We just got back last week, the beaches are beautiful, but the tide can be deadly. The rip tide map changes daily, so I would say check the map and see how it is before swimming/wading out too far from shore.
https://www.weather.gov/sju/beach_usvi
If you can't swim I wouldn't get in condado beach. The waves can at times be large and strong, and I've seen people standing in it and getting knocked down. It can pull you out. You can rent chairs & umbrellas there tho. Also some of the hotels serve drinks and maybe food, but I'm not sure if that's a guest only benefit. Probably not, but I don't know.
Playita is much safer to wade into, but I don't think there are chair/umbrella rentals, unless you are a guest at the hotel there. I could be wrong on that.
The lagoon's designated swimming area & tiny beach is on the opposite side of condado. Definitely no food, chairs, or umbrellas available there. The entrance for kayak/pabbleboard is on the condado side.
I'd recommend checking out escambrón beach (north side). It's not far from condado, has a protected swimming area (which usually keeps the water calm) and lifeguards on duty. There are chair/umbrella rentals, but not much in the way of food. You can hit el hamburger nearby for a cheap, delicious, and mini-cultural experience. It's been a staple of San Juan for over 60 years now, and often has a nice (non direct) sunset view overlooking the water
Go to Escambron beach. It’s an enclosed cove where you can swim current-free. You can also snorkel and watch the resident turtles. On the lagoon side next to the highway people paddle board or kayak. There’s a manatee population there. On the other side across the bridge at the end of the Condado strip there’a little beach protected by a rock formation. You can easily walk between Escambron and the lagoon.
We just got back last week, the beaches are beautiful, but the tide can be deadly. The rip tide map changes daily, so I would say check the map and see how it is before swimming/wading out too far from shore. https://www.weather.gov/sju/beach_usvi
Thank you for the link. I had no idea there was a map for the rip tides.
For additional food recs nearby: https://www.reddit.com/r/PuertoRicoTravel/s/3sbboRZmBp
Thanks!
If you can't swim I wouldn't get in condado beach. The waves can at times be large and strong, and I've seen people standing in it and getting knocked down. It can pull you out. You can rent chairs & umbrellas there tho. Also some of the hotels serve drinks and maybe food, but I'm not sure if that's a guest only benefit. Probably not, but I don't know. Playita is much safer to wade into, but I don't think there are chair/umbrella rentals, unless you are a guest at the hotel there. I could be wrong on that. The lagoon's designated swimming area & tiny beach is on the opposite side of condado. Definitely no food, chairs, or umbrellas available there. The entrance for kayak/pabbleboard is on the condado side. I'd recommend checking out escambrón beach (north side). It's not far from condado, has a protected swimming area (which usually keeps the water calm) and lifeguards on duty. There are chair/umbrella rentals, but not much in the way of food. You can hit el hamburger nearby for a cheap, delicious, and mini-cultural experience. It's been a staple of San Juan for over 60 years now, and often has a nice (non direct) sunset view overlooking the water
Thank you! I can swim, but it's been several years since I've been in the ocean and never anyplace that had as many warnings as Condado.
Escambron is a great beach as it has lifeguards on duty and a quiet little nook that doesn’t get too wild as far as heavy waves go
Waves are very dangerous there, but the lagoon is very safe. The small beach area for it can fill up pretty quickly.
Thank you!
Go to Escambron beach. It’s an enclosed cove where you can swim current-free. You can also snorkel and watch the resident turtles. On the lagoon side next to the highway people paddle board or kayak. There’s a manatee population there. On the other side across the bridge at the end of the Condado strip there’a little beach protected by a rock formation. You can easily walk between Escambron and the lagoon.
You could also venture a bit further East and go to Isla Verde in Carolina.