9 Best Sights in El Yunque and the Northeast, Puerto Rico

Cayo Icacos is one of about 10 small islands that make up the Cordillera Nature Reserve just off the coast of Puerto Rico. It's a beautiful beach with good snorkeling offshore. Icacos can only be reached by a 15- to 20-minute boat ride, so pack whatever you might need for the day. Several tour operators in Fajardo offer day trips here, or you can hire a boat in Las Croabas. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming; walking.

One of Puerto Rico's prized Blue Flag beaches, this long stretch of powdery sand near the Reserva Natural Las Cabezas de San Juan has calm, clear waters that are perfect for swimming. There are plenty of picnic tables, as well as restaurants just outside the gates. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); showers (fee); toilets. Best for: swimming.

Signs refer to this gentle beach off Route 3 as "Balneario La Monserrate," but everyone simply calls it Luquillo Beach. Lined with lifeguard stations and shaded by soaring palm trees, it's a magnet for families and has picnic areas and more than 60 kiosks serving fritters and drinks—making it a local hangout. Lounge chairs and umbrellas are available to rent, as are kayaks and Jet Skis. One very distinctive feature here is the Mar Sin Barreras (Sea Without Barriers), a gradual ramp into the water that allows wheelchair users to take a dip. On busy days, the beach can be crowded and characterized by a party atmosphere. There is a nominal fee for using the shower facilities, so bring small bills for this purpose. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; swimming; walking.

Playa Medio Mundo used to be part of the Roosevelt Roads Naval Base and is now open to the public. It is the largest area managed by the island's environmental nonprofit Para La Naturaleza. To get there, head to Playa Los Machos and park at the end of the parking lot. You’ll see a clearing in the mangroves. Walk through the mangroves on the path for about 15--20 minutes to reach this seldom visited spot. There is a concrete blue building with a marlin statue on top that is open to the public and known for its acoustics.

Waving palm trees and fishing boats add charm to the small Playa Costa Azul, although the ugly residential buildings along the water make an unattractive backdrop. The water here is good for swimming, and the crowds are thinner than elsewhere, but there are no facilities. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming.

You'll find Playa de Piñones right in front of the cluster of food kiosks built by the government for resident cooks. A large barrier reef blocks the strong currents and serves as the foundation for the large bathing pools in front of a sandy beach. Amenities: food and drink; parking. Best for: swimming.

Playa Húcares is the place to be. Although the strip is a little run-down and the beach itself can be a bit messy, an authentic vibe permeates the casual outdoor eateries and funky little shops that vie with the water for your attention. Locals sell ice out of trucks, and the heavy bass of reggaetón music thumps from the windows of passing cars. Two Victorian-style houses anchor one end of the waterfront promenade, a dock with excursion boats anchors the other, and a red, green, and blue--painted bridge connects both sides of the town. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: sunset.

Playa La Pared (literally, "The Wall Beach") is a surfer haunt. Numerous local competitions are held here throughout the year, and several surfing shops are close by in case you need a wet suit or wax for your board. The waves here are medium-range. It's very close to Luquillo Beach, but has a separate entrance. There are no facilities. Amenities: none. Best for: partiers; surfing.

This peaceful beach is not usually busy and is easily accessible by car. There are select wooden pavilions where groups can set up as well as grill pits, first-come first-serve. The water is clear and shallow, though you may experience sargassum depending on the season and should watch for litter or glass. The water can vary depending on the weather so use your best judgment while swimming. Amenities: free parking. Best for: solitude; walking