Playa Azul

The beautiful beach of Playa Hermosa captivated me with its mesmerizing waves and soothing sounds. Although I longed to dip my toes in the inviting waters, the persistent rain dampened my plans during most of my stay.

This beach is a true gem, with stunning views of the sunrise that are simply breathtaking. The neighborhood is peaceful and quiet, though occasionally vendors arrive with delicious ice cream treats. The beach itself is impeccably clean, though we must all do our part to keep it that way by disposing of our trash properly. The water is warm, crystal clear, and wonderfully calm, making it perfect for swimming and snorkeling. However, it's important to be aware of the currents and to keep an eye on the color of the flags in the area. Green flags indicate that the water conditions are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, while red flags indicate strong currents and no swimming is advised. Yellow flags signal caution. One of the most delightful aspects of this beach is the abundance of sea turtles. However, it's essential to be mindful of their safety by respecting the red lights at night time and the nest protections. Please don't touch them, and be careful when walking around to avoid stepping on them. Let's all work together to ensure that these beautiful creatures remain safe and protected.

We secured a condo in an idyllic section of Luquillo, just a block away from Playa Azul - undoubtedly the finest beach in the area, in our humble opinion. The beach is situated around 45 minutes from San Juan and is connected to a slew of other beaches, including La Pared, San Miguel, and Luquillo Beach. Playa Azul is a broad, sandy-bottomed beach that is spotlessly clean and boasts plenty of tree shade. It is not as crowded as Luquillo beach, so you can enjoy a peaceful and serene time there. During our stay, we didn't come across any restrooms or food vendors on the beach. Visitors usually bring their own supplies, such as music, food, beverages, chairs, and so on. We witnessed the complete lunar cycle and learned how the moon affects the tides. When we arrived, the waves were quite high, and we assumed that we wouldn't be able to swim, but after a few days, the ocean became calm, and it was perfect for swimming and other water activities. This condition persisted for more than three weeks, until our final few days when the ocean became turbulent again.

The beach is absolutely stunning with its crystal clear waters and soft sand. It's a popular spot for families to gather on weekends and enjoy the live music and delicious food. During my visit in June 2018, there was an abundance of algae that had been pushed up by the waves and winds, but that didn't stop us from snorkeling and discovering a variety of fish hiding among the rocks. The beach seems to stretch on forever, making it perfect for long, leisurely walks that take you around unexpected corners. If you head north (west of the beach), you'll find that the water gets quite shallow in the afternoon due to low tide. But this only adds to the adventure, as you can walk out onto the rock formations and explore the area up close. One of the highlights of my trip was speaking with some friendly locals who were fishing at night - it was a fascinating experience! 🐟

During our stay, we were fortunate enough to be situated just opposite this tranquil beach. The lack of crowds was a pleasant surprise, which we later found out was due to it being off-peak season. As a result, we were able to relish in the serenity of the beach without any interruptions. The pristine blue water was a sight to behold, and the palm trees at the entrance provided ample shade from the sun. Overall, it was a delightful experience.