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| Relaxing at Playa Santa |
by Maria Custodio
DownIsland Staff
DownIsland Staff
One of the more popular beaches in the South Shore is Playa Santa
(Holy Beach) in Guanica, and for good reason. The sand is white and
the water clear and tranquil making it the perfect place to relax, go
swimming or just have a good time.
The weather is pleasantly warm and its usually sunny because it’s near
a dry forest, so there are very few possibilities of having rain ruining the
day. Bring a lot of sun block because you’ll need it. During the summer
it can get very crowded, especially during the weekends and holidays,
but the rest of the year is quiet calm. Another high season in Playa
Santa is around March or April during “Las Justas”, a College Sports
Festival in Ponce when thousands of students flood the South Shore.
There are few hotels or guesthouses near Playa Santa, but visitors don’
t mind making the trip from other parts of the Island (it can take up to
two hours from San Juan) because they know it’s well worth it. There is
no lifeguard on the beaches, something usual in Puerto Rico, but the
currents are not strong, and the waves are almost non-existent. Another
draw is it’s parking and first aid center nearby. Police also do security
rounds to make sure everyone is safe.
There aren’t many places to eat near the beach, but barbeques and
coolers are permitted as long as there aren’t any glass bottles because
they prohibited on the beach. If you pack light, a few miles away you’ll
find kiosks with fritters and refreshments.
How to get to Playa Santa: At the end of Highway 52, take road #2,
until you see the exit to Ensenada. Look for the signs to Playa Santa,
you’ll have to turn left in front of a Catholic Church.
(Holy Beach) in Guanica, and for good reason. The sand is white and
the water clear and tranquil making it the perfect place to relax, go
swimming or just have a good time.
The weather is pleasantly warm and its usually sunny because it’s near
a dry forest, so there are very few possibilities of having rain ruining the
day. Bring a lot of sun block because you’ll need it. During the summer
it can get very crowded, especially during the weekends and holidays,
but the rest of the year is quiet calm. Another high season in Playa
Santa is around March or April during “Las Justas”, a College Sports
Festival in Ponce when thousands of students flood the South Shore.
There are few hotels or guesthouses near Playa Santa, but visitors don’
t mind making the trip from other parts of the Island (it can take up to
two hours from San Juan) because they know it’s well worth it. There is
no lifeguard on the beaches, something usual in Puerto Rico, but the
currents are not strong, and the waves are almost non-existent. Another
draw is it’s parking and first aid center nearby. Police also do security
rounds to make sure everyone is safe.
There aren’t many places to eat near the beach, but barbeques and
coolers are permitted as long as there aren’t any glass bottles because
they prohibited on the beach. If you pack light, a few miles away you’ll
find kiosks with fritters and refreshments.
How to get to Playa Santa: At the end of Highway 52, take road #2,
until you see the exit to Ensenada. Look for the signs to Playa Santa,
you’ll have to turn left in front of a Catholic Church.
| Click on pictures to enlarge |
