Is Rincon Puerto Rico Worth Visiting?
So you’re planning a trip to Puerto Rico and can’t decide if you should make the trip to the west coast of the island to visit the famous town of Rincon or not. I recently took my first trip to Puerto Rico and faced the same dilemma but I decided to go for it and I definitely wasn’t disappointed with my choice!
If you’re an eco-traveler like me who loves to be in nature, a surfer looking for some of the best breaks on the island, or just someone who is looking for a relaxed slow paced place to visit, Rincon is definitely worth visiting. From the beautiful beaches to mouthwatering restaurants, it really is a tropical paradise!
But I know I’m not everyone. So in this post, I’m going to walk you through the ins and outs of Rincon to help you answer the question “Is Rincon Puerto Rico worth visiting?” for yourself.
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Steps Beach
Rincon Puerto Rico is Worth Visiting if…
Rincon is known as the hippy surfer town of Puerto Rico. Every year tons of surfers make the pilgrimage to surf the world-class waves here. But that’s not all Rincon has to offer. If you’re looking for amazing beaches, beautiful sunsets, incredible adventures, mouth-water food, and overall chill island vibes, Rincon is definitely for you!
Jump to the “What is there to do in Rincon” section for more details on all of the great things to do that make Rincon Puerto Rico worth visiting!
Sandy Beach
Rincon Puerto Rico isn’t Worth Visiting if…
If you’re looking for a city vibe with tons of nightlife and shopping or you’re looking to immerse yourself into a fully authentic Puerto Rican community, Rincon is probably not for you. Rincon is a laid-back surfer beach town with a very small downtown area. Although you can find some nightlife the main reason for visiting Rincon is to relax on one of the many beaches.
Rincon also has a huge US expat community so if you are looking to fully immerse yourself into Puerto Rican culture, this is not the place to do it. Yes, you can get amazing Puerto Rican food, and some of my favorite Puerto Rican natives I met on my trip live here, however, I also met more expat New Yorkers than I did Puerto Ricans during my trip.
Also, Rincon may not be for you if you don’t plan on renting a car. If you don’t have a car, it’s going to 1. be hard to get to Rincon and 2. be hard to do all of the things Rincon has to offer. Rincon is not a very walkable area and taxis/rideshares are basically non-existent. More on this below.
Getting To Rincon
To help you decide if Rincon is worth visiting or not, it’s important to know your options for getting there and take into consideration how much time you have in Puerto Rico. Rincon does not have an airport therefore you will have to fly into one of the other airports on the island and either drive or hire a driver to get you there.
Steps Beach
Flying to Rincon
If you are going straight to Rincon, the closest airport is Aguadilla Airport. It’s about 16 miles away from Rincon’s city center. The other options would be flying into San Juan or Ponce and then driving to Rincon. Flying into San Juan is generally the cheaper flight option but I recommend looking at all options for your dates and travel plans to see what works best.
The drive from San Juan to Rincon is about 95 miles and generally takes about 2.5 hours. Although there’s a toll road that gets you most of the way there about 1/3 of the drive includes highways with stoplights which can make the drive longer than anticipated. From Ponce, it is about 64 miles and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Only a small portion of this drive includes a toll road.
Taking a Ferry to Rincon
At the time of writing this, there is only 1 ferry that goes to Puerto Rico. It goes from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and docks in San Juan Puerto Rico. It takes about 13 hours and costs $155. I wouldn’t recommend this option but it is an option nonetheless.
Transfers From the Airport or Port to Rincon
No matter what airport you fly into you will need additional transportation to get to Rincon. Most people will rent a car but you could also hire a driver or reach out to your hotel to see if they offer transfer options.
You can also set up something yourself. Rincon Vacations has lots of options for private drivers in puerto rico that can get you from any San Juan airport or Agadilla airport to Rincon.
Getting Around Rincon
The neighborhoods and sites of Rincon are relatively spread out and quite mountainous so you will definitely want to plan out how you will get around once you are there especially if you want to hop around to different places that aren’t in walking distance from where you are staying.
If you don’t plan on renting a car, Rincon may not be worth visiting for you due to the lack of transportation options. But if you are just going to relax and generally hang in the area near where you are staying it won’t matter quite as much.
If you do plan on renting a car all of Rincon and its neighboring attractions will be at your fingertips and in that case, Rincon is definitely worth visiting.
Downtown Rincon
Driving in Rincon
I highly recommend that you rent a car when traveling to Rincon. It’s possible to get around without but it will make things much more difficult and limits your ability to see and do all the things this place has to offer. I rented a car when I went and was super glad I did because it gave me a lot of freedom to easily bop around to all the places I wanted to go.
If you’re wary about driving in Puerto Rico, check out my detailed guide on everything you need to know about driving in Puerto Rico.
Public Transportation in Rincon
Publicos or local busses are operational in the area however this mode of transportation is often unreliable and there isn’t a real-time schedule of when they arrive. From what I was told even most locals avoid this option unless they absolutely have to.
Domes Beach
Taxis and Ride Shares in Rincon
Local taxis are in the area but they are not driving around waiting for people to flag them down. You would have to call them to come pick you up.
In talking to some locals on my trip, they said that the taxis are not super reliable either so make sure you have a plan B in how you will get to and from where you are going if you can’t get a taxi.
Uber is on the island but it hasn’t quite made it to Rincon yet. During my trip, I checked the app a few times but didn’t see any cars in the area. It sounds like it’s growing in popularity so hopefully, it will make it out west soon enough.
Biking and Walking in Rincon
If you plan on just walking or biking around and you want to stay in one centralized location, this could be an option for you. If this is the case you should consider staying near downtown Rincon or near Sandy Beach where there’s a small section of restaurants and beaches all within walking distance.
However, it’s important to note that most of Rincon is not pedestrian friendly. Most streets don’t have sidewalks and a lot of them have blind turns making it dangerous to be on the street when a car comes flying around the corner (especially at night). So make sure to be extra cautious when walking or biking in the area.
It’s also super important to flag that this area is nestled into a mountain, therefore the inclines are no joke! There were some hills that I was even a bit nervous about my car making it up!
Rincon Lodging
There are quite a lot of lodging options in Rincon however most are smaller privately owned hotels and Airbnbs. Therefore, there are no 5-star hotels and only two 4-star hotels in the area. But don’t let that scare you off, there are still a ton of great boutique options!
On the other side, there are minimal budget options in the area as well. There are about 3 hostels but you’re still going to be looking at $60-$90 per night.
The majority of lodging options are in the mid-range between $100-$250 per night. If you book early enough there are some pretty amazing spots for this price range, including lots of eco-lodging and even some with your own private pool.
The other thing you will need to decide is if you want to stay somewhere secluded or somewhere with more people around. A lot of airbnb’s are a bit out of town which was intimidating to me being a solo traveler but after going I felt super safe and wouldn’t think twice about staying outside of town. Just make sure you have a car if you pick this option.
So depending on your lodging style and budget needs, this will help you to determine if Rincon Puerto Rico is worth visiting or not for you. If you’re looking for a 5-star experience or on a really strict budget this may not be the place for you to stay. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still visit for a day if you’re not into your lodging choices.
I stayed at the Lazy Parrot Inn and really enjoyed it! This eco mini resort was a little slice of paradise. Perfectly located close enough to many of the attractions but also far enough away to feel a bit of seclusion.
The Lazy Parrot Inn: an eco-friendly mini-resort in Rincon
Things to do in Rincon
Rincon definitely checks the box for a relaxed island vibe but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do. If any of the things below interest you, it’s highly likely that Rincon would be worth visiting for you.
Take a Surf Lesson
Rincon is famous for being a surfer’s paradise! If you already know how to surf there are a lot of places to go enjoy the waves. But if you have never surfed before this is also a great place to learn! Just by driving around you will see the many surf shops scattered throughout the town. And the majority of them offer lessons and/or rentals.
Or you can prearrange a lesson with Puerto Rico Surfing School.
Even if you don’t want to surf yourself, it’s fun to watch everyone else out there playing in the waves.
September – December is the best time to visit for surfing as this is when the waves are usually the best. And in November there is an annual international surfing festival that is held at Domes Beach.
Go Snorkeling or Scuba Diving
One of the best underwater habitats in Puerto Rico is located in Rincon. The Tres Palamas Marine Reserve is a protected area working to save the endangered Elk Horn coral. This protected reef is filled with wildlife making it a great place to experience the underwater world.
This was one of my favorite activities I did while I was there. We saw tons of beautiful fish, coral, and even a sea turtle!
Go Whale Watching
Whales are in the area year-round but if you are visiting between mid-January through mid-March, this is when your chances are the highest of seeing them as the humpback whales pass by the northwestern coast of Puerto Rico on their annual migration.
So if you are visiting Puerto Rico during this time and want to see whales, Rincon is definitely worth visiting to experience seeing these majestic animals yourself.
Eco Fun Facts:
Humpback whales are a true conservation success story. They were the first species protected under the Endangered Species Act in 1970 where at the time they were listed as endangered due to the adverse effects of commercial whaling in the 19th and 20th centuries. Thanks to global efforts in conservation the population has rebounded from only about 10,000 to nearly 80,000!
Beach Hop
Rincon is home to some of Puerto Rico’s most picturesque beaches! So if you don’t spend time enjoying them you’re really missing out on a huge reason why people love Rincon so much. As someone who gets sunburnt by being in the sun for 5 minutes, even I loved every beach I went to so that’s saying something!
Now don’t expect long white sandy pristinely cleaned beaches as you get in some places. Instead, these beaches feel like hidden oases buried in the jungle. The majority of them are lined with palm trees and other flora and fauna that make the perfect spots to rest in the shade or enjoy a picnic.
Some of the must visit beaches in Rincon are Sandy Beach, Domes Beach, and Steps Beach.
View of Sandy Beach from Tamboo Restaurant
Shop
If you need a break from the sun, shopping is always a great escape. Rincon has a number of cute shops to wander in and out of to find treasures to remember your trip by. Many of these shops offer eco-conscious products too which I absolutely loved!
Every Thursday night there’s an art walk hosted in the town center which is a great way to find locally made items to bring home and immerse yourself in the local scene.
Eat and Drink
My trip to Rincon quickly turned into a food tour because there are so many amazing places to eat and drink at. I truly wish I had more time to try more of the food! Being the hippy town of Puerto Rico, Rincon is packed full of healthy, sustainably minded, innovative food and drink options keeping your belly full, and your taste buds satisfied.
Burrito and Tostones at The Beach House Restaurant
Beachside Yoga
Find your morning zen by joining a yoga class during your trip. There are a number of places that offer classes in the town so you can pick one that is right for you. I personally joined an outdoor beachside yoga class hosted by Barefoot Yoga during my trip which was a magical way to start my day.
Pro Tip:
Make sure to put on some bug repellant before you go because the area had quite a few mosquitos when I went. I found a natural locally made bug-repellant from Sauca Botanicals at Karibe Kombucha in Rincon that worked really great during my trip!
Relax at a Pool
Even if where you are staying doesn’t have a pool, a number of the hotels offer day passes to theirs. The Lazy Parrot lets you use theirs if you are eating at their restaurant and The English Rose offers pool passes.
Go on a Horseback Riding Tour
If you’ve ever dreamed of horseback riding on beautiful beaches and through lush forests all in one day, Rincon is the place to do it! On this tour, you will ride along the world-renowned surfing beaches of Rincon, past the Punta Higuera Lighthouse, and along the Historic Spanish Wall making for a beautiful and unique way to explore the area.
Swim at a Waterfall
About a 45-minute drive from Rincon is the beautiful Gozolandia waterfall. Here you can hike down to the waterfall and join the locals swimming beneath it. It makes for a great half-day trip to see a bit of what inland Puerto Rico is like.
Gozalandia Waterfall
Watch the Beautiful Sunsets Every Night
Rincon is known as the best place on the Island to watch sunsets. From the beaches or one of the many open-air bars and restaurants, if you’re a sunset lover, this is the place! When I was there, it was during the beginning of the rainy season so I didn’t get the iconic sunsets but they were still very pretty to watch every night regardless.
Some of the best restaurants to watch the sunset are The Beach House, Tamboo, or Ola Sunset Cafe.
Eco-travel in Rincon
Rincon is a dream destination for any eco-traveler! Considered the hippy town of Puerto Rico and a surfer’s paradise the values and vibe of this community are not to be missed! So many establishments in the area are doing such great work on the sustainability front. From restaurants offering locally sourced organic ingredients packed full of vegan and vegetarian options to hotels and Airbnbs running partially or completely off the grid to amazing shops selling eco-minded products. Just being here makes eco-travel easy!
One thing I noticed during my trip though was that all of Puerto Rico is still very plastic-dependent. I remembered to bring my travel cutlery, metal straw, and water bottle but forgot my travel coffee cup. I highly recommend bringing these to reduce waste on your trip.
Visiting Rincon FAQ
Is Rincon Puerto Rico worth visiting?
I definitely think that Puerto Rico is worth visiting. There is so much to do and see on this tiny island that you could easily spend an entire week there and still only be hitting the highlights. Not only that, the vibrant and loving people make you feel so welcome in their home it really leaves an imprint on you.
Is Rincon Puerto Rico worth visiting for Eco Travelers?
Rincon is probably the most eco-friendly destination in Puerto Rico. There are tons of accommodations that are working on operating with lower impacts, tons of restaurants that source fresh local ingredients with vast vegetarian vegan options, and lots of eco-minded activities to do.
Is Rincon Puerto Rico worth visiting for 1 day?
Rincon Puerto Rico is definitely worth visiting even if you only have one day but it will leave you wishing you had more time to enjoy all the area has to offer. I would recommend at least 2 days.
Is Rincon Puerto Rico worth visiting in December?
December is actually considered the beginning of the high tourist season in Puerto Rico. During this month you will likely be graced with beautiful weather during this time, it lands right in the prime of the best waves for surfing, and there are tons of fun local festivities happening. This also means it could be the most expensive time to visit.
So, Is Rincon Puerto Rico Worth Visiting?
Overall I would say that Rincon Puerto Rico is definitely worth visiting! And the majority of people who are visiting Puerto Rico would enjoy their time here. You just need to evaluate all of the information I provided in this post to make sure it fits into your trip schedule and the overall vibe you want to have on your trip.
Let me know if you have any other questions to help you decide!
We stayed at the Coconut Palms hotel while touring the island on our honeymoon and it ended up being our favorite place that we stayed hands down. It is right on the water and the couple that owns it are some of the nicest people we have ever met.
Good to know! I’ll have to check them out next time I go.