Surf's Up in Puerto Rico

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

Porta del Sol is the name for the west coast of the island of Puerto Rico.  The town of Rincon has long been popular amongst the world-wide surfing community.  The waves off Rincon have been the site of the World Surfing Championships (in 1968) and are frequented by the best surfers on the island as well as pro surfers from the US and Europe.  

But there is more to Rincon than riding the waves.  Most of the attractions are on the water or near it.  Boating, sailing, whale watching, snorkeling, and scuba diving are part of the water sports scene.  Also, the waters off Rincon offer some of the best sport fishing opportunities in the Caribbean.  

There are numerous beaches in the area.  These are great places to surf or watch surfers, but also to sit back in a stereotypical palm tree and blue waters setting.  Steps Beach is the best place to watch expert surfers.  Most congregate on the steps (thus the beach’s name) above the water in the morning.      

Whale watching is a seasonal activity in Rincon.  Whales are usually passing by Puerto Rico from December until March.  Mid-to-late-February is considered the best time to catch a glimpse of these giant mammals.  There are boat cruises that can get you up close to the whales, but it is often possible to see them from the shore because they float near the surface and often come up to breath.  The Rincon Lighthouse is a popular place to get a good view from the shore, especially if you have a good pair of binoculars.  It is much cheaper to watch this way than to charter a boat of buy a ticket for a whale watching tour.  

Most of the restaurants and nightlife in Rincon are laid-back affairs.  There are some great open air bars and coffee shops near the beaches.