THINGS TO DO
We’re thrilled to have all of you in the beautiful surf town of Rincón! Below are some places to visit in town and farther afield if you’re able to extend your trip in Puerto Rico.
Beaches
Steps Beach & Tres Palmas Reserve
These two beaches are right next to each other. Parking is limited so plan to arrive early or consider walking here if you’re able. This spot is perfect for snorkeling - you may be able to spot a sea turtle, colorful fish and vibrant healthy coral reefs. Be careful entering the water as there may be sea urchins. Ask someone on the beach the safest spot to enter the water or consider wearing reef/water shoes.
Perfect for surfing, this beach is right in front of the welcome party and wedding venues. But you don’t need to be a surfer to enjoy this beach. Feel free to find a spot on the sand to watch the surfers, grab some sun or take a dip in the ocean - be sure to ask the safest point of entry to avoid sea urchins in the reefs.
This beach gets its name from the non-functional power plant in the shape of a dome that overlooks the beach - sounds freaky but its safe and makes for a cool background. Another great spot to surf or watch the surfers admiringly.
There is tons of space on this beach and it’s a perfect spot for a swim as the bottom is completely sandy. No need to worry about stepping on reefs here. Check out Tamboo while you’re here - it’s a casual restaurant right on the beach where you can grab a drink or a bite to eat.
You guessed it! Another wonderful spot for surfing. There’s also a nice area to swim in, and it’s right across from one of our favorite lunch spots, Jack’s Shack (it’s a food truck with limited seating). Grab a bite to eat and head across the street to the beach after.
Another great spot to check out and within walking distance to downtown Rincón.
Activities
Surfing
For board rentals and/or surfing lessons, check out Rincón Surf School.
Outdoor Yoga
Check out Barefoot Yoga for details on their weekly Friday morning group class or to arrange a private yoga class.
Sunset Cruise
Rincón is the most western point of Puerto Rico - making for the best place for sunsets on the island. To enjoy this fantastic sky showdown, take a sunset cruise with Taino Divers.
Snorkeling
Sofia’s absolute favorite activity in Puerto Rico!
For the best snorkeling in the area, head to the Tres Palmas Reserve. Be sure to get their early to find a parking spot or plan to walk there. Also keep in mind that January is in the surf season months, meaning the ocean tends to be more rough this time of year - the ocean tends to be calmer in the morning but be careful if there is a strong current.
To rent snorkel gear, check out Rincón Diving or if you’d like to purchase snorkel gear, head to one of the surf shops in town like Playero Surf Shop. Strongly recommend renting flippers to protect your feet from the coral.
If you’d like to book a snorkel tour to learn more about what you’re seeing, check out Taino Divers or Rincón Diving for their availability. They also host scuba tours as well!
Deep Sea Fishing
There are a number of companies to consider in the area. Fathom Charters is a good place to start.
Whale Watching
January falls in the season where humpback whales are migrating through the waters surrounding Puerto Rico. You’ll be able to catch a sighting in the morning or around sunset; bring binoculars if you’re able to get a close look. A good place to try and spot a whale is the Rincón lighthouse - El Faro de Rincón.
Rincón Art Walk
If you’re in town by Thursday, plan to go to the Rincón art walk - a street art fair with music and food trucks to boot! It’s located in downtown Rincón and starts at 5pm but plan to get there before 5pm if you can to try and find a parking spot.
Downtown Rincón: It’s worth visiting the small and charming downtown area to check out a few shops.
What to eat & drink in Puerto Rico
Before jumping into where to eat, take a look at the following articles to see what dishes to keep an eye out for or to seek out while you’re in Puerto Rico.
Some of our favorite foods are mofongo con carne frita, lechón asado, tostones and arroz mamposteao!
In terms of drinks, Medalla is the island’s local beer - perfect to sip on the beach. Or try a piña colada which was invented in San Juan.
Restaurants & Bars
Casual spot that’s great for lunch or a quick drink.
Perfect spot to watch the sunset since it’s on a hill.
This is where we’ll have our welcome party! Right off of Maria’s beach, it’s a great place for a drink.
A small coffee truck with small bites and smoothies.
Across from Tres Palmas beach with fresh and delicious food with some of the best tostones we’ve had.
One of our favorite restaurants in town. Best cocktails in town and set up right on the beach. They don’t take reservations, so it’s first come, first serve.
Yummy BBQ in a countryside setting.
Seaside bar with snacks and drinks to enjoy right over the water.
This spot is fabulous for breakfast and lunch. It is up a very steep and tricky road, so proceed with caution and drive slow! The views are absolutely worth it. If you decide to go, be sure to call ahead and see if you can make a reservation.
A nice farm-to-table restaurant great for dinner.
This food truck-like spot is the perfect spot for a lunch with fresh ingredients and yummy juices right across from a beach.
This ice cream spot is the Milan family’s favorite ice cream spot…maybe in the whole world. This place is 15 minutes outside of town in Aguada. Plan to stop by here on your way into Rincón or on the way out to try one of their many flavors.
A microbrewery in the heart of downtown Rincón with a variety of beers and cocktails to try.
Breakfast & lunch spot serving delicious, fresh and healthy dishes.
One of the only sushi spots in town in downtown Rincón!
This little spot is right under Caddy’s Calypso on Maria’s Beach. They have a few small bites as well.
If you go to Sandy Beach, stop by here for a drink and or meal!
Farther Afield
This waterfall is near Guajataca Forest which has tons of walking trails. About 1 hour away from Rincón.
9,878-acre nature reserve featuring subtropical dry forests, numerous birds & other wildlife. 1.5 hours away from Rincón.
With buildings dating from the 16th century when it was under Spanish rule, Old San Juan is the perfect spot to for a walk through its windy and beautiful cobblestoned streets.
Located in Puerto Rico's Northeast Region, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. national forest system. There are many trails and waterfalls to explore here.
Every weekend, the mountain town of Cayey receives droves of visitors, both locals and tourists, that come to enjoy traditional food, live music and dancing. Drive along Route 184 up the mountain where you'll find lechonera after lechonera serving slow-roasted whole pork (also chicken) and other traditional Puerto Rican dishes. We love Lechonera Los Pinos! Be sure to check to check hours of lechoneras before you go.
La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay
La Parguera is a bioluminescent bay about 1 hour away from Rincón. One of three bioluminescent bays found along Puerto Rico's coastline, the bay's glowing effect is made possible by micro-organisms called dinoflagellates. Various tour companies offer nightly kayak or boat trips to explore the bay's waters.
These are two islands off of the east coast of Puerto Rico that are beautiful to explore if you have more time to spare on your trip.
If you plan to travel into the mountainous interior of the island, be sure to stop at a Hacienda - a spot where coffee is processed and made. Check out the link above for recommendations.