Do you like to surf, hike, tan, drink, smoke, dance, relax, practice your Spanish, go on cheap vacations or anything in between? Then, Rincón, Puerto Rico is the place for you.

Here is your comprehensive guide to Puerto Rico’s most beautiful surf town, Rincón. From how to get there, how to drive in Rincon,  what to do in Rincon, day trips from Rincon, the best beaches, and more. This guide will give you all you need to have the best time in Rincón. So good you may even be tempted to move there… (guilty).

Why Visit Rincón & What to Expect

Rincón is a town and region on the western side of Puerto Rico, with a good mix of locals and tourists. You will love everything from the surf culture,  laid-back attitudes, snorkeling, fresh fruit, seafood, and lusciously green surroundings. Rincón Puerto Rico is paradise. 

+ United States Citizens do NOT need a passport to visit this lovely country. 

Currency: USD          

Language: Spanish and English 

Food: Mofongo, plantains, seafood, fresh fruit       

Drinking Age: 18

Marijuana: Medical (out-of-state medical cards accepted)       

Climate: Tropical

Gas: Liters (Liter price * 3.78= price per gallon)

In true Puerto Rican fashion, you will fall asleep to the songs of the coquí (tree frog)  and wake up to the cries of chickens.

(bring ear-plugs if you are a light sleeper)

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Airports

San Juan Airport (SJU) : 2h 33m

Aguadilla: 40m

Mayaguez (MAZ) : 20m

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Getting Around in Rincon

You will want a rental car to get around Rincón, Puerto Rico.  The spread-out attractions, steep hills, and curves in the area make a car quite necessary. 

• Aqui Coqui – This is a small, Puerto Rican company that connects car owners with car renters. They offer flexible pick up and drop-offs, unlimited miles, insurance, and great customer service. Upon our arrival, our car was waiting for us in the airport parking lot.
• Turo– Carshare company (I have never used)
• Enterprise/Budget/Hertz, etc. have locations in Aguadilla, near Rincón, and San Juan.
• Uber/Taxis-  Present in  Rincón, however, I am unsure of the price and availability.

Driving in Rincon, Puerto Rico

You can expect narrow roads, steep hills, and confusing turns when first driving in Rincón. This is intimidating at first, but you will get used to it quickly.  Almost all drivers in this area were attentive, patient, and usually not going faster than 25mph. Pay attention, be patient with your navigator, you have more room than you think and… 

Always remember: You’re on island time, baby, chill out!

• I recommend referencing both Google and Apple Maps. We found that many locations would show up on one platform but not the other, and sometimes one platform would take us on crazy routes. 
• Toll Pass- purchasing a toll pass can cut hours off your travels. Information here. Without a pass, make sure you are choosing routes that do not include toll roads.
• Driving may take you longer than your app suggests (especially without a toll pass). The town of Rincon is quick to get around. However, when visiting surrounding towns it would always seem to take longer than the maps say.
• Speed limit signs are in miles per hour, but the “mile markers” are in kilometers.

Where to Stay in Rincon

I always go for Airbnbs, we rented this house for $59 a night, and it had everything we needed (including a blender, further enabling my smoothie addiction). Check out my How to Travel Often in College Post to learn more tips to save money on travel!

What To Do In Rincon, Puerto Rico

Best Sunset View: Dome’s Beach

This rocky-bottomed beach is close to almost everything in Rincón. Named after the deactivated nuclear power thing nearby, Dome’s beach is great for catching a sunset or a wave for more experienced surfers. Domes Beach seems to be a gathering place for friends and families. I watched two 10-ish-year-old girls surf during the sunset, and it’s safe to say the Soul Surfer fan-girl in me was having a MAJOR moment. 

Nearby:

• El Faro de Rincon– The lighthouse of Rincon. A park with a lighthouse, restaurant,  bathroom facilities, and a view of Domes beach. If you’re lucky you could even spot some whales!
• The Beach House– Lively outdoor restaurant with live music, happy hour deals, and a view of the ocean. (We had the fish tacos, and they were mediocre). Fun atmosphere, however, it is very tourist-based. 
• Surf Pizza Wagon– A little food truck with a deck and some seating. The pizza here is phenomenal. 
• Maria’s Beach
• Stoked– coffee, smoothies, surf shop.

Best Swimming and Beginner Surf in Rincon: Sandy Beach

A sandy-bottomed beach with nearby restaurants and board rentals. We enjoyed swimming and surfing here. 

Nearby:

–Jacks Shack– fresh, local food.

-Various restaurants

Rincon Surf Rentals:

• Mar Azul Surf Shop: $25 per day. We rented from here each time and had a great experience. Great price and recommendations. 
• Desecho Surf Shop: $30+ per day, plus snorkel and beach chair rentals. 
• Many more!

Uncrowded: Don Antonio’s Beach

A less popular, but extremely beautiful beach. With its rocky bottom, its great for surfing, playing catch with coconuts, rock hunting, or morning walks. We basically had it to ourselves! 

At this beach you will find Barefoot Yoga y Bodega, offering various classes taught outdoors, in the trees, right next to the ocean. There is no better way to start your day than a class here. Our instructor, Emily, lead us through a beautiful practice. Glance up a few times and you will catch glimpses of surfers in the distance along with baby lizards jumping through the trees.

tip: you will see a tall sign next to a driveway/road that lists businesses, turn in here to find the free parking lot!

Snorkeling: Steps Beach

Rent snorkeling equipment from Rincon Diving starting at $18/day.   

Plus there are many options for snorkeling tours, including  Taino Divers and  Airbnb.

Day trips

Playa Sucia (1h 30m)

Probably my favorite beach ever! The water is the most insane shade of blue, I loved the ample shade trees,  and the waves are made for body surfers. Despite the waves, the water is still relatively calm, great for a chill dip in the sea.  Playa Sucia is somewhere you could stay for an hour or four. There are a few hiking paths and overlooks, as well as a lighthouse and pink salt flats nearby. This beach is definitely worth the drive!

• The road is quite bumpy. Pass the first few parking areas until you get to the end.
• Arrive early to get a good spot.
• Bring plenty of water (no food service/fountains/bathrooms)
• Eat at Fogata del Mar on the way there or back for some of the BEST mofongo and yum yum sauce. 

More In the Area

• San German- The oldest Spanish settlement in Puerto Rico. Founded in 1511. Said to be haunted…

• Playa Buye- paddleboard, plenty of food, shade. 
• Ducot Hiking Trail
• Monte Pirata Bike Park

Cascada Gozalandia (1h)

The stoke is real. A beautiful waterfall that you can jump off of, just an hour from Rincon. Yes, you read me right, jump off of a waterfall! Totally worth the $10 parking fee and 5-minute walk. 

A great place to relax and swim (plus there are little fishies swimming around.) A place you could stay all day, however, after 2 waterfall jumps, I was satisfied.

• Restaurant and bathrooms available 
• We stopped here on our way to Rincon from San Juan. 
• A slight crowd when we were there, but nothing overwhelming. 

Jobos Beach (1h)

A close second to Playa Sucia! Jobos Beach has more of a party scene, and definitely some of the best, most consistent waves for surfing. But you get the best of both worlds, as there is somewhat of a cove, providing a very large area with no waves.  We paid $5 to park in someone’s yard and walked about five minutes to Jobos beach. With plenty of restaurants, kiosks, bathrooms, and even a beach volleyball net, you can stay here all day! This beach gets extremely busy, especially on the weekends, so I would recommend getting there early. 

Tips:

• arrive early
• bring an umbrella for shade
• climb up the rocks to have an amazing view of the ocean and waves crashing against the rocks below. (Pozo De Jacinto) It only takes a few minutes, and the view made my legs shake, truly incredible. 

More in the Area

• Surfer’s Beach hike to Survival Beach – 15-minute, shaded walk to Survivors Beach. This was a very pleasant hike, with ocean views laced throughout, ending at beautiful rock formations along the ocean. 
• Crash Boat Beach– Beach with a large dock, snorkeling, fishing, and more!
• Ruina de Faros- Ruins from a historic lighthouse

What should I do on…

Thursdays: Rincon Art Walk -5:00-9:00 pm

Support local artists, musicians, and more! Every Thursday at the Rincón Town Plaza. 

Sunday: Farmers Market- 9:00-1:00 am 

Located at the Rincon Self Storage Lot. Here we snagged some fresh squeezed OJ and a bar of natural lotion.

Fridays: Salsa Dance in Isabela – 7:00pm-until you drop

Located about 1 hour from Rincón, Isabela’s town square is dedicated to live music and Salsa dancing each Friday night. Take lessons, listen to music, or embrace your awkward dance moves. 

What / Where to Eat in Rincon

I highly recommend stopping at fruit stands alongside the road. The produce is much cheaper than at grocery stores. And did I mention, its mother-effin delicious? I’m talking a shameless, mango juice dripping down your face- type of delicious. You need to have Mofongo at least once (or once per day?) while visiting Puerto Rico. 

Grocery stores:

• Econo
• Famcoop Rincón/Edward’s Food Market
• Mr. Special

Popular Restaurants in Rincon:

• Surf Pizza Wagon

• Cowboy’s Cantina and Outside Grill
• Magia Mi– Italian 
• El Nuevo Encuentro – Outdoor restaurant with pool tables

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So there you have it, some of the best things to do in Rincón. There is way too much to do in Rincón, Puerto Rico! On top of all its beauty, the kind-hearted people who live here make Rincón so special. Whatever you chose to do or see, I am sure you will love it. I am longing to go back and try all the things we weren’t able to fit in the first time!

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Have you been to Rincón? What was your best experience there? My favorite part was surfing (attempting) almost every day, visiting all the beautiful beaches, the seafood, mojitos, and Medallas, as well as the people of Rincón.