Piñones is another excellent alternative for some beachside fried-food indulgence. Piñones is the coastal part of the town of Loíza, composed of dozens of kiosks selling fritters, skewered meat, and fresh fruit shakes.

Vacia Talega Beach is a crescent-shaped beach in Pinones where the water is calm and the sunsets are spectacular. This beach is very popular among locals, so it tends to be crowded during the weekend or on holidays. Make sure to eat at the nearby kiosks (where you can find some of the most delicious fritters in Puerto Rico) or go to Loiza Aldea to learn more about Pinones, its people, and its culture. Moreover, this beach has a beautiful forest of seagrape that can lead you to more remote, secluded beaches and caves--and yes, it's one of our favorite secret spots.

This is a stop to grab a snack and a drink. Enjoy a variety of mojitos and picadera in a family atmosphere. Mojito is a traditional Cuban punch. The cocktail often consists of five ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water, and mint. Its combination of sweetness, citrus, and herbaceous mint flavors is intended to complement the rum, and has made the mojito a popular summer drink.