Mar Chiquita Beach

Beach · Tierras Nuevas Poniente ·

Mar Chiquita Beach

Beach · Tierras Nuevas Poniente ·

Natural pool for swimming & snorkeling; food trucks, sunset views

Information

Tierras Nuevas Poniente, 00674, Puerto Rico Get directions

@vogue

3,763 Postcards · 1,060 Cities

The Best Beaches in Puerto Rico Still Feel Like a Secret | Vogue

"Framed by two limestone outcroppings that form a striking horseshoe silhouette, Playa Mar Chiquita near Manatí creates a photogenic natural swimming pool filled by water flowing in from the Atlantic, and on weekends you can find food trucks serving Puerto Rican fritters and drinks. " - Nicole Kliest

https://www.vogue.com/article/best-beaches-in-puerto-rico

Mar Chiquita Beach

@atlasobscura

4,908 Postcards · 2,018 Cities

A Guide to Puerto Rico's Hidden Natural Wonders

"Located in the city of Manatí, Puerto Rico, Mar Chiquita stands for “Little Sea,” referring to the cove formed by outcroppings that trap the Atlantic Ocean water on the shore with a natural barrier. The pool is created by waves that push through limestone cliffs. Mar Chiquita sits on the coast of Manatí between Las Palmas Beach and Los Tubos Beach. What makes Mar Chiquita so evocative besides its peculiar half-moon shape is the bright turquoise waters, visible even from the top of the hill that leads to this hidden gem. The clear water of Mar Chiquita makes it ideal for snorkeling, as colorful fish swim around the beach. Mar Chiquita also offers options for surfers, who can take advantage of the high surf on the coast outside the natural pool. Hiking along the coast from Mar Chiquita enriches the beach experience with curiosities like the Virgin statue sitting on a cliff, tide pools, blowholes, and caves. During weekends, the atmosphere becomes lively, filled with music and food trucks that park around the parking lot making it possible to combine both a gastronomical experience with a beach day in Puerto Rico. Vendors serve Puerto Rican beach snacks such as alcapurrias (banana and root vegetable-based fritters filled with meat or seafood), empanadas, and pinchos. A visit to Mar Chiquita isn’t complete without seeing the sunset paint the beach with orange and pink strokes and the tide growing as the sun goes behind the western horizon. The golden hour makes this place magical." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/hidden-natural-wonders-puerto-rico

Courtesy of Vanessa Ramos

Mar Chiquita Beach

Brad T.

Google

Watching the waves crash over the opening into this beach is a lot of fun. Plus you can swim towards that opening. Climb up the rocks to the left to get a great view of the ocean and then a view back of the beach. This is indeed one of the most stellar beaches out there and if you're going to Puerto Rico, you need to come here

TravelingCid

Google

Great are with lots of rocks to hike if you are experienced enough. The views are incredible and the water is clear. The have vendors selling whatever you need and nice little umbrella areas. A lot of parking.

sasha G.

Google

This beach was so beautiful, so relaxing. We went on a Friday afternoon, we got there around 1:30pm the sun was pretty high and the sand was hot, we wanted to rent beach chairs and an umbrella for shade and the gentleman there greeted us and said that’s what he had to offer so we paid about $30 for that. The waves were high but we stayed on the edge. It was such a relaxing, enjoyable beach to visit. I recommend this beach to anyone trying to take in the beauty of Puerto Rico. We ended up leaving by 6pm due to us being scared to drive in the narrow roads on the way there and back. But def recommend also there is a good truck selling drinks and Alcapurriaa which were so good! 10/10 recommend!

Kirk M.

Google

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely stunning — our favorite beach in Puerto Rico! We visited Mar Chiquita Beach in Tierras Nuevas Poniente, Manatí to celebrate Kim’s birthday, and it was absolutely perfect. The drive from our VRBO in the Carolina area took about 45 minutes and was completely worth it. The winding road and the view as we crested the last hill down toward the beach were breathtaking. Parking is free (though sandy), and even on a Tuesday in the off-season, a few food trucks were open. We brought our own food and drinks and immediately wished we’d brought snorkel gear — the moment we saw the crystal-clear water inside the seashell-shaped bay, we knew it was a snorkeler’s paradise. The bay is surrounded by towering, jagged reef cliffs, creating a sheltered, magical lagoon. We found a shaded spot on the far side where we could easily access the water but still enjoy both sun and shade. The water was refreshingly cool, not too warm, and the waves were big but gentle. Inside the reef, we spotted lots of colorful fish, sea urchins, and chitons, plus crabs and anoles along the rocks. We even watched a hawk swoop down to catch a fish — a total National Geographic moment! My drone footage from here was incredible — the turquoise water against the golden cliffs is unreal. Even as the day got busier, we never felt crowded. One couple’s barking dog broke the peace for a bit, but they didn’t stay long. Unfortunately, we did notice some litter despite plenty of trash bins, which is disappointing. Before we left, we explored the cool caves near the exit — a must-see if you visit! We even had to tie up our cooler after a friendly stray dog tried to snag a snack (probably feeding puppies nearby). This beach is safe for swimming — no rip currents, calm surf inside the cove, and incredible scenery. It was our favorite beach of the entire trip, hands down. If you’re visiting Puerto Rico, make a day of it here — you won’t regret it. 🌊🐠☀️

Daniel A.

Google

Mar Chiquita Beach is a local gem of PR🇵🇷 ⛱️ , bring sun screen, towel, and some water, and spend the day relaxing on the beach. FYI, there are local vendors selling piña coladas, seafood cocktails and other food items so you won’t go hungry 😊

Sahil S.

Google

Victor T.

Google

Absolutely a beautiful landlocked beach. The waves do crash over the lock and create a little wave pool. Crystal clear waters and some sea life living in the lock. No, there are no sharks so bring some goggles and a snorkel and enjoy the little fish. Food trucks on site, souvenirs and you can even get a massage if you catch the young lady there Thursday to Sunday. 1 down side, no public restrooms. The portapotties are owned by the guys who rent the beach umbrellas and chairs so you have to pay to use them.

Mark C.

Google

Beautiful beach. Not too crowded when I visited.