The Best Beach in Puerto Rico

It's the Guajataca, in Quebradillas, about a 2 hour drive east of San Juan along the Atlantic shore.

Well, I suppose it depends on what you're looking for.  The sorts of folks who like to make lists ranking world beaches clearly prefer the beaches that have soft, white-powder sand surrounding complete calm lagoons or bays of crystal clear water.  Now, I like those types of beaches too--and the ferry in Fajardo takes you out to Isla de Culebra, which has one of the best types of those beaches on Earth.

But for my money, I vastly prefer the beaches with the big waves, the ones you can run through, throw your back into, let the living sea crash all over you, feel yourself at one with the wild ocean.

You can even surf at the Guajataca, if you like--but (unlike the surfer haven that is Rincon, PR) the shore is still shallow enough to wade into, as opposed to feeling yourself perpetually stumbling at a steep angle.

And if you want to take a brief break from the crashing waves?  Relax like at the calm beaches of Culebra?  There's a small estuary right by, connected to the Guajataca river, which feeds down from the largest fresh-water lake on the island.

The river is calm and clean, and you can immerse yourselves amidst the mountains and palm trees, relax and rejuvenate and release yourself, sit down and let the tiny fish nip at your toes, before you return to enjoy the waves.

Sun bathing, tanning, sand castles, picnics, watching sunsets over the majestic cliffs--all are possible at the Guajataca.

Standing on the rocks, you can even fish, or explore tide pools, or take pics of pretty girls, or contemplate existence while the waves crash--it's basically every ideal beach experience combined into one convenient location.

No major hotels or resorts, no teeming tourists, no chain stores or restaurants--just you, the sand and the sea.  I've visited beaches all around that beautiful island, and there's no other place like it. The Guajataca is paradise on paradise.

I almost didn't make it out to this beach on my last visit to Puerto Rico, but I'm so glad I did.  Every time I return to Puerto Rico, it is always worth the effort to visit the Guajataca.