Luxury resorts & relocation communities
Dorado is a coastal town and municipality on Puerto Rico's northern coast, in the North region about 11 miles from San Juan, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It is subdivided into five barrios plus Dorado Pueblo, part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area, with a population of approximately 35,879 as of 2020 across an area of 60.16 km².
Dorado traces its roots to the early 18th century as a 'Sitio de Dorado' and existed as a barrio of Toa Baja until 1831, when its own town center — the 'new pueblo' — grew distinct from Toa Baja's 'old pueblo,' leading to Dorado's founding as a separate municipality in 1842. Today the town's coastal setting supports outdoor activity, dining spots like COA, Positivo Sand Bar, Encanto Beach Club Bar & Grill, and La Cocina Gourmet, and wellness offerings such as Spa Botánico.
For visitorsVisitors come for the coastal outdoor activities, beachfront dining and bars, and wellness options like Spa Botánico, all within easy reach of San Juan.
For living hereResidents live in a coastal municipality close to San Juan's metropolitan area, spread across five barrios and a town center with a mix of dining and recreational options.
On the water in Dorado today
All conditionsLatest from Dorado
Things to do in Dorado
Outdoors & Adventure1
J. P. H. Gallery · CC BY 2.0Dorado
Dorado features a mix of reef and beach breaks along its coastline. The area has protected bays with calmer conditions and exposed headlands that see solid NE winter swells. The best time to visit Dorado for surf is from November to March, when the NE swell is present, with wave heights ranging from 2 to 5 feet. During this period, the mix of reef and sand breaks offers suitable conditions for surfing.
Food & Drink4
COA
Known for: open-fire grilling and an extensive wine cellar
COA is the signature restaurant at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, located in Dorado on Puerto Rico's North coast. The kitchen centers on open-fire grilling of fish and meats, paired with selections from an extensive wine cellar. On weekends the restaurant adds live music, giving the space a more social, upscale atmosphere. It fits travelers looking for a grill-focused, wine-driven meal within the Dorado Beach resort, rather than a casual or budget dining stop.
Positivo Sand Bar
Known for: sushi and seafood with your toes in the sand
Positivo Sand Bar is a toes-in-the-sand, poolside dining spot at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Dorado, on Puerto Rico's north coast. The open-air, beachy setting serves sushi, ceviche, fish tacos and other seafood throughout the day. It's known for pairing sushi and seafood with a literal sand-underfoot setting, an upscale option within the resort's beachfront grounds.
Encanto Beach Club Bar & Grill
Known for: casual beachfront grilling
Encanto Beach Club Bar & Grill is a casual beachfront grill located at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, in Dorado on Puerto Rico's north coast. The setting is open-air, with ocean views accompanying meals prepared on the grill, including fish and meats cooked to order. It suits families and anyone spending the day at the beach club who wants a relaxed option for lunch or dinner without leaving the waterfront setting.
La Cocina Gourmet
Known for: a market café and homemade gelato
La Cocina Gourmet is a market-style café at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, in Dorado on Puerto Rico's north coast. It offers grab-and-go gourmet bites for guests who want a quick, quality meal or snack without sitting down for a full-service restaurant experience. The café is known for its homemade gelato. Its market format suits travelers looking for casual, convenient food options while staying at or visiting the Dorado Beach resort area.
Spa & Wellness1
Spa Botánico
Known for: open-air treehouse treatment rooms and botanical therapies
Spa Botánico occupies five acres at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, in Dorado on Puerto Rico's North coast. The property is laid out with open-air treehouse treatment platforms and freestanding pavilions set among the grounds, giving treatments an outdoor, garden-based setting rather than an enclosed indoor spa. Treatments draw on Puerto Rico's botanical healing traditions, incorporating local medicinal plants into massages and other therapies. It's known specifically for its treehouse-style treatment rooms and plant-based approach.