We are both born and raised in Puerto Rico. Therefore, if my Puerto Rican pride shows a little too much during this blog, I do not apologize. Haha. I love Puerto Rico as it is home and everything that it has to offer, especially the beautiful and breathtaking beaches surrounding the island.

I tend to categorize the beaches by accessibility to not just me but locals as well. This will determine the crowd that you will encounter and how the beach is actually maintained. I will not be ranking them from 1-10 by how much I like them but how accessible they are. Everyone’s taste in beaches is different as some like a crowd to party with and some like tranquility and relaxation. I will also separate them by beaches that are in the main island and beaches that are in the surrounding islands such as Culebra and Vieques.

Here are my top beaches ranked from high to low accessibility.

Main Island:

Ocean Park

Ocean Park is conveniently located in Condado, Puerto Rico which is just a short ride from San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. To anyone staying the “touristy” part of Puerto Rico, this is a very accessible public beach that locals also enjoy. I would personally come here when I was little with my mom and brother and have a lot of fun. There are surrounding restaurants and bars that also make this a fun beach to visit. I find it to be well maintained considering the traffic that the beach gets.

Cerro Gordo

Cerro Gordo is a beach located in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico. This is also a local favorite and you will find a big crowd especially during the weekends and holidays. This a longer car ride from the capital, 30-40-minute ride, but it is still extremely accessible to tourists and locals. This beach has a couple of bars and local food trucks that will let you indulge in the local beer, Medalla, and local food delicacies, such as bacalaitos and empanadillas.

Poza del Obispo (Bishop's Pond)

Poza del Obispo is located in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. It is often looked over by tourists but not locals. You will find a crowd, but it is manageable during the weekdays. There are two parts of this beach, one being “La Poza” and the other being the long beach. La Poza is surrounded by rocks creating a beautiful cove to swim in and look at the waves crash. The long beach is used by many locals and is often where locals go to surf and boogie board. This beach is also a nesting site for endangered sea turtles, therefore if you do go, please be cautious and leave these nests alone.

Crash Boat

Crash Boat is one of my favorite beaches in Puerto Rico. It is located in Aguadilla and it is a 2-hour drive from San Juan. It is a local favorite and becoming a tourist favorite. It has beautiful, crystal clear water that is perfect for snorkeling. The beach also has a pier that many like to jump off of and into the water. It showcases beautiful canoes with painted Puerto Rico flags as well as murals decorated in Puerto Rican art. It is surrounded by local food trucks and a bar that makes this the perfect hang out place.

Combate Beach

Combate is located in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. This one is not as accessible to tourists as it is quite the drive from San Juan, 3-hour drive, but it is for sure a local favorite, especially during weekends and holidays. It is separated by the north and south side. The north side tends to be the most crowded area as there are restaurants conveniently surrounding it, but it does have a beautiful view of colorful beach houses and fisherman boats. The south side will be the most secluded and relaxing side of this beach. With having best of both worlds, this is why Combate is the middle man in this blog.

Jobos Beach

This beach is another personal favorite. Jobos is located in Isabela, Puerto Rico. Isabela tends to be a town that most tourists drive past and never go in to explore. Considering that it is home to this beautiful beach, that is a big mistake. Jobos is a surfer destination with amazing waves to catch! It is also the perfect beach to relax at especially late in the afternoon. It is surrounded by delicious restaurants and bars as well as souvenir shops. It tends to be a hit or miss when it comes with crowds during the day time, but when I have visited, it has been pretty calm.

Mar Chiquita

One of my all-time favorite beaches in Puerto Rico! Mar Chiquita is located in Manatí, Puerto Rico and is only a 40-minute ride from San Juan. I was contemplating on where exactly this beach falls into in this blog. I wouldn’t necessarily consider it a hard beach to access, but, surprisingly, not many people go to this beach compared to others. This is a cove like beach that is surrounded by rocks. The view of the waves crashing through is for sure a sight to see. I personally enjoy swimming when I go to beaches and the water here is exceptional to swim in. There are local food trucks that serve Puerto Rican delicacies that would make the perfect beach snack as well. There are two parts of this beach, the cove and the long beach. While the cove tends to be the busiest section, the long beach also has its perks.

La Poza De Las Mujeres

La Poza De Las Mujeres is also located in Manatí, Puerto Rico. It does require a small hike to them, that many locals and tourist do not want to do when you have other easily accessible beaches. The hike is only a couple minutes but do pack accordingly as you would have to carry your bags and belongings with you. It is, once again, another beautiful cove surrounded by rocks. I have a thing for coves apparently. Anyway, this is a gorgeous spot to relax and the view of the beach you get once you get to it is absolutely breathtaking. The beach is secluded therefor bring your own snacks and such. La Poza de Las Mujeres is neighbor of another gorgeous beach which leads me to my final choice.

Cueva de Las Golondrinas

This beach is conveniently located right next to La Poza de Las Mujeres therefore you can knock these two beaches out in one day. The way to access this beach is to do an easy climb by rocks that are connecting both beaches. It has a lounging area where it seems like just a regular beach. However, there is a section in this beach where there are mini caves you can go into and inside are natural pools for you to swim in. It is a gorgeous sight to see and for sure one of my top places to go to in Puerto Rico.

Culebra and Vieques:

Flamenco Beach

Flamenco Beach is located in Culebra and it has to be one of the most known beaches in Puerto Rico. It has been awarded titles like the “Best Beach in the Caribbean” and rightfully so. With this title and recognition expect the crowds to be high. However, it is for sure a beach that you cannot miss. The water is undeniably blue and absolutely breathtaking. It is perfect for snorkeling, relaxing, and swimming. There are surrounding restaurants and bars for you to indulge in too.

Zoni Beach

Zoni Beach is also located in Culebra but, unlike Flamenco Beach, this beach is absolutely tranquil and quiet. This beach is perfect for those who do not want to encounter crowds and sincerely just want a peaceful and relaxing day at the beach. In the distance, you will be able to spot St. Thomas which is also another site to see. However, with this seclusion, comes the lack of amenities around the beach so do come prepared.

Black Sand Beach

Black Sand Beach is located in Vieques and it is known for its beautiful black sand. With the crystal-clear water contrasting against the black sand, it is for sure a sight to see. The black sand comes from volcanic material since some areas of Vieques are volcanic. Tourists do come to this beach often to witness this beauty, so expect a slight crowd.

Mosquito Bay Beach

Mosquito Bay Beach is located in Vieques and it is amongst the three bioluminescent bays that are located in Puerto Rico. It is one of the brightest ones, so if I were you, I wouldn’t miss it. Although it is not necessarily a beach like the others, you can come and kayak through this bay with tour guides to experience this beauty.

Tips:

Plan your days accordingly

If your trip is during the week, this will always be the best time to visit the beaches. Most locals are working, and kids are at school if it’s not summer time. Considering the accessibility of these beaches, if you want more of a secluded and relaxed vibe, the beaches ranked 5-9 would be where you want to spend your time. If you’re looking for a place to hang out and meet new people, the beaches ranked 1-4 will be the beaches you want to be at. Always remember weekends and holidays will be the most crowded doesn’t matter which beach you go to, however some less than others. This is why I ranked them by accessibility.

Pack Your Essentials

I will be doing a “Beach Essentials” blog in the future. However, do not forget the basics for the beach and any specific things you might need for that particular beach such as hiking shoes, water shoes, umbrellas, etc.

Get there early

If you decided to go on a busy day, make sure to get there early and get the perfect spot on the beach. I tend to get a corner and close to the water for privacy and easy access to the beach itself.

Bring a trash bag

Please always bring a trash bag! Keeping beaches pretty and clean should be on everyone’s list. These beaches are beautiful and enjoyable if we keep them as such.

Happy travels and enjoy the Island Life!

Best Beaches in Puerto Rico