The best Puerto Rico beaches and where to stay

Located less than 50 kilometres east of San Juan, Luquillo Beach is easily one of the prettiest shores on the northeast coast, its golden crescent-shaped bay lined with palm trees and lapped by calm waters. As well as being in easy reach of El Yunque National Forest, there are a fair few amenities along the beach and a camping area, with kayaks and fly-boarding equipment also available to rent.

Where to stay: The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort Puerto Rico transforms this natural paradise into luxury incarnate, where oceanfront suites overlook the pristine coastline and the resort’s Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course. The level of personalised service here ensures every beach excursion feels effortlessly choreographed, whilst the spa and world-class dining elevate your stay beyond the ordinary.

Where jungle meets coast, Playa las Picuas is a delightfully undeveloped spot just 15 minutes outside of El Yunque. Apart from a handful of private houses scattered along the shore, the entire bay remains wholly natural, with perfect waves for bodysurfing and golden sand for bathing on. Drive one hour out of San Juan to Playa las Picuas and make a day of it with a riverboat ride down Río Espíritu Santo, alternatively getting some ATV action in the jungle at Carabali Rainforest Adventure Park. Otherwise opt for horse-riding or biking in the park, refuelling afterwards at Verde BBQ or Ritchie’s Café.

Around 27 kilometres off the east coast of Puerto Rico, Culebra Island has everything a tropical paradise should have; white sand, calm turquoise waters and pristine natural landscapes. The horseshoe-shaped Flamenco Beach is most picturesque, marred only by two US military tanks abandoned in the 70s. The island’s protected coral reefs make Culebra a great place to dive and snorkel while hiking down to Resaca Beach comes a close second on the itinerary. Other islands worth considering include Culebrita Island with its remote Tortuga Beach, accessible only by water taxi.

Another of the best beaches in Puerto Rico can be found this time on Isla Vieques, a Spanish Virgin island just 12 kilometres from the mainland. Sun Bay Beach is an ever-popular choice on Vieques, offering all the amenities and wide stretches of sand for bathing. Alternative spots on the island include Mosquito Bay, a prime area for night kayaking and boating made memorable by waters lit up with bioluminescent dinoflagellates, or Playa Caracas, a well-preserved cove within Vieques National Wildlife Refuge on the dramatic south coast.

The southwest coast of Cabo Rojo is where the local favourite Puerto Rico Beaches can be found. On the weekends you’ll find families out in full force to enjoy the golden sands and palm tree shade, so arriving early for the best pitch is a must. Balneario de Boquerón lies within the national park where there is limited entry, meaning early arrivals can sunbathe away from the crowds. Stay the night at one of the beachside cabins or head on south to the old lighthouse at Faro Los Morrillos de Cabo Rojo, 10 minutes from the shoreside restaurants and bars at Combate Beach.

Condado Beach is easily one of our favourite San Juan beaches, moments from the old city’s Condado District where boutique hotels, stores and bars line the seafront. Explore the area and people-watch from the shade of an umbrella, warming up for a lively game of volleyball or brisk swim in the afternoon.

Where to stay: The iconic Condado Vanderbilt Hotel has anchored this glamorous beachfront since 1919, its Spanish Revival elegance providing the perfect backdrop for sunset cocktails and ocean views. For contemporary boutique charm, Olive Boutique Hotel offers intimate luxury with rooftop terraces and personalised service that makes every guest feel rather special indeed.

Isla Verde Puerto Rico is actually a beach resort area in a suburb of San Juan, maintaining an island allure with its fair share of sun-drenched shores and calm-ish seas made for decent surfing, jet skiing, flyboarding and banana boating. Though on the busy side, the sheer amount of activities on offer will win you over, plus, who doesn’t love watching attractive people play volleyball over beers at sundown?!

Where to stay: Fairmont El San Juan Hotel commands this stunning coastline with legendary flair, where the lobby’s hand-carved mahogany ceiling sets the tone for old-world glamour meets tropical luxury. The beachfront location puts you steps from both pristine sands and San Juan’s most exciting nightlife, whilst the recently renovated rooms blend classic elegance with contemporary comfort.

A quieter alternative to Condado Beach lies towards the east edge of the Condado District, known as Ocean Park Beach. Modelled on Miami Beach back in the 1950s, Ocean Park was originally the main tourist zone of San Juan, now winding down to become a less-developed local favourite with offshore reefs and breezy climes.

Where to stay: One for LGBTQ grownups is the Coqui del Mar Gay Hotel Adults Only, an exclusive selection of equipped studios and apartments featuring two shared pools and a hot tub just 400 metres from the coastline and 10 minutes’ drive from Old San Juan. Then there’s the Cozy Beach Apartment, found within a gated community between San Juan and Isla Verde, complete with a fully equipped kitchen and its own private beach.

And finally, we reach Dorado, with beaches of golden sand in place of a city of gold. Less than an hours’ drive from San Juan airport, Dorado Beach lies on the northern karst coast near the town of Manatí, in a region known for its nature reserves and limestone cliffs that drop off dramatically into the Atlantic. While Dorado Beach itself is kept pristine with luxury facilities by the Ritz-Carlton Reserve, other beaches in the area such as Playa Mar Chiquita are equally worthy, with the added benefit of empanada and piña colada vendors lining the sand. Avid golfers should also note that Dorado is famous for its champion-standard courses, hosting as many as five surrounding the urban sprawl of El Dorado.

Where to stay: Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve transforms a former Rockefeller estate into the ultimate luxury playground, where world-class spa treatments and impeccable service create an atmosphere of refined indulgence. The sprawling beachfront setting ensures complete privacy whilst maintaining easy access to championship golf and the island’s cultural treasures.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.