San Juan to Rincon (3 Best Ways to Go, By a Local)

a large body of water with palm trees

If you’re visiting Puerto Rico and wondering how to get from San Juan to Rincon, then you’ve come to the right place!

Located on the west side of Puerto Rico, Rincón is the perfect Caribbean destination to enjoy breathtaking sunsets and catch waves at the beach.

But, the logistics of getting to what’s considered one of the best places to visit in Puerto Rico often stop travelers from visiting.

I’m a Puerto Rico local who’s been to Rincon, and I’ve put together a guide to help you get from San Juan to Rincon.

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3 Ways to Get From San Juan to Rincon (& Back)

Rincon boasts some of the , and Rincon beaches attract beach buffs and surfers from around the world.

Visitors who want to get from San Juan to Rincon have 3 main ways to get to the city and back. The methods by land include driving or taking a San Juan to Rincon shuttle.

While Rincon doesn’t have a commercial airport, travelers who want to go to Rincon can fly between multiple Puerto Rico airports.

They can fly from San Juan Airport to the Mayaguez or Aguadilla airports and from there transport to Rincon by land. 

Let’s break these methods into more detail.

From San Juan to Rincon By Car

🚍 Best for: Freedom to explore, saving money
💵 Cost: $$
👉 Where to Book:Discover Cars

a car that is parked in front of a building

Since public transportation doesn’t run around the entire island, most visitors opt for renting a vehicle at the San Juan Airport to get to Rincon.

Driving from San Juan to Rincon takes almost three hours depending on the route and the time of the day, but driving is the most flexible and cheapest way to reach the city. 

Pros of a Car: 

  • Flexibility to explore
  • Cheapest transportation for long-term stays
  • Not being limited by transportation hours

Cons of a Car: 

  • Pricey for one person
  • Driving in a foreign place
  • Long-distance driving
  • Long travel time

From San Juan to Rincón by Plane

🚍 Best for: Saving time
💵 Cost: $$$$
👉 Where to Book:Expedia,Discover Cars,Cape Air,Linear Air Taxi

a large white building with a lot of windows

If you’re short on time, then the quickest way to get from San Juan to Rincon is by taking a direct flight from San Juan Airport to Rincon’s nearby cities. 

Rincon itself doesn’t have an airport. But, both Cape Air and Linear Air Taxi airlines offer flights to the Mayaguez Airport and the Aguadilla Airport.

The travel time is usually under 45 minutes. From these airports, visitors can rent a car or take a shuttle to Rincon. 

Also, you can fly directly to Aguadilla or Mayaguez from the United States.

Pros of a Plane: 

  • Fastest way to transport 
  • Flights options from San Juan and mainland USA
  • Easy to book a flight ticket through the internet

Cons of a Plane: 

  • Pricey flights and tickets
  • Having to transfer by land
  • Limited airlines and daily flights

From San Juan to Rincón by Shuttle

🚍 Best for: Comfort
💵 Cost: $$$
👉 Where to Book:Go Puerto Rico Shuttle,Linea Sultana

Another way to get from San Juan to Rincon is by shuttle. This method is the best to avoid driving in a foreign place. 

Private shuttle companies like Go Puerto Rico Shuttle are flexible with pick-up and drop-off locations, but you’ll have to book ahead of your trip.

Linea Sultana is an alternative to a private shuttle. This bus works like a carro público, one of the main transportation methods in Puerto Rico.

It has a fixed fare of $35 from San Juan to Mayaguez, from where you can take another shuttle or carro público to Rincon.

Pros of a Shuttle: 

  • Flexibility with pick up and drop off
  • Adapts to your itinerary
  • Cheap if paid between multiple persons

Cons of a Shuttle: 

  • Lack of flexibility to explore
  • Needing to coordinate/make a reservation in advance
  • Having to wait for pick-up/drop-off

3 Tips For Getting Between San Juan and Rincón

Rent a Vehicle

a car driving down a road next to a body of water

There isn’t a system of buses or trains that runs around Puerto Rico like in other Latin American places.

So, if you want to explore the island at your own pace without worrying about pick-up times or finding a flight ticket, then it’s best to rent a car in Puerto Rico.

Use Discover Cars to rent ahead of time, find cheap prices, and get the model you’re looking for.

Explore Other Nearby Puerto Rican Cities

a woman sitting on a beach next to a body of water

If you’re heading to the west coast during your trip to Puerto Rico, then make sure to plan a stop in nearby Puerto Rican cities like Aguada.

The Rincon Beach Resort sports a prime location between Añasco and Rincon, Puerto Rico, making it possible to visit two cities at once. 

Other cities worth adding to your Puerto Rico road trip if you’re staying in Rincón include Isabela,Aguadilla, and Cabo Rojo.

If you’re heading south from Rincon, don’t miss a stop in La Parguera, Guánica, or Ponce.

These destinations offer fun activities to do in Puerto Rico and can make your trip even better.

Check out our Puerto Rico travel guidesto find out what to do in each city.

Stay for a Few Days

a beach with palm trees and palm trees

If you’re a beach lover visiting Rincon then you’ll definitely need to stay in Rincon for more than a day. 

The beaches in Rincon are great for snorkeling, swimming, surfing, fishing, or simply relaxing.

Rincon also features weekly cultural activities in its town square and is one of the best spots in Puerto Rico to go whale watching during the winter. 

FAQs About Going From San Juan to Rincon

Is it safe to drive from San Juan to Rincón?

Driving from San Juan to Rincon is safe. Visitors traveling from Old San Juan to Rincon will take the José de Diego Highway/PR 22 and then the PR-2, the route with the shortest driving distance making the trip quick and direct without any curvy roads.

📚 Related Reading: Is Puerto Rico Safe for Travel?

Is Rincón worth visiting?

Rincon offers many interesting things to do and a lot of beaches for swimming, surfing, fishing, and hiking. Rincón also offers some of the best sunsets on the west coast of Puerto Rico and is worth the time of all visitors.

What airport do you fly into for Rincón?

Flights depart from the San Juan Airport towards the Mayaguez and Aguadilla Airports, from where visitors can reach Rincon by land. Rincon doesn’t have a commercial airport for direct flights from San Juan.

How do you get to Rincón from SJU?

To get to Rincon, Puerto Rico from the San Juan Airport, travelers need to book a flight with Cape Air Airlines and arrive at the Mayaguez Airport. From there, they can get to Rincon by land. Visitors with a higher budget can also book a flight with Linear Air Airlines from Isla Grande Airport in San Juan to Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla.

Map of How to Get Between San Juan and Rincón

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Thanks for reading about the best ways to get from San Juan to Rincon! For some amazing activities in the area, check out my picks for the top things to do in Rincon. Enjoy Rincon!

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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