Where to Stay in Rincon (Best Places & Areas)

4 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Rincon

Located on Puerto Rico’s west coast, Rincón is a popular destination for whale watching, surfing, horseback riding, snorkeling, and beach bumming. Out of the ten different neighborhoods that compose the town, four main neighborhoods on the coast are ideal for staying at during your vacation. Let’s review them one by one:

Puntas

👉 Best Area For Sightseeing | ✨ Best Puntas Hotels: Casa Verde Hotel • Lazy Parrot Inn and Mini Resort • Casa Isleña

Puntas is one of the coastal neighborhoods of Rincón and is my recommended place to stay in the town if you’re interested in sightseeing, surfing, and whale watching. Here you can find the Punta Higuero Lighthouse, the BONUS plant, which used to be a nuclear plant.

Puntas is also home to some of the local surfers’ preferred beaches, including Domes Beach, Maria’s Beach, and Sandy Beach. You will also find some of the top-rated hotels in the city like the Lazy Parrot Inn and Mini Resort, which is also budget-friendly.

Pros of Staying in Puntas:

• Close to beaches
• Top-rated Rincón hotels
• Lots of restaurants
• Best place to see whales
• Surf shops
• Close to Aguada

Con of Staying in Puntas:

• Restaurants are pricey
• Beaches have strong currents
• Not pedestrian-friendly

Rincón Pueblo

👉 Best Area For Walking | ✨ Best Rincón Pueblo Hotels: Que Chévere • Rincón Plaza Hotel

Rincón Pueblo offers visitors that cozy town center feeling along with a great location next to one of the main beaches in Rincón. Rincón Pueblo also features restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, and bars, which means you don’t need to rent a car to enjoy the area.

Within walking distance of the town center, you’ll find Rincón Public Beach, with parking, showers, bathrooms, and companies to rent water sports gear.

If you’re in town on Thursdays, catch Noches de Galería, a local gathering with music, dancing, and art. Stay at the Rincón Plaza Hotel to be centrally located in the town center, within walking distance of the plaza.

From here you can also visit the Tres Palmas Nature Reserve, one of my favorite activities in Puerto Rico.

Pros of Staying in Rincón Pueblo:

• Walkable area
• Lots of restaurants 
• Close to the beach

Con of Staying in Rincón Pueblo:

• Restaurants are expensive

Barrio Pueblo

👉 Best Area For Beachfront Hotels and Apartment Rentals | ✨ Best Barrio Pueblo Hotels: Coconut Palms Inn • Rincon Of The Seas Grand Caribbean Hotel • Villa Cofresí

Not to be confused with Rincón Pueblo, the Barrio Pueblo neighborhood has dozens of hotels and apartment rentals a few steps from the beach.

This area also is home to the Gastropark 115, a food truck park with all sorts of foods and live entertainment on the weekends. You will also find apartments in this neighborhood for less than $200 a night.

I recommend staying at the Villa Cofresí Hotel, which is right by the beach and it’s also budget-friendly.

Pros of Staying in Barrio Pueblo:

• Variety of hotels and apartment rentals
• Beachfront location
• Lots of restaurants
• Close to the center of the city

Con of Staying in Barrio Pueblo:

• Hotels can be pricey

Barrero

👉 Best Area For Relaxing | ✨ Best Barrero Hotels: The Villas at the Horned Dorset Primavera • Rincon Beach Resort

While Rincón is one of the most beautiful cities on the west coast, it gets crowded, especially during the weekends. If you want to stay in a more private area of Rincón, Barrero is an ideal location.

In Barrero, you can find apartment rentals for less than $150 a night, with amazing views of the beach.

You also choose to stay in Rincon Beach Resort, which is officially on Añasco but it’s a three-minute drive from Barrero, to enjoy both cities.

Pros of Staying in Barrero:

• Relaxing ambiance
• Great sunsets
• Budget-friendly apartment rentals

Cons of Staying in Barrero:

• Far from main beaches
• Not many restaurants 

Tips for Staying in Rincón

Travel in the Low Season

From August to November it’s the low season for visiting Puerto Rico. But that means you can get the best hotel deals and explore the city without the crowds. Although some beaches like Playa Domes might have strong currents, you can always enjoy Rincon’s Public Beach and Steps Beach’s natural pools.

And then, Opt for Free Cancellation

September, October, and November are low-season months because of the hurricane season in Puerto Rico. Although it’s generally safe to visit Puerto Rico during this period, book your lodging with a platform that features free cancellation. That way, in case of an emergency, you can cancel without losing your money. 

Stay in Town

Rincon’s town center is within walking distance of the beach. If you want to avoid renting a car in the city, but still want to experience multiple restaurants and the warm beaches of the west, opt for staying in Rincón Pueblo.

👉 Planning More Puerto Rico Adventures? Don’t miss my list of the 41 best places to go in Puerto Rico.

Or Rent a Car

If you want more flexibility to move between the different attractions of Rincón, I recommend renting a car. Some coastal streets in Rincón are slim and lack traffic lights, but overall it’s safe to drive around the city. Use Discover Cars to get a great deal with your rental car. 

Read my guide to renting a car in Puerto Rico to learn more about how to get a rental the smart way in Puerto Rico.

Check Out Apartment and Guest Houses

There are plenty of hotels in Rincon, including some really cheap hotels, but if you find the average nightly price doesn’t fit your budget, look for additional options for your stay, like an apartment rental or a guest house. 

You can browse apartment rentals on VRBO and rentals on Booking, and often find deals for less than $70 the night.

🧳 Always Forget to Pack Something? Then don’t miss my Puerto Rico packing checklist for a list of all the things you need to bring to Puerto Rico.

Read Previous Guest Reviews

Whether you’re using a booking platform or booking directly with the hotel, do research on the place you’re choosing for your stay in Rincón (or any hotel in Puerto Rico, for that matter). Small details like the lack of ocean views can ruin your vacation if you were expecting otherwise.

Be Mindful of Locals

Rincón is one of the towns in Puerto Rico that has a gentrification problem. The abundance of expats and foreigners in the area is high in comparison with other neighboring towns. It’s the cause of the high cost of living in the city among many other problems. Treat locals, their culture, and spaces with respect to avoid any possible disputes.

How to Get to Rincon

If you are one of the many travelers who will visit Rincón from San Juan, check out my detailed guide on getting from San Juan to Rincon for a breakdown of exactly how to plan your transportation.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Rincón

Is Rincon worth visiting?

Rincón is worth visiting for beach lovers, surfers, and watersports enthusiasts for its beautiful beaches and colorful sunsets, and it’s also one of the best spots on the island to do whale watching. There are a lot of popular things to do in Rincón.

Is Rincon Puerto Rico safe for tourists?

Rincón is one of the safest cities in Puerto Rico for tourists, as it’s one of the most visited destinations by travelers and is also home to many expats. See our guide on safety when visiting Puerto Rico for important precautions to practice when traveling the island.

Is Rincon Puerto Rico nice?

Rincón is a nice destination for enjoying the beaches of Puerto Rico and the warmth of the Caribbean. The city also features amazing restaurants, top hotels, and historical structures like the Punta Higuero Lighthouse.

Is Rincon Puerto Rico expensive?

Rincón is an expensive city in comparison with the surrounding cities of Añasco and Aguada, but most attractions are free and visitors can save money by cooking their meals on an apartment rental or choosing a budget hotel. Budget travelers should brush up on our Puerto Rico budget tips before visiting.

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That’s it for my guide to where to stay in Rincón. Before you go, bookmark all our Rincon travel guides, and especially be sure to check out the top activities to enjoy in Rincon.