San Juan to Rincon (3 Best Ways to Go, By a Local)

If you’re visiting Puerto Rico and wondering how to get from San Juan to Rincon, then you’ve come to the right place!

Located on the west side of Puerto Rico, Rincon beaches and breathtaking sunsets make it the perfect destination for a Caribbean vacation. Beach lovers and surfers from all around the island escape to Rincon to enjoy its attractions.

I’m a Puerto Rico local that’s been to Rincon, and I’ve put together a guide to help you get from San Juan to Rincon, so you don’t miss this beautiful beach town.

Let’s dive in!

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3 Ways to Get From San Juan to Rincon (& Back)

Rincon boasts some of the best places to see in Puerto Rico, and visitors that want to get from San Juan to Rincon have 3 main ways to get to the city and back.

The methods by land include driving or taking a shuttle. While Rincon doesn’t have a commercial airport, travelers that want to go to Rincon can take a plane from the San Juan Airport to the Mayaguez or Aguadilla airports and from there transport to Rincon by land. 

Let’s break these methods into more detail.

From San Juan to Rincon By Car

🚍 Best for: Freedom to explore, saving money
💵 Cost: $$
👉 Where to Book: Discover Cars

Since public transportation doesn’t run around the entire island, most visitors opt for renting a vehicle at the San Juan Airport to get to Rincon. Driving from San Juan to Rincon takes almost three hours depending on the route and the time of the day, but driving is the most flexible and cheapest way to reach the city. 

Pros of a Car: 

• Flexibility to explore
• Cheapest transportation for long-term stays
• Not being limited by transportation hours

Cons of a Car: 

• Pricey for one person
• Driving in a foreign place
• Long-distance driving
• Long travel time
• Using directions to get there

From San Juan to Rincón by Plane

🚍 Best for: Saving time
💵 Cost: $$$$
👉 Where to Book: Expedia, Discover Cars, Cape Air, Linear Air Taxi

If you’re short on time, then the quickest way to get from San Juan to Rincon is by taking a direct flight from San Juan Airport to Rincon’s nearby cities. 

Rincon itself doesn’t have an airport, but both Cape Air and Linear Air Taxi airlines offer flights to the Mayaguez Airport and the Aguadilla Airport with a travel time under 45 minutes. From these airports, visitors can rent a car or take a shuttle to Rincon. 

Also, you can fly directly to Aguadilla or Mayaguez from the United States.

Pros of a Plane: 

• Fastest way to transport 
• Flights options from San Juan and mainland USA
• Easy to book a flight ticket through the internet

Cons of a Plane: 

• Pricey flights and tickets
• Having to transfer by land
• Limited airlines and daily flights

From San Juan to Rincón by Shuttle

🚍 Best for: Comfort
💵 Cost: $$$
👉 Where to Book: Go Puerto Rico Shuttle, Linea Sultana

Another way to get from San Juan to Rincon is by shuttle. This method is the best to avoid driving in a foreign place. 

Private shuttle companies are flexible with pick-up and drop-off locations, but you’ll have to book ahead of your trip. Linea Sultana is a type of shuttle that works like a carro público, one of the main transportation methods in Puerto Rico, and it offers a fixed fare of $35 from San Juan to Mayaguez, from where you can take another shuttle or carro público to Rincon.

Pros of a Shuttle: 

• Flexibility with pick up and drop off
• Adapts to your itinerary
• Cheap if paid between multiple persons

Cons of a Shuttle: 

• Lack of flexibility to explore
• Needing to coordinate/make a reservation in advance
• Having to wait for pick-up/drop off

3 Tips For Getting Between San Juan and Rincón

Rent a Vehicle

There isn’t a system of buses or trains that runs around Puerto Rico like in other Latin American places. So, if you want to explore the island at your own pace without worrying about pick-up times or finding a flight ticket, then it’s best to rent a car in Puerto Rico. 

Use Discover Cars to rent ahead of time, find cheap prices, and get the model you’re looking for.

Explore Other Nearby Puerto Rican Cities

If you’re heading to the west coast during your trip to Puerto Rico, then make sure to plan a stop in nearby Puerto Rican cities like Isabela, Aguadilla, Aguada, and Cabo Rojo. If you’re heading south from Rincon, don’t miss a stop in La Parguera, Guánica, or Ponce. 

These destinations offer fun activities to do in Puerto Rico and can make your trip even better. Check out our Puerto Rico travel guides to find what to do in each city.

Stay for a Few Days

If you’re a beach lover visiting Rincon then you’ll definitely need to stay in Rincon for more than a day. 

Rincon boasts more than a dozen of beaches for snorkeling, swimming, surfing, fishing, or simply relaxing. Rincon also features weekly cultural activities in its town square and is one of the best spots in Puerto Rico to go whale watching during the winter. 

🛎️ Need a hotel? If you’re visiting Rincón for a few days, then make sure to book a night or two at a hotel. The Rincon Beach Resort sports a prime location between Añasco and Rincon, Puerto Rico, making it possible to visit two cities at once. 

FAQs About Going From San Juan to Rincon

📚Related Reading: Is Puerto Rico Safe for Travel?

Map of How to Get Between San Juan and Rincón

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Thanks for reading about the best ways to get from San Juan to Rincon!

For some amazing activities in the area, check out my picks for the most amazing things to do in Rincon.

Enjoy Rincon!