Flights to San Juan

For extended beach bliss, skip packed city beaches and head to Carolina Beach, located just outside of San Juan and next to famous Isla Verde Beach. Unlike other area beaches without lifeguards, parking or restrooms, this balneario includes these amenities when you pay the small fee to park (if you come on foot there's no fee to enter).

Plus, as a Blue Flag beach, this seaside sanctuary ensures a high water quality level, a nice bit of reassurance for those wary of beaches in urban areas.

With a wide, spacious beachfront and plenty of waves, Carolina Beach is beloved by sunbathers, swimmers and water sports enthusiasts alike.

Pack snacks and enjoy them under the shade of one of several beachfront pavilions, some of which come equipped with barbecue grills. For kids, there's a splash park near the restrooms on the eastern part of the beach.

For those sensitive to noise, unwinding completely might be a bit hard — since the beachfront lies near the airport, it's impossible not to see jetliners take off just overhead.

Part of Carolina Beach's appeal is its relative remoteness. But this means that while you may see the occasional beach vendor, you won't have access to a range of restaurants and bars in the neighborhood surrounding the beach.

Those who want a little more action should head to Vivo Beach Club, a beachfront complex with dining options, shops, a music venue and a brewery, not to mention an outdoor pool and beach club.

With modern high-rises, upscale shopping and a generous stretch of pretty beachfront, Condado Beach is as close to Miami Beach as you can find in Puerto Rico. It's not just about sun and sand here — savvy vacationers leave time for dining on lush outdoor patios, hopping between happy hour spots and dancing the night away in swanky lounges and clubs.

Plus, its location makes it easy and convenient to explore San Juan's other touristic gems, such as historic Old San Juan to the west and glittering Isla Verde Beach to the east.

Like most Puerto Rican beaches, Condado Beach is easy on the eyes, but a word of warning: Due to large waves and rip tides, swimming here is not recommended for beginners. Watch for red flag warnings and avoid the water on windy days.

Water sports rentals are available for those intent on hitting the water to surf, jet-ski, kayak or paddle-board. Simply inquire at nearby hotels' activities desks.

When you're ready to dry off, talk a stroll through La Ventana Al Mar Park, bordering the beach to the west, which boasts a large green space, an impressive center fountain and an oceanfront promenade.

There's no lack of variety at the restaurants lining bustling Avenida Ashford, just a stone's throw from the beachfront. In addition to Puerto Rican fare, you'll find everything from tacos and hamburgers to sushi and pizza.

Stop for mofongo and mojitos at Yerba Buena, which hosts a legendary big-band jazz show on Monday nights, plus live music on Saturdays and Sundays. When you're running low on dough, hide out at Stop & Go, offering cheap, casual eats and amazing happy hour drink specials.

There's no lack of hidden beaches to savor in Puerto Rico, especially for travelers willing to rent a car and explore areas outside of the capital city of San Juan. In fact, tiny Ensenada Breñas is just a 40-minute drive west, but this coastal corner feels worlds away from any pulsing metropolis.

For one, it's tucked away in a small bay between two rocky promontories, in a residential area dotted with weathered oceanfront villas. There's no parking lot, no restrooms, no vendors or restaurants. Just golden sand, lapping ocean waves and pristine water.

Ensenada Breñas is not likely to be packed — typically, visitors will see only a few locals quietly enjoying the beachfront. Tourists are more likely to hang out at Cerro Gordo Beach about a mile west, a more sizeable coastal park with lifeguards, restroom facilities and parking.

An abandoned sets of steps covered with graffiti gives the beach an edgy, secret feel. For some shade, lay a blanket down near the concrete wall on the beach's western edge. A snorkel mask will help you catch a glimpse of what's underwater, but be careful not to venture out too far — locals report that there can be a strong undertow.

Since there's no chance of dining on the beach (unless you pack food for a picnic, a wise choice), head to the small town of Dorado and choose from the dozen or so restaurants scattered along PR-693.

The village also offers several oceanfront eateries at its own sliver of sand, called Balneario Manuel Morales, between the East Golf Course and the Embassy Suites Hilton Dorado del Mar.

Escambrón is so close to major attractions in Old San Juan that there's almost no excuse for not leaving time to visit this beach.

A balneario in the "Blue Flag" beach program, Escambrón offers amenities like parking, lifeguards, bathrooms and high-quality water conditions. Not bad for a city beach!

A coral reef close to shore keeps the waters tranquil, so you can swim, snorkel or just wade in the waters to your heart's content.

Shade is never too far, if you need some, thanks to the palm trees lining the shore. After a dip or a snorkeling session, walk to splendid Luis Muñoz Rivera Park, a 23-acre space with a gazebo, fountains and benches, or enjoy the jogging trail at Tercer Milenio Park.

An on-site snack bar (open seasonally) can keep you fueled for hours. Plenty of other dining options can be found in the surrounding Puerta de Tierra neighborhood or in the bustling Condado neighborhood several miles east.

Escambrón Beach is located close to a few notable attractions, such as 18-century Fort San Cristobal and a modern oceanfront park near the San Juan Cruise Port. There's also the imposing Capitol Building and the Plaza San Juan Bautista, featuring steps down to hidden Playa Peña beach.

Continue your adventure in Old San Juan, home to the islet's best restaurants, architecture and historic sites.

Though technically located on the outskirts of San Juan in the town of Carolina, Isla Verde Beach is often touted as the city's most visually stunning beach, thanks to its alluring combination of cerulean water and light sand adorned with the green of palm trees. In fact, this coastal stretch was voted "Best Urban Beach" by USA Today.

While the neighborhood plays host to some of San Juan's best nightlife options, during the day, travelers will find a relaxed seaside atmosphere without the hustle and bustle.

Isla Verde Beach's crescent seashore spans about a mile and borders Carolina Beach to the east. The beachfront is backed by sleek high-rise hotels, though none of them are sprawling mega-resorts like those found in other popular Caribbean destinations, so crowds are kept to a minimum.

Explore the beachfront all you want — it's all free and open to the public. Vendors sell empanadas and coconut water at spots along the sand. For incredible views of the coast (and envy-inducing photos), head to Mist Rooftop Bar + Kitchen, located at the San Juan Water & Beach Club. From up there, it's all breathtakingly blue, as far as the eye can see.

Water sports are a beloved pastime at Isla Verde Beach — during daylight hours you'll see a steady stream of boaters, jet-skiers, kayakers and snorkelers heading into the water. When waves are calm, don a snorkel mask and wade offshore for a peek underwater.

Once the sun sets, nightlife picks up considerably, especially at famed spots like Club Brava and El Daiquiri Lounge, where bumping beats are played into the wee morning hours.

If late night revelry isn't your thing, hunker down for a chill-out session at a restaurant or bar located along Isla Verde Avenue, the commercial thoroughfare that runs parallel to the beachfront.

Though tourists make up the majority of the crowds at beaches like Condado Beach and Isla Verde Beach, Ocean Park Beach might be the only one in San Juan where locals, ex-pats and tourists all rub elbows on a nightly basis. That's partly because this beach is located in an up-and-coming residential neighborhood outside of the well-worn tourist path.

At Ocean Park Beach, you're more likely to see neighbors sharing beers on a beach blanket than sunburned vacationers reclined in loungers. And as the main unofficial dog beach, it's the primary place for furry friends to socialize as well.

Kids splash in the waves while friends stroll along the water. As the sun sets and groups begin packing up, the vibe remains lively and jovial, with music drifting in the air well after the sky has gone dark.

Though waves can sometimes be rough, for the most part, Ocean Park Beach is great for swimming. There's plenty of shade underneath palm trees toward the back of the beach, but come early to claim your spot, especially on weekends. There's not much in the way of facilities (there are no restrooms and no lifeguards on duty), but there are trash bins, making for a tidy beachfront.

Near the beach's eastern edge is Parque Barbosa, featuring a running track, a baseball field and a shady park space with a playground and benches.

There are a few dining options along the beachfront, including UVVA Restaurant and Pamela's, both of which are housed in boutique hotels.

For a wide range of options, walk to Calle Loiza, home to more restaurants, bars and shops than you can count on your fingers and toes. This rough-around-the-edges area is in the middle of a revival, and the culinary and nightlife options are some of the best in San Juan. Stop in at Kasalta, a bakery and restaurant made famous when President Obama visited in 2011.

Pity that so many tourists roam the cobbled streets of Old San Juan, unaware that a tiny slice of beach heaven lies just steps away. Playa Peña isn't exactly a secret beach — it appears on Google Maps, after all — but chances are that if you ask locals for directions, even they won't know where to point you. Those willing to look for it will be rewarded with an oceanfront pit stop along a secluded, rocky stretch.

Also called Playa Capitolio, this beach is located across from the dominating Capitol building, listed on U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Follow Calle San Francisco, which borders the San Cristobal fort, until you reach a plaza honoring Saint John the Baptist. From there, find the staircase leading down to the beach. You'll have sweeping views of the Atlantic's strong waves crashing ashore.

Since this stretch is not maintained like some other public beaches in San Juan, you won't find bathrooms, lifeguards, parking or any other facilities. Swim at your own risk, and keep an eye on your belongings.

When you're ready to venture back to Old San Juan for a snack or refreshment, check out the restaurants clustered around Plaza Colón, including highly rated Café Berlin, with many international and vegetarian options.

Caficultura is another popular spot that serves a mean café con leche and a tasty Mallorca, a grilled sweet bread sandwich with cheese and powdered sugar.

Though at first glance tiny Playita del Condado looks as if it's reserved for guests of the Condado Plaza Hilton, this sliver of sand belongs to anyone looking for a mini getaway in the corridor between the Condado neighborhood and the islet of Old San Juan.

There are bigger and better beaches in this Caribbean city, but this delightful beach is an unexpected treat and the ideal aquatic playground for kids.

The "Playita," as it's known by locals, is open during daylight hours and watched over by hotel employees. Chairs and umbrellas are available for rent, though most guests simply lay a blanket in the sand. The water is shallow and waves aren't too strong, thanks to several rock walls around the cove. Across the water, you can see several high-rise hotel properties overlooking the mouth of the lagoon.

Kids can splash to their hearts' content — no need to worry about rough waters and sneaky undertows. Bring a snorkeling mask to spot tiny white fish circling your feet.

Though vendors sometimes set up shop near the beach, there isn't much in the way of dining in this sector (though we'd be remiss not to mention the Denny's across the street and the restaurants inside the Hilton).

Follow Avenida Ashford east toward the Condado neighborhood for a wide selection of restaurants, or head west into Old San Juan where a world of culinary choice awaits.