Playa Sucia
Playa Sucia
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
One of the island's most wild beaches. There is plenty of wilderness to explore complemented by breathtaking views. There are parking areas but they get full during the high season (summer) so make sure to get there early. Anytime before 9 am should be good.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
937 reviews
Excellent
695
Very good
161
Average
47
Poor
13
Terrible
21
Patrick
4 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Smell is terrible and you leave there smelling like the dumpster of a seafood restaurant. The view is nice, but there are many other “nice views” to see. They named it playa sucia for a reason. Translates to Dirty Beach. It’s nasty don’t go.
Written 15 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingTanners
Utuado, Puerto Rico91 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We visit here once or twice a year and absolutely love this secluded gem. A crescent shaped beach on a peninsula surrounded by the salt flats on the north side and red cliffs to the sides topped off with the light house. I'd say the beach is about a 1/2+ mile with pockets in the trees for shade. The "pockets" are great for gatherings of all sizes, some with tree trunks to sit on if you forgot your chairs and the branches provide hangers for clothes and bags. Explore the cliffs while you are there, so much beauty to take it. Driving there takes time, it is at the furthest southwest corner of the island. There is parking, if you go on the weekends you HAVE to get there when it opens, the parking fills up fast and you either end up walking or have to wait until someone leaves.
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mzdpendent
Syracuse, NY189 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
I was making this drive for scenery and calm waters. Driving through the mountains I got the scenery I was looking for. There is a 3 mile area that is unpaved dirt road I would say is only suitable for an SUV, Jeeps, maybe a crossover vehicle. If you drive a car you risk serious damage with the landscape and the potholes. I came after it rained and the mud was tough for vehicles who didn’t have AWD. There are two parking lots that get full quick. One for the light house and one further along for La Playuela. There is a long walk to get to any of these areas. I would say a good mile walk or more, probably two miles to the lighthouse.
La Playuela did not have calm waters, the water was murky, and there was no place to put a towel or belongings other than under trees. This area is completely untouched and protected by the National Wildlife Refuge. Like some of the other reviews I drove 2+ hours from San Juan and left after 5 minutes. There are beautiful views but only if you are in the area and want to hike. The seaweed is bad, and the smell is awful in comparison to the other 5 beaches I went too.
La Playuela did not have calm waters, the water was murky, and there was no place to put a towel or belongings other than under trees. This area is completely untouched and protected by the National Wildlife Refuge. Like some of the other reviews I drove 2+ hours from San Juan and left after 5 minutes. There are beautiful views but only if you are in the area and want to hike. The seaweed is bad, and the smell is awful in comparison to the other 5 beaches I went too.
Written 6 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OttawaTrekker
41 contributions
Jan 2020
The lighthouse, the cliffs and the lovely beach make for a very nice stop. Yes, the road in is bumpy - just drive slowly! We parked by the lighthouse (further from the beach) and had a great time exploring the cliffs (including the stone arch). We then made our way to the beach on foot from the lighthouse and spent a few hours enjoying the sand and the waves. We were there on a weekday and arrived early so the place was almost deserted. The tide was coming in and, by the time we left, there was little beach. More people were arriving as well, but we had spent a few hours and were ready to head out for lunch. There are no amenities at the beach - that's the great part in my mind: fairly rugged and unspoiled.
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zannatista
North Carolina Mountains, NC24 contributions
Jun 2021
Road to parking lot for Playa Sucia was bumpy; just take it slowly. On the way in, you will pass the salt flats which look pretty cool but are smelly. It's still worth the stop to see the pink salt pools. From the parking lot of the beach to the actual beach is a short walk. We arrived about 10:45 am and there were parking spots left. There are no bathrooms, changing rooms, or places to find snacks or drinks. However, the view is worth the hassle. Just bring a chair and a cooler. A row of seaweed divides the sand from the water. When we were there today, the water to the right-hand side was filled with seaweed and the water was rough. If you walk to the left-hand part of the beach, there's less seaweed in the water and the water is gentler. My kids and I preferred that part of the water and beach. On our way out (around 12:30), the parking lot was getting crowded. I'd recommend coming early. All in all, a pretty beach, but I don't feel the need to return. It's a hike from where we were staying in La Parguera.
Written 20 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steph M
Brooklyn, NY1 contribution
Apr 2021
Heads up for those looking for a "secluded" beach on a weekend, this ain't it. The sand/water was crazy packed, seaweed was popping, and jetskis and bluetooth speakers were blaring. It seems like a fun spot if you're with a big group of friends looking to turn up, but def not the place to bring a book and appreciate nature. lol. So take the "calm", "serene", "secluded" reviews mentioned here with a grain of salt. And speaking of salt, the drive along the dirt road is certainly pungent.
Written 25 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
May_EXL
Winnipeg, Canada1,028 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Playa Sucia is a beautiful crescent beach beside the Cabo Rojo Lighthouse. It’s quiet & calm with turquoise color water. It’s a bay beach with plenty of trees for shade. You can only park up to a certain point and have to walk to the beach. Be aware that the spots closer to the gate are handicap parking. There’s no fee, no restaurants, food stands or bathrooms on the beach. Playa Sucia is on our list of Puerto Rico’s top 10 beautiful beaches. Our only regret is that we didn’t allow enough time to stay long...but next time. Get there early to get a good parking spot, bring f&b and please take your garbage with you.
Written 26 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mimi040
Cape Cod, MA108 contributions
Jan 2020
Beautiful unspoiled beach with stunning views of the lighthouse and arch. Well worth the trip. My husband and I packed lunch and umbrellas and spent the day there, not many people were there during the week. I must say this is truly a beautiful spot. Not to be missed.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Safari650858
1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Friends
Went on 9/14/23 and the road to enter the area was closed. We were able to park the car outside the gate and hike 20 min to the lighthouse and the beach. Note, the first initial waters (dirty, red, filled with seaweed & smelly) you see is not Playa Sucia, now known as La Playuelita. Playa Sucia was a beautiful, calm beach. There was seaweed on the sand but the water was very clean & refreshing.
Written 26 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mountain Hikers
Knoxville, TN245 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
Amazing trip to this spot. Kind of tough to get into and get parking. Word of warning; if you park somewhere that has the yellow tipped wood poles that’s the same as no parking. Thought I was out of the way and picked an acceptable spot but returned to a $150 ticket. There are also a lot of stray dogs so beware.
Written 1 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lyamatt
Miami, Florida
Hola me comentaron q hay q llegar bien temprano porq cierran la playa ? A q hora me recomienda llegar ?
Written 23 February 2018
question about playa sucia:
#1 have you been there before the hurricane?
and
#2 how bad is the road?
i live in PR but in San Juan and planning on going to Playa Sucia next weekend. We've been there before (many times) but not after the hurricane.
Written 8 December 2017
I went there in 2016 and haven't been back. Wish I could help.
Written 24 April 2018
Hello, I was wondering what time the beach and lighthouse area closes. I was hoping to take sunset photos of the area on our visit
Written 13 July 2017
Not sure the time it closes. It's a public beach, you don't pay to enter beach or light house. No staff on duty.
Written 21 July 2017
We are staying in rincon and our condo owner has suggested la playuela Cabo rojo lighthouse. What is the difference in the two beaches? How far is one from another?
Written 12 May 2017
La Playuela and Playa Sucia are the same beach. The lighthouse is steps away from that same beach. Hope you enjoy Puerto Rico.
Written 15 May 2017
Well I really don't know, but I can tell you that you can call Cabo Rojo Municipal Office 1-787-851-1025 and ask to speak with someone in turism so they can give you the answer you seek. Good luck!
Written 3 February 2017
hey thanks for the info on the review, I'm thinking about heading to this beach during my stay this weekend because its supposed to be raining all weekend in SJ but here it will be sunny. I am 28 years old and travelling with two buddies the same age. Would you say the beach was more of a quiet scene or were there a lot of people there having fun? we are looking to meet new people and have a fun time. just wanted to get more of a feel what these beach is like, any and all info would be appreciated
Written 12 January 2017
During beach season it gets pretty packed. You will meet people but note that since you have to bring everything to drink and eat, most people will have their own party of people. I think Ive met more people in Surfing beaches vs this one.
Written 25 February 2017
Hay estacionamiento y seguridad para los careos?
Written 21 June 2016
No, no hay seguridad, y el estacionamiento no tiene pavimento. Es tierra y arena, entonces ten cuidado. Pero, vale la pena.
Written 26 August 2016
Allí no hay facilidades , el acceso es algo rocoso pero es una distancia muy cortita. Bueno para niños y personas mayores con buena movilidad.
Written 23 May 2016
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