Balneario El Escambrón

San Juan, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico

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Balneario El Escambrón (El Escambrón Beach) is a popular, family-friendly metropolitan beach located in San Juan Antiguo, Puerta de Tierra, just outside Old San Juan in Puerto Rico, making it conveniently accessible with only five minutes to nearby restaurants, food stands, and Luis Muñoz Rivera Park.

This small crescent-shaped beach features clean golden sand lined with tall palm trees that provide natural shade, and is protected by coral reefs that create calm, gentle waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The beach is part of the Blue Flag program, which recognizes its water quality and well-maintained facilities including lifeguards on duty daily from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, outdoor showers, restrooms, and gated parking for a $5.00 fee (cash only).

El Escambrón is particularly popular for snorkeling thanks to its protected swimming area marked by floating ropes where you can see colorful tropical fish, and the area is also part of the larger Escambrón Marine Park which includes another protected beach called La Playita with both natural and artificial reefs. The beach complex is located on the grounds of a former beach club and hotel, now featuring a recreational park called Parque Tercer Milenio and the historic ruins of the Escambrón Battery artillery fortification to explore, plus a nice stretch of the Old City Wall nearby.

The beach is open seven days a week from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with parking available from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and chair and umbrella rentals are sometimes available, though bringing your own food is allowed with picnic tables provided for use.