Isla Verde Beach West

Beautiful stretch of beach where you’re likely to encounter just as many locals as tourists. Bring your chair/towel, a cooler and enjoy! There are also nearby bars, restaurants, and fast-food just off the beach. The Royal Sonesta has a walk up beach bar and covered seating with excellently poured drinks and food in a picturesque setting.

We stayed at The Royal Sonesta which is right on this beach. The beach is so nice and clean. They also have police patrolling to keep things nice. Bring bug spray just in case. The tiny biting midges were out and I didn’t realize until I was back home. They itch so intensely, worse than mosquitoes!

Great place to enjoy the beach during the day and at night too. Very safe and tranquil beach.

This is an amazing beach just steps from our vacation VRBO. THis end seemed more private - but still had public access. Rentals of all kinds including chairs, umbrellas, and jet skis. Vendors walking the beach selling drinks, empanadas, and pictures of parrots. The water while we were there was a bit murky with the sargassum but all in all the slow sloping beach makes for a lot of useable water and the waves were never very big. This was a great spot to call home for a week. Lots of close amenities including, grocery, tons of restaurants, and pharmacy, etc. Missing nothing in 5 minutes. Walk or drive everywhere - parking is a challenge.

Perfect beach morning in Isla Verde! We visited the beach at Isla Verde early in the morning (around 8 AM) and stayed until about 10 and it was absolutely perfect. We were lucky with the weather, found easy street parking, and best of all: the beach was almost empty! There were plenty of natural shady spots, but if needed, you can also rent an umbrella and beach chairs right there. It was a bit windy, which made being outside super comfortable: no sweaty moments, just warm sun and a refreshing breeze. The ocean was crystal clear, pleasantly warm, and completely free of seaweed ideal for a peaceful morning swim. This spot is a real gem for early risers looking for a quiet and relaxing beach experience in San Juan. Highly recommended!

Amazing beach definitely recommend going here. The drinks were amazing and overall it was great after visiting this beach never have I ever wanted to be in any New York City beach ever again

Incredible to walk along the coast on the water. The waves were strong but very enticing. Water temp was great. Views while walking and the scent of the beach really gets you .

I had a super time at this beach amazing people fantastic time. I could truly say that it was wonderful. The water was warm. The atmosphere was excellent. Can’t wait to go back and spend time on this beach.

Stayed at the Hilton Embassy Suites by Playa Isla Verde. The beach is a little far to access by walking from the hotel but once you get to the beach they have beach chairs for rent or for free when you stay at the hotel I referenced above. The beach and water are beautiful. The water was prettier than I expected and very warm, but the surf is choppy. The down side of this beach is many vendors walking to try and sell you their homemade foods (questionable), and everything requires cash only. Be prepared, but don't leave your items or bags on the chairs. Lots of trash left on the beach, even though we were told it was very clean. People smoking pot everywhere, so everywhere you are, you are down wind of it...doesn't make for a pleasant beach experience. Enjoy the views, because that's about all you will enjoy during your visit, although I did eat the best empanada I ever ate at a stand at the entrance of the beach for $3.50. At 4:30, The Beach Boys grab up your shade and lounger so you have to go find another place to sit, or just do yourself a favor and go to Playa Pinones, drive through the food area and just past you will find the most beautiful, private beach areas there and the best food. Skip Isla Verde.

This beach is absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous water with clean sand. There was no problem finding a place to sit and soak up the sun. There a few vendors that serve food on the beach so you don't have to leave if you are hungry which I really appreciated. I got empanadas from Sandra's Point then got a coconut from one of the local vendors. Paradise!

This playa has got to be one of the best I've been to all year! It's super bleach, the beach chairs are first come first serve and are free. The people and local vendors who walk the beach are super nice! Plenty of space, could easily seat, millions of people on beach towels! lol! There's plenty of free steer parking and it neighbors some pretty awesome beach bars!

Huge beach, waves can get big but it's very fun and not rocky at all. Not far from road and great views

One of the things I love the best about Puerto Rico is walking along this beach. Just beautiful. The west side of the beach is normally more populated, until you get WAY west, then it's pretty deserted. And absolutely gorgeous.

This is by far the best beach in San Juan. It's safe and the water is pretty calm. The times we've been here the waves are never big and the current is never strong. There is plenty of sand too. Perfect for kids. There is a beach club called Casa Cuba in front of the beach, which I have contemplated joining to have free parking because the only parking is street parking and it's usually difficult to find a spot. There are a couple of restaurants nearby, but you will also see several vendors walking up and down the beach selling food and drinks.

My review is mostly for the Playa Ocean Park. We wanted to find a beach with a good amount of free parking, not overly crowded and a shower. This place had all of it. Purchased some ice cream cups from the fellas walking around ringing the bell. It was $5 per tiny cup and wasn't worth it. The showers across the street from the beach worked but the pressure wasn't that great. There's restrooms for changing as well. The current was really strong the day we came but there were still a decent amount of people in the water. The beach is clean for the most part and no one bothered us.

Beautiful beach! You can rent chairs and drink out of a coconut, what else could you want

Copacabana of Puerto Rico Isla Verde has a wide, tropical beach in the heart of the city. One of the best beaches in the metropolitan area, Isla Verde is golden-sand shores are framed with tall palm trees, hotels, restaurants, and shops. It is also home to some of the best high-end hotels in the city, plus a long stretch of sun-kissed public beach complete with toilet and shower facilities We were there at sunset time so we did not go into the water. but walking on fine sand with your better half - hits differently. Beach is divided into three main beaches: Pine Grove, where locals go surfing Alambique, a more relaxed strip of sand, and Balneario de Carolina is a more relaxed location with lifeguards and parking spaces. It is much closer to the main San Juan airport and a bit closer to the El Yunque rainforest. Also, pet friendly- we saw many four-legged friends in the water.

Good solid beach to visit in the San Juan area. If driving, I recommend parking in the parking lot next to the walgreens, it's $5 for the whole day and it's right next to the beach. Last time there were people offering to rent umbrellas and chairs for cheap. A lot of good restaurants around the area. Si eres local ya sabes que esta es de las mejores playas que tiene el area metro. Muchos no saben del estacionamiento al lado del walgreens que por $5 te puedes estacionar todo el dia.

This beach is absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous water. The sand is clean and white (ish). There are a few bars lining it. No boardwalk that I spotted but could be further down. A lot of hotels line the beach and they have bars and lounge areas that I'm assuming people can stop in even if they aren't staying at the hotels. It was beautiful and a nice place to relax. I saw people jet skiing and the beach was free.

We spent two hours on Isla Verde at the sister hotel to the one we're staying at in OSJ. We went for a beach day and we're not disappointed. The sand is clean and soft, the water the gorgeous Caribbean blue, the mojitos delicious and the beach attendants very helpful with chairs and umbrellas. I could spend forever!

Puerto Rico was a recent vacay destination my husband and I, as we were seeking a cool city to explore (San Juan!) and quality beach time to relax! We stayed in Isla Verde so that we could be a short walk to the beach from our hotel and ended up spending two full days here during our trip. We set up camp the first day on the left side of Punta El Medio (if you're looking at the ocean). It was a lot more crowded but also had more places to eat and vendors walking up and down selling ice cream and such, as well as water sports like banana boat rides. The next day, we went to the right side which was a lot more calm and spread out. We setup in front of the Ritz (which is closed off) and most of the action on this side happens in front of the Courtyard. I preferred this a little better! It was easier to find the sun, as there are less buildings creating shade and overall less people to fight spots for. I would definitely recommend bringing your own snacks though! Whichever way you slice it, you'll find a little piece of paradise! The sand is nice and soft, perfect for running or walking. There were also folks renting chairs and umbrellas at reasonable rates if you aren't coming with your own. All in all, I'm glad we made this a part of our San Juan trip! Would definitely recommend for some no frills beach time.

My wife and I came to Puerto Rico and we loved Isla Verde. It's our favorite beach on the main island. The ocean is green, the sand is white. They have jet ski rentals, massage spots on the beach. It's dog friendly, if you're a local or visiting and can't leave your dog at home. The parking is very convenient and inexpensive. And there are tons of places to eat at, the most you need to walk is a block or two. There is also a lady that makes kebobs, hot dogs, empanadas, and serves coconut juice in a coconut right on the beach. And when you're done with the coconut milk, she'll open up the coconut so you can eat the coconut! You can also rent an umbrella ($10) and chairs ($4).

Beautiful, free (thanks for ruining this NJ), public beach nestled between the airport and Old San Juan. Perfectly soft sand, calm clear warm waters and so much room to stretch that you won't feel crowded. We stayed in a condo directly on the beach here so we had chairs and towels. If you don't have a chair there are vendors along the beach renting them. The entire beach is public so you can enjoy the music from the hotels if you like. The Intercontinental had a beach bar open to the public and music blasting by their beach front pool. Don't even try to sneak into any hotel or condo pools, everything is gated/guarded here.

I was in PR in March for a bachelorette party with 4 other girls and we stayed in an AirBnb in Old San Juan which has no access to beaches or pools. So, I emailed El San Juan Hotel which is on Isla Verde beach (near the airport) in advance to ask about their day beach/pool access, and I found out it would be $25 per person (pre-tax) all day. We saved our beach day for the last day of our trip and made our way here last Saturday. THANK GOD it was sunny and warm that day which made everything 90x better. The resort was so beautiful. 3 large pools, 1 main pool with a swim up bar, and 2 hot tubs. Definitely recommend going through El San Juan Hotel for a beach/pool pass if you're not staying in a resort on the beach or if you're staying in Old San Juan!

Very clean beach to relax/jog on. Super affordable for an umbrella and 2 chairs rentals at a cost of $25 for the entire day. There is a food stand on the beach. We parked at our hotel parking lot (Verdanza Hotel) for $10 for the whole day. Took us 5 minutes walk over to the playa Isla Verde.

Absolutely beautiful beach! Silky white sand and even though the beach is on the Atlantic side it is not overwhelmingly rough with the waves. There are also small shells that can be found scattered along the beach. Beach Lounge Chairs and Umbrellas- It is possible to rent a beach lounge chair for $4.00 and a beach umbrella for $10.00 along the beach there are posted signs. If you are staying at one of the hotels they will provide a beach umbrella and lounge chair and towels as it is part of "the resort fee" that you pay each night that you stay at the hotel. Food and Drink- You can also walk along the beach and get drinks or food at walk up locations at certain places-or you can bring your own cooler and BBQ on the beach...drinking adult beverages on the beach is the norm. Cleanliness- The city ensures that the beach is clean with regular trash removal from garbage cans located along the beach.

One of my favorite places in PR. I love how nice and wide the beach is here and also how clean it is. Always lots of places to park at, and most people I've seen behave themselves. The water is just perfect here.

Just in case you don't read the tips, if you are coming here taking a Uber or driving for the GPS use the address of El Alambique beach front bar and grill, honestly found it to be the best entrance of the beach. This beach was amazing, I loved my time here the waves were nice easy to catch, and they have a roping around making it easier to not drift away This beach has stands around it we're you can get a hot dog for a buck Soft drink for a buck Or for 4 bucks get a coconut not a bad price They have guys at the beach who rent chairs and umbrellas Be aware that they close at 4:30, so if you plan on staying past that time make sure you are ready to hunt for shade or bring towels to lay on unless you like your buns full of sand.

This beach is absolutely beautiful. I grew up in Southern California, and it blows all the beaches there out the water. It stretches for a few miles along the coast with soft sand, warm clear waters, and just the right number of people laying out for a good tan. There are $4 chair and umbrella rentals to make your visit more convenient. Just wish I got to rent a jet ski to explore the waters while I was there but unfortunately got there too late. This is definitely a must-stop while in Puerto Rico. Also helps that there are plenty of food options around should you get hungry or need a drink refill.

2017's 100 Reviews Challenge! 9/100: Isla Verde Beach is also known as "Carolina Beach". Isla Verde is basically a "touristy" area in the city of Carolina. Probably one of the most known beaches in Puerto Rico, specifically in the metropolitan area. About 5 minutes away from the airport, right in "Isla Verde", you have "Isla Verde Beach. For those of you who don't know this, Carolina is a city in the metropolitan area. As a matter of fact, the San Juan International Airport is actually in the city of Carolina, instead of San Juan. However, since San Juan and Carolina are next to each other and San Juan IS the capital of Puerto Rico, I guess that for practicality and commercial issues, it was easier to name the airport after the Capital City. *Side-tracked* Going back to this beach... Not the most beautiful beach you will see in PR, but still pretty awesome considering how many people visit this beach daily. Very public and plenty of well known hotels, pub, dance clubs and restaurants surround this beach. Tides can sometimes become a bit high, but nothing too dangerous that you can't get in (Unless the yellow or red flags are up). You always see locals selling "helados" (our take on sherbets) or handmade jewelry and this beach is so big there's always a good spot to sit on. Very clean and with umbrella and seat rental available, this beach is ideal for tourists or locals that live in the metropolitan area and want to quickly visit the beach. Only downside is that parking is CRAZY, unless you are willing to pay $4-5 dollars for all day parking, you can easily spend 2 hours looking for parking. So definitely pay the $4-5 dollars for parking, it's worth not having to waste time in traffic, since this area gets a lot of traffic. Enjoy you visit and take sunblock with you!!

Beautiful, fantastic beach. Thanks to Breanna's pro-tip, we ended up on the part of Isla Verde right next to El Alambique (a divey bar with some delicious food and great outdoor seating). By 4pm when we arrived, it wasn't too crowded and the water temperature even in late December was perfect. The beach nice and sandy. No coral reefs to snorkel around in, but a great place to swim and soak in the rays. We took an Uber here from the ship port and had them navigate right to El Alambique so that we had a dinner option right after swimming. Didn't venture too far out to explore the rest of Isla Verde beach (as it's huge) and is a private beach for a few resorts, but it's a large stretch of beach so you're bound to be able to find a nice tranquil spot here. It was nice to drive here from the cruise port so if you're coming on a cruise ship, I suggest getting an Uber and coming here as you'll get to experience a nice drive out to Carolina and see a bit more of PR.

I truly enjoy visiting this beach whenever I go to Puerto Rico. This beach is located in a very touristy section of Puerto Rico and I guess this is why I always enjoy it. Normally you will see many tourists in this section but you will also see some locals as well. The beach is located near major hotels in the area as well as many restaurants and bars in the area. To be honest the bars and restaurants are a bit pricy but it is well worth it. You also have the opportunity to rent jet skis and other water related activities as well. I highly suggest and recommend this beach. You will have plenty of beautiful views and will enjoy the beach.

The water was warm. Plenty of activities to do on the beach. We took a tour on the banana boat (wild!) and soaked in the sun most of the day. Beach chair $4/ea and umbrella $10, great prices!

Okay. When I came to Puerto Rico I knew I wanted to experience as much as I could and was just spouting things to do off the top of my head--research on if it was available not included. So when we finally found the parasailing place on Isla Verde beach I knew this was my last day to also get massages on the beach. I searched and searched and nothing popped up as soon as I get out of the water I see blue signs for massages and it was the best decision I've ever made. It's right behind the intercontinental and it's super affordable. My masseuse listened to my preferences and I walked away feeling so relaxed. I've attached the menu prices. Oh and about the parasailing it was pretty fun, I just think I would have had a better time if I would have had better instructions. If you Google it look for esj. Then walk between esj and ejs tower and there's a red a yellow sign. The guy who answers the phone is kind of short (not very personable) but everyone else makes up for what he lacks in personality. It was great, but if you get sea sick easily take a antiemetic before you go out there--my brother was miserable the whole time Jet skis are there but if you want a really awesome experience go to Aquatica for jet skis and become a pirate lol Best thing about the beach= massages

I checked this beach out during my vacation in old san juan. It was later in the afternoon so I already knew I wasn't getting in the water. It took me a few minutes to find parking so I could only imagine trying to find parking earlier in the day. I walked on the sand very close to the water and just enjoyed the oceans breeze and beautiful scenery. There were still a few people lounging on the beach but you could tell the crowd had left for the day. I saw quite a few police officers who seemed friendly and smiled. I didn't see any food vendors or places to buy drinks. However, there were tons of restaurants and stores right outside the beach. The water was beautiful with the row of hotels lined up in like your typical Caribbean vacation. The beach was a lot cleaner than I expected since I know it's very populated. Next time I will visit a little earlier and enjoy the water and overall vibe of this touristy beach.

Really love the fact that the whole beach was surrounded by different restaurants and hotels. Variety in the menus and drinks etc. It wasn't crowded at all in there's a serene atmosphere there. Ideal to soak in the sun and enjoy the warm water.

This is one of those spots you always have to go when you are in town. I really enjoy visiting this beach whenever I go to Puerto Rico. This beach is located in the tourism section of Puerto Rico which I have to say was very busy considering the hurricane that passed. It actually looked normal with many tourists in this section and locals enjoying there day in the water or eating. The beach is located near major hotels in the area as well as many restaurants which is great for lifting tourism there. The airport is also very close, so if you get off a flight you should make sure to stop here first.

The most beautiful beach and the sun was shining the whole time with pristine blue skys. Can you say paradise? We walked here from where were were staying and I'm glad we went that route versus driving to another beach. We spent most of our day on the western side of the beach. It wasn't too crowded and was peaceful and tranquil. We found a prime shady spot under the palm trees and weren't too far from the shore. The wind whips a lot on the beaches here so be prepared for a bag filled with sand when you get home or consider renting a chair and umbrella to get off the ground (which are readily available). I think I liked this beach the best because the ocean wasn't as choppy here. We got a little bit of wave, but it was the perfect temp to float and relax. The sand was soft and no rocks! Not like the East Coast beaches I'm used to. It was a bit more crowded closer to some of the resorts, specifically El San Juan and the International because there was some group of college kids celebrating graduation or something. After we got our fill of nap time in the sand and time in the water, we took a walk to check out the other end of the beach. There were a few hotel bars, massage stations open, and took a bit more of a resort feel further down Isla Verde with people renting wind surfing boards and jetskis. Pro tip: We didn't go but someone told us that night that El Alambique was a good spot to visit for a drink/snack on the beach.

This review is in response to an earlier critic who unfortunately wasn't able to see passed his own review of the beach. Firstly, that person was obviously biased by their experience and wrote about their time on the beach during the winter season; most likely January through March where there is the most seaweed and the most people. Secondly, resulting to calling people douche bags without having met them, is pretty non-informative and petty; it makes the beach seem less like it actually is, filled with diversity from all walks of life. The beach is definitely big enough for some people who might be annoying, and for people who believe they are, without cause or justification. As for the bug bites it's not very common, that person either setup camp close to where there was garbage or closer to the other side of Isla Verde, coming from San Juan. There, are giant rocks that block the path; not impassible, if you are not afraid of getting wet. It's by those rocks where the beach gets the most seaweed during that time of year; although you will find seaweed all along the beach, some spots more than in others, but it isn't as bad as that user puts it and it doesn't disrupt neither the beauty nor the fun you will have while your at the beach. Lastly, Walgreens is across the street. Along with a whole assortment of other stores, bars, juice bars, frozen yogurt businesses, regular businesses, and restaurants from all over the world, most with positive reviews on Yelp, all within walking distance, suggesting that users review of the place is a blatant and biased attack, and not an informative piece of information. That person's piece is non-informative and slander. Yes, my beach might have some faults, such as loud music, a lot of people, and lots of seaweed during the winter season, but it's a beach with a lot of beautiful traits. Such as: the crystal clear waters, the warmth of the ocean, the diversity of culture, the convenience, variety and quality of the food you can get by just walking 50ft away from the beach, the energy that surrounds it, the beautiful skyline that graces it on either side of the beach and, more importantly, the beautiful sun rises and sunsets of Puerto Rico. I love my home and this person wasn't really able to see past their own bad mood.

Isla Verde is a lively beach popular among tourists and locals! We went here after having lunch nearby, and enjoyed the soft white sand and warm water! This beach actually stretches over a mile, but my friends and I just stayed on one side of the beach. There's plenty of restaurants nearby, and there's also a lot of beachfront properties on Isla Verde. For the most part this beach is pretty clean!

I wish i could give 0 stars. Probably the worst place i've stayed ever in terms of cleanliness. I went to sleep, and the next morning when i woke up, I see large bed bugs crawling on the bed, later that day i was covered in red welts( see photos). Soon as i got back to U.S. i immediately put my clothes in the dryer and went to the hospital i was scared i had something else than bed bugs since i was in another country. Days after washing my clothes I am living in constant paranoia that there is a bed bug infestation in my house. Staying in this place is simply not worth it. Just stay at a more decent place. This place is horrible it should be shut down, and the contents of every room set on fire.

This beach was beautiful with the plam trees make the background so lovely. The water is gorgeous and clear. After jumping in you may get a few nibbles at your toes or you may feel something touch your legs so don't be surprised :)

Beautiful beach near San Juan. Lots of parking. They have people who will put in umbrellas for you. Pretty busy mid day, and the line to park was horrible when we left around 2, so be prepared. The only bathroom was at the far right (when youre facing the water) near an inflatable slide.

The beach is lovely to walk on, with beautiful opportunities to see the rising moon in early evening, the natural dunes being nursed back to the city, and palm growths adorning the beach edges. There was often seaweed in the water during the days we stayed, but it also cleared away on other days. The waves are strong as the bay is pretty long and open, but we still enjoyed the walks during the pandemic times.

Beautiful beach. Loved every moment. My husband and I went here as our first trio together. Very relaxing time. Clean beach everything you need is at at arms reach. We also enjoyed the jet ski rental as well. Take advantage if you can.

Awesome beach! Safe area, kid friendly, awesome sun and waves for all beach lovers. Highly recommended

Love this beach for the swimming and the running and plenty of activities. It's a long beach and it's typically great for swimming, although it can get rough at times. The sand is divine. It's a very soft sand, hardly any pebbles at all. No need for flip flops or shoes. It stays shallow for a while too so it's nice for little kids. There are beach chairs for rental for $4.00. It's large enough that it never seems very crowded, so there is plenty of room to spread out. After a morning/afternoon of swimming & beach bumming, I recommend El Alambique for some yummy food and drinks. No shoes required here. Have a mojito or Medalla (or both!) overlooking Isla Verde Beach. Salud!

The beach was clean, no peddlers, and very serene. There is parasailing, jet skis, and other tours right on the beach. The water was very nice.

We went to look at the water at sunset. It was beautiful. We went back the next day and it was still beautiful.

Great beach to just sit and relax. Beautiful turquoise water with decent waves. It has a mixture of both tourist and locals. Bring sunscreen. If you stay at one of the neighboring hotels, many times you can order drinks directly from the beach. We spent several days of our vacation just relaxing right here.

Great beach for couples and families. Great vibe and great food. Clean beach and great customer service

The beaches of Isla Verde are the best in San Juan. There is a couple mile stretch with lots of sand, people, water sports, and a few restaurants. Then there is another stretch that is about a mile followed by another stretch of beach that is probably three miles. The sand is soft and the waves are big.

This is the beach that we started our Puerto Rico trip with. So this was our beach that we gauged all other beaches against. To us it was very lucky that we were able to utilize this directly from the hotel. The beach is VERY clean, the sand is soft, the water was clear, just not crystal clear.

Loved it, very active beach with jet ski's and a livelier crowd. Beach front restaurant

Just beautiful!. you can rent chairs and umbrellas for the day for about $15. if you want to rent jet skis they are available. there are people selling fresh rolled cigars and fresh cut coconuts. grocery store in walking distance for fresh cold beer . great location. great beach.

Great beach, clear water and very soft sand. The only drawback is at least when I was there, the wind was crazy. You had to make sure everything you had was weighted down or it would blow away. It is near the airport so you see the planes flying over, which I didn't mind. I guess some people could be bothered by the noise though.

This is an incredible public beach located next to many nice Carolina hotels. Crescent in shape, the sands are clean and soft on your feet. The waters are crystal clear and beautiful blue. We loved the fringe of palms. And as you lie, enjoying the sounds of the surf, you can also occasionally catch a glimpse of a plane coming or going at the Luis Muñoz Marín Int'l Airport. Surprisingly, the big birds are relatively quiet. It's a great place to catch some waves and catch some sun.