If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, there’s just 85 days (as of today, Monday, November 11th.) until the winter solstice that marks the arrival of winter and if you happen to be anything like me- always looking for a winter escape, then perhaps you should look to Puerto Rico, especially if you are U.S citizen. Since the Caribbean island is a commonwealth of America, you only need a state ID to travel, so if you don’t have a passport yet or it’s expired, Puerto Rico is a perfect choice! 

The island enjoys a Tropical Marine climate with average temps of 80F year around. The “coldest” month is January with an average low of 70F. If the coldest temps NYC experienced in winter were 70 degrees, I would never complain and stick around more! Given those tropical temps, hitting the beach is an obvious choice when in P.R and I’m going to share three beaches that I think are worth visiting whilst on the island. 

Flamenco Beach

Located on the island of Culebra, Flamenco is consistently rated as one of the top beaches in the world and when you arrive, it’s easy to see why.  Pristine white sands, turquoise waters, and lush vegetation make up this horseshoe-shaped beach that stretches for a mile.

Parts of the beach contain shallow waters so it’s great for swimmers and non-swimmers alike. If you’re looking to dive, you can do that too, plenty of reefs to scuba and snorkel through. 

I’ve been twice, my first being in September 2015 and at that time, the ferries left from the port of Fajardo, but that is now CLOSED and no longer in operation so keep that in mind... You can now take the ferry from the new port in Ceiba, which is about an hour and a half drive from San Juan.

My recommendation is to catch the first ferry, the 6:30 am as that will give you more time on the beach without the crowds. Once you dock on the island, you’ll be greeted by a few different companies that you can rent anything from jeeps, golf carts, to beach chairs, umbrellas and more. I’ve used Carlos Jeep Rental twice, and an early arrival ensures that you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. You can also call ahead and make a reservation .

You’re probably wanting to smack me across the head for suggesting you leave San Juan a little before 4 am just for a beach day, but you can get some rest on the ferry and of course nap in your perfect pocket on the beach. 

 Bonus: Be sure to walk to the far left of the beach, where you’ll be surprised to see two rusting M4 Sherman tanks! When was the last time you saw actual war tanks at a beach?

The U.S Navy used to conduct weapons tests from the beach for over 30 years and when the left the island in 1975, these tanks were left behind.  Left to the elements, these corroding metal machines are now filled with vibrant graffiti that gives these war machines a new meaning. 

Buye Beach

Buye beach in located in Cabo Rojo, a city situated in the southwest corner of the island. It’s a little over an hour’s drive from Ponce, where I had spent the night prior and I totally recommend visiting when in Puerto Rico- lots of great restaurants and decent nightlife too.

The weather was not the best that day, again I was there in January which is the coldest month in Puerto Rico, so expect some rain and grey skies,  but the beach was still very much pleasant.

The watercolor what you’d expect from a Caribbean island, the sand, although not as pristine as Culbera was also white and there’s plenty of trees to spread your towel and get comfortable under, pour a drink and enjoy your beach afternoon. 

Balneario Condado

 If driving over an hour and taking a ferry to get to a beach whilst on holiday is already giving you the hives, don’t worry, I have a closer alternative. Adjacent to the Dos Hermanos Bridge that separates the older parts of the island like Old San Juan to the newer areas like Condado and Miramar is a small public beach that’s popular with locals and tourists.

On my last trip, I stayed at an Airbnb across from the beach in Condado, so getting here was just a matter of crossing the street. But if you’re staying in Old San Juan, it’s a less than 10-15 minute drive. 

It’s the smallest of the three beaches I’ve visited on the island, only has a small arc of sand and the waters; although clear and nice enough for a swim, are not nearly as colorful as the waters in Culbera or Cabo Rojo but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked.  Also, there’s a line of rocks that breaks the water coming in from the sea that you can climb and take in some great views of the city.