Overview

Things to see and do

See the historic Punta Higuera Lighthouse that rises 100 feet above sea level. It was built in 1892 and is still fully operational today with the use of 26,000 candlepower light helping ships navigate the Passage de la Mona. There is a quiet park surrounding the lighthouse, great for a walk or a picnic at sunset with sensational views overlooking the beaches and surf below. There is a burger stand, jewelry vendors, telescopes, and a bar at the park. 

Check out Tres Palmas Marine Reserve which encompasses Por Fin Dogman’s Beach, Little Malibu, and Steps Beach. It was created in 2004 to protect the quickly developing coastline of Rincon and its colorful marine life. The area is incredibly biodiverse with elkhorn coral reef, sea turtle nesting sites, and whale breeding grounds. This is an excellent location for snorkeling and scuba diving where divers may encounter creatures such as parrotfish, surgeonfish, bottlenose dolphins, blue tangs, and hawksbill sea turtles. Steps Beach is the most recognized beach within the reserve known for a set of concrete steps on the beach, it is also one of the top surfing locations in Puerto Rico with waves in the winter time reaching up to 25 feet. 

Stroll around the charming historic town center of Rincon, there is a beautiful square in the heart of town where visitors can sit down for a coffee and do some people-watching. There are plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants in the center of town worth visiting.

Go Whale watching (December to March) in Rincon by the Rincon Lighthouse, there are telescopes for better viewing. Humpback whales can be spotted in Rincon throughout January, February, and March, they can be seen from just standing on the shores. These whales pass by Rincon as they are mating and giving birth, before heading back to the North Atlantic Ocean for the summer. 

Start your day off with morning yoga on the beach!! Such a beautiful way to start your day in paradise with some gentle stretching calming yoga flow, and the morning sunshine to energize you for the day. 

Explore the island's massive cave system at Rio Camuy Cave Park, these underwater caves are fascinating. These caverns are part of an extensive network of natural limestone caves and underground waterways carved out by the Rio Camuy, which is the third-largest underground river in the entire world. The cave systems were discovered in 1958, however, archeological evidence suggests that the caves were explored by the island’s indigenous inhabitants hundreds of years ago. There are over 10 miles of caverns with 220 caves, and 17 entrances to discover, a small part is open to the public. 

Visit an offshore island for the day with Culebra and Vieques Islands both of these beautiful islands are nestled off Puerto Rico’s west coast. It is possible to visit them by taking a boat ride from Rincon, spending a day on the beach, going snorkeling, swimming, or fishing, wandering the main towns, and checking out the shops, restaurants, and bars for some idyllic island vibes.

The mysterious uninhabited Island of Desecheo is reachable by an hour-long boat ride to explore and discover the island's crystal clear waters (not allowed to walk on the shores). Underwater there is plenty to discover by snorkeling or scuba diving such as reef sharks, vibrant coral reefs, and a variety of tropical fish. 

Shopping

There are a few local shopping opportunities found in Rincon, this west coast beach town known for its surfing offers plenty of surf shops to pick up the necessary surfing gear and beach-related items. There are local shops, beach boutiques, and various shopping malls found around the area with many shops found in the center of town and along State Road 413. There is a strip mall called Sunset Village that features a large beach fashion store, an art gallery, surf shops, and restaurants located near Rincon’s public beach. The traditional town square in Rincon is another popular retail scene with chic boutiques, new restaurants, a local bakery, and a few simple bars and cafes. The Mayaguez Mall features some great local stores, a food court, movie theaters, and stateside chains like Old Navy, Walmart, and Marshall’s. 

Beaches

Rincon is a beautiful beach town with over 8 idyllic miles of coastline boasting secluded beaches, each with unique personalities. The beach locations here are some of the most pristine in the country with popular activities such as snorkeling, swimming, surfing, and power diving. Some of the beaches in Puerto Rico are nestled on the calm Caribbean side, Rincon is on the west coast and is world renowned for its waves and surfing beaches. It is located on the line where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea so there are many different types of beaches here. Popular surfing beaches in Rincon include Maria, Sandy, Tres Palmas, and Domes. Balneario de Rincon is a centrally located beach that hosts Yoga and Zumba classes on weekday mornings. Sandy Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Rincon due to its location which is within walking distance of many great restaurants, bars, and accommodations. Looking for beach glass on Rincon’s beaches is a popular activity where rare red and pink glass can be found especially along the shores of Sand and Steps Beach. Steps Beach is part of the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve boasting vibrant coral reefs and tropical fish offshore that are protected.

Surfing

Rincon is a renowned surfing destination, one of the best in the Caribbean that rose to international recognition in the 1968 World Surfing Championships held at Domes, and Maria’s Beaches. During the winter months (November-March) surfing along the west coast is some of the best in the entire region, it is generally regarded as one of the best surfing destinations in the world. The area is dubbed the “Caribbean’s Hawaii” with waves approaching 25-30 feet high. Some famed surfing beaches in town include Little Malibu, Tres Palmas, Maria’s, Indicators, Domes, Pools, Sandy, and Antonio’s.  Maria’s Beach is the center of the surfing activity in the country and hosts several pro-circuit events, the waves here provide some of the most exciting surf rides on the island. Domes Beach hosts the annual international surfing competition and other beach festivals throughout the year.

Cuisine

There are many beachside restaurants and bars found along the coastline in Rincon serving up delicious fresh food, especially fish and seafood. There are some eclectic family-run restaurants in Rincon as well as a plethora of food trucks offering Creole-inspired dishes and South American cuisine. Some great establishments offer diners delightful views along with delicious food. 

Food is a very important part of Puerto Rico’s culture blending elements of Spanish, African, and native Taino cuisine into delicious dishes full of flavor. Some of the staple dishes to try on the island include mofongo; deep-fried green plantains, and tostones; double deep-fried plantain wheels, and lechon asado; a slow spit-roasted* pork dish with mouthwatering meat and crispy skin which has been declared a Puerto Rican culinary legacy. There is a large coffee culture in Puerto Rico to sample some head to the hills and tour Hacienda Pomarrosa, and Hacienda Buena Vista estates and see how the beans were harvested, and roasted in colonial times.

Nightlife