Playa escambron san juan puerto rico: Escambron Beach (Playa Escambron – San Juan
Escambron Beach (Playa Escambron – San Juan
Balneario El Escambron is the best beach in San Juan and the Metro Area offering experiences full of beauty, exploration, and relaxation. At Escambron you can swim safely, snorkel to observe sea turtles, scuba dive, take a romantic walk along the scenic oceanside trail, visit the historic Bateria El Escambron, and enjoy quiet spots just for two. The city is vibrant and full of energy but once you get here, you’ll experience the relaxing and alluring pleasures of this city with tropical bliss.
Be sure to add snorkeling at Escambron Beach to your list of must things to do in San Juan. San Juan is proud that its beautiful beach of Escambron and a local hard-working friendly tour guide won #21 spot at the coveted TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice “Top Overall Experiences in the World“ & #4 “Top Overall Experiences in the Caribbean“.
See tour “Learn to Snorkel with Fish & Turtles“.
Playa Escambron as locals call it, offers two beaches, each with its own qualities. See below above to get acquainted with locations.
Escambron Beach is the main beach on the north side protected by a coral reef.
Bateria El Escambron Beach also known as Poza Escambron is on the south side with views of Condado, popular for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Location: Escambron Beach is located in Puerta de Tierra right in between the Old San Juan and Condado tourist districts. Paseo de Tierra (walking path) connects Old San Juan & Condado making it possible to walk or take a bike ride to the beach.
Families: Escambron Beach is a very family-friendly beach with water safe for swimming and a wonderful place for little ones to snorkel or learn how.
Escambron has restrooms, the only public beach that does in San Juan. There is a lifeguard at the beach, please see if on duty before using the beach. Bateria El Escambron Beach (south) is calm and perfect for little ones to play on the shallow side. The main beach has a shallow and protected area where kids can snorkel. Please never leave your children unattended as you would at any other beach or destination.
Couples: Seeking intimate spots to get away from the crowds? Escambron offers cozy spots where you can lay your towel or hang your hammock for that true getaway feeling.
Crowds: Being on this beach barely feels like you’re in a city, during the high season (mid-November – April), Balneario El Escambron is still nice and quiet on weekdays.
Come with us on an online tour of Balneario Escambron, so you can plan a great experience when you visit.
The beach has a lifeguard from Monday – Sunday 9:30 am – 5:30 pm.
As soon as you step foot on this beach you’ll be seduced by shades of blue and swaying coconut palm trees …
This beach is protected by a coral wall that keeps the strong surf from coming in…
… creating a giant natural pool where you can swim, and do a little snorkeling. From the turquoise waters, you’ll have a view of Castillo San Cristobal and the Capitol Building in the distance.
After swimming and snorkeling in clear waters…
a canopy of palm trees with blue skies awaits to keep you cool from the sun.
Escambron Beach – West Corner
While most visitors stay in the center main beach area, those that wish for more solitude may wish to hang out on the west end of the beach.
Our favorite spot is right at the corner under these palm trees, perfectly distanced for hanging a hammock. There’s a nice carpet of sand if you prefer to simply lay on a towel. The space is tucked away, feels intimate, and is perfect for two or a small family.
Better get there early and grab it, you’ll be very happy.
You’ll have a clear view of the whole beach from this vantage point… this sandy corner is not heavily used, so the landscape is more natural adding a little special touch to the ambiance.
The water is shallow and clear making it a great spot for small children to play on the sand, and swim.
The restroom is located on the west side of Escambron Beach, making it the most convenient for families.
Escambron Beach – East Corner
You’ll notice more people with snorkel masks on the east corner, you’ll see more fish there because of all the rocks along that side.
Right along the rocky wall, you’ll find shallow tidal pools perfect for the little ones, they’ll get to enjoy the experience of playing on the water with schools of tiny tropical fish. Below is a family that gave us permission to photograph them as they enjoyed the good life in Puerto Rico.
Top Rated Beach Activities in San Juan
It may be difficult to leave the main beach, but we encourage you to take a walk along the trail (see below) and head to Bateria El Escambron Beach also named Posita Escambron by locals.
The real magic of this beach is beneath the surface. You may also access it through the cement pathway from the main beach.
The beach got its long name since it is located right next to Bateria El Escambron, one of the fortifications of San Juan. This small beach is loved by families with small children for its shallow clear waters. Since the beach is farther away from the parking lot, most families go to the main beach for the facilities and conveniences. Those that prefer a more quiet beach experience tend to go to La Posita Escambron when the main beach is busy.
When you first get there, you’ll notice that it is a small beach with city views, but as we just mentioned, the real magic is beneath the surface. Most of the snorkeling tours in San Juan take place right here where you can snorkel in a natural aquarium with a colorful variety of fish and sea turtles often spotted here.
Feel free to bring your own snorkel gear, but for the best experience, we highly recommend you book a tour with a world-class 5-star rated tour for the best experience.
See top-rated tours below.
Escambron Beach is the best for snorkeling and scuba diving in San Juan. Visitors short on vacation time that don’t wish to spend any time on the road should consider snorkeling and scuba diving here.
- Escambron Beach offers some snorkeling, although not great for Puerto Rico standards, visitors really enjoy it. You’ll want to snorkel along the roped line, fish love to hide and play around the rocks.
- Bateria El Escambron is a very popular snorkeling spot in San Juan and safe for the whole family. Some of the top-rated snorkeling tours take place at this beach, the coral reef is both natural and artificial. Local organizations have made efforts to protect and grow the habitat and it has been successful. There’s a deep drop-off right along the man-made concrete boulders where scuba divers go. Balneario Escambron is a great place to learn how to scuba dive.
See the most popular snorkeling and scuba diving tours below.
Top Rated Snorkeling Tours – Escambron Beach – San Juan
+ Best Snorkeling Places, Beaches & Tours in Puerto Rico
Top Rated Scuba Diving Lessons in San Juan
+ Scuba Diving Charters in Puerto Rico
Most beachgoers stay at the main beach leaving the trail nice and quiet.
We invite families and couples longing for a special quality time to take a short walk on the trail, where you’ll find lovely hidden spots to sit, relax, enjoy the views and sounds, and have a romantic conversation. Boulders scattered along the shore help the ocean waves create a wonderful melody as they crash. The views of the walls and San Cristobal Fort in the distance are really beautiful.
There are a few shaded spots and rocks along the trail that serve as seats, asking you to pause, put down the phone and simply enjoy the moment.
During low tide, you’ll be able to admire tidal pools that form along the rocky shore.
Please refrain from walking outside of the trail, the rocks may be slippery, and you may risk falling.
Once you get to the end of the trail, you’ll have sweeping views of the shore along Condado and Ocean Park in the distance.
At the end of the walking path, you may find a few locals fishing or people simply admiring the view.
From here you can visit the fortification of Bateria El Escambron, then finally enjoy swimming and snorkeling at La Posita Escambron.
Lifeguard Services: Monday – Sunday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Food: Depending on the season, you may find a few food trucks with ice cream, candy, and a few beach items for sale.
Handicap Access to the Beach: Ramp for individuals with a disability offering access to the beach. If you require assistance ask the person at the entry ticket booth for more information or if you require assistance. If you see a work, feel free to ask for help, Puerto Ricans are very friendly and always eager to help, so just ask.
Restrooms: You may want to bring a roll of toilet paper / wet wipes, and antibacterial lotion just in case they’re out of paper and soap – especially on a holiday or weekend when the beach gets the most visitors.
Showers: Outdoor rinsing showers
Entrance Fee: Entry to the beach is free if you drive in is $6 per car. Rates are subject to change.
Balneario El Escambrón (San Juan)
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
292 reviews
Excellent
Very good
Average
Terrible
Mario U
Honolulu, HI72 contributions
dont come here for the beach
Sep 2022
all the beaches in Puerto Rico are dirty.
Garbage everywhere and seaweed.You are unusable to even enter the water.Some are so dirty you cannot even or don’t want to walk the beach
Written September 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Em
Texas8 contributions
Sea Turtles on the other side
Jun 2022 • Family
If you want to see sea turtles, this is the best place. Pay for parking at Parque Escambrón. You can play at the regular beach there, it’s very beautiful. If you wanna see turtles, just walk over the bridge to the little inlet of water with a lot of seaweed. That’s where you’ll find lots of turtles. There are signs all over warning of sea turtles. The water is murky, but you can still see them.
Written June 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HRSHYLVR
Lehi, UT651 contributions
Very nice beach – but weather too rough to snorkel in bay
Apr 2022
We took a quick Uber ride from the cruise port area to Scuba Dogs at Escambron Marine Park thinking we would snorkel there. (we brought our own snorkel gear). It was very windy, so the water outside of the bay was rough and murky, and there wasn’t much to see inside the bay. They were still running snorkel tours, which I would not suggest for anyone. Seems like a waste of money. And there was not enough sandy beach area to even lay down a towel.
** Then we walked through the park, over the bridge, to the wonderful Escambron beach and it was a whole different story! Beautiful sand, plenty of sun, and palm trees for shade if you wanted – and the water was warm and calm inside the swim area that was roped off. We snorkeled right from the beach and saw lots of different fish, plus some pointy purple sea urchins.
We will definitely return to this beach if we have a stop in San Juan again.
Written April 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
B90x
Columbus, OH72 contributions
Turtles!
Mar 2022 • Family
Decent snorkeling near the Scuba Dogs location. We saw several large turtles. There were a few man made sunken items that a few fish were around but nothing substantial. Visibility was not great due during the afternoon.
Written April 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jay S
2 contributions
bad, will not recommend to others.
Mar 2022
we had snorkeling at Escambron beach. It was scheduled for 3:30 p, stating that people must be on time.
After we arrived before 3:30 pm, we just waited there with no explanation. At about 4;00 pm, A female instructor came slowly and get snorkeling gear ready for everyone. It was already 4;30pm. After entering to water, there was bare fish you can see, the water was shallow and its quality was turbid. But you can see a big turtle once or twice during this one hour. The pro video was sloppy, took mine when I was above the water, there was no point to take this kind of video. The instructor even sent me the wrong video (someone else). The whole trip was very flat and not excited at all.
Written March 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sanju_222323
New Jersey13,380 contributions
clean-good for family
Feb 2022
El Escambrón is the perfect spot for family and friends to gather for a day of fun in the sun.
This popular beach is protected by coral reefs that make the beach ideal for snorkeling and exploring some of Puerto Rico’s marine life. Lined by golden sand and tall palm trees that provide shade and is only five minutes away from restaurants and food stands
We were here just for a walk, but this is perfectly safe for swimming. We saw a small portion of the beach is blocked by big rocks- so no rough waves make it perfect for swimming and having a good time with family. there is a park as well and come the weekend you’d expect families to be out in full force here. So it’s a mix of both park and beach. Showers-bathroom-parking – everything is there.
as the whole San Juan is protected by fortified walls – you can see that here as well. one thing struck me- there were no food options -might be it was late evening- but even on the main road- I did not find any food truck or anything sort of that.
Written March 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WorldFamilyTraveler
3 contributions
Crystal clear water public beach
Feb 2022 • Family
This is a public beach with some vendors and music.
It is beautiful, crystal clear water where you can see many colorful fish.
It was a Great stop. Highly recommend if you are in San Juan.
Written February 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jehenson81
Washington DC, DC22,128 contributions
Coarse Sand
Nov 2021 • Solo
This is the first beach I visited in San Juan and even early in the morning there were a lot of people relaxing, swimming and playing. I walked across the sand to find a place to sit and was surprised by how coarse the sand was. Really I shouldn’t have been surprised as the island is predominantly limestone so that would make for a coarse base for the sand in the area.
In the morning this beach is shady with a nice breezy coming in off the water. It was very relaxing.
Written November 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Janelle563
Iowa City, IA29 contributions
Snorkeling in the cove
Nov 2021 • Solo
I came over from the Condado Hilton to snorkel for a bit. I took an Uber because I wasn’t sure how walkable it would be but I walked back and it was super pleasant. The Uber dropped me right by the Caribe Hilton and the Puerto Rican Sports Hall of Fame, which made it a quick walk back to the cove/marine park area. I was there midday on a Monday, and it was very quiet. Just a few snorkelers and one girl walking her dog. Before snorkeling I walked around a bit and a short walk along the rocky shoreline brought me to the beach. It looked nice, relaxed, and uncommercial. I walked back to the cove and rented gear from SCUBA Dogs – the staff girl was really nice and it was just $27 for fin, mask, snorkel, and locker rental.
I snorkeled for probably 90 minutes or so. I saw one turtle but lots of fish. Visibility wasn’t great if you’re used to quality dive sites, but the water was pretty calm.
Written November 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jenny from Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA728 contributions
Loads of options, just know where to look
Sep 2021
This beach definitely felt like it was where the locals went, which was fun to be a part of.
It’s a short uber/taxi from old city. Depending where you get dropped off, you may have to walk a bit, depending on what kind of experience you’re looking for.
SURF: There’s a surf spot (La Ocho) right near the parking area, but there’s no surf rental spot for a long walk, so you have to BYOB.
SAND: If you just want sand to lay on and splash around in the water, there are tons of spots.
SNORKEL: For snorkeling, you have to walk a bit from the main parking area, over toward the Caribe Hilton. (The reviewer who talks about not seeing anything but minnows must have not walked far enough.) The Scuba Dogs stand has rentals for masks, fins, and lockers, and a map of what to see in the water. Use the Scuba Dogs stand as a landmark for where it’s good to snorkel. There’s tons of coral, some man-made reef stuff, and loads of fish. The visibility wasn’t great when we were there, but the guy at Scuba Dogs said mornings are usually better for visibility.
SCUBA: You can also Scuba dive here, either as a Discover Scuba beginner tour, or certified divers can rent equipment and walk right in to self-guide (or pay more to get a divemaster to show you around). It’s quite shallow as diving goes, so you can likely get a lot of time for your tank. Some self-guided certified divers we chatted with said it was really cool.
Written September 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Balneario El Escambrón
Balneario El Escambrón is open:
- Sun – Sat 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Balneario El Escambrón tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Balneario El Escambrón tours on Tripadvisor
Hotels near Balneario El Escambrón:
- (0.39 mi) Caribe Hilton
- (0.91 mi) Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino
- (0.32 mi) El San Geronimo Hotel
- (0.76 mi) Hyatt House San Juan
- (1.
55 mi) El Colonial
View all hotels near Balneario El Escambrón on Tripadvisor
Restaurants near Balneario El Escambrón:
- (0.07 mi) El Escambron Beach Club
- (0.45 mi) Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse
- (0.36 mi) El Hamburger
- (0.36 mi) Morton’s The Steakhouse
- (0.24 mi) Himalaya at El Mercado
View all restaurants near Balneario El Escambrón on Tripadvisor
55 mi) El ColonialSan Juan (capital of Puerto Rico): history, cultural heritage, beaches
the second city founded by Europeans in North and South America after Santo Domingo. Little is known about the original inhabitants of the area.
San Juan: history
San Juan was founded in 1521. This is the second city founded by Europeans in North and South America after Santo Domingo. Little is known about the original inhabitants of the area.
Archaeological finds say that the first inhabitants sailed from Florida on wooden rafts in the first century BC. And in the fourth century they were supplanted by people belonging to the Arawak ethnic group, who came from the Orinoco basin. Three hundred years later, another group of Arawaks, the Taínos, landed on an island they named Borinquen and established a society with a complex social and commercial organization.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, the Taínos were severely attacked from the sea by the Caribs and forced to leave the coast. Fear of the Caribs prompted the head of the Tainos tribe to turn to the Spanish colonizer Juan Ponce de Leon, who, starting in 1508, colonized the island in search of gold. After 400 years of rule by the Spanish crown, thanks to the defeat of Spain in 1898 in the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico was freed from the oppression of the Iberian Empire. And only at 1948 AD The American Congress passes a law that guarantees independent rule to Puerto Rico and its capital.
Heritage
San Juan is home to many museums and art galleries.
Among the most important buildings in Viejo San Juan is the Casa Blanca, which was built in 1521 as the residence of the first governor J. P. de León.
This historic building is now a museum with beautiful gardens, fountains and a courtyard. Another attraction of the city can be called the Catedral de San Juan, which is simple and at the same time very elegant. The cathedral houses the marble tomb of J. P. de Leon and the body of the martyr Saint-Pio in a glass box.
An emblem of San Juan’s colonial past is the fortress of Fuerte San Felipe del Morro, which was built on six levels. The fortress has a lighthouse called El Morro. The walls, some of which are up to five meters thick, date back to 1539, making El Morro the oldest Spanish fort in the New World.
Another fortified outpost of San Juan is Fuerte San Cristobal. It is one of the largest military buildings among those built by the Spaniards in the Americas.
Originally, Fuerte San Cristobal was located on an area of 11 hectares, with a labyrinth of six fortifications designed to protect the central walls, ditches, drawbridges and tunnels. At 1949 Fuerte San Cristobal becomes a national treasure and a historical monument. And in 1983, UNESCO included it in the World Heritage List.
Among the most interesting museums in Viejo San Juan worth visiting are the museums of the Americas, San Juan and de Arte de Puerto Rico. The building, built in 1854, houses the Museum of the Americas.
It presents an overview of the cultural development of the New World. And the San Juan Museum, located in a Spanish colonial building, tells about the 500-year history of the city. The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico is one of the largest and most interesting museums in the Caribbean. But, despite the fact that it is located outside the city center in the Santurce district, it attracts thousands of tourists every year.
Beaches
The coast is 12 kilometers long and consists of several beaches: rural, urban and the most fashionable beaches with expensive hotels.
Playa Escambron is a sheltered sandy beach that offers good surfing opportunities, a lively environment and a 17th century fortress to visit.
Condado Beach is surrounded by tall buildings of modern hotels. Excellent animators work on this beach and noisy volleyball matches are held. Isla Verde is an urban beach located in the new neighborhood of Puerto Rico. Ocean Park is a beautiful and deserted beach with almost no nearby buildings. This beach is one of the best in Puerto Rico.
The best time to visit San Juan is from mid-December to the end of April. At this time, the climate is perfect, lots of sun, but not too hot, and there is no chance of getting caught in a hurricane.
From June to October – the time of hurricanes, and in the rest of the year the temperature is +16-17°C.
Luis Munoz Marin Airport is located 13 kilometers east of the historic center of San Juan. In Puerto Rico, the bus system does not serve the entire island. Therefore, the main public transport is fixed-route taxis that fly between San Juan and other places on the island.
In the capital itself, the main public transport is Tren Urbano. Tren Urbano is a metro and bus service. The main bus station is at Viejo-San Juan . Tren Urbano connects the municipality of Bayamón with the center of San Juan and also reaches the Sagradado Corazon.
A-HOTEL.com – La Capitana Old San Juan, Aparthotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico
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412 Norzagaray Street
, San Juan
, Old San Juan
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La Capitana Old San Juan is located in San Juan’s old town, next to a tennis court.
The self-catering apartments offer free Wi-Fi.
This air-conditioned apartment offers scenic sea and city views, a seating area, a fully equipped kitchenette with a fridge and an oven, and a private bathroom with a shower, a hairdryer and free toiletries.
This complex is located 800 meters from the medieval fortress of Fort San Felipe del Morro, 3 km from Playa Escambron Beach and 1 km from the marina in San Juan Old Town.
Luis Munoz Marin International Airport is 13 km away.
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109 EUR
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La Capitana Old San Juan
412 Norzagaray Street, San Juan
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