Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Although it's largely the preserve of trendy lovers of tranquility, anyone can enjoy the very
different ambience here. Just pick a road through the neighborhood's low-rise gated com-
munity and follow it toward the water.
Playa Isla Verde
RESORT BEACH
Resort pluggers will tell you that Playa Isla Verde is the Copacabana of Puerto Rico, with
its legions of tanned bodies and dexterous beach bums flexing their triceps around the vol-
leyball net. Other more savvy travelers prefer to dodge the extended families and coloniz-
ing spring-break hedonists that stake space here and head west to Ocean Park. Whatever
your subjective view, this broad mile-long wedge of sand that lies between Punta Las
Marías and Piñones is an undeniable beauty. The downside - if there is one - is access.
Cutting in front of the towering condos and plush hotels of Av Isla Verde, the beach is com-
pletely obscured from the road and, as a result, lacks the inclusive atmosphere of more-
open municipal beaches.
Balneario de Carolina
FAMILY BEACH
(Rte187;parking$3; 8am-5pmTue-Sun)
Wedged in between the high-rise-hotel strip
of Isla Verde and rustic delights of Piñones, Balneario de Carolina is a fine, clean beach that
lacks natural shelter and is positioned a little incongruously right in front of Luis Muñoz
Marín International Airport (LMM airport). Equipped with plenty of lifeguards, bathrooms,
showers, barbecue pits and rather weird red sculptures, the beach can be pleasantly peace-
ful in the week if you can ignore the noise from 747s taking off.
