Spending New Year’s Eve in Puerto Rico is best when followed by spending New Year’s Day at any of the island’s many gorgeous beaches. What better way to start the year properly?
With more than 300 miles of coastline, Puerto Rico and its surrounding islands offer some of the greatest beaches in the Caribbean. From sandy beaches, crystalline pools and world-class surfing spots to party beaches, secluded coves and mangrove keys—there’s a beach for everyone in Puerto Rico.
Take a break after the New Year’s Eve party and soak in the sun. Sweat out your hangover surfing, kiteboarding or riding a jet ski. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and explore underwater life in a quiet snorkeling spot. Whatever you fancy, here are 12 beaches to make it happen.
1. Flamenco Beach – Culebra
Playa Flamenco regularly ranks as one of the best beaches in the world. The crescent-shaped beach features fine white sands and crystal clear, aqua-blue water surrounded by palm trees and green hills. Flamenco is located in the small island of Culebra, 17 miles east of Puerto Rico. Flamenco is also known for an iconic landmark consisting of two brightly painted battle tanks, left there after U.S. Navy operations in Culebra ended in 1975. Facilities include restrooms, food kiosks and camping area.
2. Sun Bay Beach – Vieques
Sun Bay Beach is located in Vieques Island, 8 miles off the Puerto Rico east coast. The beach is famous for its extensive coastline, panoramic views and camping area. Part of Puerto Rico’s national park system, this mile-long, half moon-shaped bay offers gentle turquoise waters, tall palm trees, beachside eateries and amenities such as lifeguard and restrooms. Also in Vieques Mosquito Bay, a bioluminescent bay you can tour on kayak or boat on nights when conditions are favorable.
3. Luquillo Beach – Luquillo
Balneario La Monserrate Luquillo—widely known as Luquillo Beach and Balneario de Luquillo—is one of the best and most popular beaches in Puerto Rico. Located 30 miles east of San Juan, the mile-long crescent-shaped beach is lined with tall coconut trees and backed by family-friendly, calm and shallow turquoise water that is great for swimming and skiing. Facilities include picnic and camping areas, parking lot, restrooms and changing rooms with lockers.
4. Playa Crash Boat – Aguadilla
Known for its spectacular sunset views, Crash Boat is the most prominent beach in Aguadilla, on the west coast of Puerto Rico. Unlike other beaches in the area, Crash Boat is suitable for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing, as well as surfing in the winter. Just north of the beach is El Natural, a famous diving spot with a huge reef full of marine activity. Beach facilities include parking, restrooms, showers, small local food vendors and casual beachfront restaurants.
5. Isla Verde Beaches – Carolina/San Juan
Isla Verde is famous for its upscale hotels and lively beaches. Often voted the best urban beach in the Caribbean, the long stretch of coastline comprises three different beaches, each with its own unique vibe. El Alambique is the most active and social, featuring hotels, restaurants and vendors offering parasailing, jet ski and banana boat rides. East of Alambique is Pine Grove beach, a popular surfing spot. Further to the east, Balneario de Carolina attracts family gatherings with its lifeguards, restrooms, showers and picnic tables.
6. Playa Sucia – Cabo Rojo
Located on Puerto Rico’s southwestern tip, Playa Sucia is a splendid, wild and isolated crescent-shaped strip of sand and clear, calm turquoise water that is perfect for swimming and relaxing. West of the beach, the famed Los Morrillos Lighthouse sits on a white lime cliff that drops over 200 feet into the ocean and that offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea, especially at sunset.
7. Condado Beach – Santurce/San Juan
Perfectly situated in the Condado district, this dazzling beach attracts a diverse crowd—from celebrities to families—and offers an exciting scene, day and night. Nearby luxury hotels, restaurants, bars and shops offer additional things to do before and after the beach. On the other side of the beach, across Ashford Avenue, lies Condado Lagoon, a perfect spot for paddle boarding, windsurfing and other water sports.
8. Ocean Park Beach – Santurce/San Juan
Sandwiched between the high-profile beaches of Condado and Isla Verde, in a neighborhood of tree-lined streets, low- and mid-rise condos, small guesthouses and older homes, is Ocean Park Beach. The water here varies from turquoise to deep blue, and the sands are fine and golden, perfect for paddle ball, frisbee and beach volleyball. This beach does not have bathrooms, changing rooms or showers, so it draws fewer day-tripping tourists than other nearby beaches.
9. Balneario de Boquerón – Cabo Rojo
Balneario de Boquerón is a three-mile beach in the southwestern town of Cabo Rojo. Accented by almond trees and coconut palm trees, this beach offers clear, calm and shallow waters, attracting swimmers and families. On weekends, the beach often hosts live music performances and festivals. A variety of ramshackle open-air establishments line the waterfront, selling traditional Puerto Rican food, fresh seafood, snacks and drinks. Facilities and activities include beach cabanas, picnic tables, gazebos, jet skiing and snorkeling tours, basketball courts, playground for children and restrooms with showers.
10. Domes – Rincón
Rincón became famous for surfing after hosting the 1968 World Surfing Championships, when footage of surfers conquering the 20-foot-high waves was broadcast throughout the world. Located on the west coast of Puerto Rico, between an old nuclear reactor known as Domes and the Punta Higuero Lighthouse (or Faro de Rincón), Domes beach is a true surfer’s haven, complete with turquoise waters, golden sand and surf shops. Other surfing beaches in Rincón include Puntas, Tres Palmas and Steps.
11. Cayo Aurora (Gilligan’s Island) – Guánica
Nicknamed after the popular 1960s TV show, the Aurora Key is part of the Guánica State Forest and Biosphere Reserve on the semi-arid south coast of Puerto Rico. Aurora has the most transparent water in Puerto Rico, which makes it ideal for snorkeling and taking pictures. The key is fenced in by a healthy mangrove system that creates intimate spots throughout the channels. The only way to get to Aurora’s Key is by boat.
12. El Escambrón – San Juan
El Escambrón is a picturesque beach east of Old San Juan and west of the 17th-century Spanish fort San Gerónimo. The sheltered arc of golden sand offers decent surf breaks and snorkeling opportunities, as well as a beach club, baseball park, stadium and the Tercer Milenio Park, which features cycling and pedestrian lanes and an area for outdoor events.
Don’t stay in this New Year’s Day. Grab your bathing suit, sunglasses and flip flops and go soak up the sun in a heavenly Puerto Rico beach.