100 miles (161km) W of San Juan, 6 miles (9.7km) N of Mayagüez
North of Mayagüez, on the westernmost point of the island, lies the small fishing village of Rincón, in the foothills of La Cadena mountains. It's not a sightseeing destination unto itself, but surfers from as far away as New Zealand say the area's reef-lined beaches, off Route 2 between Mayagüez and Rincón, are the best in the Caribbean. Surfers are particularly attracted to Playa Higüero, the beach at Punta Higüero, on Route 413, which ranks among the finest surfing spots in the world. During winter, uninterrupted swells from the North Atlantic form perfect waves, averaging 5 feet to 6 feet (1.5m-1.8m) in height, with ridable rollers sometimes reaching 15 feet to 25 feet (4.5m-7.5m).
The best snorkeling is at a beach gringos have labeled "Steps." The waters here are more tranquil than at the beaches attracting surfers. Steps lies right off Route 413, just north of the center of Rincón.
Endangered humpback whales winter here, attracting a growing number of whale-watchers from December to March. The lighthouse at El Faro Park is a great place to spot these mammoth mammals.
Many nonsurfers visit Rincón for only one reason: the Horned Dorset Primavera Hotel, not only one of the finest hotels in Puerto Rico, but one of the best in the entire Caribbean.
