Fodor's Expert Review North of Playa San Martín

About 1 km (½ mile) to the north of Playa San Martín the island road turns hilly and offers panoramic ocean views. Coconuts, a hilltop palapa restaurant, is a prime lookout spot that also serves decent food. One hundred yards away, Ventanas al Mar (the only hotel on the windward coast) attracts travelers who value solitude. Locals picnic on the long beach directly north of the hotel. When the water is calm, there's good snorkeling around the rocks beneath Ventanas al Mar, but steer clear if it's rough. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free), toilets. Best For: solitude; snorkeling; surfing.