By road
San Juan, ~150 km, about two and a half hours
North America · Puerto Rico
Rincón, Puerto Rico
Surf sunsets on the west coast · San Juan, ~150 km, about two and a half hours
Getting there
By air
Rafael Hernández, Aguadilla (BQN), ~30 km north
Best time to visit
November to March for surf; summer for calm snorkelling and whale-free seas
Don't miss
Domes Beach
Maria's Beach
Steps Beach
Punta Higüero Lighthouse
Sandy Beach
Desecheo Island
Tres Palmas Marine Reserve
Things to do
Surfing at Domes and Maria's
Snorkelling at Steps Beach
Sunset at the lighthouse
A boat to Desecheo Island
Whale watching in winter
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: https://www.flickr.com/people/37244380@N00/ · CC BY-SA 2.0
What to pack
A surfboard or rental, reef-safe sunscreen, sandals, a light jacket for the sunsets
A quieter corner
The Punta Higüero lighthouse park at dusk, when humpback whales can be spotted offshore in winter
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Rincón?
November to March for surf; summer for calm snorkelling and whale-free seas. What to pack: A surfboard or rental, reef-safe sunscreen, sandals, a light jacket for the sunsets.
How do I get to Rincón?
Fly into Rafael Hernández, Aguadilla (BQN), ~30 km north.
What is there to do in Rincón?
Surfing at Domes and Maria's, snorkelling at Steps Beach, sunset at the lighthouse, a boat to Desecheo Island, whale watching in winter. A quieter find: The Punta Higüero lighthouse park at dusk, when humpback whales can be spotted offshore in winter.
What should I eat in Rincón?
Fish tacos, mofongo, empanadillas at the beach kiosks, piña coladas, local coffee.
About Rincón
- Coastal
Where it is
Rincón is a town on the western tip of Puerto Rico, on a peninsula facing the Mona Passage, about two and a half hours by road from San Juan.
History
A farming and fishing town for most of its history, Rincón was put on the map when a world surfing championship was held on its beaches in the late 1960s, and surfers have returned every winter since. Its nuclear research reactor, now a landmark by Domes Beach, closed decades ago.
People
Rincoeños share their town with a long-settled community of surfers from the mainland United States; the plaza, the beach kiosks and the Thursday art walk are where everyone meets.
Known for
- Winter surf breaks
- Sunsets over the Mona Passage
- Whale watching
- Tres Palmas elkhorn coral
Did you know?
The Tres Palmas Marine Reserve protects one of the Caribbean's healthiest stands of elkhorn coral.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.