Rincón Travel Guide

Super useful & totally free travel guides, written by locals who love Rincón

View of a staircase on a beach in Rincon
Rincon is known as the city with beautiful sunsets

Why We Love Rincón: Home to the best sunsets in Puerto Rico and over a dozen beaches perfect for swimming, surfing, and snorkeling, Rincón promises to charm visitors from near and far. Foodies will love this city for its diversified cuisine scene and history buffs will find interesting historical sights and landmarks across the municipality. Rincón offers a peaceful alternative to the rush of larger centers, with a distinctly Caribbean vibe and lively ambiance that will make you leave all your worries behind.

Best of Rincón

✨ Things to Do

View of the lighthouse in Puntas during a sunny morning
Visit the Lighthouse on Puntas

Rincón offers lots of things to do for nature lovers, beach buffs, and history enthusiasts. Here’s what you can’t miss:

  • Punta Higuero Lighthouse – This 100-year-old Rincón lighthouse is located right next to Domes Beach and serves as a park for recreation.
  • Surfing – Both Domes Beach and Maria’s Beach host multiple national and international surfing contests every year.
  • Beach Hopping – Visitors can spend the day hopping between the beautiful beaches on the coast of the city.
  • Whale Watching – Between January and March, travelers can take whale watching tours in Rincón.
  • Town Center – The city’s town center is home to restaurants, boutiques, and charming art galleries open to visitors.

👉 Explore all things to do in Rincón.

🗺️ Where to Stay

Whether you’re looking to stay in a beachfront area or a countryside apartment rental, you can find it in Rincón: 

  • Puntas – The neighborhood of Puntas offers historical attractions and top-notch beaches for surfing, snorkeling, and swimming.
  • Rincón Pueblo – The town center has stores, galleries, restaurants, and beaches within walking distance.
  • Barrero – A great area with beachfront views, cheap apartment rentals, and the astonishing Almendro Beach.

👉 Read the complete guide to where to stay in Rincon.

View from Rincón Pueblo in Puerto Rico
Rincón Pueblo offers a central location

🛎️ Best Hotels

View of the empty Domes Beach in Rincon
Rincón Domes Beach

Everything from budget to boutique stays, you will find all kinds of hotels in Rincón. Some of the best hotels in the city are: 

  • Casa Verde Hotel – Located right by Sandy Beach, this hotel features a pool, bar, gardens, and night entertainment.
  • Qué Chévere – This hotel located in the town center has restaurants, stores, and is within walking distance of the beach.
  • Coconut Palms Inn – A beachfront hotel close to the town center and restaurants, with budget-friendly rates.
  • Lazy Parrot Inn & Mini Resort – A pet-friendly hotel close to Rincón’s main beaches.
  • Casa Isleña – This beachside hotel features a bar, pool, babysitting services, and yoga classes.

🍽️ Restaurants

View of The Beach House from the outside
Enjoy lunch at the Beach House

Besides the beautiful beaches, Rincón has diverse cuisine that reflects the foreign influence in the city. Some restaurants you can’t miss are:

  • The Beach House – Located in Puntas, this restaurant offers live entertainment and a great viewpoint to see the sunset.
  • Cafe 413 – Situated in the town center, this is both a bar and a coffee shop that serves all-day breakfast.
  • Rincón Boricua – The go-to place to eat the traditional mofongo dish, and other Puerto Rican delicacies.
  • Gastropark @115 – Find something for every taste in this food truck park offering everything from sushi to pizza.
  • La Cambija – A casual restaurant famous for seafood dishes that include shrimp, octopus, and fish.

🚗 Day Trips

View of a pyramid and a clear blue sky above it in Aguada
See the pyramid in Aguada
  • Aguada – A city with cacao and pithaya farms, waterfalls, historical structures, and family-friendly beaches.
  • Cabo Rojo – Known for beautiful sunsets and beaches, Cabo Rojo boasts the most popular pink salt lakes in the country.
  • Lajas – Home to one of three bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico and top-notch diving spots.
  • Guánica – A southern city with the largest dry forest in Puerto Rico, clear beaches with low tides, and scenic cays.
  • Mayagüez – Famous for its cuisine and Brazo Gitano, Mayagüez is home to excellent diving destinations such as Desecheo Island.

🍸 Bars

View from the Ola Sunset Café and the beach near it
Enjoy a drink at Ola Sunset Café
  • Blackie’s Pub – A favorite amongst locals, this is a casual bar where you can enjoy a drink and fried snacks like tostones and fries.
  • La Rincoeña Sports Bar – An outdoor casual restaurant where you can sample local cuisine, beers, and cocktails. 
  • El Nuevo Encuentro – Located in Rincón’s countryside, this bar offers mountain views, cold drinks, and Puerto Rican food.
  • Ola Sunset Café – A small bar with outdoor tables, this bar is great for seeing the sunset with views of Domes Beach and Desecheo.
  • La Cueva del Burro – The best location to see sunsets in Playa Almendro, this bar has live music and an informal atmosphere.

⛱️ Beaches

View of the empty Domes Beach in Rincon
Domes Beach in Rincón
  • Sandy Beach – The most popular beach in Rincón with easy access to hotels, restaurants, and bars.
  • Domes Beach – Where international and national surfing contests take place every year, this is the best beach for catching a wave.
  • Escalera Beach – Located inside Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, Escalera Beach is great for snorkeling and hiking.
  • Córcega Beach – A beautiful beach south of the city with calm and slow waves perfect for the whole family.
  • Rincon Public Beach – A few minutes away from the town center, this beach features facilities and watersports rentals.

👉 Read the complete guide to Rincón beaches.

Rincón Travel Advice

🗓️ Best Time to Visit

While there are only slight differences between the seasons, the best time to visit Rincon will depend on what you’re looking for. The main highlights of each season are:

  • 🌼 Spring – The best season to find warm temperatures and stable weather.
  • 🌊 Fall – Although it’s the peak of hurricane season, fall features festivals, strong surf, and cheap hotel prices.
  • 🌞 Summer – The season with the best tides, warmest temperatures, and lots of friendly locals on the beaches.
  • ❄️ Winter – The best season to see humpback whales, catch strong surfs, and find cheap hotels.

🚌 Getting Around

The method of transportation you choose will determine what you can see and where you can go in Rincón:

  • 🚶‍♀️ Walking – The town center is a walkable area with restaurants, shops, and weekend activities.
  • 🚗 Driving – Renting a car in Rincón is the best transportation option in the city.
  • 🚇 Public Transit – Rincón features local public buses that you can ride for an inexpensive fare.
  • 🚴‍♀️ Biking – Moving around via bicycle is difficult because of the terrain, but it’s possible.

👉 You can also check out our detailed guide on how to go from San Juan to Rincon.

👉 Tips & Things to Know

  • 🌊 Not all beaches are for swimming – Domes, Spanish Wall, and other beaches in Rincón have a strong tide and are better for surfing than swimming.
  • 💲 Restaurants are pricey – Beachfront restaurants can be expensive. If you’re on a budget, eat in small kiosks or cook in your apartment rental.
  • 🌧️ There is a hurricane season – Hurricane season runs from mid-summer to fall, during which time you’ll need to monitor the local weather when visiting. 
  • 🏄 Take a surfing lesson – Rincón is known as a surfing city. Don’t miss the chance to take a surfing class and catch waves yourself.
  • 🥤 The drinking age is 18 – If you want to consume alcohol in bars, then you’ll need to be at least 18 years old.

🧳 What to Pack

  • 🤿 Snorkel gear – Rincón offers some of the best snorkeling on the west coast, so bringing your gear will enrich your experience.
  • 👙 Swimsuit – Rincón’s main attractions are the beaches. Bring a few swimsuits and rotate through them.
  • ☀️ Sunscreen – If you’re planning to spend most of the day out on the beach, apply sunscreen to protect your skin against UV rays.
  • 🦟 Bug Spray – Mosquitoes are common on the beaches. Protect yourself against possible illnesses like Zika by using repellent.
  • 💧 Reusable Bottle of Water – You’ll get thirsty while beach hopping in Rincón, so a reusable bottle will keep you hydrated and save you money.

🤓 Facts & Info

  • Census Population (2020) – 14,526
  • Time Zone – AST (UTC/GMT -4 hours all year) No daylight saving time.
  • Area Codes -787, 939
  • Airports – Raphael Hernandez Airport (BQN) is the closest, in Aguadilla
  • Nickname – The town of beautiful sunsets, the surfing town
  • Demonym – Rinconeños, rincoeños
  • State – Puerto Rico
  • Country – United States of America

💵 Costs & Budgeting

  • 3 Star Hotel Room – $150-300/night
  • 1 Bedroom Apartment Rental – $60-300/night
  • Rental Car – $45-100/day
  • Public Transit Ticket – ~$1.25-$3.00
  • Take Out Meal for Two – $12-25
  • Sit Down Dinner for Two – $25-60
  • Draft Beer – $5-8

FAQs About Visiting Rincón

Is Rincón safe for tourists?

Rincón is one of the safest cities in Puerto Rico. Rincón is currently home to many foreigners on the island which makes the city similar to San Juan. See our guide on safety in Puerto Rico for important safety tips in the country.

Is Rincón Puerto Rico walkable?

While some parts of Rincón, Puerto Rico, are walkable, like the town center and Puntas neighborhood, the main streets that connect the city’s neighborhoods aren’t pedestrian-friendly.

Does Rincón have nice beaches?

Rincón is home to great beaches for surfing, swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The city is a popular destination for beach lovers. See our guide to Rincón beaches to learn about the best beaches in the city.

Can you swim in Rincón?

Not all beaches are ideal for swimming in Rincón, particularly during the winter. Playa Escalera, Sandy Beach, Playa Córcega, and Playa Almendro are some good options for swimming, but visitors should check the local weather before swimming.

What is there to do in Rincón today?

Rincón offers visitors beautiful beaches. The city also sports historical sights like the Punta Higueros Lighthouse and whale watching tours during the winter-spring season. Check out our list of other fun things to do in Rincón during your trip.

Do you need a car in Rincón?

Visitors that want to explore the city of Rincón will need to rent a car. There are public buses on Rincón, but the routes and hours are unreliable and travelers can only learn about them by asking directly in a guagua pública terminal. 

Meet Our Rincón Travel Experts

Vanessa Ramos

Vanessa Ramos is a travel and lifestyle writer from Puerto Rico. Vanessa has traveled for international work exchange, backpacking, and solo traveling around three continents. When she’s not writing about the best things to do, places to visit, or where to stay on the island of Puerto Rico, she’s hunting airplane tickets for her next trip abroad. Vanessa also writes her own lifestyle blog, Existence as I Know It.

👉 Read Vanessa’s Articles

📰 Rincón Travel Guides

If you’re planning to visit Rincón, a local’s insight will be your best guide to the area. See all our guides about Rincón to plan your trip with the best tips and tricks from a Puerto Rican.

🗺️ Rincón Map