela, Cabo Rojo - Puerto Rico

How could we forget Cabo Rojo and the dramatic Cabo Rojo Lighthouse of 1882. La Playuela beach here is a mainstay for all the locals. This beauty fronts a state forest. The lighthouse is worth seeing but be careful on the last bit of road here. It can quickly turn to mud after a little rain.

Boqueron is another beautiful beach in the area, just 30 minutes up the road from La Playuela. Boqueron has the best balneario in the area and 5 km of out of this world beach. The sand, like on most beaches of Puerto Rico, is off-white. This is because of the great rock content. Not too much coral. Try the middle section of Boqueron. We found a lot of sea grass on both sides of the beach.

But do take the road down to the lighthouse and get out to see this beach. We're not sure why they call the area Cabo Rojo, which means Red Cape, or Red Handle. However, some of the sunsets here are breathtaking. And there are many places to stay the night, if you'd like. Awaken the next day refreshed to check out both land and sea. You're probably only going to see this once.

Hey, and if the kiddos are along, you're in for a treat. Boqueron has a nice playground with gazebos and a nice handicap sea ramp. Plus the bathrooms were downright clean!

Do yourself a favor and if you're out on this end of Puerto Rico, get to Cabo Rojo and drive along the coast. It's spectacular and worth the time.

La Playuela/Boqueron - Beach Index:

• Sand - medium grain, off-white
• Facilities - at both beaches
• Shade - not much; find a palm tree
• Sports - boogie boarding, surf
• Notes - dramatic part of the island
  

Let's surf up to the surf capital of Puerto Rico - Rincon! Next >>

Guajataca Beach, Isabela - Puerto Rico

Close to Quebradillas, home to the Guajataca Forest in Puerto Rico, there's Guajataca Beach. This is a surfers beach. If you're not into surfing, you can still enjoy the beach. Guajataca Beach is perfect for tanning or strolling. And a tip - this beach is excellent for shelling! You'll be amazed at the variety of nice shells found here. Get on the beach early, though.

Now the name Guajataca comes from an Indian chief of the Taino tribe. He lived in this area and the beach. There is a lot of Guajataca here.

For instance, there's the Guajataca Forest, a preserve. In the preserve is a beautiful man-made reservoir named Guajataca Lake. It's large and is popular in the area for fishing. There are some great bass here along with tilapia. Camping and hiking are also available in the preserve. So nice is it here at the lake, that the Boy Scouts of America have a large campground here.

There's a small river that flows from the reservoir to the Atlantic, and that's where Guajataca Beach is located. The water is wild here, but the sand soft. To get to the beach, make sure you use the coastal trail. It's so fun because you walk through an abandoned train tunnel! This railway used to take the sugarcane from along the coast to processing. It was so well built that hardly any work has been done throughout the years. Take the camera along. This is Puerto Rican history!

Guajataca Beach - Beach Index:

• Sand - coarse, lightly packed
• Facilities - full
• Shade - coconut palms are our friend
• Sports - another awesome surf beach
• Notes - worth the hike through the tunnel
  

The Condado area near San Juan is probably the best know beach area in Puerto Rico - and not because it's near the big city! These beaches are world class! Next! >>

Montones Beach, Isabela - Puerto Rico

There are numerous great condos in the area, some right down on Montones Beach, Puerto Rico. If you are the owner of a vacation condo, and would like us to link to you, please write us here at Three Best Beaches. Montones Beach in Isabela is perfect for families, but often we saw just one or two people out. The thing is, the beach is so long and nice, you just find your spot and there you are in paradise.

Montones has some interesting outcroppings of rock which serve to protect the shore and makes for great swimming. You won't find a better swimming beach in all of the Isabela or Aguadilla area because the Atlantic Ocean just doesn't let up on this shore. However, other beaches in the area have coves but with strong undertows which are very dangerous.

What happens is that as the tide goes out, combined with the heavy Atlantic current, flow is out toward open sea and at times the surface appears calm - but danger is still present. People die off these beaches every year - but you can be smart by staying in the shallows and by using Montobes Beach for swimming.

The shore break here is worth respecting. It can be unfriendly at times. Use caution if you see that the waves are breaking right at the shoreline. That said, there's a really cool natural pool on the east end - you'll see it when you arrive at the beach - that is formed by a sand dune on one side. Take the kiddos there and spend the day. Because of the calm shallow water, it's really warm and fun.

Unlike Jobos Beach, Montones has no bars or restaurants surround the cove. You are basically on your own - but we found a small store nearby with facilities. Let us know if you find more available here.

Montones Beach - Beach Index:

• Sand - coarse, soft
• Facilities - few and far between
• Shade - palms provide some relief
• Sports - swimming, kiteboarding during winter months
• Notes - check vacation condo rental sites for lodging
  

Don't move a muscle. A national forest and lake, plus a popular beach makes Guajataca our next stop! >>

Jobos Beach, Isabela - Puerto Rico

You can't leave Isabela, Puerto Rico without dropping by Jobos Beach. This whole area, just west of the former Ramey Air Force Base, now Raphael Hernandez Airport, is breathtaking. You can hop on Jet Blue, as of this writing, from JFK and be here in a few hours. Most tourism to Puerto Rico happens around San Juan. This coast is often overlooked.

The northwestern Puerto Rican shore has wild sand dunes and a handful of recommended beaches we have to tell you about, as they are better known to surfers. But we were asked about what locals consider the better sites to surf and Jobos Beach in Isabela was always mentioned. So with a little research we found that even though it takes some work to get to - the reward is great. You'll be presented with a family beach that encompasses something for everyone. Seems people have grown up coming here and have great memories of it.

We just reviewed Shacks Beach for you, some five miles from Isabela. But two miles east you'll see Jobos Beach. It's a nice walk from one to the other. Jobos curves beneath an unusual geological formation known as a fossilized sand dune. It's incredible to see. The cove her seems serene, but be aware of the rip currents. Even in the calm area, tidal currents move deep.

This natural beauty, Jobos Beach, Puerto Rico, is a haven for surfers. You'll catch the local gang in the southwestern corner by the coral heads. But Jobos also offers a strip of sand great for families with children. Bunches of restaurants line the beach. There's fishing here, snorkeling, scuba diving, along with kiteboarding and windsurfing. This area is great for exploring, too. See some unusual surf and shore formations.

There are a few hotels close by, but most are high priced between November and April. You'll get more reasonable accommodations inland at Isabela.

Jobos Beach - Beach Index:

• Sand - nice white/tan combination
• Facilities - full
• Shade - great palms and umbrellas
• Sports - snorkel, diving, kiteboarding, boogie boarding, windsurf, surfing
• Notes - amazing terrain makes for a spectacular beach
  

The surf keeps getting bigger. We make our way to Montones Beach! Next! >>

Shacks Beach, Isabela - Puerto Rico

Probably the most popular spot for kiteboarders and windsurfers is Shacks Beach, Puerto Rico. Now I know what you're thinking - there are things such as "beach shacks", but this beauty is called Shacks. It's located in the little town of Isabela on the northwest point of Puerto Rico. Come here to enjoy water sports.

Most days you can see as many as a dozen intermediate kiteboarders on the water. Shacks Beach is big and you'll not be in the way. If you are a boarder, know that the wind blows in the same direction as rip currents: offshore, so make sure you know how to tack back in. As anywhere, beaches with surf are dangerous and the very best thing you can do is converse with a local surfer who has a little experience under his belt.

For snorkelers, this is pretty nice as well. There's about 50 yards of nice water between the reef and shore. But watch out for the kiters. As with most ocean with coral, the bottom here has its share of sea urchins! Make sure you wear booties.

If you're not into kiteboarding, downwind you'll find a nice area of sand to enjoy. You can do some snorkeling here as well as diving, although we found the water slightly clearer up wind.

There is some good lodging here as well. Check out the room rentals along the beach. We found a few with oceanfront restaurants. Stay further in town if your budget is tight.

Shacks Beach - Beach Index:

• Sand - medium grain, soft, mixed with some rock in places
• Facilities - full
• Shade - nice shade from trees along beach
• Sports - known for kiteboard, but windsurfers abound, snorkeling
• Notes - you will enjoy the view if you venture out here, not recommended for swimming
  

Just up the coast is Jobos Beach, another surfing hot spot in Puerto Rico - and the beach is rad! Next! >>

Rincon - Northwest Coast - Puerto Rico

There are no beaches along Mayaguez worth traveling to. But up the coast, on Puerto Rico's most western point, is Punta Higuero and the best surfing in Puerto Rico at Rincón. This is no new find - well, for us... but longboarders put Rincon on the map back in the 60's. And surfer dudes still live here. Rincón is perfect.

The area juts out into the sea at a place where both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea come together. This force along with some awesome breaks in the area make for some great surfing in Puerto Rico.

Little Malibu break, just off from the Domes balneario, named after the decommissioned nuclear "dome" structures close by, is well known. From Little Malibu all the way up to River Mouth, the surf can be rewarding.

The beach here is soft sand and near River Mouth, because of the tidal pool formed near the ocean, you can find some nice "sea glass". But like most surfing spots in the world, the beach along the Rincon area is broken by ironshore ledges. That doesn't spoil the beach at all and you'll find plenty of areas to have fun.

If you're not on a surf board, beware: currents here are treacherous. So far in 2007, two people have died off the coast here fighting rip currents. So make sure you are an experienced swimmer.

If seas are calm when you make it here, they tell us there is some good snorkeling up around the Tres Palmas Marine Preserve (Caribbean side), beginning at Little Malibu down to Steps (breaker).

For surfers, when the swells are big enough, waves as high as 25 feet are possible. Watch the weather and surf reports.

Rincón - Beach Index:

• Sand - loam, sandy clay mix in some places, ironshore
• Facilities - few, make sure you bring the basics
• Shade - good through mid afternoon from trees
• Sports - surfing, boogie boarding, snorkeling
• Notes - buddy up if swimming, surfing, snorkeling
  

Continuing the surf tradition on this northwest coast, we venture to Aguadilla - some awesome beaches and more awesome surf! Next! >>

Isla Palominos - Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Fajardo is very beautiful. We love these types of port towns that seem to have been here forever. A major boating center, Fajardo has many charters available to visit the nearby islands. But let me tell you the diving and snorkeling off the coast here is spectacular. Because of the offshore reef, the shoreline in many areas is calm and since there really isn't any beach around Fajardo, except for Seven Seas Beach, the water is clear.

The El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa has an exclusive lease on a near by island called Isla Palominos. Imagine being ferried off to the 100 acre paradise through cobalt blue seas. The resort has a catamaran that takes you from the hotel out to the island. And the beach here is white!

El Conquistador runs a full-service water-sports operation, along with something for those who'd rather stay above water: a putting green. We found Isla Palominos to be wonderful, with a sweet cafe that caters to almost every need.

Along the north side of the island is Sunrise Cove, and Hidden Cove, both clothing-optional beaches. Make sure you take your sunscreen.

El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa has around 1,000 rooms, with 16 cafes and restaurants, with a Mahattan's Strip House that's hard to beat. The Arthur Hill golf course has breathtaking views. And they recently updated the casino here. Well worth the visit. Take time to enjoy the fresh ocean breezes here. We found them quite invigorating, especially since we didn't go in the water. Where is my snorkel gear when I need it?

Isla Palominos - Beach Index:

• Sand - fine white powder
• Facilities - full
• Shade - umbrellas, some trees
• Sports - full water-sports facility. Snorkel, diving, windsurf, kiteboard.
• Notes - a $12 million water park opens early 2008.
  

Our favorite beach is up next. It's a Blue Flag beach with sand so white you'll think it's powder. Let's go to Culebra, Next! >>

Pinones Beach - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Breaking away from the San Juan city limits the most scenic drive is up coastal Highway 187. Along Highway 187 is Pinones, where beach goers beat a path to because of the wonderful strip of sand. There are still traces of hurricane Hugo which hit in 1989. But the best thing we liked about Pinones is the paved bike path that runs some six miles through mangroves, rock formations, and hugs the coast.

You'll see the signs off the Highway, and note a mile-long gravel parking lot. This is your cue for the most popular part of the beach. It is here that an offshore rock ledge forms an almost mile-long natural pool where families come to enjoy the sandy bottom and super calm water. And it's never more than four feet deep!

If you get to Pinones Beach early, you'll be able to stake out one of the few coconut palms. If you don't, make sure you bring some sort of shade.

When here, you'll be able to count the many aircraft taking off out of San Juan International Airport. The beach and coast lie right in the flight path. And that's the reason why one of the more popular surf breaks here is appropriately called "Aviones."

Further east, we noted miles upon miles of sand dunes with coconut palms dotting them. It would seem you could hike along them for a day, but you'd probably be trespassing at some point. Make sure you take a canteen and a camera if you go.

Because of the rock ledge, swimming isn't the best. But we found a nice swim area called Vacia Telega at the far eastern point of Pinones Beach, about where those dunes start. Don't worry though. You can tan forever, or fish, as many do. Walk eastward to the point - you'll enjoy the view.

One last tip - bring some drink and food as there isn't always the occasional beach vendor here. But down at the west end of the strip, we did find El Pulpo Loco, with seafood and guess what?! Mountain bikes to rent! Make sure you ride the trail.

Pinones Beach - Beach Index:

• Sand - medium to fine grain, with trade winds some sand whips up
• Facilities - few and far between
• Shade - a few coconut palms
• Sports - fishing, surfing, swimming
• Notes - some cases of car thieves in the area. Make sure you're not the only one at the beach.
  

Up the coast, a Puerto Rico Blue Flag Beach - camping and more - at Luquillo Beach - Next! >>

Isla Verde Beach - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Now all the locals know the best place to go around the San Juan area is Isla Verde. It's a majestic, 200 feet wide strip of that genuine light tan sand and surf that is so gentle, you'll say you've found paradise. We used to call them the "Jet Set", but whatever you call them, people who want to be seen tend to stay toward the El San Juan Resort & Casino and the Intercontinental San Juan Resort & Casino. That's where the amenities are, and we found the beach just as nice.

Pull up a chair and umbrella, because Isla Verde is one beautiful beach. With nice people having a good time, we could sit for hours and literally people watch (if our favorite novel came to an end). But here, you could write your own screenplay because everything is right here. You have the Casinos close by, the resorts, the water sports, the dining, and the mystique of wondering who may be sitting near you.

Sit for a little and you'll see people enjoying kayaks and PWC's, or jet-skis as we used to call them. Plus as we said, this beach beats most for enjoyable swimming with nice wave action and the not too big surf. Families trek here all weekend long, and hate to go back home.

When you're hungry, you'll find Isla Verde Avenue full of restaurants. Do yourself a favor and take a break from the fast food. Order some delicious take-out Cuban sandwiches or their awesome shrimp mofongo from the local Mi Casita which is in the Plazoleta de Isla Verde. Take the sandwiches to sea - and sit on tables oceanfront, or simply in the sand and watch the action.

Make sure you check out San Juan Waterfun with everything you can imagine in water sports. They have the kayaks and Hobies and everything in between, including the fun banana boat ride!

Isla Verde - Beach Index:

• Sand - fine, and a little deeper here. Has a nice golden hue.
  
• Facilities - abound with many rentals available.
  
• Shade - some palms, otherwise choose umbrellas.
  
• Sports - all, however snorkeling/diving is not great.
  
• Notes - this is where it's at around San Juan.
  

Hey, coming up, there's a beautiful beach just up Highway 187 from San Juan. Pinones is 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 - Beach Index:

• Sand - thin sand for the most part, light to medium-brown
• Facilities - full
• Shade - none
• Sports - snorkel, 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 >>