The best beaches in Puerto Rico
Ordered by every profile at once · 20 beaches
Puerto Rico has hundreds of beaches, and the best one depends on what you want from the day. This ranking weighs every profile of the map at once (snorkeling, relaxing and a day out with the family), so the beaches at the top are the ones that do well at almost everything: clear, calm water, a comfortable stretch of sand and a reasonable way in.
Many of them are on Vieques and Culebra, where the water is clearest and the beaches are least developed, but the south coast and the west, from Guánica to Cabo Rojo, have strong contenders you can reach by car. If you only care about one thing, the rankings for snorkeling, relaxing or children order the same beaches with that profile alone.
- 1ViequesNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.
Beautiful beach in the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, on former Navy lands. Calm turquoise water, gazebos for shade and soft sand.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 2
Balneario Caña Gorda
76/100Guánica · South coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.Public beach on the edge of the Guánica Dry Forest, with facilities, shade and very calm water. Boats to Gilligan's Island leave from the nearby coast.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 3ViequesNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.
Long beach inside the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, with very clear water and a small cay offshore. Its reefs offer some of the best snorkeling in Vieques.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 4
Balneario Sun Bay
73/100ViequesNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.Long crescent of white sand near Esperanza, Vieques's public beach. Facilities, camping, calm water and wild horses wandering along the shore.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 5CulebraNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.
Main beach of Culebrita, a small island off Culebra in the wildlife refuge. Turtles feed in the bay, and nearby are tide pools known as "the jacuzzis" and an old lighthouse.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 6
Playa Media Luna
71/100ViequesNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.Shallow, sheltered half-moon bay just east of Sun Bay on Vieques. The water stays knee-deep for a long way, making it ideal for children.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 7
Playa Córcega
70/100Rincón · West coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.Long, wide beach in south Rincón lined with small hotels and guesthouses. Soft sand and water that is usually calm, making it one of the most comfortable beaches in the area.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 8
Playa Flamenco
70/100CulebraNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.Iconic white-sand crescent on Culebra with turquoise, usually calm water. Snorkeling is best along the rocky edges and around the old army tanks at the western end.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 9Luquillo · East coastVerified: Checked in person by 787Map: scores and details are confirmed.
Luquillo's main public beach: long, palm-lined and protected by a reef that keeps the water very calm. Ideal for families, a few minutes from the famous food kiosks.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 10
Balneario Puerto Nuevo
68/100Vega Baja · North coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.Vega Baja beach where a rock barrier creates a long, calm lagoon. One of the best options for children on the north coast.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 11
Balneario Seven Seas
68/100Fajardo · East coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.Very calm public beach in Fajardo, with gentle water ideal for families. There is some snorkeling over the rocks at the eastern end.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 12
Cayo Icacos
68/100Fajardo · East coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.White-sand cay off Fajardo, part of the La Cordillera nature reserve, with turquoise water and reef nearby. It is the classic stop for catamaran trips and water taxis.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 13Fajardo · East coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.
Secluded beach in Fajardo reached by a 15–20 minute walk from Seven Seas. Calm water, a nearby reef and a natural setting inside the Northeast Ecological Corridor.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 14
Playa García
68/100ViequesNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.Quiet beach in the Vieques wildlife refuge, close to Red Beach. Calm water and very few visitors.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 15
Playa Prieta
68/100ViequesNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.Small, secluded beach in the Vieques wildlife refuge, between Red Beach and Blue Beach. Calm water and rocks good for snorkeling.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 16
Playa Santa
68/100Guánica · South coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.Calm, shallow bay in Guánica that is a favorite with families. Kayak and paddleboard rentals and food stands make it an easy full-day plan.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 17
Playa Zoní
68/100CulebraNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.Long, quiet beach at the eastern end of Culebra, with views of Culebrita and, on clear days, St. Thomas. A turtle nesting beach with soft sand and few people.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 18
Sandy Beach
68/100Rincón · West coastNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.One of Rincón's most popular beaches, with soft sand, restaurants nearby and good waves in winter. In summer the water calms down and turtles are sometimes seen over the reef.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 19
Balneario El Escambrón
67/100San Juan · San Juan metroNot verified: Scores estimated from public sources, pending an on-site check: they may change.Reef-protected public beach in San Juan, next to Old San Juan. Calm water and snorkeling around the remains of an old bridge, where turtles are sometimes seen.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
- 20
Playa Carlos Rosario
67/100CulebraVerified: Checked in person by 787Map: scores and details are confirmed.Secluded beach reached by a trail from Flamenco, with a long reef wall close to shore. Often considered the best shore snorkeling in Culebra.
- Calm waters
- Beach comfort
- Access
How this ranking is made
Every place has a score from 1 to 5 for each criterion, following a public rubric, and the score out of 100 combines them with the weights of the profile. Most scores are estimates from public sources; places marked “Verified” have been checked in person.
Read the methodology