The Best Beaches in Puerto Rico

The best beaches in Puerto Rico are some of the most ideal places to soak up all the Caribbean glamour that earned this island its rather endearing epithet, Isla del Encanto. From the long stretches of reef swarming with candy-colored fish that you'll find at La Parguera to the consistent waves that peel like butter off Pine Grove, there's plenty to love about the beaches on this island. If you're looking to flex your sea legs, you can even visit the uninhabited satellite island of Culebrita, where Tortuga swarms with green turtles who munch on seagrass and bask in satisfyingly warm waters. While we made some of our selections precisely for their remote locales a boat ride and hike (or two) away from the main island, others sit squarely within hotspots booming with some of the best restaurants, bars, and coffee shops in Puerto Rico. And to sweeten the pot even more, travelers from the States can visit the island and all its glorious beaches without a passport.

No matter where you choose to head along the nearly 300 miles of coastline, you can't go wrong with an island that truly has no off-season: The best time to visit Puerto Rico is now and always. Below, we've gathered our picks for the best beaches in Puerto Rico—plus where to stay—with billowing palms, soft sands, and fabulous flora aplenty.

 

Read on for our complete Puerto Rico travel guide, which includes:

 

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Tortuga

The path to this beach is a bit of a trek: Starting in Ceiba, a small town to the northeast of the main island, travelers will need to take a ferry to Culebra followed by another 30-minute boat ride via water taxi or tour group to Culebrita (little Culebra). But trust that the ride is well worth the reward of unspoiled paradise—it's even sea-turtle-approved. The beach's name Tortuga nods to the herds of turtles that visit its shores from February to August and make for superb snorkeling companions. Above water, the beach welcomes a Robinson Crusoe variety of fun with its lush untamed jungles and powder-soft white sands. Make sure to grab everything you'll need for a few hours of fun—because of Tortuga's removed location, you won't find amenities like bathrooms or food stands close by.

Where to stay near Tortuga:

 

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Crash Boat Beach

The piers here were initially built so the US military could quickly recover downed airmen from Ramey Air Force Base, thus explaining the name, “Crash Boat Beach.” Located on the west side of the island in Aguadilla, this beach's past life as a military outpost feels far behind it—dinghies and fishing boats of all shapes, shades, and sizes line the highlighter-painted piers and the unofficial soundtrack of the shore comes from the speakers and boomboxes pulsing to reggaeton beats. Whether you're here to party at some of the best bars in Puerto Rico or enjoy the calmer life that carries on at sea, visitors are welcome to take their sweet time here, thanks to the well-stocked kiosks of water sports pavilions, umbrella rentals, and food stands, selling any wares you might need for a long day at the beach.

Where to stay near Crash Boat Beach:

 

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Montones Beach

If you've come to Puerto Rico to do as the locals do, Montones Beach is just the spot for you. Isabela—the small northwestern town the beach is located in—is a veritable playground for all ages. Between Guajataca State Forest's meandering hiking trails and the postcard-beautiful beaches along Paseo Lineal de Isabela, you'd be remiss to not spend all day in the sun here. While the northern end of Puerto Rico is oftentimes battered with choppy waters from the Atlantic, a natural wall of volcanic rock at Montones keeps the more aggressive tides at bay, leaving the beach with a naturally formed pool of shallow water ideal for families with small children.

Where to stay near Montones Beach:

  • For privacy, luxury, nature, and golfing: Royal Isabela
  • For on-the-beach access and a breakfast made from the heart: Casa Bajura

 

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Pine Grove Surfing Beach

A one-mile crescent that arcs along the island's northern coast, Pine Grove provides a taste of the Atlantic's stronger waves, making it one of Puerto Rico's most popular surf spots for those just starting out. Especially during the month of December, the east side of this beach tends to catch consistent three-to-four-foot swells, making it a great place for beginners to learn how to surf. The convenient location is a welcome bonus; as a beach in Isla Verde, Pine Grove is a mere five minutes away from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), so you can hit the sands as soon as you're wheels down in the Caribbean.

Where to stay near Pine Grove Surfing Beach:

  • For sustainability meets high design: Aire de O:live
  • For all-inclusive treatment and beach access: The Royal Sonesta San Juan

 

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La Chiva Beach

Vieques is a six-mile skip to the southeast of the main island, and once dubbed, “La Isla Nena” by Puerto Rican poet Luis Llorens Torres—this island plays the role of darling little sister perfectly. And where better to experience the island's charms than on one of its beaches? La Chiva is a part of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, where a few steps to your left may lead you to a forest of mangroves, a few to the right, a stunning coastal lagoon. Take it all in surrounded by the friendly company of wild horses, sea turtles, manatees, and diving seabirds. Stretching out for one and a half miles, this is a leisurely walk along the beach that's begging to be taken. If you're enticed to do more in the clear-as-glass turquoise waters, head off to nearby Chiva Bay, one of the best snorkeling spots in Puerto Rico.

Where to stay near La Chiva Beach:

  • For an effortlessly hip beach house vibe: W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island
  • For an eco-friendly, adults-only stay: El Blok

 

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Luquillo

Also known as Balneario La Monserrate, Luquillo Beach is so much more than its 12 miles of golden sands, tranquil waters, and fanning palms—though all of the above are fabulous. The beach borders El Yunque National Forest, the only rainforest registered in the US National Parks system. If you're searching to pack your itinerary with more than swimming, surfing, and snorkeling, head for the mountains: For can't-miss sights, journey up the main road to La Coca waterfall for a cool mist and Yokahú Tower, an observation tower where you can behold the entire forest floor before you.

Where to stay near Luquillo:

For more of the best Airbnbs in Puerto Rico, visit our full guide.

 

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Playuela

Located on a southwestern corner of the main island, you come to Playuela for landscapes full of dramatic, rugged scenery. The ocean stretches out a perfect ombre—from the bright teal of the shoreline to the deep azure on the horizon—and the dense tropical brush of the land teems with a crayon box palette, featuring the most vibrant colors of tropical life. Without a huge resort scene, this beach feels untouched and prime for languid afternoons spent lounging alongside the sea breeze. For a photo op full of cinematic potential, check out the Los Morrillos Lighthouse, a quaint gray landmark perched atop the region's white lime cliffs like a nesting falcon.

Where to stay near Playuela:

 

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La Parguera

Technically, La Parguera has no beaches. But you won't miss any other shores after spending a day at these cays. Rent out a small boat or book with a local tour operator to explore the mild seas. Cays like Mata La Gata have shaded picnic areas for a casual lunch in paradise, while the gin-clear waters at Cayo Caracoles have natural walking paths lined with mangroves. Pressed for time and only able to visit one? Plan an after-hours trip to La Parguera's bioluminescent bay—one of three in Puerto Rico, and the only one visitors are permitted to swim in—which lights up an electric blue as you swim through the clouds of plankton that sparkle like glitter against the dark blue water.

Where to stay near La Parguera:

 

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Tamarindo Beach

This is one for the snorkelers. For a strong chance of seeing bus-sized manta rays, sea turtles, and marine life in every other form and flavor, look no further than in Tamarindo's welcoming waters. For those who aren't looking to paddle too far, the serene ocean in these parts is ideal for young families and those of all ages who prefer to just dip their feet in. While the entertainment and dining scene is virtually nonexistent, the opportunities for relaxation and reconnecting with nature are unparalleled.

Where to stay near Tamarindo Beach: