Flights to Ceiba

Visitors to Puerto Rico will be thrilled to stumble across the island's balnearios — clean, government-sponsored beaches with lifeguards, parking (for a small fee), bathrooms and showers.

Seven Seas Beach in Fajardo is one such beach, and though Luquillo Beach to west and Flamenco Beach on Culebra Island are the area's biggest tourism superstars, this haven is worth a visit nonetheless.

Carving a crescent shape along Bahia Las Cabezas, Seven Seas Beach is more a local summertime favorite than a tourist bucket-list destination. Baby blue water extends as far as the eye can see, and palm trees and almond trees line the sandy beachfront. When waters are calm, a coral reef not far offshore is ripe for exploring.

Parking is plentiful and easy, and lifeguards are on duty during the daylight hours, occupying colorful lifeguard stands that make for tempting Instagram fodder.

After a dip, dry off and enjoy a picnic at one of several shelters, or venture out to find a few casual eateries along PR-987.

Nature lovers should plan to set aside more than a day to experience this corner of the island. The Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve, just east of Seven Seas Beach, comprises several ecosystems, including a bioluminescent lagoon, mangroves, forest and coral reefs. Tours offered by local operators can get you up close and personal with the area's unique natural offerings.