Isla Verde

If you’re looking to enjoy the upper end of Puerto Rico, Isla Verde would be the best choice. While the name (Green Island) suggests a land of grass and trees, the green might best be a symbol of money because this is the most posh part of the entire island. It’s also long been a primary tourist stop. You’ll find out why below.

Arriving in Isla Verde

Reaching Isla Verde is quite simple. While part of the area is on an island, the rest is on the mainland part of Puerto Rico. The west and south sides of the area are bordered by San Juan. The east side is bordered by the city of Carolina to which Isla Verde technically is a part. Of course, the northern border of the stretch of land is all Atlantic Ocean. While that means you could reach Isla Verde by boat, most travelers enter via the international airport.

Once you arrive in Isla Verde, you can rent a car to see the area or just use other forms of transportation, such as taxis. The bus and metro train routes aren’t always designed with tourist-friendly routes so they may not be the best choices. If you are going to be driving, remember traffic anywhere around San Juan is going to be a nightmare. And, of course, parking is always limited on the island.

Enjoying the Sights

One of the best ways to spend your time in Isla Verde is at the beach. In fact, you have two beaches to choose from. If you want a traditional beach with few amenities, choose the Isla Verde Beach. If you want to enjoy a beach with plenty of creature comforts, including a decent amount of parking (at least by Puerto Rico standards), you should visit Carolina Beach.

Another great idea during your stay on Isla Verde is to explore the casinos. You’ll find a couple located in Isla Verde. In fact, you can enjoy one of the best casinos in the area without straying far from one of the main Isla Verde Puerto Rico hotels: the El San Juan Resort & Casino.

Things You Must Do in Isla Verde

While the beach is great for relaxing, you can’t leave Isla Verde without enjoying some of the amazing water sports available in the area. Snorkeling, for example, is a great way to get a glimpse of the underwater world, including a few reefs. You can also book diving trips if you want to explore the Atlantic a little deeper or if you want to learn about diving for yourself. There are also plenty of water sport paraphernalia available in Isla Verde for rental, including parasailing equipment and wave-runners.

Eating on Isla Verde

If you are interested in tasting authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, you probably won’t find what you’re looking for easily on Isla Verde. Because the area is so popular with tourists, most of the restaurants serve more international menus and steer clear of anything too traditional on the island. However, you can find some regionally-inspired dishes at a high-end restaurant called Platos on Isla Verde. The prices are a bit on the expensive side. You can always go to the other extreme pricewise and opt for some inexpensive Mexican food at a hot spot called Lupi’s. Many of the Isla Verde Puerto Rico hotels also have excellent but pricey restaurants.

Enjoying the Night Life

Like any hot tourist area, the night life is very important in Isla Verde. Many of the tourists spend their nights enjoying the casinos which stay open at least until 4 o’clock in the morning. Some are open 24 hours a day. One of the hottest clubs in the area is Club Brava at the El San Juan Hotel & Casino. However, you’ll find a wide variety of other clubs and bars to choose from. In fact, one of the most unique sites is called Wet and its rooftop setting above the Water & Beach Club gives you an incredible view of the sky and city, as well as plenty of fun.

Isla Verde Puerto Rico Hotels

If you want to stay in a nice hotel during your visit to Isla Verde, be prepared to stay at one of the more expensive locations, including the Ritz Carlton (which also has its own casino), the El San Juan, or the Water & Beach Club. You can find lower priced lodgings, but they may not have the amenities the average traveler will be seeking.

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