Luquillo Beach is a popular coastal destination amongst tourists and locals alike, and is a great place to try local street food. The area features two beaches. The main stretch at Luquillo, lined by scores of food kiosks, is often crowded and lively. The second beach is lined with palms, providing excellent shade to doze under after a meal. This is the perfect destination for anyone looking to cool down on one of the most picturesque beaches in Puerto Rico.
Try the fried Puerto Rican street food that has become popular around the world from one of the kiosks at the main beach. While most shacks offer variations on the same thing, there are some that offer particularly high quality food. It pays to ask around and see where the locals are eating. A few favourite local dishes are papa rellena, stuffed balls of potato, and alcapurria, a croquette made of malanga and stuffed with Picadillo.
Relax with a full belly on the soft white sand before hitting the water. Visitors wanting a more relaxed beach experience should venture away from the kiosks to the palm lined shore beyond. Stretching for over a mile (1.6 kilometres) this part of the beach is clean and peaceful, and considerably less crowded. Rent a chair and an umbrella, or take cover in the cool shade of the trees.
Surf the clean waves, or find a section of water sheltered by reefs to swim with the children. The reefs provide excellent diving and snorkels can be rented from shops in town.
Luqillo Beach is located in the province of Luquillo, approximately 33 miles (53 kilometres) from San Juan and just north of El Yunque National Forest. The beach can be reached by car, or on foot for visitors staying in the town. There is no public transportation that services the area. Of the two beaches at Luqillo, one is free of charge and the other is subject to a small fee but features facilities and cleaner sand. Both beaches can be visited daily.
