Three Best Beaches - 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.

La Playuela Beach, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

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.

Boqueron Balneareo, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

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 >>

Cabo Rojo Lighthouse, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Labels: balnearios, boqueron, cabo rojo lighthouse, kiteboarding, la playuela, puerto rico beaches, sea without barriers

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?

Afternoon at Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico

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.

From the air, Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico

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: