Piñones is the coastal stretch immediately east of Isla Verde, a wide swathe of mangrove lagoons, coconut groves, and sandy beaches fronted by a row of outdoor food kiosks. It is the most purely local food experience in the San Juan metro area, and a sharp contrast to the resort hotels of Isla Verde just a few kilometres to the west.
The kiosks sell the classics of Puerto Rican beach food: alcapurrias (fritters made from yautía or green banana dough stuffed with crab or ground beef), bacalaítos (salt cod fritters), empanadillas, and cold bottles of Medalla beer. On weekends, the place fills with Puerto Rican families, salsa playing from car speakers, and the smell of deep-frying oil. Behind the food strip, a paved bicycle and walking path runs through the mangroves for several kilometres, giving access to quieter stretches of beach. The snorkelling in the reef areas off Piñones is good when the water is calm.