Located near the Isla Verde resort area in greater San Juan, lengthy Carolina Beach is a popular public beach among both visitors and locals. Families especially love its white sand, warm water and that there's an on-duty lifeguard. What they're not so thrilled with are the crowds. The best times to visit are early in the morning or later in the afternoon, after the port-of-call sunbathers have re-boarded their cruise ships.

There are plenty of vendors on the beach, including spots to rent equipment for water sports like kiteboarding, to satisfy the needs of most visitors. Although there are plenty of vendors selling refreshments, "You can bring music, coolers, food, pretty much anything you want," one TripAdvisor reviewer writes. "But, if you bring soda or beer, be careful. You could possibly get a ticket if you bring glass bottles." Another minor drawback is that Carolina Beach's proximity to the airport means you may hear a bit of loud noise from airplanes overhead. 

Carolina Beach offers public restrooms, a fenced parking lot and several first aid stations. The beach is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. You can visit for free, but there's a $4 parking fee.