San Juan

The capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan offers plenty for visitors to enjoy. This includes Spanish Colonial history and architecture and shops and restaurants. Museums also accentuate the allure of this Caribbean capital, and there are art galleries to explore as well. A lively nightlife scene is just one more thing that you can indulge in during a San Juan visit, and since gold-sand beaches can be found along the coastal areas, adding beach time to the itinerary can be a possibility.

All of the beaches in Puerto Rico are open to the public. The main public bathing beaches are referred to as balnearios. At the balnearios, the facilities typically include showers, changing rooms with lockers, and parking, and you can enjoy them for a small fee. Two of the best public beaches that are found in the San Juan area are El Escambron Beach and Isla Verde Beach. Lifeguards are present at both. El Escambron Beach also offers a snack bar and a restaurant. Over at Isla Verde Beach, picnic areas and BBQ grills figure among the additional perks, and there are numerous hotels and condos lining the sand.

The most renowned beach in the San Juan area is Condado Beach. Backed by hotels, this beach has a Miami Beach feel and is a great place to go if you want to enjoy a variety of watersport options. The rip tides and surf can be strong, however, so caution should be exercised.

Found just east of Condado is another great beach. It is known as Ocean Park Beach. Especially popular with younger people who have more affordable lodging in mind, this beach is both attractive and relatively lively. Beach volleyball and kite boarding are popular activities at Ocean Park Beach, and vendors offer cold beverages and various snacks. Area guesthouses provide even more dining and drinking options.