Puerto Rico Beaches
By Anna Lynn Sibal
Puerto Rico is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Caribbean. It is a territory of the United States, which makes it more modern and developed compared to the other island-nations on the Caribbean. However, an American territory it may be, the culture in Puerto Rico is definitely Latino, with all its vibrance and passion.
If you are planning on including a day or two at the beach on your Puerto Rico vacation itinerary, you are better off knowing that the quality of the beaches there varies. The beaches around San Juan on the main island are golden and fine, but if you are looking for the more pristine type of sand, you had better go and sail for the offshore islands of Vieques and Culebra, or one of the cays. There, the beaches are less developed and more secluded, and the snorkeling is awesome.
Below is a list of the best beaches to bask in when visiting Puerto Rico.
San Juan Beaches
- Condado and Isla Verde. One of the more highly developed strips of sand in San Juan. It is always crowded there, as the beaches there are among those considered as the best around San Juan.
- Crashboat. A venerable beach that is a favorite of snorkelers, Crashboat is named after a US Air Force pier and is located to the northwest.
- Fajardo Beach. Located on the northeastern tip of Puerto Rico, Fajardo Beach is a public beach known for its dramatic seascapes. It has a lighthouse, which is frequented often by guests.
- Jobos. A partially protected beach on the northwest, popular for surfing and water sports.
- Luquillo. The calm waters on this beach, located to the northeast of Puerto Rico, make the beach popular for families with young children. It is mostly frequented by the locals and as such can get really crowded.
- Playa Boqueron. Listed among the most popular beaches of Puerto Rico, it is located on the southwestern tip and boasts of the classic Caribbean vista of white sand and palm fringes.
- Playa de Ponce. Playa de Ponce is a long and beautiful strip of white sand along the southern coast of Puerto Rico. The waters here are very calm and good for some relaxed swimming.
- Punta Higuero. Punta Higuero is known to the rest of the world as Little Malibu. It is a world-famous surfing spot, where the breakers can go as high as 20 feet. This place is also a favorite of windsurfing enthusiasts.
- Punto Santiago. Situated on the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, Punto Santiago is a little secluded; it rarely gets crowded here.
Vieques and Culebra Beaches
- Flamenco Beach. Considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches of the Caribbean, Flamenco Beach is located on the northern side of Culebra and is known for its luscious curve of gleaming white sand.
- Playa Carlos Rosario. Another beach on the shores of Culebra, the Playa San Carlos is enclosed by a barrier reef, which makes it a favorite location for snorkeling.
- Red Beach. Stretching on the southern side of Vieques, Red Beach is the largest wildlife shelter in the Caribbean. This was once a base of the US Navy.
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