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Finding the Trail to Survival Beach
Visiting the caves at Survival Beach was on our must do list of activities. The hike was more challenging than anticipated, but worth it! We used google maps to navigate to Surfer’s Beach. Navigation brought us to the correct area but we had to look for the road heading down to the beach beyond a chain link fence. We passed the business Surf Zone and another green building on the left side of the road. Next was the fence with a road on the other side – and that is the road we were looking for. The road heads down toward the beach quickly and after two turns we found ourselves at the parking lot for Surfer’s Beach. The trail to Survival Beach started at the end of the parking area. We went over a small walking bridge and continued on the path to Survival Beach.
The Hike to Survival Beach
The hike took us about 30 minutes with frequent stops for pictures and videos. The path started out as a lovely stroll through the trees, but did become steep, uneven and required climbing on rocks at times.
It would have been helpful if we had worn tennis shoes or water shoes, but we made it (carefully!) with our flip flops. By the end of the hike the bottom of my flip flops were destroyed from the rocks – they did not make it home from Puerto Rico!
Finding Table Top Beach
About half way to Survival Beach the path heads down to the beach to Table Top Beach. We could see large flat rocks in the water just off the shore.
We did some climbing around on the rocks near table top before continuing along the path to Survival Beach.
Eventually we kept going to make it all the way to Survival Beach. The path headed back up into the trees and over uneven rocks. We heard that during low tide one can walk along the beach to access the caves at Survival Beach – we visited during high tide so the trail and a little rock climbing was our only option.
After climbing over one more rocky path we could see Survival Beach below. We had to walk down a steep, rocky, uneven path through the foilage to make it there.
Paradise Found: Survival Beach
Once we reached Survival Beach we didn’t want to leave. This beach was private, beautiful and peaceful. The sand was brown and soft and the sound of the waves crashing inside the caves was calming.
We spent time in the caves and the guys did a little body surfing in the waves.
The waves were pretty intense when we visited and the current would pull you out if you were not careful. I was not at all interested in swimming here. There were much calmer beaches that we visited around Puerto Rico that were suitable for swimming. There was a pool a little farther down the beach that was nice for cooling off and didn’t run the risk of being pulled out to sea!
I wish we would of had more time to relax on Survival Beach, but the rain was rolling in so we had to hike the trail back.
I would like to return someday during low tide to experience the difference between high and low tide. This hike is a perfect way to experience the beauty of Puerto Rico off the beaten path style.
If you are trying to decide if this adventure is right for you feel free to check out our Survival Beach video on our Youtube Channel Explorcation. We captured video footage throughout the hike and our time at the caves at Survival Beach.
I’ve been calling Mexico my home for the past four years and I have a handful of expat friends that go from Mexico to Costa Rica – it looks so beautiful and similar to the coastal beach life I was used to. Great post and share if I make it to costa rica I’ll for sure keep this in mind!
Xoxox
Amanda
I’m having such a brain fart when I say Costa Rica I meant Puerto Rico 😂😂😂🤦🏽♀️
Xoxox
Amanda
Hahah, well either way – Puerto Rico and Costa Rica are both beautiful and worth a visit 🙂