Top 10 Beaches in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico isn’t just one island—it’s an archipelago, made up of the main island and smaller offshore gems like Culebra, Vieques and Culebrita. And while it’s known for colorful colonial towns and lush rainforests, its beaches are in a league of their own.

San Juan is a great starting point, especially for first-time visitors. But to really experience the island’s coastal magic, you’ll want to venture beyond the capital. Take it from someone who didn’t the first time around—and is now itching to go back and do it right.

Some of Puerto Rico’s best beaches are surprisingly easy to reach, just minutes from the city. Others require a ferry ride, a quick flight or a slow drive down a dirt road. That’s part of the adventure. If you’re planning a beach-focused trip, it’s worth renting a car, especially if you want to road trip along the coast or catch the ferry from Ceiba to the offshore islands.

Whether you’re snorkeling off Fajardo, surfing in Rincón or swimming with turtles on Culebrita, these are the best beaches to visit in Puerto Rico.

San Juan was my first-ever solo trip as a traveler—and while most of Puerto Rico’s best beaches lie outside the city limits, I did have a chance to explore the best of the urban coast. That brings us to El Escambrón.

Just minutes from Old San Juan and Condado, El Escambrón is the city’s most scenic and swimmable beach. Protected by a coral reef, the water here stays calm and clear, making it ideal for snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing. The beach is one of just a handful in Puerto Rico to earn Blue Flag status, an international eco-label given to beaches that meet top standards for cleanliness, water quality, and accessibility.

Lined with palm trees and golden sand, El Escambrón is a favorite for families and solo travelers like myself. There are lifeguards, shaded picnic areas, restrooms, and direct access to local restaurants nearby. While the rest of the beaches on this list require a bit more of a journey, El Escambron proves you don’t have to leave San Juan to find a little slice of paradise.

You’ve probably seen photos of Flamenco Beach without even realizing it. A rusted U.S. Navy tank, now covered in colorful graffiti, sitting right on the sand like a relic from another world, is one of the island’s most photographed landmarks. Yet the real draw here is the setting: powdery white sand, electric blue water and a calm, shallow bay that makes it feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard.

Understandably, it consistently ranks among the best beaches in the world. And no one said reaching paradise was easy. Flamenco Beach is located on the tiny island of Culebra, just off Puerto Rico’s east coast. To get here, you should hop on a short flight from San Juan or catch the ferry from the town of Ceiba, located about an hour southeast of San Juan by car. Either way, the moment your toes hit the sand, you’ll understand why Flamenco is considered one of the best beaches in Puerto Rico.

Tucked inside a national wildlife refuge, La Playuela (also known as Playa Sucia) is a crescent-shaped cove framed by dramatic limestone cliffs. It’s a remote slice of coastline where turquoise waters meet soft white sand. With no hotels, restaurants or vendors, it’s the kind of place you go to disconnect and let nature take the spotlight truly.

While the swimming here is great, the real magic is in the views: Los Morrillos Lighthouse stands nearby, and the blufftop trails offer panoramic photo ops. Getting there, however, is part of the adventure. You’ll need to drive to the end of Route 301 and either brave a dirt road (when open) or walk just over a mile to reach the beach.

Tip: Arrive early and avoid weekends if you want solitude. With a bit of planning, you can have one of the best beaches in Puerto Rico all for yourself.

When I asked a friend who lived in Puerto Rico for a few years about his favorite beach, Crashboat was the first to come up. As I recall, he said the water there was the “clearest I’ve ever seen,” which explains why it’s become such a popular spot for locals and expats alike.

It’s a lively, colorful spot on Puerto Rico’s northwest coast, in the surf-friendly town of Aguadilla, a region known for its clear waters and laidback vibe. He also mentioned the beach’s party atmosphere—music bumping from speakers, hands gripping piña coladas, and friends jumping off an old pier left behind by the U.S. Air Force.

Despite its popularity (especially on weekends), Crash Boat offers two sandy stretches, giving you plenty of space to spread out. Come for the snorkeling, stay for the music. And if you’re road-tripping around the island, this west coast gem is a must-stop.

Nicknamed Blue Beach for the way its water shifts in color from turquoise to deep sapphire, La Chiva is often ranked among not only the best beaches in Puerto Rico, but in the Caribbean as a whole. This beach is also a part of a national wildlife refuge, which gives way to an undeveloped shoreline, lush vegetation, and a peaceful “I’ve gone off the grid” feeling.

Despite its popularity, La Chiva’s long shoreline offers plenty of space to spread out, and you’ll find pockets of shade tucked under low-lying palms and coastal brush. The real highlight is in the water, where calm conditions and excellent visibility make it ripe for snorkeling. Swim out near the small islet at the eastern end for a chance to spot colorful fish around rocky reefs and seagrass beds.

Facilities are limited; bring your own snacks, sun protection, and snorkel gear. 

Icacos Island, or Cayo Icacos as it’s known locally, is an uninhabited cay off Puerto Rico’s east coast. With its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear water, and excellent snorkeling conditions, it’s a favorite day‑trip destination for travelers.

Getting there is part of the adventure: most travelers head to Las Croabas, a small fishing village and marina in Fajardo, and hop aboard a water taxi or private charter that takes about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the island.

There are no facilities on Icacos—no bathrooms, food stalls, shade structures, or lifeguards—so pack everything you’ll need for a disconnected beach day. For a quieter experience, plan your visit on a weekday when fewer boats arrive.

Ever heard of Rincón? It’s the surfing capital on Puerto Rico’s west coast, and Domes Beach is at its center. The name “Domes” comes from the old BONUS nuclear reactor dome, which looms above the beach, and is a quirky landmark locals recognize instantly.

This stretch delivers some of the island’s most consistent and powerful waves, especially in fall and winter, making it a favorite among pro and amateur surfers. It regularly hosts competitions like the Corona Pro Surf Circuit, drawing wave riders from around the region. That being said, swimming isn’t recommended here. But the atmosphere is worth the trip.

A short trail behind the beach leads up to a seawall and lighthouse overlook with dramatic views of the rugged coastline and—if you’re visiting between January and March—perhaps even migrating humpback whales offshore.

Named for the green sea turtles that nest and feed in its shallow seagrass beds, Tortuga Beach is one of the most beautiful and untouched beaches in Puerto Rico. It’s located on Culebrita, a tiny, uninhabited island just off the coast of Culebra—a laid-back island east of mainland Puerto Rico known for its quiet charm and pristine beaches.

Tortuga stuns with powder-soft white sands and dramatic rock formations at either end that frame the beach like a natural amphitheater. There are no hotels, no restrooms, no restaurants, and no lifeguards, and that’s exactly why we love it. This is raw nature at its finest.

To get here, you’ll need to reach Culebra first (by ferry from Ceiba or a short flight from San Juan), then book a water taxi or private boat to Culebrita, about a 20-minute ride. Bring everything you need for the day, and get ready to spend it in what feels like your very own deserted island paradise.

Tucked into Puerto Rico’s north coast, Playa Mar Chiquita is a stunning natural wonder—a crescent-shaped cove carved out by two dramatic limestone outcroppings, which filter the crashing Atlantic waves into a calmer, turquoise pool. The result is a beach that feels like nature’s own swimming hole.

While weekends bring a local crowd and a few food trucks selling Puerto Rican fritters and cold drinks, Mar Chiquita stays refreshingly undeveloped. You won’t find any hotels or restaurants here. It’s great for a laid-back beach day or a quick coastal detour if you’re exploring the north.

There’s little shade, so bring sun protection or rent an umbrella on-site. As always, swim with caution. Conditions can vary depending on tides and weather. But on a calm day, this natural pool is one of the most memorable places to cool off in Puerto Rico.

Just a 30-minute drive from San Juan, Luquillo Beach is where locals and visitors come to relax—and eat. The beach consistently ranks as one of Puerto Rico’s most accessible and family‑friendly waterfronts, complete with lifeguards, picnic gazebos, restrooms, and umbrella or chair rentals.

Bordered by the El Yunque National Forest on one side and a legendary strip of local food kiosks on the other, Luquillo offers the best of both worlds. Spend the morning floating in gentle surf, then head across the street for freshly made empanadas, tostones, and coconut arepas from the dozens of family‑run food stalls serving the island’s best beach snacks.

Known as “La Capital del Sol” (The Sun’s Capital), Luquillo is a great jumping-off point for exploring northeastern Puerto Rico.