Best Beaches in San Juan for Your Puerto Rico Vacation

Are you looking for the best beaches in San Juan to make your Caribbean vacation beach day perfect?

Beaches in San Juan can be crowded, especially on weekends, but there are different beaches for everyone's interests.

Every time I visit the Caribbean, I enjoy beach days and SCUBA diving. The clear waters and warmer ocean are perfect for watersports and sunbathing. 

A beach like Condado is the best beach in San Juan for surfing, while beaches like Playita del Condado, with calmer water, are better for swimming. Other beaches are popular choices for snorkeling, kitesurfing, or food options.

Whatever your beach day style, let’s look at the beaches in San Juan to help plan your island vacation in the Caribbean!

Best Beaches in San Juan

The best part of beaches in San Juan? US citizens don’t need a passport to get here.

“Balneario” in Puerto Rico refers to a public beach. The government runs the beach, and there are typically maintained facilities like bathrooms and showers, and picnic tables. 

If the beach you want to visit does not have public restrooms, check to see what businesses are nearby. Or choose a beach resort with direct access to the beach so you know you have all the amenities available.

Unlike Treasure Beach in Jamaica, these San Juan beaches in Puerto Rico get pretty crowded on weekends and holidays. Plan your beach days during the week for less crowds.

1. Escambrón Beach

Escambron Beach, located between Old San Juan and Condado, is one of the best beaches in San Juan. As a family-friendly beach, it is the only public beach with restrooms.

The shore is a long strip of sand lined by tall palm trees. Escambron Beach is in the metro area of San Juan, so restaurants and shops are close by.

There are coral reefs that act as natural walls protected from the waves. Escambron is an ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling, and SCUBA diving. Expect to see lots of fish and sea turtles.

Parking at Escambron is available from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and a lifeguard is typically on duty from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm daily. The restroom is on the west side of Escambron Beach. The tropical fish (and better snorkeling) are closer to the east side where there are more rocks.

Excambron Beach is a "Blue Flag" beach, focusing on sustainability and the protection of the environment. Having a Blue Flag status means the beach has high standards for cleanliness and respect for the ocean life. 

On the south side of Escambron Beach is the Bateria el Escambron Beach. Both have calm water perfect for swimming, but the Bateria el Escambron is more well-known for its snorkeling.

2. Condado Beach

Condado Beach is one of the best beaches in San Juan for soaking in the sun and enjoying watersports. The surf is rough, so while it has a great beach and is perfect for surfing, Condado Beach is not ideal for swimming.

This beach is also in the middle of bars, lounges, shopping, and high-end hotels. Condado Ocean Club is a gorgeous waterfront luxury resort. 

Everything is easily within walking distance once you’re there. Condado Beach is less than a 10-minute drive from San Juan or Old San Juan Cruise Terminals.

Cruises don't always provide extra time for ports of call, so Condado Beach is a better option. Take a taxi and rent chairs and umbrellas for a couple of hours. Grab some food nearby, then head back to your cruise ship.

Across the street (Ashford Ave) from Condado Beach is Condado Lagoon. Laguna del Condado is an estuary and a home to the Caribbean Manatee! 

There is so much to do in San Juan that we didn’t have time to check out the lagoon.

I seriously need to go back to San Juan just to go here. Can you imagine kayaking or paddleboarding and seeing a manatee poke its nose out of the water to say hello? 

3. Playita del Condado

A short drive from Condado Beach is Playita del Condado. The beach is located east of the Ashford Avenue bridge and is one of the best beaches in San Juan for families. 

Playita del Condado is a small beach in a cove where palm trees provide shade and the tall hotels buffer the wind.

Lifeguards are on duty during the day, and the shallow water is perfect for swimming without a strong current or big waves.

Playita del Condado has outdoor showers but no public restrooms. For families with small children, you need access to restrooms. Use the facilities available at nearby hotels and restaurants.

Some hotels, like Condado Plaza Hilton, offer complimentary chairs and umbrellas at Playita del Condado. You can access the beach through the pool area and return to use the amenities at the hotel.

If you're not a hotel guest, consider renting umbrellas and chairs. You may not think you need chairs, but the umbrella for shade is necessary for long beach days! 

The umbrella was the difference between just a couple of hours versus over a half-day at the beach. Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are all Caribbean essentials to pack, but giant beach umbrellas are a bit more difficult to pack on a plane. 

Street vendors sell food and drinks at Playita del Condado. My personal favorite? Fresh coconut ice cream! You haven’t been to the Caribbean if you don’t get ice cream from a street vendor.

4. Ocean Park Beach

One of the best beaches in San Juan, Ocean Park Beach, has nets on the sand for beach volleyball and beach tennis. 

The water is not great for swimming because of the huge waves and strong currents, but Ocean Park is a beach for boogie boards and kitesurfing.

Parque Barbosa (or Barbosa Park) is right across the street and has basketball and tennis courts, a running track, and a playground for kids.

There are no public bathrooms or showers and only one beach restaurant and bar. Plan to stop for food on your way to the beach for more options, or head to El Ultimo Trolley.

El Ultimo Trolley is on the east side by where Barbosa Park is. Vendors are selling refreshing snacks like piraguas (similar to snow cones), ice cream, food, and drinks.

Ocean Park Beach is one of the few dog-friendly beaches in San Juan. 

The packed sand is perfect for a walk or a run with your pup. Remember to use a GPS collar when traveling with your furry friend. You don't want them to get lost on your Puerto Rican vacation!

5. Playa Peña

Playa Peña is among the best beaches in San Juan because it’s the perfect location for a quiet day at the beach.

It’s also known as Playa Capitolio because it’s across the street from the Capitolio building in Old San Juan. Playa Peña is the perfect beach to visit for cruise stops and visiting Castillo San Cristobal, or other nearby historical landmarks.

There is no lifeguard on duty, but it is a hidden beach that few people know about. Most people will head straight for tourist beaches like Condado Beach, Luquillo Beach, and Isla Verde.

Playa Peña is a rocky beach with patches of sand. Even though this beach is not the best for lounging on soft sand, its natural beauty offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and San Juan Bay.

Pack a picnic and a beach blanket to soak in the scenery. Or walk on the shore with your feet in the warm ocean water. Playa Peña is a quiet place within the busy Old San Juan city.

Best Beaches near San Juan

The Bahamas isn’t the only place in the Caribbean where you get tranquil beaches and fun adventures. San Juan in Puerto Rico has some great beaches, but there are even more options just outside the city line.

East of the San Juan district, you enter the district of Carolina, then Loiza, then the Rio Grande, then Luquillo before you reach the western side of Puerto Rico.

These beaches are within 15-45 minutes from the San Juan Cruise Terminal.

When choosing a resort in Puerto Rico, pick one close to San Juan for the main attractions, but remember to plan a taxi or tour to discover the amazing beaches east of Old San Juan.

6. Playa el Alambique

Playa el Alambique, also known as Hobie Beach, is one of the best beaches near San Juan ideal for swimming and sunbathing.

Playa Alambique, in the district of Carolina, is located just 15 minutes from the San Juan Cruise Terminal.

There are plenty of restaurants and hotels within walking distance of Playa Alambique, including budget hotels and beachside resorts. The beachside resorts maintain the sand in front of their properties, so it’s a good place to rent a chair and umbrella for the day.

The main entrance to Playa Alambique is off of Calle Jose Tartak. Drop off your beach gear, then find some nearby public parking.

Rent a jetski or kayak for an extra adventure, or try to stay on the hilarious banana boat. There’s also fishing, diving, kitesurfing, and bike riding.

The waters at Playa el Alambique are calmer than at the Condado and Ocean Park beaches, so it’s the perfect location for swimming and snorkeling.

Playa el Alambique is pretty much your all-in-one-stop shop as far as beaches go.

7. Isla Verde Beach

The Isla Verde resort area includes Playa el Alambique, Isla Verde Pine Grove Beach, and Balneario de Carolina.

Isla Verde Beach is the stretch of shore just east of Playa el Alambique. It’s less than 10 minutes from the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport. 

Walking to and from the beach is a great way to save money on your island vacation. Isla Verde is the perfect place for walking around town and cheaper rental options. This beach is a busy stretch of sand lined with restaurants, hotels, and resorts.

Pine Grove Beach is on the east side of this stretch of Isla Verde Beach and has the calmest waters. It’s perfect for families looking to splash in the water with younger children. 

Pine Grove Surfing Beach is right after that and has deeper water and excellent surfing waves.

Rent an umbrella and some chairs, and get ready to soak in the sun. The beach is your typical tropical soft sand with warm ocean water. 

There are plenty of vendors selling food and drinks. It’s not the best beach for finding sea shells, but it’s great for everything else!

8. Balneario de Carolina

Balneario de Carolina is one of the best beaches near San Juan because it is a public beach.

All beaches in Puerto Rico are open to the public, but an official public beach, or a “balneario,” is a beach maintained by the government with amenities.

There are public bathrooms and showers, picnic tables, beach volleyball courts, and even a water park for kids. Add a beach volleyball tournament to your swimming and sunbathing beach day.

Balneario de Carolina offers accessible equipment for those with wheelchairs to access the water. The beach also has gazebos for rent, a first aid station, and lifeguards on duty during business hours.

Carolina Public Beach has specific operating hours because it is a public beach maintained by the government. 

During summer (May 15 - August 15), the beach is open daily 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. The beach is closed on Mondays unless it’s a holiday from August 16 - May 14. The off-season hours are 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

The beach is free, but there is a fee for Balneario de Carolina parking ($5 as of early 2024).

9. Luquillo Beach

Luquillo is a relatively short drive from Old San Juan (about 45 minutes), but I had to include Balneario el Monserrate Luquillo Beach because it’s the best beach for food and scenery.

There are 32 drink and food kiosks lining Luquillo Beach. These vendors sell tropical cocktails, mofongo, calzones, and so much more.

The Atlantic Ocean at Luquillo Beach is perfect for surfing and snorkeling so you get the best of both worlds on your island vacation.

Luquillo Beach has 12 miles of coastline and is bordered by the El Yunque National Forest, with tons of hikes and beautiful waterfalls. 

When visiting San Juan on an Eastern Caribbean Cruise we tried to take a taxi to Luquillo. Locals told my friends and me that taking a taxi to Luquillo from Old San Juan is easy, but a taxi to get back is not as easy to find.

The better option is to rent a car or book a tour in El Yunque National Forest that includes a stop in Luquillo. Or find a resort and stay in Luquillo, then taxi to Old San Juan where it will be easier to taxi back.

Best Beaches in San Juan Summary

The best beaches in San Juan offer a variety of experiences. Almost all of the beaches offer chair and umbrella rentals, but only some have public restrooms and a lifeguard on duty. 

Condado is the best surfing beach, perfect for seaside luxury resorts and fun nightlife.

Playita del Condado and Escambron Beach have calmer water and are the best beaches in San Juan for swimming. 

Escambron is also well known as a popular snorkeling destination to see tropical fish and sea turtles.

Ocean Park Beach is dog-friendly and has volleyball courts while Luquillo is a bit further away, but popular for its food and drink kiosks.

Plan which beach you visit in San Juan based on what your beach day style is. Also, consider what hotel you’re staying at or how long of a cruise stop you have. 

The only thing left is to determine what the weather will be like when you visit the Caribbean. Are you ready for your tropical vacation?