Secret Sands: Isla Verde, Puerto Rico

With its busy cruise terminal and thriving night life, San Juan is a vibrant capital, the streets of the old city thronged with pedestrians and street artists. But you don't have to leave town to get a little solitude. Hidden just north of the airport is a unique stretch of beach. Named for a tiny uninhabited island just offshore, Isla Verde has plenty of secluded nooks and sandy crannies. The beach itself is perfect: soft, white sand with thick groves of coconut palms. The brilliant strand starts just east of the Condado Beach Hotel and runs for nearly 10 miles, paralleling Avenida Boca de Cangrejos. Along the way, you'll find some high-rises, small boutique hotels and apartments popular with residents who come here for a quick getaway. It can get crowded -- especially on weekends -- in front of the hotels, but keep driving. Along the ocean side of the road, a sand dune protects the shoreline. A sandy road runs along the top of the dunes, and there, among the thickets of sea grape, are plenty of hidden spots to park, start your own private beach party and feel as isolated as you want. The good news is that when the sunning is done, it's just a short drive back to the city for a five-star dinner and nonstop night life.

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Posted online 02/19/02.