169 Best Sights in Puerto Rico

Built in the mid-19th century to honor the Spanish princess of Asturias, this street has a broad pedestrian walkway and is spruced up with flowers, trees, benches, and streetlamps. Unfurling westward from Plaza del Inmigrante along the base of the fortified city walls, it leads to the Fuente Raíces, a striking fountain depicting the various ethnic groups of Puerto Rico. Take a seat, and watch boats zip across the water. Beyond the fountain is the beginning of Paseo del Morro, a well-paved shoreline path that hugs Old San Juan's walls, leading past the city gate at Calle San Juan and continuing to the tip of the headland, beneath El Morro.

One of the most enjoyable ways to pass the time in Piñones is walking along its paseo, a 10½-km (6½-mile) boardwalk that traverses sand dunes and crosses lagoons and mangrove forests. All the while, a line of coconut palms shades you from the sun. You'll share the path with bikers, joggers, and in-line skaters. Food kiosks abound.

This beach at the end of the Isla Verde strip is a great spot to take a surfing lesson. The sandy bottom and waves are perfect for beginners. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: surfing; swimming.

This exceptional strand is known for surfing, but adventurous swimmers also enjoy the waves. The beach itself is crescent-shape, and its light golden sands are a popular backdrop for local photo shoots. Amenities: none. Best for: surfing.

Crystal clear water laps this white-sand beach that's lined with swaying palm and almond trees for shade. It's a bit hard to find and very crowded on weekends, so visit during the week or during the off-season. In high season, some kiosks with food and drink are open. Parking along Calle Buyé is free, but you'll pay $5 to park at the Buyé Beach Resort. Amenities: parking; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

One of the first stretches of sand east of Esperanza, this well-maintained beach boasts covered cabañas for lounging. Less rustic than other nearby beaches, it is sheltered from waves. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

The 2,500-foot-long beach, one of Puerto Rico's government-administered balnearios, is a crescent-shape stretch of groomed sand lined with cliffs. It's very popular and can get crowded on weekends, especially for the newly cleared biking trails. Take care if you intend to scramble around on the rocks; currents here are strong, and it's not uncommon for crashing waves to wash over the rocks unexpectedly. This beach also has a large camping area and some facilities, including food kiosks that tend to be open only on busy days. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: biking; walking.

The long stretch of yellow sand in front of Villa Cofresí is considered one of the best swimming beaches in Rincón. It's also perfect for relaxing and stand-up paddleboarding. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming; walking.

Waving palm trees and fishing boats add charm to the small Playa Costa Azul, although the ugly residential buildings along the water make an unattractive backdrop. The water here is good for swimming, and the crowds are thinner than elsewhere, but there are no facilities. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming.

Named for the rescue boats used when nearby Ramey Air Force Base was in operation, this beach has soft, sugary sand, water as smooth as glass, and the sort of colorful fishing boats pictured on postcards. A food stand serves the catch of the day with cold beer. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; swimming.

Near this beach is El Tunel de Guajataca, part of an old tunnel used by a train that once connected the towns of Isabela and Quebradillas and transported sugarcane. Just before El Tunel is El Merendero de Guajataca, a picnic area with cliff-side trails. This is not a swimming beach due to strong currents, but it's a great place for walks and photo ops. Amenities: none. Best for: walking.

The residential neighborhood east of Condado and west of Isla Verde is home to this 1½-km-long (1-mile-long) stretch of golden sand. The waters are often choppy but still swimmable—take care, however, as there are no lifeguards on duty. Windsurfers say the conditions here are nearly perfect. The tranquil beach is popular with young people as well as gay men—particularly on weekends. Parking is a bit difficult, as many of the streets are gated and restricted to residents. Amenities: none. Best for: partiers; windsurfing.

You'll find Playa de Piñones right in front of the cluster of food kiosks built by the government for resident cooks. A large barrier reef blocks the strong currents and serves as the foundation for the large bathing pools in front of a sandy beach. Amenities: food and drink; parking. Best for: swimming.

People staying in any of the inexpensive accommodations in Esperanza can simply walk across the road to this beach. There's good snorkeling across the bay around Cayo Afuera, an uninhabited islet, and by the derelict pier. Manatees are occasionally spotted here, as well as barracudas and nurse sharks. If you're looking for swimming or sunbathing, keep moving; there are much better beaches nearby. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; walking.

Just north of Playa Crashboat, this beach with big sucking barrels is favored by surfers. There is limited parking and no beach area, just coral. On a good surf day, this is where you come to watch the pros charge the waves. Amenities: none. Best for: surfing.

Playa Húcares is the place to be. Although the strip is a little run-down and the beach itself can be a bit messy, an authentic vibe permeates the casual outdoor eateries and funky little shops that vie with the water for your attention. Locals sell ice out of trucks, and the heavy bass of reggaetón music thumps from the windows of passing cars. Two Victorian-style houses anchor one end of the waterfront promenade, a dock with excursion boats anchors the other, and a red, green, and blue--painted bridge connects both sides of the town. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunset.

Rugged cliffs make a dramatic backdrop for this little cove off Route 333, but the water can be rough. The road down to the beach is extremely steep and rocky and shouldn't be attempted without a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Locals tend to visit this spot for family cookouts and relaxation by the water's edge. Amenities: free parking. Best for: solitude; sunset.

Famous for surfing, this beach also has a couple of restaurants with oceanfront decks. Down the road, the gorgeous dunes and long stretches of golden sand are great for walks or runs. Route 466 runs parallel to the shore, and there's parking and beach access along the way.  Next to the large rock formation is a strong riptide that drags people out to sea. The water is only about thigh high, but when the wind changes, the current is like a raging river. There are no lifeguards, no signs, and no roped-off areas, so be sure to stay close to shore. Amenities: none. Best for: partiers; surfing; walking.

Some consider this the most beautiful beach on Vieques. It has a handful of covered cabañas with individual parking spots, so guests can claim their own personal stretch of sand and survey an expansive, tranquil horizon. Beware of strong surf in some spots. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; walking.

Playa La Pared (literally, "The Wall Beach") is a surfer haunt. Numerous local competitions are held here throughout the year, and several surfing shops are close by in case you need a wet suit or wax for your board. The waves here are medium-range. It's very close to Luquillo Beach, but has a separate entrance. There are no facilities. Amenities: none. Best for: partiers; surfing.

This peaceful beach is not usually busy and is easily accessible by car. There are select wooden pavilions where groups can set up as well as grill pits, first-come first-serve. The water is clear and shallow, though you may experience sargassum depending on the season and should watch for litter or glass. The water can vary depending on the weather so use your best judgment while swimming. Amenities: free parking. Best for: solitude; walking

Because of the strong currents and tides, this beach is best for looking, not swimming! There's a summer festival with live music and water-sports competitions here, normally the first week of July. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: wave-watching.

Ideal for families because the water is calm and shallow, this is also a good spot to try snorkeling. There are no facilities. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Just west of Dewey, this is a favorite spot for snorkelers. The reef that runs around the rocky point is easy to reach from shore. Locals swear this is the best place for sunsets, too. To get here, head uphill on the unmarked road behind the church. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; swimming.

Not far from Playa Jobos, this is a beautiful beach for swimming; it has a protected natural pool perfect for children. Make sure to stay in the right side of the beach with the shallow waters, as the rest of the area can be rougher waters. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming; walking.

You can rent canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats at this beach at the end of Route 325 in the Ensenada district. This beach is popular with local teenagers and can get congested, but the mile-long shoreline is kept clean. The light sand and clear water are great for smaller children and people who just want to relax by the ocean. Amenities: food and drink; free parking; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

This Dorado beach—not to be confused with a beach by the same name in the northwestern town of Isabela—is suitable for swimming and has shade trees, changing rooms, and restrooms, although it's certainly not top-of-class among North Coast beaches. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

Known for its surfing and horseback riding, this secluded spot also has an area called the Blue Hole that's popular with divers. It is east of the Villa Montaña beach resort, where you can stop in for a great meal at the oceanfront restaurant, The Eclipse. Amenities: none. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

This undeveloped beach near La Ponderosa ruins is recommended only for experienced surfers, as it can have dangerous breaks. The long rights, and difficulty in reaching the break, make it popular with locals. To get here, take Route 107 through the Punta Borinquen Golf Club. Amenities: none. Best for: surfing.

On the island's northeastern end, this beach is long and narrow—perfect for afternoon strolls. From the shore you can catch a glimpse of Isla Culebrita, as well as St. Thomas and St. Croix. Leatherback turtles nest here. Note that there is a gravel parking lot, but it's small; it won't fit more than a dozen Jeeps at a time. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: swimming; walking.