Read the article for all the fabulous things to do in Rincon, Puerto Rico. But first check out the view!
There are lots of things you can do to prepare for winter in Manhattan. In no particular order, it’s important to have: liquor, face masks, heavy slippers, large books, cozy blankets and plane tickets.
The plane tickets are the most sure-fire solution. With my 2019 warm weather escape, I decided to kill two birds with one stone.
1. Escape the drudgery of cold Manhattan. There is only so much time a girl can devote to shivering and playing with the steam heat radiator.
2. Rediscover Puerto Rico! Since Hurricane Maria I have felt a swell of Puerto Rican…pride? curiosity? I wanted to support them as they tried to navigate the aftereffects of the storm.
My musings took me to Rincon. All I can say is–there are lows in the twenties in NYC next week and it’s not too late to book a ticket. Read below for some travel suggestions.
Five Fabulous Things to do In Rincon, Puerto Rico
1. Surfing
There is surfing in Rincon for literally everyone. If you’re a beginner, head to Maria’s Beach for an easy reef break with friendly 1-3 foot waves. This is where I was surfing (I took a lesson with Skudin Surf and highly recommend them). If you’re advanced and the surf is up, Tres Playas has 10-15 foot swells. Every little beach has a break to explore and it’s all very accessible with relatively easy parking.
2. Shopping
You know what Puerto Rico needs right now? People to come and spend money in their local businesses. There are tons of cute little shops up and down the main street of Rincon town.
3. Yoga
I try hard to be a ‘yoga person’ (not in a ‘crystal-on-my-heart-chakra way, but more in a ‘I-want-to-be-strong-and-flexible’ way). But my favorite part of any yoga class, by a wide margin, is the stretching (closely followed by the lay-down-and-take-a-nap pose at the end). Barefoot Yoga and Bodega has an excellent balance in their lessons between peaceful, limbering movements and difficult, balancing postures. Also, their classes are on the beach and their shop is in a re-purposed shipping container. The whole thing is totally adorable. Highly recommend.
4. Sights
Unless you are doing the whole ‘support local businesses’ thing, you really don’t need to go to Rincon town. There is a lighthouse called El Faro de Punta Higuera, which I guess is technically a “sight” and an interesting place to walk around for about five minutes. But really, you thing you should focus your energy on is going to the beach. Sandy Beach and Tres Playas both have lots of space for towels, Maria’s is a little more cramped but excellent for exploring tide pools.
5. Food, Drink, Lodging
I stayed in Puntas, at an adorable hotel called Serenity Rincon, which I would highly recommend. The rooms are no-frills but the views are incredible. If you’re traveling with a group, there are a lot of houses and apartments right on the water that you can rent. I was a little nervous because it didn’t seem like there was a ton of information about the different areas of Rincon online, but everything was very safe and accessible. Some great spots to eat and drink are: Jakes Java (for coffee/smoothies), Pool Bar Sushi (for dinner/drinks), The Beach House (for lunch, dinner or sunset views-see photo below), Kahuna Bar and Grill (for burgers and margs), Tamboo (for drinks, the food is meh but the view is wonderful).
View of El Faro from The Beach House below. Have fun!
