Caracoles Beach

Location: Arecibo

Getting there: From San Juan, drive 1 hour west to Arecibo. There are homes or business covering much of the coastline, so finding the entrance to the beach is tricky. Luckily, there is an excellent milestone to look for: a massive statue. Once you are just about even with it, find a place to park. There is room right next to the entrance, in front of an abandoned white building. If you are facing the building, walk to your right until you see a path leading through a side yard. That trail will lead you to the sand.

Things to do: Relax – There is some shade under palm trees a little further from the water where I set up my spot. I loved spending an hour listening to an audio book sitting on my beach chair in the shade, looking out at this beautiful beach. The water is very shallow and the bottom is sandy on this side of the beach until you get to the rock line. It only gets thigh – waist deep, but deep enough to lie in.

Heads up: I have heard that swimming into the main “pool area” is dangerous due to strong currents that have pulled people out to sea in the past. I have not attempted it myself, but I would recommend against it due to some of the stories I have heard.