Last year, I shared with you my tips for a Puerto Rico road trip along the east coast of the island. Recently, as I produced my book, Dining Traveler Guide to Puerto Rico, I had the opportunity to explore the west coast of the island on a Puerto Rico road trip not once but twice this year. The west coast is more laid back and filled with local charm. You get to experience the calm waters of Cabo Rojo to the surfer friendly beaches of Rincon. Expedia.com heard about my upcoming trip and asked me to share my picks for a west coast road trip of Puerto Rico.
Getting there: a drive to the west coast of Puerto Rico will take you from 2-3 hours from San Juan. Additionally, Jet Blue also offers routes to smaller airports such as Aguadilla and Ponce, brining you closer to the west coast. Renting a car is easy in Puerto Rico. For my latest trip, I booked my car rental via Expedia.com where I got a great deal with Sixt Rent a Car. Dining Traveler Tip: when looking for a car rental, consider booking from a rental off-terminal for a steep discount. Many like Sixt offer a complimentary shuttle to/from airport. People complain about traffic in Puerto Rico but if you’re coming from places such as DC, you will look at locals crazy when they complain about “el tapon” (traffic jam).
West Coast of Puerto Rico Road Trip Itinerary:
Day 1 & 2: Arrive in Cabo Rojo. I suggest starting in this town as it is the southernmost point of the island and working your way north along the coast. Cabo Rojo is filled with calm waters which I love to call “nature’s swimming pool”. If you are traveling with small children, I recommend Combate Beach, Playa Buye, and Playa Sucia as the beaches are shallow and relatively surf-free. Perfect for swimming. For the nature lovers: Cabo Rojo is also filled with natural wonders such as the Salinas de Cabo Rojo. These salt mines give the protected area pink sandy beaches, perfect for photos. Punta Guaniquilla has cave-like rock formations and the Puente de Piedra is also a not-to-miss attraction.
Bathing Suit by Spanx
In the evening, take a 30-minute drive to La Parguera in the neighboring town of Lajas, where you can hop on a boat to the bioluminescent area. Due to environmental challenges, the organisms do not shine as bright as they used to, but the $9 boat ride under the stars is still worth it.
Where to eat: I was hesitant to go to Annie’s Place as it seemed very touristy. However, I was proved wrong. The fresh passion fruit sangria was one of the best cocktails I’ve had in Puerto Rico. Dining Traveler Tip: plan your dinners at sunset, they are pretty epic on the west coast of Puerto Rico! Snacks for the beach? Go to the fruit stand of Parada La 100 for cold coconuts, papayas, and local made honey to bring home. Head to Sangre Boricua in Joyuda for their well-known craft sangria and seafood dishes.
Where to stay: Feeling adventurous? Stat at one of the most beautiful AirBNB I’ve experienced, The “Jungalo” with its outdoor kitchen and boho-chic decor. Looking for more classic accommodations? Combate Beach Resort is a local-owned small inn (Parador) with spacious rooms, direct access to the beach, and most importantly (at least for me, wi-fi). Bonus: the staff there is one of the friendliest I’ve encountered on island.
Day 3 & 4: Head to Rincon. On your way to Rincon, stop by Mayaguez for lunch. Mayaguez is the second largest city in Puerto Rico. Among locals, it is known to be a fun college town. There are two foodie items the town is known for: Brazo Gitano (jelly roll) and Sangria Fido. You cannot take a road trip to the west coast of Puerto Rico without having those! Have lunch at Ricomini Bakery. Although they have several locations, head to the one in the city center. Their sandwiches are to die for! Try one of their meaty medianoche sandwiches. There, you can also purchase your Brazo Gitano to take on the road…
Upon arriving in Rincon you may ask yourself “am I still in Puerto Rico?” as many gringos have flocked to that area for the perfect surf conditions and laid back atmosphere. My first time in Rincon years ago I took surf lessons and it was an amazing experience. The swells are not as intimidating as the ones I’ve seen in Hawaii but big enough to channel your inner surfer. Most recently, we had the chance to spend the morning with Ramse of Surf Lessons Puerto Rico, a local owned surf school at Las Marias Beach as he led a hands-on surfing class. There, you can see the beautiful people of Rincon, locals and visitors alike surfing along the coast. For the best vantage point, head to El Faro to catch all the surfing action from above.
Where to eat: Catch another epic sunset at La Copa Llena with a great happy hour ($2 medalla beers, and $4 well drinks) and delicious tapas such as flash fried cauliflower and anchovy montaditos. If you love seafood, head to La Cambija, a local-owned establishment which started as a skewer stand and has evolved into a full service restaurant. There, choose from fresh catch such as red snapper and dorado for fresh fish tacos. For those looking for a vegetarian dish, check out Jack’s Shack food truck. They have veggie friendly items such as veggie burritos and quinoa salads.
Photo by Italo Morales
Where to stay: Rincon has a great selection of vacation rentals. We were a huge fan of the AirBNB in which we stayed. If you’re looking for ultimate luxury, stay at the Horned Dorset Primavera with its Moroccan inspired rooms, breakfast with an ocean view, and a pool surrounded by the lush vegetation of the property. The owner, Austrian-born, Wilhelm has been living in Puerto Rico for 20 years. He can be seen roaming around the property with his adorable rescue dogs.
Day 5 & 6: Aguada & Aguadilla: The beauty of taking a Puerto Rico west coast road trip is the diversity you get to experience along the way when it comes to beaches. If you are a surfer, the beaches of Rincon may seem a bit crowded for you. Drive to neighboring Aguada for more swells in a much rustic environment. Head to beaches along route 441 for a more local experience.
Aguadilla is home to one of my favorite beaches in Puerto Rico, Crashboat Beach. The clear turquoise waters, the old pier where you can jump off of, transports me back to my college days when I first discovered this beach. Make sure to bring a snorkel as you can see plenty of fish swimming along the pier. Lesser known to tourists is the area called “Muelle de Azucar” (sugar pier) where if you’re brave enough you can jump from a pretty high point.
Where to Eat: One of my most epic meals I’ve had in Puerto Rico has been at Marullo, with inventive dishes such as tuna with guava sauce and curried chicken. For a light lunch, Levain Bakery is a favorite of locals in Aguadilla.
Where to Stay: If looking for a unique, affordable lodging experience, stay at Grateful Souls Hostel in Aguada. This beachfront property has shared rooms and offers activities like yoga, rainforest walks, and cooking lessons during high season. More about my stay here. If your lodging preferences are a bit more classic, the Courtyard Aguadilla offers all the classic amenities and it is closely located to Crashboat Beach. Additionally, there are many vacation rentals in this area via AirBNB and Home Away.
The verdict: if you prefer a more laid back, local experience, taking a Puerto Rico road trip on the west coast may be an option for you. The roads are a bit more rugged than San Juan or the East Coast of the island but it provides you a unique perspective of the island. From the sleeping beach of Playa Combate to the roaring waves of Rincon, the west coast of Puerto Rico is definitely an experience not to be missed. Have you taken a Puerto Rico road trip? What have been your highlights?
you rock a Spanx way better than me!!
Aww, thanks! Love their stuff!
Jessica, you have sold me on Puerto Rico. It was not on my radar until reading your blog.
After reading the post, i`m sure i will not hesitating about Puerto Rico. It would be great flying there in the summer
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