Avoid Swimming At This Popular Tourist Beach In The Caribbean
San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a spectacular Caribbean destination and the oldest city in the country. While it's famous for its various sites and architecture from a bygone era, San Juan, of course, has beaches – three to be exact. One of these is Condado Beach. Located in the upscale neighborhood of Condado, it has everything you need to spend the ultimate long weekend in San Juan. Think top-rated eateries and five-star beachfront resorts. And with its cerulean waters and bright skies, no one can deny that Condado Beach is inviting.
However, its looks are deceiving. Condado Beach has a hidden danger for swimmers: rip currents. Rip currents, different from rip tides, move at high speeds, pulling swimmers away from the shore and into the sea. This can lead to death by drowning, which has tragically happened time and time again at Condado Beach.
In 2020, a married couple from Atlanta drowned at Condado Beach when they were both caught in a rip current. In 2022, a 12-year-old boy from Massachusetts also died at Condado Beach under the same circumstances. Another boy who was with him survived the ordeal. Despite the previous accident and the known risk of rip currents in Condado Beach, there were no lifeguards on duty at the time of the child's death.
Why is there a lack of safety protocols at Condado Beach?
Before your Caribbean vacation, you need to know that rip currents are common in all of Puerto Rico, not just Condado Beach. In 2023, the National Weather Service revealed that Puerto Rico had the second-most surf zone-related deaths in the country that year. For reference, rip currents are considered a surf zone fatality. So what should you do if you get swept up in a rip current?
Never try to swim directly toward the shore; always do it at an angle. In the same vein, try not to panic, as this could increase your chances of drowning. While swimming near a lifeguard is always advised, Condado Beach has none. There have been pleas to change this, but Puerto Rican officials, including the former Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Rafael Machargo Maldonado, have expressed some dissent.
In 2022, shortly after the 12-year-old Massachusetts boy's death at Condado Beach, Machargo Maldonado stated (via The San Juan Daily Star), "That said, it's important to note that while we support putting lifeguards on Condado Beach, we are concerned that having these rescuers on a beach that is dangerous and unsuitable for bathing could give the impression that it is safe to swim there, putting both beachgoers and lifeguards in danger." In other words, given Condado Beach's reputation, swimmers should know better.
Safer waters in Condado
In 2023, it was reported that Condado Beach would implement an artificial reef. Although this decision was made to benefit the local ecosystem, there are other advantages. According to a study published in the scientific journal Limnology and Oceanography, artificial reefs are known to decrease the power and amplitude of waves, which could ultimately curtail the strength of rip currents. At the time of this publication, it's unclear if the artificial reef has been built, and as of 2024, drownings caused by rip currents have continued in Condado Beach.
While Condado Beach is fine for sunbathing or viewing the horizon, there are other spots minutes away that are less dangerous for water-based fun. These include Laguna del Condado and Playita del Condado. At Laguna del Condado (pictured), visitors can snorkel, kayak (during the day or night), paddleboard, and more. You can book tours and rentals for Laguna del Condado at VIP Adventures Puerto Rico. You'll find that most activities are less than $100 per person. For example, a guided night kayak tour ranges from $50-$65 at the time of this publication.
If you desire a dip in the sea, head to Playita del Condado, known for its shallow waters. While in Condado, make sure to check out La Ventana al Mar. The picturesque park is next to Condado Beach and has impressive sculptures and ocean views. It's the perfect place to enjoy the infamous beach without setting foot in the water.