Several reviewers complimented Miguel's delivery and favorably compared it to the uptempo tracks from Aries (1993) while others criticized its horn arrangements and lyrics.

In addition to Miguel co-writing several of the record's tracks, he was assisted by other composers including Armando Manzanero, Juan Carlos Calderón, and Arturo Perez.

[11][12] "Sol, Arena y Mar" is a horn-driven pop track with jazz influences which describes the "pain of separation" of a love that "disappeared as quickly as the foam at the seashore".

AllMusic editor Jose F. Promis felt the horn arrangements gave the song a "jazzy, sophisticated, adult-leaning feel.

"[14] John Lannert of Billboard was unimpressed with the track calling it a "vapid, uptempo number about a downtrodden affair" and criticized its "weary arrangements and uninspired musicianship".

[17] Houston Chronicle critic Joey Guerra chided the tune as a "tepid mix of blaring horns and uninspired lyrics".

[18] Leila Cobo of the Miami Herald editor noted that "Sol, Arena y Mar" was similar to the uptempo tracks from Aries.

[6] The Dallas Morning News critic Mario Tarradell called "Sol, Arena y Mar" a "guilty pleasure" and found it to be the "most reminiscent of the catchy fare on 1993's wonderful Aries".

[20] In the United States, "Sol, Arena y Mar" debuted at number eight on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart on the week of 21 August 1999.