Beaches: San Juan

Where the feisty Atlantic meets the passive Caribbean Sea there is nearly 300 miles of sun-drenched shoreline with hundreds of beaches to choose from. Some are as calm as bathtubs and others are world-class surfing destinations. Some attract families, others the young and the restless. Some are lined with condominiums, others coconut palms. You’ll find them in national parks or just by the side of the road. You’ll find Puerto Rico has beaches to fill every desire, but most of all you’ll find them simply irresistible. Here are just few of the more popular spots for sun and sand:

San Juan

The long, white-sand beach in Isla Verde is good for snorkeling when the water is calm and great for people watching, especially on the weekends. There are a few refreshment vendors and plenty of stores and restaurants along the hotel and condominium-lined beach. If you head a few miles east you’ll find the Carolina Balneario where there’s plenty of parking, room to spread out, but sometimes rough surf. Even further east is the picnic-perfect beaches of Pinones where there are plenty of places to stop for a bite of local foods. Heading west from Isla Verde is Ocean Park, one of the prettiest beaches in San Juan and one of the most popular and playful spots for Puerto Rico’s young and restless generation X. The mile-long stretch of golden sand is notorious for being a playground for windsurfers, kitesurfers and paddleball players and is also well-known for its choppy but swimmable shoreline. Even further west, the small Condado Public Beach next to the Condado Plaza Hotel is a great little beach for kids because of its calm waters. It has some shade trees, rental chairs, an outdoor shower and a lifeguard. The only problem is that it is usually jam-packed on weekends. If you want just a little more elbow room or a place to park, follow the coast up one more mile to the coconut palm-filled Escambron Balneario where you’ll find a gentle surf and couple of places to grab a bite to eat. Watch out for holiday weekends because this is a favorite family-camping spot and it gets very crowded.

West of San Juan

The west is best for the droves of the surfers who head for Rincon to ride the mighty waves, but a bit challenging for swimmers. Despite a few rough spots, swimming is safe in the tranquil waters of the Rincon Balneario and at Corcega Beach, both of which are lots of fun for meeting people and soaking up the sun.

East of San Juan

The most photographed and famous beach on the island is Luquillo Beach with its gentle, shallow waters and postcard-perfect palm-lined shore. This is probably the most well equipped and maintained public beach on the island with lots of amenities and several dozen kiosks that serve delicious local foods.

Another favorite beach is Playa Flamenco on the island of Culebra. This spectacular three-mile stretch of sand has shady palms and calm, crystal-clear and shallow water. Weekdays are quiet and peaceful, but the weekends are a completely different story.

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