photo: Domes Beach, Rincon by Eva Barbier
Rincon, Puerto Rico
Rincon is a surfer's paradise. The west coast of Puerto Rico is stunning, but it's not comprised of long, wide, white sand beaches where you can dip in the calm ocean. The ocean is rough and, depending on the day, the waves can be intimidating. That is what makes Rincon an ideal surfing destination. Discover little coves where you can surf or watch surfers by day, take an afternoon siesta and then go out and enjoy the local company, delicious food and laid back bars.
We took our first surfing lesson here and it was a blast. Eva stood up on the second wave, surprising her instructor and herself! But be careful, these waves break on reefs and surfing requires a decent fitness level because you paddle 95% of the time. If you are a beginner sign up for a lesson or go with a surfer who is familiar with the area. If you aren't into surfing, there are many other ocean activities to do here including paddle boarding, snorkeling (depending on time of year),sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and kite surfing. Beaches we enjoyed: Domes, Maria's & The Point. You can also drove north east a bit and check out Crash Boat beach (Aguadilla) and Jobos beach (Isabella).
Don't miss the natural tunes of Rincon: Wavechimes. It's the sound the waves make along the beach. Because the surf is so rough, you can hear pieces of glass churn in the waves. This also makes Ricon a great place to collect sea glass.
We took our first surfing lesson here and it was a blast. Eva stood up on the second wave, surprising her instructor and herself! But be careful, these waves break on reefs and surfing requires a decent fitness level because you paddle 95% of the time. If you are a beginner sign up for a lesson or go with a surfer who is familiar with the area. If you aren't into surfing, there are many other ocean activities to do here including paddle boarding, snorkeling (depending on time of year),sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and kite surfing. Beaches we enjoyed: Domes, Maria's & The Point. You can also drove north east a bit and check out Crash Boat beach (Aguadilla) and Jobos beach (Isabella).
Don't miss the natural tunes of Rincon: Wavechimes. It's the sound the waves make along the beach. Because the surf is so rough, you can hear pieces of glass churn in the waves. This also makes Ricon a great place to collect sea glass.
Eat, Drink, Be Merry...Snooze
For dinner, go to the Lazy Parrot. The food is delicious, the atmosphere romantic and the staff is friendly. Also try La Copa Llena at The Black Eagle. The food is great and you can steps from the beach.
There are lots of great bars in Rincon. Try the bar at the Villa Confresi. At this beach side bar you'll find their famous drink, the Pirate Special, served in a coconut. Sip your Pirate punch while watching the sunset over the ocean. Tamboo Tavern and Calypso Cafe are also fun.
Where to stay:
Villa Confresi - This is where we stayed when we were here in February 2012. It's a family run business, reasonably priced, and right on the beach with a fantastic beach bar. The rooms are huge, clean yet basic.
Lazy Parrot Inn - This little Inn is quaint and charming. It's nestled on a hill overlooking the ocean. The restaurant and bar are great and the staff is comprised of happy sun-kissed American surfers that make you very jealous that you will be heading home to an icy winter!
Horned Dorset - Named one o the top hotels in the world, a night here is not cheap. However it gets excellent reviews so we are intrigued and may try it sometime for a special occasion!
Rent a house: There are lots of beach houses that you can rent for a week. Check out sites like homeaway.com to check availability.
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There are lots of great bars in Rincon. Try the bar at the Villa Confresi. At this beach side bar you'll find their famous drink, the Pirate Special, served in a coconut. Sip your Pirate punch while watching the sunset over the ocean. Tamboo Tavern and Calypso Cafe are also fun.
Where to stay:
Villa Confresi - This is where we stayed when we were here in February 2012. It's a family run business, reasonably priced, and right on the beach with a fantastic beach bar. The rooms are huge, clean yet basic.
Lazy Parrot Inn - This little Inn is quaint and charming. It's nestled on a hill overlooking the ocean. The restaurant and bar are great and the staff is comprised of happy sun-kissed American surfers that make you very jealous that you will be heading home to an icy winter!
Horned Dorset - Named one o the top hotels in the world, a night here is not cheap. However it gets excellent reviews so we are intrigued and may try it sometime for a special occasion!
Rent a house: There are lots of beach houses that you can rent for a week. Check out sites like homeaway.com to check availability.
Back to Puerto Rico Main Page
