Karina was born in the Dominican Republic. She is the second of three sisters; her older sister is a Doctor and the younger a painter. Karina's parents are both from a small town named Moca but she was raised in Santo Domingo. Her mother, Beatriz, is a chef and her father, Michel, is an engineer. Karina graduated from an American high school in her country where she belonged to the school's soccer team and choir. She also participated in numerous theater productions there. While she was studying, she also attended a conservatory program for Musical Theater; where she took acting for theater, singing, and dancing. She did a dance summer program in New York City, where she took classes at Broadway Dance Center and Steps.

Karina is currently studying Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute. She would like to be a USA based actress but she also wants to work in her country and contribute in the theater and film industry there. She is fluent in Spanish and English.