Best Beaches In Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico and its surrounding islands have kilometres of golden and white sand beaches backed by striped emerald, turquoise, and deep blue colours, making them some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.
Even San Juan, the capital city, has some lovely stretches of sand, as well as beach resorts to suit all budgets and vacation preferences. In style, San Juan’s chic Condado District is similar to Miami’s South Beach, with a beautiful beach backed by a vibrant area full with stores.
Outside of the city, however, some of the most stunning beaches can be found, including three on the adjacent Isla Verde shoreline. If surfing is on your list, head to the area around Rincon, where you’ll also find the beautiful Playa Crash Boat, or to the southwest coast, where beaches like Boqueron Beach in Cabo Rojo await.
Then there are islands like Culebra and Isla de Vieques, which provide not only beautiful stretches of white sand and blue water, but also fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities thanks to a robust coral reef system. Our selection of the greatest beaches in Puerto Rico will help you plan your trip.
Best Beaches In Puerto Rico
Table of Contents
Playa Flamenco
Flamenco Beach on Culebra Island is a beautiful expanse of white sand beach that is nearly waveless, making it the best beach for swimming in Puerto Rico.
Playa Flamenco is recognised for its shallow, crystal clear blue waters, dazzling white sand, a plethora of bathing places, and spectacular diving sites.
This Blue Flag certified beach is an absolute must-visit for you if you’re looking for unforgettable family fun that will leave you breathless.
Culebra is worth visiting even if you don’t want to go to the Flamenco beach. The island is only seven miles long and three miles wide, with a laid-back attitude and a strong focus on eco-tourism, as well as a large number of expat companies. Culebra’s coral reefs are also regarded as some of the greatest in the Caribbean, thus a diving or snorkelling expedition is advised.
The Isla de Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, which includes around 20 offshore cays, covers more than a third of the island. If you enjoy trekking, the reserve has some fantastic terrain to explore.
Sun Bay Beach
Sun Bay is a crescent-shaped island located about eight miles south of Puerto Rico’s mainland.
The shoreline of Sun Bay features a mile of gorgeous sand and shore, as well as picnic spaces, campers, BBQ grills, food booths, lifeguards, and other amenities. That means you’ll have an endlessly relaxing time in the beautiful tropical surroundings of the island.
The island is also noted for a unique phenomena that occurs at Bioluminescent Bay on certain nights (Mosquito Bay). The movement of a significant concentration of phosphorescent dinoflagellates causes the water in the bay to light when the conditions are right. You can join an after-dark boat, canoe, or kayak cruise to see this natural beauty.
Luquillo Beach
Luquillo Beach, located 30 miles east of San Juan, is one of Puerto Rico’s most beautiful. The long crescent-shaped stretch of golden-kissed sand is bordered by swaying coconut trees and backed by a normally tranquil stretch of turquoise sea ideal for swimming (lifeguards are on duty during the day). The beach stretches for about a mile and attracts joggers and walkers alike.
There are also public restrooms on the beach, as well as showers and locker rooms. Local food vendors can also be located immediately outside the entryway. A camping space is also available.
You can rent a kayak or attempt fly-boarding if you want to get in the water but don’t want to swim. One of Puerto Rico’s greatest natural attractions, the El Yunque National Forest, is situated close beyond the shore, making for a terrific day trip.
Playa Sucia
Playa Sucia is the most beautiful beach in the area, located on Puerto Rico’s southern coast, Cabo Rojo. It takes around 10 minutes to walk from the parking lot to this beautiful stretch of sand with calm blue water that is ideal for swimming. As a result, it is not as congested as other beaches, particularly during the week.
Cabo Rojo’s famous lighthouse is also in this area. The views from this vantage point are exceptionally breathtaking. Particularly if you go at sunset. Another great beach to visit while in Cabo Rojo is Buye Beach. It features the same quiet, beautiful water and a very local vibe.
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Tortuga Beach
A smaller island next to Culebra Island has its own pocket heaven. Tortuga Beach, on Culebrita Island, is reachable by water taxi or boat from Culebra.
Tortuga Beach is named from the large groups of hawksbill and leatherback turtles that come to breed or graze on the little beach. The sand is as smooth as fine as powder, while the waters are tranquil and transparent due to the island’s pristine condition and remoteness.
Tortuga Beach is a great place to go snorkelling and swimming among turtles. There are many more turtles to be spotted in the east and south beaches, but the adventure doesn’t stop there. There are further trails leading to the west beach, north tidal pools, and the historic lighthouse in the south!
Isla Verde
One of Puerto Rico’s most popular beaches is located just outside the eastern fringe of the capital city, San Juan.
An award-winning beach with smooth, light golden sand and sparkling blue sea lies beyond the skyscrapers that peak over San Juan’s vibrant cityscape. Restaurants, retail malls, bars, lounges, and motels are all within walking distance.
Isla Verde Beach is separated into three sections, each of which is three miles long and frequently rated as one of Puerto Rico’s best beaches.
Isla Verde is a beach resort region in Puerto Rico with some of the top high-end hotels. The lengthy stretch of sun-kissed sand beach boasts a tranquil blue sea, making it ideal for swimming.
There are lifeguards on duty, as well as restroom and shower facilities, and a number of seaside restaurants to choose from.
You can rent beach chairs on the sand if you aren’t staying at one of the resorts. There are also a variety of water sports available, including jet skiing and parasailing. The beach also has some good surfing, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, a local surf school can teach you how to do it.
Condado Beach
Head to Condado Beach in San Juan’s fashionable Condado District for a taste of Miami in Puerto Rico. It’s always a scene, with everyone from celebrities to families with little children to honeymooning couples, and it’s wonderful for people watching.
One of Condado’s best qualities is its proximity to San Juan; a morning spent visiting the old city followed by an afternoon at the beach is a common occurrence.
If you’re not staying at one of the hotels that line this stretch of gleaming golden sand, you’ll have to hire a sun lounger and/or an umbrella to get some shade and a seat.
Before entering the Atlantic Ocean, keep in mind that the current is strong, and it’s better not to go too far out unless you’re a skilled swimmer. You’ll also find the usual array of paid water sports here, as well as eateries along the beach and in the surrounding area if you become hungry.
This beach is ideal for relaxing, sunning, and taking in the sights. Currents and tides are strong enough to pull chairs into the sea if you wade too far into the water.
If you want to swim adjacent to a city, head east of Ashford Avenue to a little beach between the Puente Dos Hermanos Bridge and plenty of surf breaks that will reduce Condado’s roaring waves and provide a safe retreat for families with children.
Playa Crash Boat
Another unique sanctuary worth praising may be found on Puerto Rico’s northern coast, near the beach resort of Aguadilla. Crash Boat Beach is known as the country’s island party beach, despite its moniker.
The name Crash Boat comes from the time when the Air Force had rescue boats stationed here. Crash Boat is now a beach that offers a variety of fun beach activities such as swimming, parasailing, jet skiing, scuba diving, sunbathing, paddle boarding, and more.
You can explore the surrounding tropical flora on walking trails, and beachcombers will find Mediterranean shells aplenty on the sand.
Ocean Park Beach
Ocean Park Beach is another Condado District beach that is a little more private than Condado Beach. Ocean Park Beach is a white-sand affair that is popular with locals. It is located on the eastern edge of the district, which was originally developed in the 1950s as a Miami Beach-style area and San Juan’s first tourist zone.
Because the beach is only one mile long and lacks restrooms, changing rooms, or showers, it attracts fewer day-trippers than other beaches in the region. The ocean on the Atlantic Ocean side of the island is a beautiful deep blue with aquamarine patterns.
Although there are no facilities at this peaceful, laid-back beach, it does provide thrilling water activities such as kite surfing, paddle tennis, beach volleyball, and more.
Vendors selling local-recommended hot crab empanadas, piraguas, and tropical ice cream can be found if you arrive early on weekends.
Balneario de Boqueron
The resort town of Boqueron, located right adjacent to Playa Sucia, is another Cabo Rojo destination. It has a three-mile stretch of golden sand bordered by almond trees and coconut palms.
The beach at Boqueron is ideal for families with little children because of its clean, tranquil, and shallow water, as well as family-friendly weekend events or entertainment. Unlike Playa Sucia, this resort has everything you need, including basketball courts, playgrounds, and gazebos.
Boqueron Beach is a Blue Flag beach, which means it has met stringent international requirements. This is widely regarded as Puerto Rico’s safest beach for children. The seafood sold just outside the entryway, by the way, is a must-try!
The gold sand beach, which stretches for three miles, is bordered by almond trees and coconut palms. The water is very clear, peaceful, and shallow to begin with, making it popular with both families and swimmers.
The beach has a local feel to it, and concerts and festivals are frequently hosted there on weekends. Along the beach, you’ll find restrooms, showers, and snack bars, as well as fresh seafood from local vendors. A one-, two-, or four-hour Jet Ski excursion along the coast is one of the most popular water sports activities in the area.
Playa El Pastillo
The municipality of Isabela, located on the island’s northeastern outskirts, is home to Playa El Pastillo, a sanctuary for artists, nature lovers, and spiritual visitors.
People come to Playa Pastillo for quiet beach walks and contemplation since many locals believe it is blessed or sacred. Only the gentle waves, sea birds, and the rustle of the trees can be heard at this melancholy beach region.
Mother Nature chiselled the side profile of a Taino native on the edge of a massive cliff in the background.
The trails lead to the cliffs, which offer stunning views of the Atlantic, as well as a secret cave, Cuevas de las Golondrinas, which is only accessible during the summer. Isabela made sure that no facilities were developed around the beach to keep it in its pristine state.
Jobos Beach
Jobos Beach, also on Isabela, is a popular surf area with big waves that faces the Atlantic.
Locals appreciate this beach because of the thrills and sheer beauty it provides. If Playa El Pastillo is for those looking for peace and quiet, Jobos is for those seeking a rush of excitement.
Swimming is not recommended here; the beach is for experienced surfers, snorkelers, and interested visitors wishing to mingle with the locals.
There’s a pit cave here, too, that people associate with mythology, just as El Pastillo. It’s also worth noting that there aren’t any posh tourist attractions nearby. If you are hungry, there are a number of local eateries that provide Carribean cuisine at very low pricing.
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