Rincon, Puerto Rico

August 20, 2010 | By admin In Puerto Rico |

Rincon is on the northwest coast of Puerto Rico. Rincon is not your normal congested high-rise sort of beach town, but rather you’ll find peaceful beaches, less tourists flocking to find the swanky night clubs, and a friendly, low-key sort of town. You’ll also need to get over yourself if you have a high and mighty air because this place does not.

Rincon is situated on a peninsula, where the waves on the north side from the Atlantic lured the World Surfing Championships in 1968, and is still luring surfers today. The beaches best for surfing include Domes and Palmas Beach. The southeastern side of Rincon is lulled by the more tranquil Caribbean sea. You can rent paddleboards at the Coconut Water Sports store for 15.00 an hour which seems a bit pricey depending if you are planning a day of it or not. Surfing lessons can also be found at Surf ‘N Board. Snorkeling gear can be rented for 10.00, better price, and with these diversions in mind, the day is set for lots of fun. Parasailing is available on some beaches. If you visit La Parguera, which is located on the southwest part of Puerto Rico’s harbour, you can enjoy swimming in a phosphorescent bay at night – how cool is that. If you travel to Rincon in the winter, the hump back whales will be closer to shore for your binoculars to zero in on.

When you’re trying to locate accommodations for your family, a high-rise is not the best idea because you hate having to worry about your kids going up and down elevators alone whenever they need to go back to their suite for whatver reason. You as a parent are always making sure there is enough supervision and this can drive your intentions for relaxation out the window quickly. With Rincon, you’ve got many hotels and B & Bs to choose from, and buildings cannot be over four stories on the beach. Booking ahead is imperative, as there are only about 1000 rooms in the entire area.

The Villa Confresi is on the beach, with a laidback feel but decent. Kayaks, seadoos and horseback riding close by may only add to your fun. The music at the bar lasts till about midnight, and Easter weekend seems to be more than just a bit noisier, with lots of people congregating. Friday and Saturday nights are the loudest time for music, but after that, the place is basically tame, and always there is a cease fire on the noise level by midnight. The bar is in the middle of the courtyard, so it is very difficult to get away from until then. For the remainder of the night, you’ll listen to coqui tree frogs serenading you to sleep instead. The hotel has a good name for itself, probably because the staff are very good overall to deal with even if the place is basic. There is a pool, the lovely beach, but with all the comments about the music disturbing guests, I think going elsewhere may be necessary if quiet is your name of the game.

The Lemontree Waterfront Suites described from Frommers as a “real find” has the water right out by your door, so depending on the ages of your children, that could be a concern or a gift. This hotel has better reviews and ratings overall compared to the issues of noise regarding the Villa Confresi, and you can bet I would want to try here first, plus the price is better depending on the room. Full kitchens do not include an oven unless things have changed.

The Casa Islena Inn B& B – really a lot of mixed reviews.

There are several self-contained apartments and condos that I would rather stay at instead. The Boarding House, the Casa Bianca, the El Mirador, Punta Beach Apartments, Vista Del Mar which is up in the hills a bit, – all of these may be more worth looking into. View their unique accommodations at rinconpr.com The Boarding House may be your ticket for fantastic surfing lessons by the way.

The Horned Dorset Primavera will cost you but the luxury with this hotel on the beach may tempt you when considering a family vacation getaway. It has 22 villas and other residents, 3 outdoor pools overlooking the sea, marble bathrooms, two story suites with a second bath, upstairs exemplary service and is a place for teens and adults but not children under 12. This resort was built prior to new building regulations in the 1990s and is therefore closer to the water. Open the French doors from your balcony and you’ll be tantalizingly close to the water. This hotel has no television, a deliberate omission. Although dining is formal in the evening, your breakfast and lunch are brougt to you in your villa. This hotel as high ratings and is one of the luxury gems in Rincon.

Getting there: Fly into San Juan from any major airport. Remember, before you get to the tranquil beach, you’ll be in a big bustling city. Puerto Rico is 100 miles by 35 miles and so having a rental car may be something to consider unless you are planting yourself at the beach the entire time. Rincon is 2 hours west of San Juan. You can also fly into Mayaguez airport which is a 20 minute drive from Rincon, and car rentals at Mayaguez are available.