Puerto Rico West Region – 2023 Travel Guide

Best beach for: its scenic views, nearby eco-attractions, and eco-activities right near the beach.

Cabo Rojo.  Cabo Rojo has many beaches, but if you’re visiting as a day trip, head to La Playuela, best known as Playa Sucia.  A visit here is an all-day adventure with nearby attractions and natural activities that include Los Morrillos lighthouse, hiking trails, salt flats, bird sanctuary, offshore fishing, and an observation tower.  Playa Sucia is located on a nature reserve, there are no facilities, you’ll have to bring everything you’ll need throughout the day.  Plan on spending a full morning or afternoon visiting the area and enjoying all the attractions it offers.  On your way there you can visit the Las Salinas(The Salt Flats)  which many now call “pink beach”.  Don’t leave the nature reserve before taking a short hike up the lighthouse where you’ll enjoy the most breathtaking views on the island.  Note: During certain times of the year, La Playuela gets a lot of sargassum, we always see the most during a full moon.  If there is too much sargassum to enjoy the beach, head to Playa El Combate or Boqueron Beach.

Best beach for: surfing year-round, experiencing authentic casual island vibe, beachfront casual dining.

Jobos is the most popular beach in Isabela, among the top beaches for surfing all year round.  This is not your typical touristy beach, this is a beach loved by locals and residents of nearby towns who come here to have a good time.  During the surfing season, you’ll find a good mix of surfers coming from the states happily mingling with friendly locals.  This is a great beach to surf, get a tan, do a little snorkeling, and make new friends.

Domes is one of Puerto Rico’s best surfing beaches.  Although not the best beach for bathing, it offers beachgoers an entertaining view of surfers, breathtaking sunsets, relaxation, and a great starting point for a romantic walk along the Rincon coastline.  Access is really convenient, there’s plenty of parking and nearby beachside restaurants.

Best beach for: snorkeling with sea turtles, beauty, and unique landscape.

If you’re vacationing on the west coast of Puerto Rico during the summer months, be sure to bring your snorkel gear to Playa Peña Blanca.  It is a little difficult to find, parking is limited along a narrow street, so get here during the week early morning or super early on the weekend during summer months.   Please note that there’s is no beach during the winter months and the water is too rough to safely swim.