When I am asked “Where is your home in Puerto Rico?,” I say it is between the San Juan Airport and El Yunque, set in the island by about 20 minutes.

After we bought the home, we tried to figure out what the absolute closest beach access was.  We are on the border between Cannovanas and Rio Grande.  (Actually our home is in Cannovanas but the Post Office is in Rio grande which results in lost and returned mail.)

Luquillo Beach is the most popular nearby beach.  It is about 30 minutes away and very popular with both the tourists and locals.  It is a beautiful crescent with soft sand, palm trees and turquoise water.  However it is very busy with restaurants, people, cars and music.

The closest beach is quiet and serene.  Initially there was no commercial activity but the last time we went the abandoned restaurant was operational over the weekend.  Disappointing but turns out their Mojitos are pretty good.

I call this spot Bahia Beach since it is near the beautiful St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort. From our home, head towards Luquillo Beach, then turn towards the ocean on Route 187.  Once you pass the resort, you go over a bridge.  Make the next right, which will swing you back to a parking area.  The Rio Herrera meets the ocean at this spot.

The area/town is Vieques on the eastern most tip of Loiza.  I don’t call it Vieques because it would be confused with the island.

If you walk along the beach towards Loiza, you will see abandoned shacks.  Sometimes I see families picnicking in these areas.  We find a nice palm tree and rock and spend a few hours enjoying an empty beach.

One evening I was sitting on this beach with my friend Heather, enjoying some happy hour cocktails and cheese. All of a sudden a man with a machete walks by. We were a bit startled but he was just going after a coconut. Another time, a wild horse ran onto the beach. He saw me and bolted. I love these surprises!

We visit Puerto Rico every couple of months.  And the beaches are never remain the same.  Sometimes there are uprooted palm trees, a treasure trove of shells, a lot of seaweed on the beach or in the water and even a lot of trash.  Things constantly change around here and we go with the flow.

Coordinates: 18.423254, -65.829680