Río San Juan travel guide

The main attraction here is the beach called Playa Grande, 5 km east of Río San Juan. Great swathes of pale sand make it one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. It is packed with people at weekends. There is public access to the beach, which is one of the longest white-sand beaches on the north coast. When the swell is up in winter this is the place to be for good surfing and is a seventh heaven for golfers with one of the best courses in the country , designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr with 10 of its tees at the edge of the ocean. On arrival at Playa Grande you will be surrounded by traders looking for your business at their restaurant or stall. Politely decline their offers of help until you have chosen a restaurant.

Playa La Preciosa was so named by surfers who come here to surf because of its beauty. It is a great place for photos and a lot more secluded than Playa Grande. National Geographic took one of their cover shots at this beach. It is the next left turn east after Playa Grande at the headland of the Parque Nacional Cabo Francés Viejo.