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Best beaches in Puerto Rico to explore
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There’s something a rainy day, a busy month at work and a long winter have in common: they all make you crave a beach vacation. If you’re ready to kick back, relax and enjoy some warm Caribbean beaches, you’ll want to head to Puerto Rico — surrounded by turquoise waves breaking on powdery soft white sand beaches. You’ll also find the oldest city in the Western Hemisphere, mouthwatering food and winding cobblestone streets packed with shops and restaurants.
When you head to Puerto Rico with Princess Cruises, we’ll take care of the details and help you plan your dream vacation. Looking to make the most of your trip? Discover cruises from San Juan to explore more stunning Caribbean destinations and extend your trip for a few extra days in a Puerto Rican paradise. To help you pick out which of the many beaches you’re going to be getting your much needed R&R, we have the must-visit beaches for your cruise and a few more if you’re extending your trip.
Must-visit beaches in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rican beaches have clean, pillowy soft sand next to stunningly clear Caribbean waters. These are four of the top beaches you can easily reach while on your Princess vacation.
Isla Verde Beach
Just minutes from San Juan, Isla Verde Beach is a favorite because it blends the buzz of the nearby city with the beach vacation you’re looking for. Picture golden sand, swaying palm trees and the San Juan skyline framing it all. You’re right next to rows of food vendors, restaurants and shops, so when you need a break from the sun, you can grab a bite to eat or wander cute boutiques.
Love water sports? This is a great spot for jet skiing, parasailing and banana boat rides that can help you get your heart pumping and see the ocean. Looking to unwind? Grab yourself a fruity drink at a beachside bar and sprawl out on the sand for a few hours.
Candado Lagoon
Manatees, sea turtles and fish, oh my! One of the most beautiful beaches near San Juan is just minutes from your cruise ship port, and you can visit this tranquil natural haven. Whether you’re looking for warm sand to relax on or a chance to snorkel in tropical waters, you’ll find that in Candado. Keep your eyes peeled for gentle manatees gliding through the water or swim out for a chance to see sea turtles. The calm waters here are perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkeling — even for beginners.
El Escambrón Beach
Pair a beach day with a walk through history in Old San Juan. San Juan is actually the second oldest city in the Western Hemisphere, and its historic cobblestone streets, colorful homes and towering forts are must-see spots in Puerto Rico. El Escambrón Beach sits right next to one of Puerto Rico’s most iconic forts, so you can combine relaxing under a palm tree with exploring the island’s rich history.
Spend part of your day snorkeling in the calm, reef-protected waters or lounging under swaying palm trees with a book in hand, then head out on a Princess excursion. Walk through Old San Juan and step into history in Castillo San Cristóbal. You’ll get the perfect mix of culture and relaxation.
VIVO Beach Club
If your idea of vacation is lying on sun-warmed sand with breathtaking views of turquoise seas, you’re going to love the VIVO Beach Club. With Princess, you get access to this exclusive resort beach where you can sip a tropical drink before relaxing on a picture-perfect beach or diving into a freshwater pool. Get your perfect Caribbean beach day with Princess where we’ll handle all the transportation, and you just get to relax.
Extend your Puerto Rico adventure at these beaches
Fall in love with more of Puerto Rico by picking a cruise that sails from San Juan — and then extend your trip before or after your cruise. In those extra days, you’ll want to see some of these beaches because of their turquoise waters and prime spots for water sports. Each of these four beaches is at least an hour from San Juan, so you’ll likely want to rent a car to hit all of these iconic spots.
Flamenco Beach
Picture this: strolling across powdery white sand with turquoise waters on your right and palm trees on your left. That’s what you get when you head out to the island of Culebra’s most famous beach. The waters are shallow and calm, so beginners will love a chance to swim or snorkel to see the vibrant arrays of fish and coral just beneath the waves. More adventurous swimmers won’t want to miss the iconic sunken military tanks that you can swim out to and explore.
Luquillo Beach
Bringing the whole family? You’ll want to visit Luquillo Beach with its calm waters and family-friendly vibe. The shallow, pleasant waves are perfect for wading out into the azure sea or trying your hand at paddleboarding and snorkeling. If anybody gets hungry, there are rows of food stalls just steps from the sand where everyone can try authentic Puerto Rican dishes like alcapurrias and pinchos. And you can get a little R&R while sprawling out underneath a shady palm tree next to bright blue waters while your kids splash in the waves.
Crash Boat Beach
Surf’s up! Set out for one of the most popular beaches in western Puerto Rico and a surf hotspot where you can try catching a wave. There’s clear water, a bright atmosphere and an old fishing pier where you can cannonball into the ocean. Snorkel, kayak through the gentle surf or munch on a treat from the nearby food trucks. It’s got everything you need for a perfect beach day.
Mosquito Bay
Take a nighttime adventure to the water that holds the Guinness World Record as the brightest bioluminescent bay on Earth. This natural marvel owes its glow to an extraordinary concentration of Pyrodinium bahamense — microscopic creatures that glow bright blue-green when they’re disturbed. To protect the fragile ecosystem, you can’t swim out, but you can kayak through to see the water come to life. With up to 160,000 of these glowing organisms per liter of water, every paddle stroke or splash creates a mesmerizing trail of light across the bay's surface.
You’ll need at least two days in Puerto Rico since you’ll take a ferry out to the island of Vieques to visit this beach at night.
Planning your perfect beach day
Puerto Rico’s beaches are beautiful year-round, but for the best conditions, book a cruise during December and April for great temperatures, less rain and lower humidity — perfect for a beach day. Summer and early fall tend to be hotter and more crowded, especially around holidays, but even then, the beautiful beaches are still worth a visit, just head out early to avoid the crowds.
Make the most of your day in the sun by packing smart. Here’s what you should bring:
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Wide-brimmed hats to block the sun
- Sunglasses
- Lightweight cover-ups for sun protection
- Water shoes for rocky areas and shores
- Swim gear
- A cooler with snacks and water
If you're not renting a car, consider using rideshare apps or local shuttles to get to and from the beach with ease.
Help preserve Puerto Rico’s natural beauty by being a mindful beachgoer. Always dispose of trash properly, or better yet, bring a reusable bag to pack out your waste. Avoid stepping on coral, keep a respectful distance from wildlife and use biodegradable products when possible.
Planning your perfect beach day
If you’re craving a beautiful beach day, it’s time to start planning your Princess cruise to Puerto Rico. You can pass through San Juan or extend your adventure to see more of this beautiful destination — and to hit more of the beaches on this list. When you vacation with Princess, you’ll get access to fantastic San Juan excursions, some of the best food on the ocean and incredibly comfortable beds to relax on after a long day in the sun.
Check out our top Caribbean cruises to start planning your vacation of a lifetime.