Luquillo’s al-fresco appeal extends beyond its powdery golden sand and azure ocean waves.
Luquillo
Known as La Capital del Sol (The Sun's Capital), Luquillo boasts some of Puerto Rico's most enticing beaches, plus one of the Island's iconic dining destinations.
Just a 30-minute drive from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), this seaside getaway is sandwiched between Fajardo, Río Grande, and the Atlantic Ocean. More than 12 miles (19 kilometers) of spectacular coastline make this area a haven for surfers, snorkelers, and sun-worshippers alike.
Luquillo’s al-fresco appeal extends beyond its powdery golden sand and azure ocean waves. On its borders lie El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the United States national park system. Here, the peaks of the Luquillo Mountain Range rise as high as 3,525 feet (1,075 meters) and offer a variety of hiking trails and picturesque waterfalls.
Its unique landscape and prime location, in easy reach of both the mountains and the beach, makes Luquillo an ideal destination for travelers looking to enjoy quality time in the great outdoors.
La Monserrate beach is located in the eastern region of Puerto Rico, in the town of Luquillo.
Luquillo Beaches
Beachgoers in Luquillo have only one problem: Deciding which beach to choose.
You won’t go wrong at Balneario La Monserrate, also known as Balneario de Luquillo. This beach is highly accessible for all travelers, with ample parking (including reserved spots for designated mobility vehicles), restrooms and changing rooms, outdoor showers, amphibious beach chair rentals, and more than 25 gazebos for gathering with family and friends.
For those looking for beach adventure, Playa Azul is popular for activities like swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kitesurfing, and kayaking. Meanwhile the Costa Azul, Mameyes, and Fortuna beaches are peaceful spots for setting down a chair or lounging in a hammock under the shade of palm trees.
At La Pared Beach, surfers from around the world come to hang ten in the stellar breaks. Behind this easy-access stretch of coastline is Calle Herminio Díaz Navarro, where Boardrider's Surf Bar &Grill offers cold beer, beach-friendly eats, a laid-back vibe, live music on the weekends, and its famous karaoke nights.
Savor traditional Puerto Rican fare at the Kioskos de Luquillo.
Luquillo Kiosks: Quintessential Beachside Dining
As you drive along PR-3, keep an eye out for the famous Kioskos de Luquillo (Luquillo Kiosks), a collection of more than 60 vendors with tasty local food, cool drinks, and unique souvenirs set along Luquillo beach.
No matter what cuisine you might be craving, chances are you’ll find it here. Savor traditional Puerto Rican fare like alcapurrias and mofongo at Jíbaro’s Borinquen Restaurant (Kiosk #22), locally caught seafood at La Parrilla (#2), and deliciously doughy calzones and pizzas at Revolution Pizza Shop (#34). Want to sample Island drinks? Bars like Tattoo Tavern (#17) and MojitoLab (#42) offer patrons a steady stream of tropical cocktails.
More than a collection of places to dine and imbibe, the kiosks are a bonafide destination all their own. While many outposts are open all week, the action really heats up on the weekends, when locals flock here to spend their days off eating, drinking, dancing, and soaking up the sun rays. As reggaetón pumps through car speakers in the jam-packed parking lot, patrons toggle between downing daiquiris, grabbing a bite, and cooling off in the ocean just steps away. And the action doesn’t stop when the sun goes down; bars keep the party going until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
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