Puerto Rico Things to Do ⎮ Puerto Rico Beaches Guide
Top Rated Beach Tour to Icacos Cay
Puerto Rico is truly a beach lover’s destination, offering hundreds of beaches to choose from, each with its unique qualities. We know the island of Puerto Rico very well. We’ve been sharing the beauty of the coastline since 2004.
This beach guide is created with the needs of travelers in mind, and we present them by region in order to make your beach exploration easier.
By Special Interest
Best Beaches in Puerto Rico by Region
Directory of Beaches by Name
- Balneario de Carolina – Isla Verde, Carolina
- Balneario El Escambron – San Juan
- Balneario Flamenco – Culebra
- Balneario La Monserrate – Luquillo
- Balneario Seven Seas – Fajardo
- Brava Beach – Culebra
- Carlos Rosario Beach – Culebra
- Cayo Icacos – Fajardo
- Cayo Mata la Gata – La Parguera, Lajas
- Condado Beach – San Juan
- Cueva Las Golondrinas – Manati
- Crash Boat Beach – Aguadilla
- Datiles Beach – Culebra
- Domes Beach – Rincon
- El Alambique – Carolina
- Escambron Beach – San Juan
- Flamenco Beach – Culebra
- Gas Chambers – Aguadilla
- Gilligan’s Island – Guanica
- Guajataca Beach – Isabela / Quebradillas
- Icacos Cay – Fajardo
- Isla Verde Beach – Carolina
- Jobos Beach – Isabela
- La Playita del Condado – San Juan
- La Playuela – Cabo Rojo
- Laguna del Condado – San Juan
- Luquillo Beach – Luquillo
- Mar Chiquita Beach – Manati
- Melones Beach – Culebra
- Middles Beach – Isabela
- Ocean Park Beach – San Juan
- Playa Ballena – Guanica
- Playa Colora – Fajardo
- Playa El Pastillo – Isabela
- Playa Escondida – Fajardo
- Playa Jaboncillo – Guanica
- Playa Montones – Isabela
- Playa Pelicano – Caja de Muertos
- Playa Pelicano – Isabela
- Playa Peña – San Juan
- Playa Peña Blanca – Aguadilla
- Playa Peñon Brusi – Camuy
- Playa Punta Borinquen – Aguadilla
- Playa Rocosa – Fajardo
- Playa Santa – Guanica
- Playa Sardinera – Hatillo
- Playa Sucia – Cabo Rojo
- Playa Tamarindo – Guanica
- Playa Tamarindo – Culebra
- Pine Grove Beach – Isla Verde, Carolina
- Pools Beach – Rincon
- Posita de Piñones – Loiza
- Posita Sardinera – Isabela
- Poza de las Mujeres – Manati
- Poza del Obispo – Arecibo
- Poza Las Golondrinas – Isabela
- Pozo Teodoro – Isabela
- Punta de Soldado – Culebra
- Punta Tuna Beach – Maunabo
- Resaca Beach – Culebra
- Rompeolas Beach – Aguadilla
- Sandy Beach – Rincon
- Seven Seas Beach – Fajardo
- Shacks Beach – Isabela
- Spanish Wall – Rincon
- Steps Beach – Rincon
- Surfer’s Beach – Aguadilla
- Survival Beach – Aguadilla
- Tabletop Beach – Aguadilla
- Tamarindo Beach – Culebra
- Wilderness Beach – Aguadilla
- Zoni Beach – Culebra
We do not number the beaches because those lists are subjective; what some may think is a great beach may not be perfect for YOU. Please go through our list. Each beach has a link to a more detailed article, so you can sneak a peek before driving there and avoid dissapointments. Most of the beaches on our guides were included in previous years; at times, we remove some and add new ones to this list due to changes in municipality management. When a dreaded hurricane comes, some beaches are drastically changed; we update our list to reflect those changes.
Disclosure: We are not affiliated with any hotels or businesses on the island; what we write is independent of any advertisements. We come up with our list, and we are constantly speaking with visitors at beaches to gain their perspectives. We also researched reviews to see what everyone else was saying to get a more collective list. The following beaches were chosen because they all met the following guidelines: they’re naturally gorgeous, clean beaches with beautiful blue clear waters, great sand, and alluring landscapes, and the location is considered safe.
What are the best beaches to swim in Puerto Rico?
How are the roads to the beaches around the island of Puerto Rico?
Roads in Puerto Rico are much like the states on the mainland of the United States. To explore the beaches in Puerto Rico a regular car is enough, with the exception of some beaches in more remote areas such as Wilderness in Rincon, when it rains you’ll need a 4×4. Many of the beaches have many natural VIP parking spots where you can park right at a dreamy entry point, driving around the coastline of Puerto Rico is a lot of fun, with free parking on all beaches except Balnearios (managed beach parks by the government) which charge a minimal parking fee, typically under $5 per car, be sure to have cash. Be sure to pack light so you don’t have to carry much to the beach from the car.
The road to La Playuela aka Playa Sucia, (photo below) is a bumpy dirt road, it will be muddy when it rains but most locals get to it without any problems.
In Vieques and Culebra jeep rentals are very popular and the recommended vehicle to explore the beaches.
Should I book a tour or explore the beaches on my own?
To make the most of your time in Puerto Rico, we recommend you mix it up by booking a few fun catamaran tours to offshore islands and keys to experience the most pristine beaches and that you rent a car to explore the rest of the beaches you wish to see on your own.
When is the best time of the year to enjoy the beaches of Puerto Rico?
Be aware that not all beaches can be enjoyed all year, we’ve seen “Best beaches in Puerto Rico” articles by “trusted guides” including beaches that literally disappear for months, wasting precious visitors’ time. Some are only accessible during the summer months, some are only great during the winter months. We live in Puerto Rico, and we have been to every beach through all the seasons of the year in order to give our readers the most accurate visitor’s guide with great beaches travelers can enjoy any month of the year.
Which side of Puerto Rico has the best beaches?
To answer this question, we would have to speak to you in order to find out what activities you like to do at the beach, and whether you’re a tourist who prefers to have amenities right on the beach or a traveler who prefers to experience a more local and authentic island vibe.
Overall, if you were to ask a local this question, they would undoubtedly say, the west coast on the main island of Puerto Rico and the offshore islands of Vieques, and Culebra has the best beaches.
If you close your eyes and dream of the lost untouched Caribbean free of crowds and completely natural and untouched by commercial development, you’ll adore Culebra and Vieques.
If you don’t necessarily like to get in the water and prefer quiet, romantic walks, watching the surf, and relaxing to the sights and sounds… the north and northwest side of Puerto Rico has the best beaches.
If you love the city life, watersports and don’t wish to rent a car, you’ll love the beaches of San Juan.
How long would I need to vacation in Puerto Rico to see the best beaches?
The average tourist can book a few tours to explore the most popular beaches, some opt to rent a car for a few days. The traveler that prefers to explore the coastline and get to know the island better, rents a car and spends at least a week beach hopping. Vieques and Culebra, offshore islands of Puerto Rico are beach destinations on their own and one week on each island is needed to fully enjoy the best beaches around the coastline.
Which beaches in Puerto Rico are closed?
What is the number one beach in Puerto Rico?
The Number One Beach in Puerto Rico… The Best of the Best: Undoubtedly, Flamenco Beach is the most beautiful beach under the Puerto Rican flag, consistently ranked among the best in the world.
- San Juan / Metro Area: Escambron Beach is the best beach in the San Juan / Metro area.
- West Coast: Boqueron Beach is the best beach on the west coast overall.
- South Side: Playa Santa is a nice beach in the town of Guanica and is very accessible. However. the most gorgeous beach is Playa Pelicano in Caja de Muertos island, from time to time you can book a tour with East Island Excursions.
- East Coast: Luquillo Beach
What is the most beautiful beach in San Juan Puerto Rico?
The most beautiful beach in San Juan is Balneario El Escambron, a park that offers two beaches where you can find the best snorkeling in San Juan and the best-rated snorkeling tours. The views are outstanding, visitors can walk to a historic site right on the beach park, find cozy and find intimate romantic spots.
Visiting Beaches after Covid & Beach Culture
Puerto Rico may be a small island, but there’s no shortage of beaches to explore, with so many of them, you won’t find crowds so you’ll have plenty of space on the sand and water to enjoy the warmth of the island and joys of a tropical vacation.
If you’re wondering about the beach culture after covid-19, locals are very good at staying within their group, so the vibe is relaxed yet feels secure for those that carefully follow social distancing. All the beaches are open.
Puerto Rico Things to Do ⎮ Puerto Rico Beaches Guide