Carolina, Puerto RicoMadrican · CC BY-SA 3.0

San Juan region · Puerto Rico

Carolina

Airport gateway & Isla Verde beaches

  • 92° · Partly cloudy · 4 ft surf
  • ~11 mi from San Juan
  • Coastal
  • 6 guide spots
  • 51 recent stories

Carolina is a city and municipality on the northeastern coastal plain of Puerto Rico, about 11 miles east of San Juan and part of the San Juan metropolitan area. It borders Trujillo Alto, Gurabo, Juncos, Canóvanas, and Loíza, and is made up of 12 barrios plus the downtown administrative center of Carolina Pueblo, covering roughly 62 square kilometers.

Founded in 1857, Carolina is now the third-most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, with about 154,815 residents as of 2020. Its coastal district of Isla Verde is a resort and residential area that also hosts the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, the island's main air gateway. The town's coast is also home to Paseo Piñones, a waterfront promenade, along with local nightlife spots like Ocean Lab Brewing Co. and Old Harbor Brewery.

For visitorsVisitors come for the Isla Verde beach and resort scene, proximity to the international airport, the oceanfront Paseo Piñones promenade, and local breweries like Ocean Lab and Old Harbor.
For living hereResidents live in a densely populated coastal city within the San Juan metro area, with a mix of urban downtown life in Carolina Pueblo and beachside living in Isla Verde.Living in Carolina: rent, commute, schools & safety

Latest from Carolina

Things to do in Carolina

Beaches3
Beaches & ChillSan Juan

Isla Verde Beach

Natural Beach

  • beach

Isla Verde Beach is a natural beach in the Carolina municipality, within the San Juan region. It offers a scenic spot for relaxation and water activities. Visitors can enjoy the sun, sand, and surf at this beach.

Beaches & ChillSan Juan

Balneario Isla Verde

beach

  • beach

Balneario Isla Verde is a beach in Carolina, within the San Juan region. It offers a natural beach setting. Visitors can enjoy the outdoor scenery of this coastal area.

Beaches & ChillSan Juan

Playa Isla Verde

beach

  • beach

Playa Isla Verde, also known as Isla Verde Beach or El Alambique, is a beach in San Juan with nearby parking and dining options. It offers a convenient beach experience with amenities within walking distance.

Outdoors & Adventure1
Nightlife2
Nightlife & MusicIsla Verde, San Juan$$

Ocean Lab Brewing Co.

Known for: tropical craft ales brewed steps from the beach

  • Craft beer
  • Waterfront
  • First in PR

Ocean Lab Brewing Co. is a nightlife spot in Isla Verde, Carolina, San Juan, Puerto Rico. It is Puerto Rico's first production craft brewery, producing tropical-inspired ales and lagers. The brewery has a taproom with a full menu, and it serves as a hub for the island's growing craft beer scene, offering beers brewed steps from the beach.

Nightlife & MusicSan Juan$$

Old Harbor Brewery

Known for: being among the island's first craft breweries, with house beers at its Carolina taproom

  • Craft beer
  • Taproom
  • Since 1996

The Old Harbor Brewery is a nightlife spot in Carolina, San Juan, Puerto Rico. It operates a brewery, taproom, and restaurant, serving house beers alongside food. This establishment is known for being one of the island's first craft breweries, offering its house beers at the Carolina taproom.