Escondida Beach

 3.5/5

Getting there: From San Juan, drive 1 hour east. That’s right! You finally get to drive east for a change. Park on the street somewhere around here, or in the parking lot if the free street parking is full. Walk to the beach (Seven Seas Beach), then walk down it to a point where you’ll start on a trail through the forest here. Follow the signs but when it doubt, stay left. The hike from Seven Seas Beach to Escondida takes around 20 min each way.

Things to do: Relax in the shallows – the water is very shallow a long way out in some areas at this beach. Walk the beach – the view of the Luquillo Mountains is beautiful from the shore and the beach’s remote location gives it a wild feeling.

Heads up: Watch the weather if you visit, hiking 20 min through the forest in the pouring rain isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. Even so, I think making it to this secluded beach is worth the risk.

Pros

A good amount of natural shade.
Calm, shallow water.
Remote location means this beach will never get too crowded.

Cons

A 20min hike each way may be too long for some.
Any beach that requires a long hike means bad weather is a bigger risk, seeing as how you can’t just run for 30 seconds with your things to get to your car.