Beaches with soft sand that feels like powder below your feet, beaches with soft waves and warm crystal clear water, beaches with roaring waves great for surfing – Puerto Rico has beaches for every kind of beachgoer. In fact, there are so many picturesque beaches in Puerto Rico that it would be impossible to see them all on one trip.
Out of the many I visited, the 3 in this post are all stunning in its own way. These 3 unique beaches in Puerto Rico all have something special about them. You will see which beaches are good for snorkeling, swimming, lounging, or basking in the sun surrounded by palm trees.
And this is just 3! I’ll highlight more beaches in upcoming posts.
Jobos Beach – Isabella, Puerto Rico
Jobos Beach is on the north-west side of Puerto Rico in Isabella. The beach is vibrant, with chill island vibes, a few beachside restaurants and it’s possible to snorkel there when the water is calm enough. It’s well known for surfing in the winter also.
This is a very unique and fun beach to visit. One of my favorite beaches to see while there.
I was mesmerized while watching the giant waves crashing on the rocks that splashed water high into the air. (Watch the video to get the full effect and see what I mean.)
A great contrast to the crashing waves was the “calm” section of water where everyone wades in the water where the water is shallow. It’s free of strong waves because it’s protected by a barrier of rocks just off shore.
One thing I didn’t mention in the video is that although the water looked very calm and shallow, there was a surprisingly strong undertow even when standing in 1 to 2 ft of water.
It was perfectly fine to get in the water, but in certain spots there was a whirlpool effect to be watchful of. I got caught in one of those when I floated on the surface with my snorkel to see some fish swimming by. Within seconds, I was carried over 8 feet farther out in the water and had trouble standing back up even though it was shallow. This was because of a slight undertow and a whirlpool effect. The strangest thing! Nothing to be alarmed by, but just be mindful of the water conditions. (As you should be in any beach really.)
Playa Pena Blanca
The 2nd beach shown in the featured video is Playa Pena Blanca in Aguadilla. It’s a smaller beach, lesser known and very picturesque. When the weather permits, you can snorkel here also.
I found out about it from my Airbnb host. Otherwise, I may not have found this one. For a beach slightly off the beaten path, consider Playa Pena Blanca in your next Puerto Rico vacay.
Steps Beach – Rincon Puerto Rico
This one is a charmer! It’s a long stretch of beach where you can find your own quiet spot in paradise. And if you love snorkeling, you will want to put this one on your Puerto Rico travel list. This beach is in Rincon Puerto Rico and this area is also a surfing destination in the winter.
The snorkeling is good at Steps Beach because there is a coral reef offshore making it home to turtles and varieties of fish, coral and marine life. Rincon has some of the best snorkeling in Puerto Rico that you can do from shore without having to get in a boat for a snorkel tour.
It’s well known for the random set of steps on the beach where it got its name “Steps Beach.” Stroll down the beach a bit further to also find a swing hanging from one of the trees.
Which of these beaches would you be interested in visiting? Comment below! It’s always a pleasure to hear from those who read and visit the website!
WHERE TO STAY IN PUERTO RICO
By the way, if you are looking for a great Airbnb on the west side of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla (which is near the beaches I recommended in this post) I highly recommend an Airbnb called the Lair of the Octopus. Links to check it out are below with a few previews of the beautiful design of some of the rooms.
One last tip about visiting Puerto Rico, there is more to see than San Juan! I recommend visiting other parts of the island for part of your trip.
See the Green Room on Airbnb (Lair Of The Octopus)
https://www.airbnb.com/associates/241434?s=67&c=.pi115.pk0_9&a4ptk=13999_0_9_241434&af=115
See the Flamingo Room on Airbnb (Lair of the Octopus)
https://www.airbnb.com/associates/241437?s=67&c=.pi115.pk0_9&a4ptk=13999_0_9_241437&af=115
GET UP TO $35 OFF YOUR FIRST AIRBNB STAY By Signing Up Here: https://bit.ly/34k9r6n (Signing up here will also help me get credit on my next airbnb to help with the channel)
