Rincon Puerto Rico
Rincon Puerto Rico is a small coastal town on the island's west side, with a population of 14,000; One road leads into it and it has no stop lights. It's popular because of surfing, beaches, scuba diving and deep sea fishing. Its tourist season starts before Christmas and continues to Labor Day.
Rincon is half an hour from Aguadilla Borinquen Airport, and 2.5 hours from Luis Munoz International Airport in San Juan. You need a car to get around Puerto Rico. Distances are far and public transport is dismal. The best time not to get into San Juan, Puerto Rico is Friday afternoons, or on weekdays around 5 o'clock. Traffic on the eastern side is terrible. It's bumper to bumper from 3 to 6, and if there's an accident or a distraction, congestion gets worse.
I've traveled around the states, Europe, Caribbean Islands, and Central America. Puerto Rico has the feel of a state. You see the same car companies, fast food restaurants, and stores. Fifteen minutes from our villa there's a Walgreens, Sam's Food Club, Kmart and others.
What I like about Puerto Rico: it feels like a foreign country as well. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, but it's safer than any Latin American country. You don't need a passport, but you do need your city sense.
Puerto Rico is bilingual. Almost everyone understands English, and about 65 percent speak English. You see the same movies from the US in Puerto Rico. Movies in Puerto Rico have Spanish subtitles. Half of business signs are in English.
Rincon is a town in the country. My neighbors raise cows, chickens and pigs. Yet, everything you need is close: A hospital, supermarkets, restaurants and beach shops are within 10 minutes from Villa Orleans.
In Rincon there are many fun activities:
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Diving: The waters off the coast of Rincon are fabulous. There are several dive shops renting out diving equipment. Taino Divers has daily excursions to Desecheo Island. They provide food and drinks. We go snorkeling to Desecheo every summer and the waters are eye candy. 150 ft visibility, all the tropical fish you see in pet shops and more. I like them because they are cautious.
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Beaches: Puerto Rico beaches circle the island. Miles of beaches surround Rincon. You can hike from one end to the other. I've taken a Rincon beach hike. Along the beach you see pelicans, occasional iguanas, dolphin, and from January to March, whales.
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Snorkeling: You can snorkel in front of Villa Orleans, but when strong rains come, the water gets cloudy. The coolest area to go snorkeling in Rincon, is called Tres Palmas Marine reserve. There is a place called Steps Beach. The shore line is a slab of rock, but once you get past it, you're in an Elk Horn coral forest.
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Surfing: Occasionally we see surf at Villa Orleans. The better spots are closer to the Atlantic: Domes, Maria's Beach, and Tres Palmas. During the winter, when cold fronts come through, so do the waves, averaging 5 to 6 feet in height, at times reaching 15 to 25 feet. You can surf all along Rincon's north coast.
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Surf Boards: There are a number of places that rent out surfboards. If you don't bring your own you can always rent one. Malibu Surf Shop rents surf boards for about $25 a day. In season they rent out quickly. So does West Coast Surf Shop and Mar Azul in Puntas. The owner is another Surfrider volunteer and he lends his truck to haul out trash we pick up on the beach. During surf season surfboard rentals can get scarce.
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Surf Schools: My friend Roger has a Rincon Puerto Rico Surf School. Check it out if you'd like to learn how to surf.
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Jet skis rent out for about $75/hr. You can get those in town, as well as kayaks and surfboards. Kayaks are $10/hr. We have boogie boards at the villa. Most beach rental shops are 10 to 15 minutes away.
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Sailing: Katarina Sailing has a morning and sunset cruise. In the morning they take you snorkeling and offer food.
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Horseback Riding: 1) Rincon's Pintos "R" Us
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Restaurants: The places I visit:
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Smilin' Joes at the Lazy Parrot.
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Shipwreck's Restaurant, by the marina is another great restaurant. They catered a wedding at Villa Orleans, and the food was wonderful.
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Pool's Beach in Puntas is a great place for poolside beers and sushi. They have some of the best sushi and Dim Sum on the island.
- SuperFoods, on 115, the best organic vegetarian in Rincon.
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There's a Chinese restaurant called Golden Mountain, on road 402, on the right going into Añasco. Their food is tasty and reasonable. Try their dishes with cashews and Sesame Chicken. Prices range about $7 per order and feeds two.
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Happy Burgers, in Puntas as well. Run by Trina and Mike and are usually open from 6pm - 2am. I think they're in the wrong profession. They should be comedians, they're very funny. Happy Burger is the small place connected to Brisas on the Route 413. Try their veggie burgers and veggie tacos.
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Bars: Many owners know each other. To avoid competing with one another, Happy Hours are staggered. These bars serve food.
Tamboo Tavern: Beachfront Bar. Monday: open mike night/jamming night Friday: live music Saturday: dj’s Happy Hour: 7-9 pm everyday
Calypso Café: Beachfront Bar. Open 7 days a week 11am –close Sunset Happy Hour: 5-7pm
Rock Bottom: Happy Hour: 4-7pm Monday – Friday
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Art Galleries: Two places I recommend: Mango Beach in Puntas, because they sell local arts and tropical crafts. The owners are wonderful folks who help out with animal rescue in Puntas. The Secret Garden Art Gallery, also sells local tropical art, jewelry and crafts. Also check out Etnica, handmade jewelry, sandals, clothings and souvenirs. It's behind the Catholic church at the plaza.
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Rincon Pottery- Art in pottery. We have a few of Miri Hardy's pieces in the gallery.
- Grocery Stores: There are 4 supermarkets in Rincon. I like Econo. It has a nice selection of foods and prices are reasonable. Keep in mind grocery stores don't open till 11 am on Sundays.
- Hospital: Across the street is the hospital. Their emergency room is inexpensive. Visits cost between $60 to $90.
- Casinos: There are two: The Holiday Inn, and Mayagüez Resort, the better one. Our guests from Portland won $250 quickly and left while they were ahead.
- Tennis Courts/Free Gym: Less than 8 minutes are public tennis courts, and a gym. The gym is a local secret, and if you pump out and don't want a miss a work out on vacation, this is the place.
- Golf: In Aguadilla, Punta Borinquen Golf Club is the nearest golf course. Guests like this facility.
- Yoga Retreats
- Zoo: There's a Zoo in Mayagüez. It's great for kids.
Coffee Shops: There are two coffee shops. Surf's Up off of 115. They sell goodies and nick knack
tropical crafts. Banana Dang up on 413: serves smoothies, veggie and non veggie breakfasts. They are good. They have wi-fi and three computers if you forgot your laptop.
