Puerto Nuevo Beach, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
One of the nicest beaches in the north central area of Puerto Rico is “Playa Puerto Nuevo”, in the little town of Vega Baja.
Vega Baja used to be an industrial powerhouse a couple of decades back, but today —due in great part to the stupidity of the Island’s central government— unemployment is sky-high and there’s evidence of the economic downturn everywhere.
One of the areas where you’ll see such decay is on your way to Puerto Nuevo Beach. There are closed industrial concerns all along the way.
Now let’s talk about the beach! Puerto Nuevo Beach is beautiful. Not because of any governmental intervention but because God just made it that way.
When you reach the beach there’s an ample parking area but no parking attendant. Only a local freeloader will approach you, ask for a dollar to “watch your car”, and then do nothing.
Entering the beach area it becomes evident that there are no showers, no lockers, no lifeguards and no recycling facilities. The place is more or less the way nature made it, only with a little more wear and tear.
However, it’s breathtaking!!!
On the west side there’s a huge beach area with hardly any surf. What I also noticed (and this is just a personal preference of mine) is that there are hardly any palm trees, so shade is at a premium.
Puerto Nuevo Beach, Behind the Breakwater. Click on image to see it larger.
Walking north from the entrance there’s a huge breakwater where the fury of the sea can be a show in itself. The water hits against the rocks, rushes down the inner side and forms a beautiful crystal-clear pond about 4‑feet deep that visitors absolutely adore.
A little further to the east there’s another beach. But this one is not for bathers. It’s rocky and dangerous. I asked one of the locals what they call that area and he said they called it “Sibuco”.
Now, before I went to Puerto Nuevo Beach —or “Playa Puerto Nuevo”, like the locals call it— I was told that this was a place where many people have drowned. So I asked around to learn why. It turns out that many people walk over the breakwater, where the open sea rushes onto the rocks. And, as you might imagine, if you fall in the water on the outer side of the breakwater you’re in for trouble.
So here’s my advise, if you decide to visit Puerto Nuevo Beach stay away from the breakwater! The part of the beach that’s right behind the breakwater is calm, crystal clear and beautiful; and the little pond that forms behind the breakwater is pure heaven! The sand is tan colored and a little on the coarse side.
As for Puerto Nuevo Beach in general, it’s one of those places that could be a lot better if the local government just put a little money and effort into it.
Enjoy Puerto Rico,
Orlando Mergal
