The palms
Shade on the sand.
Ricardo Manual — CC BY 2.0 · Šarūnas Burdulis — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Jami430 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Güldem Üstün — CC BY 2.0
One of Puerto Rico's best-known beaches, a calm arc of soft golden sand in Luquillo on the north-east coast, shaded by a dense grove of coconut palms and sheltered from the ocean swell by reefs, so its water is calm and clear, good for families and swimming. The beach is an organised public balneario with lifeguards, toilets, showers, parking and picnic tables under the palms, plus a special access that helps people with disabilities into the water. Behind it rise the green, cloud-capped peaks of El Yunque. Nearby is a long row of about sixty food kiosks, the Kioskos de Luquillo, serving seafood, fritters, local dishes and juices. Many dishes contain pork, so ask about ingredients. The beach is usually combined with El Yunque in one day, a quarter of an hour away. It gets busy with families at weekends. Currents are strong on some beaches, so swim where lifeguards are posted and heed the flags; the hurricane season runs from June to November. The sun is strong all year, so carry water, a hat and sunscreen.
Shade on the sand.
About sixty stalls.
Behind the beach.
Balneario La Monserrate, Luquillo, about 15 minutes west of Fajardo
Yes, its water is calm behind the reefs, with lifeguards, toilets and shade under the palms.