Since our flight home wasn't until the evening and ended up being delayed until 8 p.m. because of rain in NYC, we decided to make the most of the day after checking out of our B&B by visiting one last coastal town. Thankfully, the husband-and-wife duo who run the B&B suggested we come to this town. Piñones turned out to be everything we didn't know we needed: a strip of restaurants lining both sides of the road and endless miles of beach. My husband and I immediately kicked ourselves for not thinking of coming here earlier. You've heard of bar hopping? Well, in Piñones, it's restaurant and kiosk hopping. There are kiosks with the Puerto Rican fried staples: bacalaitos, alcapurrias, pastelillos as well as full-meal sit-down restaurants to get your spread. You want octopus too? There's ensalada de pulpo and if you need to wash it all down, grab a cold one or a natural juice like Tamarindo, Passion Fruit or Cherry. This town isn't some polished, Instagram-perfect tourist trap- this is Puerto Rican coastal street food in its raw, beautiful form. read more

Piñones - Straight Up Fire:(1 Of The Rest'nts In Town Cooking Food Over Wood+Fire.That Smoky, Open-Flame Flavor Is Unforgettable In The Caribbean) - Local Flavor Near Me - Loíza, Puerto Rico

This beach was very relaxed. Not many people here and the water was warm. I was able to walk in with no problem. The waves were gentle. Its not a tourist style beach. It Looked like more of the locals come here to this spot. Not a bad thing at all. It was clean the day was beautiful and I enjoyed myself. read more

Piñones - Local Flavor Near Me - Loíza, Puerto Rico

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We decided to visit Piñones beach because of all the food options lining the shore, the kiosks are full of local flavor, music, and delicious treats. Unfortunately we went to the end and many spots were closed (it was a Wednesday) The beach itself is beautiful. I was a little hesitant to go in after seeing a large dead jellyfish washed up on the sand, but I worked up the courage, only to spot a big crab crawling around! I quickly jumped out, but it was cool to see signs of sea life, which makes me think the water is clean. Overall, the food along the beach definitely makes it worth a visit. read more

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I can literally smell the food driving into Piñones as I write this review. That smell is divine! I was in PR on a vacation with my gf in November and we fell so in love with this area that we came back every day to enjoy their food and beaches. It's so awesome that you can just park and walk up and down the road to try so many different foods. Each and every one just as good as the last. It's literally a fried foods and grilled meats paradise. There are so many great places to grab tasty drinks aka Piña Coladas and delicious food and walk over to the beach and enjoy them. FYI: The people here are so nice and very friendly. Definitely one of my favorite areas of PR and I'm looking forward to coming back soon. I miss you Piñones!!! read more

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If you're not on a diet and you want to Puerto Rican food, come to this location drive around and pick a spot and enjoy the beach. We're having a delicious Puerto Rican treat. read more

Pastellios (many types to choose from, the flaky crust and savory fillings are sooo good), Pinchos de pollo (Puerto Rican style bbq chicken skewers) are my fav the sauce is perfect and the freshly grilled flavor make them so good, alcapurrias de carne, bacalaitos were also a hit. Love being able to grab the handheld item and eat it beachside. Fresh coconuts opened with machete so you can drink the coconut water or pina coladas and other drinks available at some of the kiosks. read more

This may have been one of my favorites places to visit during our vacation in PR! The history of the area alone was amazing and breathtaking. Seeing so many Afro Puerto Ricans really made my day. The community was so nice and the food was so delicious as well! It did rain on us but that didn't stop the show at all. One tip to all new comers, when you go to the shacks for some food cover your self up if you're in a swim suit. read more

Piñones - Local Flavor Near Me - Loíza, Puerto Rico

This is one of the funnest spots to visit near San Juan. Part of it is in Carolina and part in Loíza. There are tons of restaurant and stands selling mainly seafood. I've been to several of the stands and they are generally the same. It's hard to wrong, but my favorites are Iguana and Rinconcito Latino. There are a couple beaches down the long stretch of road. They are kid friendly beaches with light waves. Piñones also has a bike trail, a state forest, and a lake. read more

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This beach is a very calm beach and is suitable for families and for children. The good thing is there are a lot of places to eat near by. Piñones es una playa muy tranquila apta para todas las edades. Lo bueno es que tambien hay muchos lugares de comer cerca. read more

Piñones - La playa - Local Flavor Near Me - Loíza, Puerto Rico

heading to PR at the end of the month for my birthday!! I'm excited!! I have been to PR twice, once stayed on the Condado and the other on a cruise!! This time I am staying at the hyatt Regancy Resort for a change of pace..I am looking where to hang out on Halloween, so I am going to the Pinones..i let you know if its was worth a costume and hanging out!! read more

the beaches in Pinones are quite different then famous san Juan beaches- no buoys, no lifeguard- no shower-no parking areas. Some beaches are quite nice, others are rocky. windy and rough waves. so these beaches are not known for swimming. but hey, this area is known for its food. Here you will find the best Alcapurrias, Bacalaito, and other local foods. Piñones is the area that surrounds the PR-187 from Carolina to Loíza -- a sandy road that is replete with restaurants and chinchorros, bordered by the Piñones State Forest on the south and the Atlantic Ocean on the north Sundays are the busiest and most interesting days to go to Piñones since most kiosks are open. Locals prefer this area and tourists prefer San Juan. finding parking can be tough on weekends. read more

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My wife, two teenage sons (16 yrs, 14 yrs), and I drove along Route 187 in early April 2022 to see the beaches of Pinones. While this route is surprisingly close to San Juan, it has a very different vibe from the resort areas of San Juan. Pinones is a natural beach with authentic street food kiosks and provides a window into the life of many Puerto Rican families. On the plus side, it gives you a glimpse of local culture. We especially loved Playa Vacia Talega (the long stretch of beach along Route 187 which is far away from San Juan - closer to Loiza). For a detailed review that I wrote, please go to https://www.yelp.com/biz/playa-vacia-talega-lo%C3%ADza. On the minus side, the roadside of Pinones is filled with trash, which spoils the natural beauty of the area. Also, parking can be hard to find when it gets busy (just find a spot anywhere on the side of the road). Based on our day trip, I can understand why many tourists avoid coming here. First, it's hard to discern the quality of food at kiosks. Second, Spanish must be used when speaking with locals here. Third, there are no clean, public restrooms that are easily accessible from the beaches. Lastly, seeing trash everywhere along the highway was not appealing. That said, I think Playa Vacia Talega is a gem of a beach that is family-friendly and well worth a visit! read more

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This was an incredibly relaxing beach area, away from the more popular ones! All along the way, there are a handful of restaurants and bars that are essentially shacks, and you can view the beach from most of them. It's really cool! My fam was meeting a friend here, and we set up shop and were quite comfortable! There's a long rocky structure a few hundred feet into the water... so the coast itself and the water before that structure is so calm! I had such a blast floating in the water there... until I got adventurous and wanted to chill with the unique birds that were on the rocks. My nieces and I decided to swim towards it and try sitting on it... but the water got a little crazy and deeper as we got closer... annnnnd I stepped on a sea urchin. THAT'S RIGHT! This didn't downright ruin the rest of the trip or my time at the beach... we ended up being chased away because of the rain lol. But let's just say I was hobbling for a couple weeks after that happened... that is some pain I wouldn't wish on anybody!! The warning signs were that the ocean bottom got really rocky... and that's where they tend to reside. Now, I know! So here's a pro tip: if you are trying to go out far, wear water shoes... otherwise, still in that calm area far away from the rocks! But honestly, the beach is super relaxing and I recommend anyone who visits PR to check it out. read more

Sooooo wonderful! Must stop here...everything you need to be in a Puerto Rico state of mind. Delicious..happy.. fresh.. friendly ..encantado!! read more

Food was seasoned to perfection. This place was really busy but the food came out quick and we had a big party. Definitely recommend checking them out if you're in the area. read more

Piñones - Red Snapper With Rice and Beans. - Local Flavor Near Me - Loíza, Puerto Rico

A must visit for locals and tourists alike. Piñones is located in the town of Loíza. It's near Isla Verde and the airport. It's a short Uber ride, in case you don't have a vehicle. The popular thing to do here is enjoy local street food and alcoholic drinks from the several shacks, restaurants and bars along the side of the road. Aside from street food there is plenty of good seafood too. But Piñones is more than just bar hopping. It's family friendly. The stretch of road is long with plenty of beaches. I really like Vacía Talega which is near the end. The Bosque Estatal de Piñones (Piñones State Park) is located in Piñones (as the name suggests). There is a bike trail. I believe you can also hike here. There is also a lake, the Laguna de Piñones, where you can kayak or paddle board. There are also picnic tables and an observation tower by the lake. read more

This is where you come and eat all the fried goodie's that Puerto Rico has to offer. They have plenty of kiosks to choose from. But I have to say if you are on a diet this place is not for you. 99% of everything is fried. All nice to stop by and eat with the locals and have a nice cold medalla beer. read more

The beach reminded me of parts of La Jolla. Huge breakers and the crash of the waves is a very pleasant sensory experience under the bright sun of PR. There's also a lot of great food nearby and a lot of PR natives were there BBQing and selling various things to tourists as well. The beach was a little dirty, one of the few on the island really, but it didn't detract from the overall experience. read more

This is a must visit area when in PR. The area is vibrant and alive. Lots of eatery establishments, adult beverages, the beach, shopping, etc. The music is awesome from one vendor to the next. read more

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I come here for the beach and alcapurrias. Late night music and a few beers. A cool place to relax and enjoy yourself . read more

Piñones - Local Flavor Near Me - Loíza, Puerto Rico

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Definitely a "must visit" place to stop for an authentic experience. Good vibes. Good food. Amazing people. We stopped here after a day of exploring Loíza. You really feel culture and community here. read more

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We went to the kiosk to eat street food and it did not disappoint. My fave for Empanadas and bacalaito was which is toward the beginning and the best Pina Coladas was Las Reina de la PC was the best I had during my whole trip. read more

Piñones - Entering Loiza, Pinones - Local Flavor Near Me - Loíza, Puerto Rico

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All the Uber drivers recommended this place for authentic Puerto Rican food and they did not disappoint. My wife and I came here with the rest of our party and it was amazing! Our servers Angelica and Gisela was fantastic and the food was delicious! Can't recommend this place enough! read more

Piñones - Beef and cheese empanada - Local Flavor Near Me - Loíza, Puerto Rico

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Pinones is charming as hell with zero pretense. You go there to relax and be yourself, not to see and be seen. The street is lined with street food kiosks, many of them selling the same things and all of it delicious and filled with calories. All affordably priced. Many of the vendors don't speak English. People will park anywhere on the side of the road to grab a bite to eat or take a dive in the ocean. Beautiful beach, too. read more

Piñones - Local Flavor Near Me - Loíza, Puerto Rico

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Something I really wanted to do in Puerto Rico was eat pastelitos, bacalaitos and sip piñas coladas by the beach. Everyone just screamed "PIÑONES" and it seemed to be the right place for that. Piñones is a highway near the beach made up of kiosks serving street food and drinks. There are several kiosks to choose from that serve local fried food, pinchos, pastelillos, piñas coladas, beer and so much more. We decided to stop by one called La Rampla del Terraplen and the food came out great. All four of us had so much food and drinks and end up paying like $30 for everything. Cheapest place I visited in PR but definitely worth it. The whole experience was great. ESPAÑOL Algo que realmente quería hacer en Puerto Rico era comer pastelitos, bacalaitos y tomar piñas coladas en la playa. Todos gritaron "PIÑONES" y pareció ser el lugar adecuado para eso. Piñones es una carretera cerca de la playa formada por kioscos que sirven comida y bebidas de la calle. Hay varios quioscos para elegir que sirven comida local frita, pinchos, pastelillos, piñas coladas, cerveza y mucho más. Decidimos pasar por uno llamado La Rampla del Terraplen y la comida salió muy bien. Los cuatro teníamos tanta comida y bebidas y terminamos pagando como $ 30 por todo. El lugar más barato que visité en PR pero definitivamente vale la pena. Toda la experiencia fue genial read more

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This is really for the El Puerto de Mar kiosk at Piñones. And first off, go to Loiza, drive 15-20 minutes further. Go get educated on the history of the ADOS in PR. Then come to El Puerto de Mar to eat... the rice and beans are like my grandmother's- savory, full of flavor w/o being too salty or over done. I literally moaned at the first bite. You can eat inside where there are tables and staff - grab you the Parcha frozen cocktail it's the best- and then order an amazing meal. Or order a la cart, on the side and grab frituras, skewered meats, and a cold one. You cannot go wrong here. Buen provecho! read more

Bonito lugar para despejar la mente el board walk , encontramos una piscina natural, La gente muy amable, la comida muy fresca y de buen sabor read more

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0 stars if I could. Would not recommend at all. The area is completely littered with trash. Not sure how anyone could even eat with the smell of garbage lingering so thick in the air. The boardwalk is in shambles and sparsely repaired with rotting boards. One misstep and you're looking at a vacation ruining injury. Uber cost at 11 am on a Wednesday from a couple miles away was only $5, 45 minutes later the return trip was $30. Don't waste your time. read more

Must visit if you're in Puerto Rico. Not only are the views of the beach and coastline landscape beautiful, the food is the Best and true to Puerto Rican cuisine. A bunch of little hole in the wall snack shacks and bars in a row. So much better than the tourist traps in San Juan. Definitely visit. Hang out, enjoy the food, music and drinks. read more

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Great place for locals and tourist alike. The beach is beautiful and relaxing. Theres lots of food places around from stands to restaurants. Perfect for families also. read more

I hate to say it as a Boricua, but the city of Pinones needs to raze the whole place and start all over again. The kiosks are gross, there's beer bottles thrown about, some broken with glass that'll cut your foot if you're not careful. Had an empanada at one of the kiosks and the day's old grease was apparent. If you're a tourist, don't waste your time. read more

In A Nutshell: -Piñones is the spot where the locals recommended going. -The view on the top portion of the hill is a MILLION DOLLAR view. You can see the skyline of San Juan and catch the sunset. -Since it was Thanksgiving, many of the restaurants were closed. -If you like street food, I think this is the spot you should try. Overall, it's worth checking out if you are in town. read more

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I loved this place. Probably the best food I've had while in PR and it was super inexpensive. You can also get coconuts here from the bar if you were looking for them. read more

Piñones is usually not on the list of "to go places" for most tourists visiting San Juan, amd it's a mistake. Because Piñones is a true gem, and you would really miss out if you don't spend time over there. I know, I know....it's beyond Isla Verde. But life doesn't stop there. Far from it!!! And if you have the chance to go there during the weekend, you'll see what I am talking about. I was not so lucky, and went to the land of "friquitines" (or food kiosks, they call them "buréns" here I heard) on a quiet Thursday afternoon. I still loved it. First of all: the beach is gorgeous. Maybe not the best spot to go for a swim since it's quite rocky (Western end especially) but it makes it all the more attractive. Surfers paradise. Pine trees mix with palm trees. A long trail (and a boardwalk!!) that you can bike to the Bosque Estatal. It's really worth it and beaaauuuu-tiful! Then, la comida! You'll find anything and everything here, and you'll find it hard to resist the urge to grab a bit of everything (skewers of chicken and pork roasting on the flaming grill? YES PLEASE!!). You'll be advised to stay out of the raw seafood if you have a sensitive stomach (read: a gringo!) but go for the rest. It's tasty, authentic and well-prepared. Slightly more expensive than I thought but still cheaper than in town. The ambiance is incredible. People sing, laugh, dance salsa, play pool, and what not. You'll be in the middle of it, and will feel incredibly alive! HOW TO GO: It's quite a trek from Old San Juan (if you chose to stay there) but don't let it discourage you. Go to the bus terminal and hop on the bus for a nice ride with locals. You will read to take the bus A5 (we never found it) but the T5 goes apparently the same route. It gets busy and you'll go through sketchy neighborhoods but no worries. Sing with Bob: "Everything, is gonna be alright" (Jamaica is not that far after all). One way = 75 cents. Quite reliable schedule-wise. Get off at the Ritz-Carlton (just across the street from the cock-fighting arena!! how's that for local folklore!) and go straight for the beach. Walk there to the bridge, cross it, and you are there! It takes a little while, but it's the BEACH, dammit! A cab will cost you around $15 - definitely not worth it. Other option: wait for the B64 bus that drops you right there. But you are not lazy, are you? read more

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Probably a must see if you're in or around San Juan. I took two buses to get from Condado to the Pinones area, which was the A5 to Isla Verde and then the C45 to Pinones. You'll know when to stop on the C45 when you start seeing a ton of roadside shacks with smoke billowing out from within. This is where Puerto Ricans come on weekends to kick back and relax. Sadly, I went during a weekday, so there weren't a whole lot of music or festivities. However, there were plenty of eating and drinking to be done. Pretty much every shack is called a Kiosk of some sort. They're all rather similar, this is where you Kiosk-hop to find who has what and something you might like. What you'll definitely find with each is cheap Medalla light (2 bucks each) and cheap grilled/fried food. One Medalla, a bottle of water, two grilled chicken on stick came out to about $5 at one Kiosk. Absolutely delicious grilled chicken. Prices fluctuate depending on the kiosk, but you're not going to pay a whole lot anywhere. There is also a trail that runs along the beach, which gives view of some really beautiful azure water. Just brilliant. read more

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Love everything about this place! Can't wait to go back! Cold beers, great food and a beautiful view! read more

Piñones - Local Flavor Near Me - Loíza, Puerto Rico

Amazing! Great food and prices! You can view the beach while sippin on the most succulent drink from the bar.

Local culture. This is the place where tourist do NOT rule. You'll need a car to get here. Just get onto 187 near Isla Verde and follow the signs. The website that I linked here is for an About article, because the little town doesn't have a website. The article gives a better description than I can, and all you have to know is that I LOVE this place! One of Puerto Rico's shanty towns, it's a hidden gem of the natural culture. Super laid back, you can buy all authentic cuisine here. And yes, most of it is deep fried. I have no idea what I got, but some fish, tacos in a delicious pastry crust, filled cigar looking things, etc... All of its good. And the atmosphere is just amazing. read more

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Pick and choose where you go because not all places are good. Bacalaitos anywhere are too oily and too dough-y Try Mi Casita. Their chillo is flavored well and they make delicious alcapurrias de jueyes (crap) and they make it fresh. read more

It's great to visit Puerto Rico but if you haven't eaten in Piñones, you haven't truly experienced La Isla del Encanto. Now don't come out here looking for a black tie affair, but do come out here with an appetite for comida criolla. If you like seafood, fried food or real island food, you'll love Piñones. It's a quick easy ride from San Juan and you can even take a bus. Buen Provecho mi gente! read more

Piñones - Can't visit Puerto Rico without making a stop to Piñones! It's not for everyone but it sure is for me! - Local Flavor Near Me - Loíza, Puerto Rico

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