Top 10: The Best Beaches in Puerto Rico

In recent years, Puerto Rico has become one of the world’s top tourist destinations. The vibrant Caribbean paradise is world-famous for its culture, natural landscapes and, of course, its stunning beaches. What’s great about Puerto Rico’s beaches is that there’s options for all kinds of travellers—you’ll find secluded golden shores to enjoy the sun, action-packed party beaches, and everything in between. Whether you want to snorkel or scuba dive in crystal clear waters, or read your book at the shore, this island paradise has something for you. Read on to discover the best beaches in Puerto Rico!

1. El Escambrón

Most travellers visiting the Island of Enchantment will arrive at San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marin Airport. So let’s start there! While the city certainly offers everything you might want out of an urban tourist destination (shopping, nightlife, cuisine), it also has some of the island’s most beautiful beaches. So, you get the best of both worlds!

For us, the best all-round beach in San Juan is El Escambrón. Here, you’ll enjoy the natural landscapes which define old San Juan, alongside views of the modern skyline. This sandy beach is a perfect spot to enjoy some swimming or some snorkelling, especially with its crystal clear waters. This relatively small beach also offers plenty of food options.

2. Flamenco Beach – The Best All-Round Beach

Our next beach is located in the island of Culebra, which is located off the northeastern coast of the main island. Flamenco Beach is considered by many to be one of the finest beaches not only in Puerto Rico, but in the Caribbean as a whole—and when you visit, you’ll understand why! Flamenco has it all, it’s gorgeous, easy to get to, and it has fantastic amenities, including great food options.
If you’re not already staying on Culebra, you have a few options when it comes to day trips from the main island. On this Culebra snorkelling tour, you’ll get to make the most of Flamenco’s crystal clear water and enjoy some of its marine life, including sea turtles. Alternatively, spend a few hours sailing around the island on this Culebra yacht tour, which will usually bring you to Flamenco Beach as well.

3. Black Sand Beach – A Unique Beach

Located on the island of Vieques, to the south of Culebra, Black Sand Beach is perhaps the most peculiar on our list. These shores are defined by a fascinating mixture of golden sand, and black sand, the latter of which is made from volcanic material which has been washed down to the beach during heavy rains.

What’s more, this unique beach, which can be reached on a 15-minute hike, is also lined with gorgeous cliffs. That, alongside the generally calm, deep blue waters, makes for a lovely relaxing swim or a tranquil walk along the shore!

4. Icacos Island

Closer to the mainland, in fact, just a 15-minute boat ride from Fajardo, you’ll come across the gorgeous isle of Icacos. This uninhabited isle is part of La Cordillera Nature Reserve, and is home to gorgeous unspoiled beaches and crystal clear waters—allowing visitors to enjoy the abundant marine life which lies below. The most impressive thing on these shores is undoubtedly the incredible coral reefs, which you can see for yourself on this catamaran cruise from San Juan, which features glass viewing windows. Or, see them up close on this cruise from Fajardo, which includes snorkelling!

5. Escondida Beach

Playa Escondida—meaning ‘hidden beach’—is a gorgeous, secluded beach, also not far from Fajardo. To access this cove, one must hike for 25 minutes through a gorgeous mangrove forest. The hike is definitely worth it—Escondida, which is part of the Natural Reserve Ecological Corridor, is a great place to sit back and enjoy the sun. However, keep in mind that swimming is not recommended at this beach, due to strong currents and rip tides.

If you want to visit Escondida Beach for yourself, the best way to do it is on this Escondida beach trip from Fajardo, on which guides will bring you to and from the beach, stress-free!

6. Luquillo Beach

Often referred to as La Capital del Sol (the Capital of the Sun), the area of Luquillo boasts more than 12 miles (19 kilometers) of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. A highlight of this area is the legendary Balneario La Monserrate, also known as Luquillo Beach. Here, you can enjoy a swim in the beach’s calm waters, play beach volleyball or simply enjoy the sun with El Yunque National Forest at your back.

Along with its natural beauty, this beach also offers plentiful amenities, including the nearby Luquillo Kiosks, which feature a number of souvenir shops and family-owned restaurants! There’s also a section of the beach which is overlooked by a lifeguard, so you can have an extra bit of peace of mind.

Pro tip: If you can, we recommend visiting this beach midweek, as on the weekends it can get pretty busy!

7. Jobos Beach – For Families

Jobos Beach is a gorgeous protected cove in Isabela, in north-west Puerto Rico. Because it’s protected, the water is very calm near the shore—perfect for inexperienced swimmers, kiddos and beginner surfers! The beach has a fun, relaxed vibe, with people often playing music from a speaker and playing volleyball. You can also enjoy good food at the several bars and restaurants which lie right on the beach front.

8. Domes Beach – For Surfers

This beach is located in Rincón, on the western coast of the main island. Its name comes from the old, domed, and now inactive nuclear reactor, which lies just off the beach. Domes is our favourite beach for catching some (absolutely mega) waves, especially in wintertime. In fact, this beach is host to various surf competitions, including the Corona Pro Surf.

Domes is located in between a lovely lighthouse, which was built in 1892, and Puerto Rico’s old (now inactive) nuclear reactor. Don’t worry if surfing isn’t your thing. This gorgeous beach is still a great place to relax or go horse riding.

9. La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay

La Parguera, a charming seaside village in Puerto Rico’s southwest, is known for its vibrant waterfront and laid-back atmosphere. In the town’s lively plaza, visitors can explore an array of food kiosks offering fresh seafood and local dishes and listen to live music. However, the best part of La Prageura is its bioluminescent bay, which is one of a few in Puerto Rico. These waters are named as such due to microscopic organisms which emit a blue-green light which creates an incredible natural glow across the water’s surface. Best visible in the dark, try and visit at night, and during new moon, for the best visibility. See it for yourself on this La Praguera Bioluminescent Bay Cruise!

10. Combate Beach – For the Best Sunsets

This beach, despite its name, is home to lovely, calm waters which are perfect for swimming. The name Combate, meaning ‘combat’, refers to the various historical conflicts which have occurred in the region over the years. Today, the beach is favorite amongst tourists and locals alike. It has a lovely natural vibe, forming part of the Boquerón National State Forest. We highly recommend sticking around for the evening, so you can enjoy the beautiful sunset.

Pro tip: Some sections of Combate get very busy, especially on the weekends. If you’re looking for a quieter vibe, head to the south end of the beach!

Safety Advice

Rip tides are a real hazard at many Puerto Rican beaches. Only swim at lifeguarded beaches and keep an eye out for signs like choppy water or strong currents. Staying aware helps you enjoy the stunning waters safely and makes your beach day more fun without any worries!

Well, there you have it! Those are our favourite beaches in Puerto Rico. There are so many others we would have loved to include, but we had to end the list eventually! Let us know, what did we miss? If you’re planning your trip and are looking for more things to do, there’s much more to Puerto Rico than beaches—check out more things to do in Puerto Rico with Civitatis. ¡Buen viaje!