Anonymous wrote:We're headed to Puerto Rico 12/16-12/22. Looking at the forecast, it appears that it's 50% or more rain the entire time we're there. Is that typical for December? Or do that really just not know the timing so they are covering all the bases?

Who is "they"?

You often get quick rainshowers in the winter for a few minutes or maybe an hour, then things clear up quickly and the sun comes back out. Florida is the same way.

We're headed to Puerto Rico 12/16-12/22. Looking at the forecast, it appears that it's 50% or more rain the entire time we're there. Is that typical for December? Or do that really just not know the timing so they are covering all the bases?

Anonymous wrote:You need to pay attention to the rip current statements. It is usually dangerous in the north region during this season. The south is usually safe. During summer most of the beaches are safe.

Nope. My husband and I got caught in a riptide at Rio Mar last summer and I am grateful every day that we made it out alive.

Again, you all think it’s just Puerto Rico. It’s not. Any Caribbean island during the wintertime especially, if it faces the Atlantic Ocean, can be dangerous. Yes Condado beach can be dangerous at times. Other times it isn’t. You have to read the signs and weather reports anywhere you go. People have drowned on every single island in the Caribbean. It’s not one over the other. Just be careful wherever you go and mindful of the time of year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consider Culebra or Vieques

A DCUM drowned at Vieques a few years back, she had been there many times throughout her life. Be careful.

.How did she post about ot if she drowned?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Consider Culebra or Vieques

A DCUM drowned at Vieques a few years back, she had been there many times throughout her life. Be careful.

That’s terrible, do you know which beach that occurred at?

Anonymous wrote:Consider Culebra or Vieques

A DCUM drowned at Vieques a few years back, she had been there many times throughout her life. Be careful.

Anonymous wrote:Condado beach is dangerous and people die there. Do not get into the water at all there, even to your knees.

Second, tenth, trillionth this post. Boy drowned when we were staying on the beach two years ago. Took two days to find the body. It was heartbreaking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly if your kid loves to swim, there are much better places to visit than PR,

Bahamas and St John have beautiful safe swimming beaches.

Not true. People have drowned in the Bahamas and St. John, USVI. You need to pay attention anywhere you going, especially in wintertime. During the summer, the beaches are calmer.

Some of the best beaches in Puerto Rico are, Seven Seas, Luquillo, Isla Verde, OceanPark, Dorado Beach at the Ritz Carlton Reserve, Playa Combate, Playa Sucia, Boquerón Beach, Playa Flamenco in Culebra…and many more…

What I said was true, there are safer and better places to visit if OP is seeking swimmable beaches for children, and both St John and the Bahamas have way better, way safer and far prettier beaches than anything you’ll find in PR.

I’m a native of Puerto Rico. Your statement about not having pretty beaches is not informed. We have close to 300 beaches, which include white sand, black sand, beige, etc. and with different backdrops and locations. Some
Are picture postcard beaches (heck Sports Illustrated just did a spread on one of our gorgeous beaches with various supermodels). I’ve been to almost all of PR’s beaches at some point during my lifetime. Pretty beaches? We’ve got ‘em.

You are kidding yourself if you think the Bahamas and St. John’s are safer. Anywhere you go, especially in the wintertime, on any island in the Atlantic, is a time to read the beach reports, ask the locals, and be cautious. No one wants you or your family to drown. Keep your false sense of security in check.

Thanks for all the replies!!!

https://www.copamarina.com/

Southwest side of the island.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly if your kid loves to swim, there are much better places to visit than PR,

Bahamas and St John have beautiful safe swimming beaches.

Not true. People have drowned in the Bahamas and St. John, USVI. You need to pay attention anywhere you going, especially in wintertime. During the summer, the beaches are calmer.

Some of the best beaches in Puerto Rico are, Seven Seas, Luquillo, Isla Verde, OceanPark, Dorado Beach at the Ritz Carlton Reserve, Playa Combate, Playa Sucia, Boquerón Beach, Playa Flamenco in Culebra…and many more…

What I said was true, there are safer and better places to visit if OP is seeking swimmable beaches for children, and both St John and the Bahamas have way better, way safer and far prettier beaches than anything you’ll find in PR.

This the lagoon-side beach by the Condado Plaza: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147320-d17470511-Reviews-Playita_del_Condado-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html

Escambrón: https://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/escambron-beach/

And you can easily find pictures of the Hilton beach on their website and on many review sites.

If you want to stay in the Condado area close to restaurants and Old San Juan, the Condado Plaza is right by a small lagoon-side beach that is very safe. There are pebbly parts of the shore, so a lot of people use water shoes. Another plus to that area is that there is paddle boarding and kayaking around the lagoon, and, currently, manatees. Very cool and safe. Another option nearby, across the lagoon bridge, is the Caribe Hilton. The Hilton has its own protected, safe beach. It’s also close to Escambrón beach. Both the Hilton’s and the adjacent Escambrón beach have manmade breakwaters that keep them calm. Escambrón also has decent, easy snorkeling.

Anonymous wrote:Consider Culebra or Vieques

Culebra can be calm but it can also have pretty bad rip currents, and if something happens and you need help there are no emergency services available on the island, no paramedics, so you are out of luck.

We were there over Thanksgiving and the beaches in Culebra were closed, Luquillo was rough and not safe for swimming, the beaches in Rio Mar were all reflagged, the waves were at 7-10 feet people were swimming anyway I was watching and waiting for someone to get swept out to sea.

That being all of the South coast beaches were fine. Stay at a hotel with great pools and you won’t miss the beach.