Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico (2024) – All You Need To Know

Luquillo Beach is one of the top beaches in Puerto Rico. 

Puerto Rico is home to five Blue Flag beaches, and Luquillo Beach is one of them.

After traveling to Puerto Rico for many years, Luquillo Beach is one of my family’s favorites.

In this article, I will cover all you need to know about Luquillo Beach:

What is Luquillo Beach?
Does Luquillo Beach have clear water?
Where is Luquillo Beach located?
How do you get to Luquillo Beach from San Juan?
How much time do you need at Luquillo Beach?
Do you have to pay to park at Luquillo Beach?
Can you surf at Luquillo Beach?
Can you visit Luquillo Beach without a tour?
Is Luquillo Beach open to the public?
Is Luquillo Beach worth visiting?
Other frequently asked questions

 

What is Luquillo Beach?

Luquillo Beach is a very popular beach in Luquillo, Puerto Rico.

It is also known as Balneario Monserrate, or Monserrate Beach.

image of Luquillo Beach
Lifeguard stand at Luquillo Beach.

It opens each day from 9:00am to 5:30pm.

During the off-season from September through March the parking lot is closed, and there are no lifeguards. You can still access the beach during this period. 

Check out the video below of Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico:

Luquillo Beach is also wheelchair accessible.

Gazebos are available for rent and a water-safe wheelchair available at Mar Sin Barreras (Sea Without Barriers).

This is the only beach I’ve ever been to with accessible showers, bathrooms, and gazebos. There’s even artwork featuring disabled people, it’s really amazing. 

 

Does Luquillo Beach have clear water?

Yes! Most of the time the water at Luquillo Beach is very clear. 

image showing the clear water of Luquillo Beach
Clear waters at Luquillo Beach.

I’ve spent many afternoons walking along the shore, watching schools of fish swim in the shallow water. Luquillo Beach is a popular snorkeling destination for this reason as well. 

Occasionally the water will be cloudy, but typically this is after heavy rainfall, and only lasts for a day or so.

 

Where is Luquillo Beach located?

Luquillo Beach is located approximately forty-five minutes east of San Juan, just west of Fajardo, and is on the northern coast of the island, opening to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Below is a Google Map that shows the location of Luquillo Beach:

 

How do you get to Luquillo Beach from San Juan?

You can travel to Luquillo Beach from San Juan by renting a car, taking a taxi, or requesting an Uber from the San Juan airport. 

Luquillo Beach is close enough to the metropolitan area that any of the options are very accessible from the airport, and returning to the San Juan airport from Luquillo is just as simple. 

You’ll take Route 66 East, meet with Route 3 towards Fajardo, continue past the turn-off for El Yunque and the kiosks, and then turn right at the exit marked “Balneario”.

image of lifeguard stand at Luquillo Beach.
Luquillo Beach.

 

How much time do you need at Luquillo Beach?

There is so much to experience at Luquillo Beach that you could easily spend a whole week here, but at the least, you should let yourself have 2-4 hours. 

An afternoon here after hiking is very refreshing.

A few hours would allow you to walk the coast, take a swim, and enjoy the kiosks or snack shacks before heading back to your stay. 

image of the kayak boats in Luquillo Beach
Kayaks at Luquillo Beach.

If you have more time, I recommend planning a whole day at the beach. 

There are outdoor showers and indoor showers (for a small fee), umbrella and chair rentals, and kayak and jet ski rentals, too. 

Pack a lunch, or grab some frituras from the kiosks— maybe even a drink in a pineapple!

 

Do you have to pay to park at Luquillo Beach?

Yes, although there is limited parking available outside the gates. 

Parking is less than $10 per vehicle, for the whole day (9:00am to 5:30pm).

image of the parking slot in Luquillo Beach
Parking lot and Luquillo Beach.

 

Can you surf at Luquillo Beach?

No, you can’t surf at Luquillo Beach, and you probably wouldn’t want to anyway. Boogie boarding is also prohibited. 

The beach is inland from a reef, which breaks the waves for the crescent-shaped coastline.

The swimming areas are roped-off to prevent people from being pulled out by the current, or running into jet skis.

If you are looking for a surf spot in Luquillo, then I recommend that you go to Playa Azul. You can also check out our article where we cover the 10 best surf spots in Puerto Rico.

Below is a video showing Playa Azul, Luquillo, Puerto Rico:

 

Can you visit Luquillo Beach without a tour?

Yes, you can visit Luquillo Beach without a tour. It’s very easy to show yourself around, with little more than a mile of coast to walk. 

image of Luquillo Beach
Calm waters at Luquillo.

 

Is Luquillo Beach open to the public?

Yes, the beach is open to the public year-round. 

image of people swimming at Luquillo Beach
People swimming at Luquillo Beach.

During the off-season, parking is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but you can still access the beach by parking outside the gate, or on either end of the coastline toward the highway or toward town, and walking down the beach. 

Otherwise, the beach has 9:00 am-5:30 pm parking available and lifeguards present, but ultimately you can always access the beach.

 

Is Luquillo Beach worth visiting?

Yes! Luquillo Beach is one of the safest, most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico. 

image of tourists in Luquillo, Puerto Rico
Tourists playing with their dog in Luquillo Beach.

 

FAQ section

Why is Luquillo Beach so popular?

Luquillo Beach is popular because of how much it has to offer. You will be hard-pressed to find a beach that is more accessible, or that has more amenities or activities to enjoy— not to mention its beautiful views of El Yunque from the coast and tropical marine life.

Can you swim at Luquillo Beach in Puerto Rico?

Yes, you can swim! There is a roped-off swimming area along the coast, and lifeguards. Luquillo Beach is perfect for kids because of the calm waters.

Can you camp at Luquillo Beach?

No, currently there is no commercial camping available at Luquillo Beach. In the past, camping was available by permit, but the facilities are now closed after being destroyed.

 

Final thoughts

Luquillo Beach is a must-see beach when traveling to Puerto Rico on your vacation. 

Fall and winter are the best times to go when temperatures are mild, and there aren’t as many people out on the beach. 

Check out our article about Luquillo if you want to learn more about the area that surrounds Luquillo Beach.

If you are looking for other beaches to visit, then check out our article where we cover the top 30 beaches in Puerto Rico

Finally, if you are looking for fun activities, then check out our article about the 45 best things to do in Puerto Rico.

Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico (2024) – All You Need To Know
Article by

Jenny Diaz

Writer at PuertoRico.com. Growing up in New York and spending my summers in Puerto Rico, I have always loved writing, travel, and animals. I began my career as a travel writer, and after many different jobs in media, I have settled back into what I love most. I enjoy the beach, exploring the island with my family, and coffee!

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