Isla Verde Beach is a long stretch of pristine golden sand beach with calm lapping waves that are preferred by all for swimming, picnicking and just generally enjoying a day at the beach. The water here is the best out of all the beaches in San Juan. It is shallow enough to comfortably wade out and is clean gleaming turquoise blue.
I have been to San Juan many many times and have also come to Isla Verde Beach at least once. It’s my second favorite beach (the only reason it’s not the first is because the first beach has snorkeling).
In this blog I am going to introduce the beach and its three different parts to you. Also for each of the smaller three beaches I have given recommendations for good restaurants, any hotels nearby and how to get to the beach.
Distance of Isla Verde Beach
The first and best part about Isla Verde Beach is its distance from the city makes it relatively secluded. Isla Verde Beach is right in front of San Juan’s airport. It is located in the town of Carolina, which while not too far from San Juan, still takes 15 minutes to get to and thus there are much fewer people here than Condado or Ocean Park.
I was incredibly surprised the first time I saw Isla Verde Beach because I couldn’t believe that almost nobody was at the beach. While in the distance I could make out that the beaches near the main city were all filled with people.
Best Time to Visit Isla Verde Beach
The best time to go to San Juan is between the months of February and June. This is the dry season and summer doesn’t get burning until July and August. The beaches are also pretty lively during this season so be sure to go early in the morning to get a good spot for yourself.
Things to do at Isla Verde Beach
- Relax on the beach
- Surf Lessons
- Kitesurfing
- Parasailing
- Jet skiing
- Banana Boat
Adventure Tours in Puerto Rico
The craziest and most adrenaline filled tours to get your heart pumping. These tours combine the best of the natural wonders the island has to offer with great activities.
3 Beaches of Isla Verde
El Alambique Beach
The one closest to the city is Isla Verde Beach West which is west of Punta El Medio (the part of land jutting out into the ocean – aka The Point). El Alambique Beach is right next to Isla Verde Beach West. The beach has a very touristy vibe because most of the tourists from the resorts in front of it end up on this beach. Not my favorite beach because of this reason.
- Resorts – Royal Sonesta, San Juan Water & Beach Club, Fairmont El San Juan are some of the resorts right next to the beach.
- Directions – To get to this beach, set your location as Jose M Tartak Avenue which is right next to the beach.
- Restaurants – Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Kintaro Sushi Bar, Soga.
Pine Grove Surfing Beach
This beach is to the east of the point and a good spot for beginners to learn surfing. They have other water sports such as surfing and kite surfing, banana boat and paragliding here too.
- Resorts – Courtyard by Marriott is the only resort near it so it tends to be quieter and much more of a chill vibe.
- Directions – Enter from Calle Violeta which goes straight to the beach.
- Restaurants – Denny’s, Cafe Mam, Papaya Ocean Grill.
Balneario de Carolina (Pubic Beach)
This is one of the two public beaches of San Juan, cleaned and maintained by the government. This means that the sand is raked everyday, the trash is picked up, there are showers and changing rooms and the water quality is monitored. The beach is so big that you can find a spot by yourself without being 10 meters near anyone. There is the sandy part of the beach where most people prefer to set up and then there is the park.
Parque Lineal de Loiza at the east end of the beach is perfect to get a tan or nap under one of the trees. This beach also has all of the water sports mentioned above as well as jet skiing – Oceania Watersports and Exciting Water Sports are two companies that operate on this beach. This is by far the best beach out of the above three.
- Resorts – there are none, huzzah!
- Directions – To get to Balneario de Carolina, park off Route 187 and walk towards the ocean.
- Restaurants – Some of the best restaurants and bars are actually on this beach and not on the popular tourist beaches. Ocean Lab Brewing Co. is one such place you must visit – their beer tasting menu is great for the beer lovers. Other good restaurants here are Vivo Beach Club Restaurant and Mojito Beach Bar.
Conclusion
You should go to Balneario de Carolina for the water sports, tanning and sand and then to Ocean Lab Brewing Co. for some beer and food.
Checkout Other Puerto Rico Posts
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25 Awesome Things to do in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Things to do in Old San Juan: 12 Stop Walking Guide with Map
You mentioned your favorite beach had snorkeling. If it’s in Puerto Rico, could you share that beach’s name?
Hey! It was Escambron Beach near Old San Juan. It is shaped like a huge rock pool and there are a lot of fish around the border near the stones. You can read about it here. The other two beaches I loved for snorkeling in PR were Tres Palmas in Rincon and Cayo Icacos island.