Best Beaches in San Juan, Puerto Rico – 2024 Guide

Best Beachfront Resorts & Top Activities

San Juan  ⎮ San Juan Things to Do  ⎮ Best Beaches in San Juan, Puerto Rico 

San Juan, Puerto Rico…  All The Excitement of a Vibrant City with the Allure of Tropical Beaches… The Birthplace of the Piña Colada

If you’re longing for a beach escape with vibrant city life, San Juan has it down to perfection.  Unlike most cities, you will find the beaches of San Juan to be relaxed and uncrowded on weekdays. Enjoy miles of beaches with plenty of room to relax on the sand.  Whether you like a trendy Miami-style beach or a more casual scene, or you wish to snorkel or scuba dive, you can find a beach in San Juan to meet your needs.

The capital city of Puerto Rico is the most accessible and affordable beach city vacation in the Caribbean.  In just a 3.5-hour flight from many cities in the US, you can find yourself laying under a palm tree enjoying the pleasures of a Caribbean island, and enjoying an amazing drink where the Piña Colada was invented.

We encourage you to book an excursion to Flamenco Beach or Icacos Cay for an extraordinary beach experience.  You also encourage you to visit the best beaches on the North coast and East coast of Puerto Rico; renting a car is the best way to enjoy them.

A list of frequently asked questions is included at the end of the list.

Escambron Beach – The Best & Most Beautiful Beach in San Juan

Two Beaches, Historic Site, Great Snorkeling & Scuba Diving Site

The best public beach in the capital city of San Juan is located in Puerta de Tierra, right between Old San Juan & Condado.  Here at Escambron, you can enjoy swimming waters on two distinct beaches, go snorkeling and scuba diving, a historic site, and have sweeping views of Condado and Old San Juan.  Escambron Beach is managed by the municipality, the only beach with facilities.

There are two beaches inside Escambron, the first is the most popular, it is wide with a protected swimming area by a coral wall.   The other beach has calmer water and is popular for snorkeling and scuba divers where sea turtles are often spotted.  This beach is also home to the fortification of Bateria El Escambron, from where you can enjoy sweeping views of the city and the coastline of the Condado Tourist District.

Condado Beach

Best Beach with Resorts

Enter Condado Beach where sand, sun, water, and trendy beachfront resorts come together in Miami Beach style.  For those that love lounging, watching, and listening to the sound of the waves, with beachside resort services Condado Beach is a good choice.  Condado Beach is centrally located within walking distance of many restaurants, shopping, and casinos.  Please keep in mind when you visit that Condado Beach is not safe for swimming, a short walk you can go swimming with the whole family to Playita del Condado where the water is calm, or Condado Lagoon where you can go paddleboarding, kayaking, and other water activities. 

Isla Verde Beach

Three Beaches, Three Great City Beach Experiences

Although not officially part of the capital city of San Juan, a quick 15-minute drive east, you can enjoy Isla Verde Beach, a recently acclaimed best city beach in the Caribbean, and under the US Flag.  This lively and beautiful beach is popular for water sports, safe for swimming, and a favorite place to learn how to surf for families with children.  What is often referred to as Isla Verde Beach is actually three beaches, each with distinct traits.

You can get to Isla Verde with a quick and inexpensive taxi ride from San Juan.  When you’re hungry, there are plenty of restaurants and cafés to choose from within walking distance of the beach.  If you don’t find a hotel that suits your needs in San Juan, Isla Verde Beach offers a nice selection of beachfront hotels, resorts, and small inns.  Isla Verde is just 5 minute drive from the SJU Airport.

Laguna del Condado (Condado Lagoon)

Best Water for Kayaking & Paddleboarding (SUP)

Those that prefer to find quiet and relaxing water activities head to Laguna del Condado, commonly known as the Condado Lagoon.  Right in between Condado and the highway, protected from the traffic noise by a line of almond and mangrove trees you can glide on clear blue waters where manatees, sea turtles, and other friendly beautiful creatures call home.  Laguna del Condado offers the most popular and top-rated kayaking tours by day and night in the San Juan / Metro area.  If you enjoy the sport of SUP, be sure to book a session or rent a board to do on your own. On the southwest corner of Laguna del Condado is a small beach that’s never crowded.  You can walk from Condado across the bridge to reach it.

Tours Visitors Love at Condado Lagoon

La Playita del Condado

Best Beach for Families, Swimming & Location

This beach may be small, but it has some pretty fantastic qualities.   The water is pretty with aquamarine blues and calm for swimming and snorkeling.   Access is very convenient, you may park across the street in the parking garage and within walking distance from many hotels along Ashford Avenue.  The views of the fort and modern city add interest while lounging on the beach.  There are many restaurants within walking distance of the beach.  Umbrellas and lounge chairs are available for rent.  La Playita del Condado is a great beach option for cruisers who want beach time nearby, the closest beach to the cruise ports.  If you walk to the north east corner during low tide, you can sit on a rock by the tidal pools and watch the surf crash against the rocks.  If you’re traveling with small children, you may want to visit this beach, protected by a rock wall keeping the waters calm under normal weather conditions.  Stay at the hotel next door and enjoy it just a few steps away.

Bahia de San Juan “San Juan Bay”

Most Scenic Experience on the Water

Bahia de San Juan is not a beach but a very special body of water certainly deserving of a spot on your list of things to do.  The San Juan Bay offers visitors one of the most scenic and romantic experiences, not to be missed by sunset lovers.  

Ocean Park Beach

Laid Back Beach with Budget-Friendly Inns

A popular beach for both locals and visitors with a more laid-back vibe and fewer crowds than nearby Isla Verde and Condado beach.  The mile-long beach is wide, the sand is soft and ivory-white.  Ocean Park Beach is a perfect mix of relaxation and fun; visitors can relax under intimate romantic spots shaded by palm and seagrape trees.  If you wish to stay active, join locals on a game of beach or tennis volleyball or come early morning for a relaxed walk or jog.  Don’t miss our photo tour of Ocean Park complete with the best beach access points and visitor’s tips.

Playa Peña Beach

Best Beach for a Romantic Walk

A secret surprise because not many people get to visit or know about this little gem right across from the Capitol Building, just past the San Cristobal Fortress.  Once here, you’ll forget you’re in a major city, you may be sharing this beach with a few other couples.  During low tide this beach is nice for watching and listening to the waves, taking a dip, and getting a great tan.  Don’t miss taking a walk down to the fort ruins.

+ Playa Peña in Old San Juan - Puerto Rico

Best Beaches Around the Island of Puerto Rico