21 Things to Do in Carolina (By a Puerto Rico Local)
👉 Jump to: Best Things to Do | Museums & Culture | Outdoors | Family-Friendly | Day Trips
Located between San Juan and Loíza, some of the best things to do in Carolina include visiting beautiful beaches, top-notch restaurants, and nature reserves.
Carolina is home to the island’s main airport, so you’ll more than likely start your Puerto Rico vacation in this district. And while driving directly to Old San Juan is what most visitors do, there are plenty of fun things to do in Carolina.
I’m a Puerto Rico local who’s been to the city, and in this post, I’ll go through the very best attractions in Carolina. While you’re here, make sure to bookmark my guide to other popular places to visit in Puerto Rico.
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21 Best Things to Do in Carolina
Carolina Public Beach
Enjoy a family beach day on a calm and clear beach.
📍 Google Maps | Hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily | Parking: $4
Considered one of the top attractions in Carolina, the Carolina Public Beach features calm and clear waters with soft sand. It’s also just a few minutes away from the airport, so visiting during a long layover is possible.
The Carolina Public Beach has facilities such as bathrooms, showers, gazebos, and a wide parking lot. Adventurers can rent watersports equipment, such as kayaks and banana boats, right at the beach.
On the beach, you’ll also find one of the best Puerto Rico waterparks for kids, Aquasol.
Isla Verde Avenue
Explore a beachfront neighborhood with hotels, restaurants, and brand stores.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Isla Verde Tours on Viator
Isla Verde is a beachfront neighborhood in Carolina where nightlife enthusiasts and beach buffs meet. Isla Verde is centrally located between San Juan and Loíza and is where most visitors stay during their Puerto Rico vacation.
Besides being home to great beaches like Carolina Public Beach, Isla Verde has popular party spots to enjoy Puerto Rico’s nightlife, like Calle Loíza. On this buzzing street, you’ll also find international restaurants, bars, and clubs.
👉 Did you Know? Isla Verde is one of the best places to stay in Puerto Rico near the airport and the beach. Browse hotels on Booking to find great hotel deals.
Carolina Cultural District
Tour the town’s museums and historical buildings.
📍 Google Maps | Website
Culture lovers can’t miss a stop at Carolina’s Cultural District, where you’ll find multiple museums with everything you need to know about Carolina. Some of the most popular museums in the district include Casa Escuté, Carolina’s History and Art Museum, and the Gallery of the Giants.
You’ll also find interesting historical buildings like Antigua Casa Alcadía, a Spanish-revival style building built in 1930 that was once the center of Carolina’s government. The San Fernando Church is also a historical church built between 1860-1870.
👉 Pro Tip: Buy a combo ticket in any of the museums and save money on the entrances to the Cultural District attractions.
Calle Loíza
Go bar hopping at night on this popular street in San Juan.
Calle Loíza is a street that starts in San Juan and ends in Carolina and is one of the top spots to enjoy Puerto Rico’s nightlife. During the day, only a few restaurants are open, and most locations look abandoned, but after 6 pm, businesses open their doors to foodies and party lovers.
You can easily spend all night hopping along Calle Loíza to all kinds of restaurants, bars, clubs, and food trucks.
I recommend visiting Piso Viejo Bar and Restaurant on Thursdays to take free salsa classes along with locals. And if you’re looking to enjoy the best Puerto Rico beer, stop at El Bar Bero or El Tap.
Vivo Beach Club
Go partying at this popular local club.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 648-5655 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: $5 parking + $40 for day pass
Vivo Beach Club is a beach club located right on Isla Verde Beach with pools, restaurants, and bars. This venue is also known for hosting popular concerts and for being a lively spot on the weekends.
But the main attraction for many visitors is Ocean Lab Brewing Co., one of the top craft breweries in Puerto Rico and the perfect place to taste craft beer and good food with an ocean view.
👉 Pro Tip: Check out the Vivo Beach Club website to learn about upcoming concerts and activities. You can buy the day pass there.
Best Museums & Culture
Casa Escuté
This art gallery is located within a historic house.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 701-0245 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wed-Sat, 12 – 5 pm Sun, Closed Mon-Tues | Entrance: $3 adults, $2 under 12
Located right by Carolina’s plaza, Casa Escuté was once the residence of an important local merchant, Bernardo García. The name, however, comes from its last owners, the Escuté family.
Throughout its history, the building has served many purposes, including as the town hall. Today, it’s a gallery that hosts changing art exhibits from local and international artists, making it a great cultural stop if you’re exploring Carolina’s downtown.
On the second floor you’ll find the Museo de Cartel y Gráfica Puertorriqueña, dedicated to Puerto Rico’s poster making tradition.
Museo de Historia y Arte de Carolina
Explore one of the most innovative and technological museums in Puerto Rico.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 757-2626 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Wed-Sun, Closed Mon-Tues | Entrance: $5 adults, $3 under 12
Carolina, like many towns in Puerto Rico, is rich in culture and history, and the Art and History Museum is the perfect place to discover it. Located right by the plaza, this museum stands out as one of the most innovative on the island, featuring a full holographic hall and a 360-degree projection room.
The exhibits trace the story of Carolina’s origins, its natural resources, and its cultural landmarks. One gallery honors the city’s patron saint, King Ferdinand III, while another showcases religious art, including the oldest wood-carved figure of Christ in Latin America, who is believed to date back to 1528 and donated by Parroquia San Fernando.
The second floor hosts a permanent art exhibit.
Galería de los Gigantes
Meet Carolina’s most important figures.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 757-2626 | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wed-Sat, 12 – 5 pm Sun, Closed Mon-Tues | Entrance: $5 adults, $3 under 12
Galería de los Gigantes is a niche museum in Carolina’s downtown, perfect for those interested in the lives of the city’s most influential figures. Among them is baseball legend Roberto Clemente, the first Latin American and Caribbean player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, celebrated for his 3,000 career hits.
The gallery combines animatronics, memorabilia, and exhibits that highlight eight notable personalities from Carolina—from politicians and writers to the island’s tallest recorded man, Felipe Birriel.
👉 Pro Tip: Buy the combo ticket to save money on Carolina’s museums.
Antigua Casa Alcaldía
Learn about the town’s latest attractions at this historical building.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 757-2626 ext. 3903 | Hours: 8 am – 5 pm Mon-Fri, Sat-Sun by appointment | Entrance: free
Architecture lovers should definitely stop at the old town hall, La Antigua Casa Alcaldía, located next to the plaza. Built in 1927 in the Spanish Revival style, this landmark is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a great first stop before exploring Carolina, since it also houses the town’s tourism office.
Inside, you’ll find portraits of past mayors and a gallery that hosts rotating exhibits. One of my favorite details is the charming bell tower, crowned with a small cupola and decorated with Spanish ceramic tiles.
Best Outdoors
Isla Verde Reef Marine Reserve
Snorkel in a beautiful marine reserve outside Isla Verde Beach.
Just outside Isla Verde Beach, you’ll find Isla Verde’s Reef Marine Reserve, a site with beautiful reefs that shelter sea turtles, rays, and many fish species. The reserve includes a small cay also called Isla Verde, a hidden gem for snorkeling and scuba diving enthusiasts.
While somewhat close to the shore, you can only visit the cay with a tour. Pine Grove Surf Club offers a snorkel boat tour to the cay but you can only book it by calling their phone number directly.
Hacienda Campo Rico
Ride ATVs, ziplines, or horses at this countryside hacienda.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 523-2001 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: Depends on the tour | 👉 Book a Tour in Hacienda Campo Rico
Hacienda Campo Rico is a hidden green landscape inside the metropolitan chaos of Carolina, and it offers ATV adventures and zip line rides for thrill-seekers looking for something to do in the city.
If you want something more laid back, then you can also take a horseback riding tour through the hacienda – it’s a great way to learn about its history and the surrounding nature. Connoisseurs can tour the hacienda and end their day with a drink at the Mojito Bar.
👉 Pro Tip: Book your tour at Hacienda Campo Rico before visiting.
Pine Grove Beach
Catch waves on a beach close to the airport.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Pine Grove Surf Class
Surfers don’t have to drive far from the airport to find a place to catch waves. Located between Alambique Beach and Carolina Public Beach, the east end of Pine Grove has a tide that isn’t great for swimming but is ideal for beginner surfers.
The beach conditions are also great for boogie boarding, paddle boarding, and snorkeling towards the west end of the beach. If you don’t have your surfboard on hand, then nearby businesses will rent you one or give you surfing lessons if you’re starting out. Pine Grove Beach is also pet-friendly, so you can visit with your dog.
Alambique Beach
Walk from your hotel to this popular beach in Carolina.
Alambique Beach is the first beach you’ll find when driving east from Carolina toward Isla Verde. This beach is in front of dozens of resorts, hotels, and apartment buildings, so it’s the easiest to visit if you’re staying in Isla Verde.
There aren’t any facilities on the beach, although you will find umbrella and chair rentals around. Alambique is also a popular beach for watersports, and the surf is calmer than its Condado Beach neighbor.
📚 Related Reading: Is Puerto Rico Safe For Traveling?
Best Family-Friendly
Museo del Niño
Kids will love this interactive museum with go-karts and a minizoo.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 257-0261 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Fri-Sun only | Entrance: $10, adults, $6 under 14, plus fees for additional attractions
El Museo del Niño is one of the top things to do in Carolina during a family vacation in Puerto Rico. This popular Puerto Rico museum has multiple interactive exhibitions for kids of all ages with educational themes like physics, music, art, and transportation.
Outside the main structure, kids will love exploring the airplane and experiencing a take-off simulation. But kids won’t be the only ones having fun at Museo del Niño, as parents can spend time at the go-kart track, feeding animals at the mini zoo, and taking a boat ride in the lagoon.
Keep in mind, however, that you can only visit the museum if you’re accompanied by kids, and that each attraction outside the museum (the mini zoo, the go-karts, and the boats) has an additional fee.
Girasolero
Buy sunflowers and take beautiful pictures at this farm.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 550-2706 | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon-Sat, Closed Sun | Entrance: Free
If you like flowers and animals, then Girasolero is a nice stop to make in Carolina. Girasolero is a plant nursery where you can admire and buy different species of flowers. This peaceful place features a sunflower field and different farm animals you can feed and play with.
One of the best attractions is a cow named Jacob, who is popular with kids for taking pictures and petting.
Parque Infantil Aquasol
Beat the heat in this fun aquatic park.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 633-3457 | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Sat-Sun | Entrance: $4 + $5 parking
Other than the beaches, another great option for kids to stay cool and refreshed in Carolina is Aquasol Park. Aquasol is an aquatic park with slides and fountains that pour water on kids while they play around.
There are three Aquasol parks in Carolina, but the most popular one is in Carolina Public Beach. You can enter with your toddler and have fun yourself too!
Parque Julia de Burgos
Spend a day outdoors in this green park.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 701-4405 | Hours: 6 am – 8 pm Mon-Sat, Closed Sun | Entrance: Free, $4 Aquasol
Parque Julia de Burgos is a recreational park with a 5-mile-long trail along the Blasila stream. The park offers an outdoor experience with lots of green areas and gazebos. But the most popular attraction in the park is the Aquasol Waterpark, where kids can play among fountains and pools of water.
Keep in mind the cost and the parking for visiting Aquasol are additional to the entrance of Julia de Burgos Park.
Best Day Trips
El Yunque National Forest
Explore the only tropical rainforest in the United States.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 888-1880 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: Free | 👉 Browse El Yunque National Forest Tours on Viator
If you want to go on a day trip from Carolina, then El Yunque should be first on your list. El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the National Forest System and it offers lots of things to do for outdoor lovers and families like hiking trails, waterfalls, a rainforest zipline park, and even horseback riding.
You can rent a car at the San Juan Airport to get to El Yunque, and the short drive takes less than 45 minutes.
After El Yunque, take a beach tour to the Luquillo Food Kiosks the Luquillo Food Kiosks to find the best foods in Puerto Rico or continue driving east and take a beach catamaran to Icacos, one of the best things to do in Fajardo.
Piñones
Taste Puerto Rico’s best food through this ocean drive.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Piñones Tour on Viator
Foodies can’t miss a stop at Piñones, the fritter capital of Puerto Rico. Piñones is an ocean-front community in Loíza (and a short drive from Carolina!) with more than a dozen food stalls and restaurants.
Regardless of which one you choose to visit, you will taste finger-licking fritters like alcapurrias, mofongo, and seafood. After eating great food, make sure to swim at La Pocita, one of the most popular beaches in Puerto Rico, cycle through the beachfront boardwalk, or hike at the Piñones State Forest.
La Pocita
Bathe in a natural pool formed by natural barriers.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book an ATV tour through Piñones’ beaches
While not exactly in the city, La Pocita de Piñones is a family-friendly beach just a short drive from Carolina. La Pocita is a shallow pool formed by a barrier on the coast of Loíza. The beach has golden sand and is right across from Piñones food kiosks, where you can enjoy local fritters while visiting.
Although you’ll find beach and chair rentals at it, there aren’t any amenities on the beach, but you can use the bathrooms at nearby kiosks if you buy some food. Parking is free and on the sideroad.
One of the best things to do in Piñones is to take an ATV tour, which allows you to visit all the beaches in a short amount of time.
Laguna La Torrecilla
Go Fishing at one of the lakes in Carolina.
If you’re a fishing enthusiast, then you can’t miss La Torrecilla Lagoon during your Puerto Rico vacation. Located between Carolina and Piñones, and right next to the airport, Laguna La Torrecilla is a rich body of water perfect for fishing tarpon, ladyfish, and snook.
Multiple local companies offer fishing tours to the lagoon, also providing the gear for fishing. Depending on the tour, the fishing style changes.
👉 Pro Tip: If you just want to take a quick trip around the lagoon with your family, then you can catch a boat tour at Museo del Niño.
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Thanks for reading about the best things to do in Carolina, Puerto Rico! Check out these other fun things to do in Puerto Rico for more itinerary inspo.
Have fun in Carolina, Puerto Rico!
Lived in Isla Verde for 3+ years on business, beautiful beaches.
Wonderful place to stay! I used to visit Isle Verde every year. I rented an apartment there every Feb & March at Marbella Oesta. The people there are beautiful and the food incredible! Wish I was young enough to still go. Have a fantastic time for the entire family.
Pregunto: El Yunque y la Calle Loíza están ubicados en Carolina?