Puerta de San Juan Beach

 3/5

Getting there: Located on the western side of the Islet of San Juan, in the historic Old San Juan. You have to walk to the beach, or take a boat. The closest parking area I know of is here, located nearby and within easy walking distance. Take a left when exiting the parking lot to walk towards the ocean. Pass the large fountain in the middle of the road and follow the path to the right. Walk along the historic wall until you get to a dock on your left, and the Puerta de San Juan” on your right. Continue to the end of the path where there are rocks stacked to the left. Scramble over the rocks down to the sand. Alternatively, spend the day walking around Old San Juan and make your way to the beach to cool off.

Things to do: Relax in the shallows – The water is calm and surprisingly clear in good conditions. This is an amazing place to take in the beauty of the Spanish fortifications around San Juan. Explore Old San Juan – Of course you’ll be right next to the blue cobblestone streets of Old San Juan.

Heads up: This beach is extremely small, so it wouldn’t take many people to fill it, but I rarely see anyone in the water.

Pros

Calm, shallow water.
A unique and historic place.
Often empty.

Cons

Although the beach is often empty, the surrounding area is busy everyday. So, if you want privacy, this is not the place.
No shade.