Beach Day in San Juan

[LizO830]

We have a morning/early afternoon port stop in San Juan in about 2 weeks. Since we've been to Old San Juan several times before for evening port stops, we want to spend our day at a beach instead of in old town. Our cruise line is only offering one shore excursion, Vivo Beach Break, and it seems quite overpriced. I'd prefer to just get a cab or Uber. Which beach would you recommend? Are there public access areas, beach chairs to rent, or beach bars you'd recommend? Are any hotels on the beach offering day passes?

Thank you!

[tucho]

 

Isla Verde beach is your best bet.  They have everything you asked for. Prefer the west side.

Condado beach is also good, it’s closer to port. Has everything you wanted, but This beach usually has a rougher surf. So, if you’ll planning to go in the water, Isla Verde is the better choice.

Now if you want to be mostly alone, Ocean Park beach is very nice. Most are local residents that go there, only crowded on the weekends. Just sand and ocean!!

Enjoy Life!!

[RhinoMomIL]

8 hours ago, tucho said:

 

Isla Verde beach is your best bet.  They have everything you asked for. Prefer the west side.

Condado beach is also good, it’s closer to port. Has everything you wanted, but This beach usually has a rougher surf. So, if you’ll planning to go in the water, Isla Verde is the better choice.

Now if you want to be mostly alone, Ocean Park beach is very nice. Most are local residents that go there, only crowded on the weekends. Just sand and ocean!!

Enjoy Life!!

So Isla Verde is a beach where you can just show up and rent chairs, buy food and drink?

 

[tucho]

11 hours ago, RhinoMomIL said:

So Isla Verde is a beach where you can just show up and rent chairs, buy food and drink?

 

Yes, as of last February. Last time we're there. The beach is very wide, there was one beach bar or there are eateries more bars along the street in front of the beach.

Isla Verde is mostly tourist area with hotels and hi rise condos. 

[Lee Cruiser]

On 12/15/2021 at 12:11 PM, tucho said:

 

Isla Verde beach is your best bet.  They have everything you asked for. Prefer the west side.

Condado beach is also good, it’s closer to port. Has everything you wanted, but This beach usually has a rougher surf. So, if you’ll planning to go in the water, Isla Verde is the better choice.

Now if you want to be mostly alone, Ocean Park beach is very nice. Most are local residents that go there, only crowded on the weekends. Just sand and ocean!!

Enjoy Life!!

We are also going there in a few weeks. At Isla Verde, what would be the best place (building or landmark) to get dropped off and picked up by taxi?

[njhorseman]

16 hours ago, Lee Cruiser said:

We are also going there in a few weeks. At Isla Verde, what would be the best place (building or landmark) to get dropped off and picked up by taxi?

IIRC there's easy access to the beach from Calle Tartak. (If you're not familiar with Spanish, calle means street.)

[Lee Cruiser]

4 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

IIRC there's easy access to the beach from Calle Tartak. (If you're not familiar with Spanish, calle means street.)

Great!  Thanks for that information!

[Tierun]

To Uber there use Alambique Beach Lounge as your destination. It’s the best food at the beach, by the way.