Red Beach (Playa Caracas), Vieques: Visitor Guide
Red Beach, or Playa Caracas, is the easiest-to-reach beach in the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. How to get there, what to bring and refuge rules.
Where to swim
Beaches
Balnearios with lifeguards, surf breaks on the north coast, and the quiet crescents you have to walk to. Twenty-seven of the island’s best, one page.
Puerto Rico has hundreds of beaches, and they are not interchangeable. The north coast faces the open Atlantic: from Isabela to Aguadilla it is surf country, with waves that are best for experienced swimmers from November to March. The east and the offshore islands of Culebra and Vieques have the calm, clear water most visitors picture, with Flamenco the best known. The south coast, around La Parguera and Guánica, is drier and quieter, with mangrove cays you reach by boat.
Public beaches with lifeguards, showers and parking are called balnearios; Luquillo and Seven Seas in Fajardo are two of the most popular. Every beach on the island is public by law up to the high-water line, including those in front of resorts. Before you swim, check the surf and rip-current conditions, especially in winter, and do not leave anything visible in a parked car.
Each guide below covers what the beach is like, who it suits, how to get there and where to park.
Beaches
Culebra Island: How to Visit, Where to Swim and Stay
Planning a trip to Culebra: the ferry from Ceiba and flights, getting around, the best beaches, the wildlife refuge, camping, and practical tips.
