By official count, there are more than 240 beaches spread across the tropical islands of Puerto Rico. But the locals will tell you there are many more—and some are among the most enchanting in all of the Caribbean. From long sandy strips of pure natural beauty to a high-rise fringed oceanfront that beckons cruise ships, you’ll find a beach to your liking in Puerto Rico. And you won’t even need a passport to get to them. Here are the 10 best Puerto Rico beaches, whatever your taste.
The Best Puerto Rico Beaches
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Best Puerto Rico Beaches Playa Flamenco
Playa Flamenco, on the eastern island of Culebra, is long and its waters are clear. It’s also host to the most striking collection of “found art” in all of Puerto Rico: graffiti-embellished '50s-era army tanks rusting at the surf’s edge, a throwback to the days when Culebra was a Navy bombing range.
Best Puerto Rico Beaches Playa Flamenco
Playa Flamenco, on the eastern island of Culebra, is long and its waters are clear. It’s also host to the most striking collection of “found art” in all of Puerto Rico: graffiti-embellished '50s-era army tanks rusting at the surf’s edge, a throwback to the days when Culebra was a Navy bombing range.
Best Puerto Rico Beaches Playa Condado
Playa Condado, the Waikiki Beach of San Juan, is an iconic high-rise fringed urban playscape that largely defines the cruise-brochure image of San Juan.
Best Puerto Rico Beaches Rincon
Rincon, on the southwest coast, is renowned for its surfing, particularly during the winter.
Best Puerto Rico Beaches Luquillo Beach
Near the entrance to El Yunque National Forest, Luquillo is also known for the row of several dozen food kiosks with all kinds of awesome fried treats, or frituras, from seafood to plaintains.
Best Puerto Rico Beaches Tamarindo Beach
Tamarindo Beach on Culebra is slightly less visited, and is known for great snorkeling and for sea turtles.
Best Puerto Rico Beaches Carlos Rosario
Carlos Rosario on Culebra is a little-developed but increasingly popular beach with a reputation for incredible snorkeling.
Best Puerto Rico Beaches La Chiva
La Chiva, also known as Blue Beach, is a highly recommended beach on Vieques. A former Navy bombing range that’s now re-emerging with serious tourist cred, Vieques has a laid-back vibe. Many of its beaches are still known by color, from the era when Navy jet pilots needed a simple way to keep them straight.
Best Puerto Rico Beaches Playa Sucia
Playa Sucia in Cabo Rojo (southern Puerto Rico) translates to “dirty beach,” but this stunning stretch of sand is increasingly heralded as a little-known gem.
Best Puerto Rico Beaches Playa Sucia
Boqueron Beach, in Cabo Rojo, is an untouristed, family-friendly gem.
Best Puerto Rico Beaches Guanica
Guanica, a town in the southwest, offers a wide choice of relatively quiet Caribbean beaches lapped by the Caribbean sea.
More from SmarterTravel:
- Do I Need a Passport to Go to Puerto Rico?
- 5 Best Puerto Rico All-Inclusive Resorts and Hotels
- 10 Best Things to Do in Puerto Rico
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