Lighthouse and Domes
SurfNear the Punta Higüero lighthouse.
Town guide
Things to do in Rincón
Puerto Rico's west-coast surf town: winter swells at Domes and Tres Palmas, snorkelling at Steps Beach, humpback whales from the lighthouse, and sunsets over the Mona Passage every evening.
1968
World surf championships
3–4
Days
Surf and sunsets
Rincón sits on the far western tip of Puerto Rico, where the coast turns south. When winter swells come in from the North Atlantic, roughly from November to March, its breaks are among the best in the Caribbean, and the town has been a surf destination since it hosted the 1968 world championships.
It is a relaxed, spread-out town of guesthouses, surf shops, beach bars and food trucks, with a big community of surfers who came and stayed. The Tres Palmas marine reserve protects the reef off Steps Beach, good for snorkelling when the sea is calm.
From January to March, humpback whales pass close to shore and can be seen from the Punta Higüero lighthouse. Give Rincón three or four days.
Where to base yourself
Stay near the lighthouse and Domes for surf, near Sandy Beach for a social scene, or in town for food and shops.
Sandy Beach
Social, beginnersA beach with bars and guesthouses.
Town
Food, shopsThe plaza and services.
Steps Beach
SnorkellingThe marine reserve.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Rincón
Surf Domes, Maria's and Sandy Beach in the winter season, or watch the big-wave riders at Tres Palmas on the biggest days. Beginners learn at Sandy Beach and in the summer, when the sea is gentler.
Snorkel at Steps Beach in the Tres Palmas marine reserve when the water is calm, usually in summer.
Watch for whales from the Punta Higüero lighthouse park from January to March, and catch the sunset every evening from a beach bar.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The beaches are free, and so is the lighthouse park, the best place to watch for whales and the sunset.
Watching the surfers costs nothing.
Board rental, lessons and boat trips charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Food trucks and beach bars serve fish tacos, burgers and mofongo for €8 to €15. Restaurants cost €15 to €30.
Try fresh fish and smoothies.
Tipping works as in the US: 15 to 20 per cent in restaurants and bars.
Nightlife
Going out
Rincón has beach bars with live music and sunset crowds, busiest in the surf season.
Nights are relaxed rather than late.
A beer costs €3 to €6.
Getting around
Getting around
Rincón is about 2.5 hours from San Juan by car, and about 30 to 40 minutes from Aguadilla's airport, which has some flights from the US mainland.
You need a car or scooter; the town is spread out and public transport is very limited.
Costs
What Rincón costs
Beds start at around €25 to €45 a night, mostly guesthouses and shared rentals. Food truck meals cost €8 to €15.
Board rental costs about €20 to €35 a day, a surf lesson about €60 to €90, and a snorkel trip about €40 to €60.
Puerto Rico uses the US dollar.
Safety
Safety and scams
Rincón is relaxed. In winter, the waves and currents are powerful; do not swim at the surf breaks, and surf within your level.
Do not leave valuables in cars at the beach.
Tap water is generally safe to drink, but buy bottled water after storms or outages. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
The west coast.
Cabo Rojo
Lighthouse and beaches.
Crash Boat Beach
Clear water in Aguadilla.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Surf and whales.
November to March
Surf season
Rincón
The big winter swells.
January to March
Whale season
Off the lighthouse
Humpbacks close to shore.
December
Holidays
Rincón
Busy with visitors.
When to go
November to March brings the big surf and the busy season; whales pass from January to March. Summer is calm, good for snorkelling and beginners, and quieter. Hurricane season runs from June to November.
Jan
Surf, whales
Feb
Surf, whales
Mar
Whales
Apr
Easter
May
Calm
Jun
Hurricane season opens
Jul
Calm, snorkelling
Aug
Peak risk
Sep
Highest risk
Oct
Hurricane season
Nov
Surf returns
Dec
Busy
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Warm all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Rincón prices.
Treat these as a guide. Prices are US-level.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Rincón questions
The ones we get asked most.
When is surf season in Rincón?
November to March.
Can beginners surf there?
Yes, at Sandy Beach and in the calmer summer months.
When can I see whales?
January to March, from the lighthouse.
Do I need a car?
Yes.
Is Rincón safe?
Yes; respect the winter waves.
How many days do I need?
Three to four.
When is the best time to visit?
November to April.
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