Photo: Eastern Ocean Park, Santurce, Puerto Rico by Breezy Baldwin, CC BY 2.0
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Vacation rentals near Ocean Park Beach
Ocean Park is San Juan's beach neighbourhood, between Condado and Isla Verde, with the largest beach in the city. The homes here are in Ocean Park itself or a short walk inland in Santurce, each within 8 minutes' walk of the sand.
- Ocean Park Beach
- El Último Trolley
- Parque Barbosa
- Avenida McLeary
- Calle Loíza
Homes a short walk from Ocean Park Beach
5.00 average from 134 reviews
Staying here
What it's like to stay by Ocean Park Beach
Where Ocean Park is
Ocean Park fills the blocks between the beach and Calle Loíza, from Calle Santa Ana and Calle María Moczó, where the Parque district begins, east to Calle Guerrero Noble. Beyond that street lies Las Marías, also known as Punta Las Marías, which belongs to the same beach community and carries the Isla Verde boulevard on toward Carolina. Both are part of Santurce, the largest district of San Juan, and the beach runs in front of them and of Parque to the west.
The beach
Ocean Park Beach is the largest in San Juan, almost two miles of sand from Parque del Indio, at the Condado end, to Punta Las Marías, and it draws more locals than visitors, so it is less crowded than Condado Beach. The stretch beside Parque Barbosa is still called El Último Trolley, after the terminus of the old streetcar line, which ran until 1946; Discover Puerto Rico names it one of the most popular ways onto the sand and lists street parking there. About a kilometre offshore sits Island Stone, a rocky islet of roughly 100 by 50 metres.
Wind, surf and swimming
Reefs out to sea break the biggest swells before they reach the sand, and what arrives is mid-sized surf that suits beginners as well as experienced surfers; in the windy season the trade winds draw windsurfers and kitesurfers too. Before a swim, check the National Weather Service's daily rip current rating for San Juan and Vicinity. For lifeguards and paramedics on duty, go to Balneario de Carolina in Isla Verde, east along the coast; outside its summer season, mid-May to mid-August, it is closed on Mondays that are not holidays. By road it is about 4.3 miles from Parque Barbosa.
McLeary, Calle Loíza and Parque Barbosa
Two streets carry daily life. Avenida McLeary runs through the middle of Ocean Park with cafés, pubs and everyday services, and Calle Loíza, its southern edge, has filled with new restaurants, bars and boutiques. Across Calle Loíza, the Loíza district keeps its colourful one- and two-storey houses, some with front verandas. At the eastern end, Parque Barbosa, named for Dr. José Celso Barbosa, has a running track and opens onto the Último Trolley stretch of beach.
Parking, stairs and getting around
Parking in these streets is mostly on the street, free and first come, first served, so read the posted signs; where a home has a space of its own, its page says so. Apartments here are often upper-floor walk-ups without a lift, so check the floor on a home's page if stairs or heavy bags are a problem. Condado's Ashford Avenue and La Placita de Santurce are each a short taxi ride away. Ashford Avenue is about 1.9 miles from Parque Barbosa by road. La Placita is about 1.6 miles from Parque Barbosa.
Who it suits
Ocean Park suits long beach days among locals rather than hotel guests, windsurfers and kitesurfers, longer stays, and anyone with an early flight, since the airport is a short drive east. It suits less well travellers who want hotel bars and casinos outside the door, or colonial streets; Condado and Old San Juan fit those plans better.
Sources
Each source opens in a new tab.
- U.S. Census Bureau: TIGERweb: Subbarrios (layer 24)
- Discover Puerto Rico: Playa Último Trolley (Playa Ocean Park)Balneario de Carolina
- National Weather Service San Juan: Surf Zone Forecast for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
- OpenStreetMap: Ocean Park BeachPlaya Último TrolleyParque Dr. José Celso BarbosaPista Atlética Parque Dr. José Celso Barbosa
- Wikipedia: Ocean Park (Santurce)Ocean Park BeachLas Marías (Santurce)Parque (Santurce)Loíza (Santurce)Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Quick answers
Ocean Park, in short
How far are these homes from Ocean Park Beach?
Between 3 and 8 minutes on foot, from each home's door to the sand, worked out along the streets and paths of OpenStreetMap. Each card gives its own walk.
Are there vacation rentals near Ocean Park Beach?
Yes. Homes a short walk from the beach book direct here from $257 for 3 nights, cleaning fee included, before tax. Open a home to see its live calendar and the exact total for your dates, with taxes shown before you pay.
How far is Ocean Park from the airport?
About 10 minutes by car (3.9 miles) from Parque Barbosa, by the beach, to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU).
How far is Ocean Park from Old San Juan?
About 13 minutes by car (5.3 miles) from Parque Barbosa.
Do I need a car in Ocean Park?
Not for Ocean Park itself: the beach, Avenida McLeary and Calle Loíza are all within walking distance. A car helps for day trips such as El Yunque or the beaches out of town.
Times: our calculation on OpenStreetMap data, © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
What guests said about staying near Ocean Park Beach
Short walk to beaches and other places. Lots of street parking available. Rooms are spacious and amenities are well thought out. Has a functional kitchen and in unit washer dryer came in handy after those walk to beaches. Overall very satisfied
Great location and property. It had every thing we needed and walking distance to everything. Highly recommend.
This stay was so clean and had a lot of nice touches including plenty of towels, soft lamp lighting, bikes, and coffee. I really recommend biking the short distance to ocean park beach. I felt safe as a solo traveler.