La Selva Beach

Location: Luquillo

Getting there: From San Juan, drive 1 hour east to Luquillo. You’ll need to drive down a long dirt road through the nature reserve (Northeast Ecological Corridor) to get there. The road starts out all right until you make your first right hand turn. After that, things get crazy. The condition of the road changes, but expect large water-filled dips and potholes, large rocks, and uneven road. Generally, only cars with decent clearance will make it but 4×4 is not always necessary. There are a couple different spots to park, but I always park in the large dirt lot here.

Things to do:  Walk the beach – the beach is extremely long and sports a great view of the Luquillo Mountains. Be careful when walking, avoid any mounds in the sand. This is one of the most important areas in Puerto Rico for Sea Turtle nesting. Surf – The waves can get seriously big here. Unless you’re a pro, this spot is better left alone in the winter. I have rarely seen clean sets here, fighting through the white water is a chore and I haven’t found an easy path through it.

Heads up: Make sure your vehicle is up to the task. If it is currently raining hard, or has recently been raining a lot, consider skipping this beach. The shore break waves are pretty relentless, making relaxing in the shallows difficult or impossible.