When you think of catching a wave, your mind might automatically head toward Hawaii. But did you know that Puerto Rico is actually an amazing surfing destination? In fact, the west coast of Puerto Rico, where Rincon and Maria’s Beach is located, is known as the Surf Capital of the Caribbean! Whether you’re a pro surfer or a beginner, a paddle boarder or long board rider, Puerto Rico holds many great opportunities for catching a wave.
How did Maria’s become a surfing destination?
It was surfing that put Rincon, home of Maria’s, on the map, when the town was home to the 1968 World Surfing Championship. ABC’s Wide World of Sports covered the competition, which marked the first time a surfing competition was covered by network television sports. At that time, Maria’s Beach was known as Rincon Point. It was as the surfers came to know Maria Garcia, original owner of Maria’s, that they began to affectionately refer to the area as Maria’s Beach, and over time the name stuck.
Since that time, surfing has become one of the main attractions to Maria’s Beach. The 1988 and 2007 World Surfing Championships, along with many qualifying heats, have also been held in Rincon. But what if you’re not a pro surfer, and would just like to learn how you can enjoy surfing in Puerto Rico? Luckily, you can sign up for surfing lessons at one of the area’s surf schools. Many times, former pro surfers or people with decades of surfing experience under their belts operate these schools, so you know the lessons you receive will be from experts in the field of surfing! If learning to surf has always been a dream, Puerto Rico is the place to do it!
Can anyone surf in Rincon?
Of course, the best surfing spot in Rincon, Puerto Rico is dependent on your level of ability. For beginners, Domes, Sandy Beach and Antonio’s Beach are all great choices. Bodyboarders can find their place in the surf at Little Malibu and the Spanish Wall, and experienced surfers enjoy Tres Palmas, Dogman’s, and of course, Maria’s Beach. When you stay at Maria’s, you’ll have full access to surfing at Maria’s beach.
As described on the Surf Rincon Puerto Rico website, Maria’s Beach is “a popular break right underneath Calypso Cafe. The waves break relatively close to the shore here, so you won’t have to paddle out much. Attracts the biggest crowds, but not very beginner-friendly. The Point is the beginning of Maria’s toward the right and is only distinguished from it when the surf is low. When Maria’s is big, a wave can run from here through Dogman’s. The Pistons is a portion of Maria’s named after the shipwreck’s engine pistons that remain lodged in the water. The prominent pistons can be dangerous if you get caught up in them.”
Where can I stay during my surfing vacation?
No matter what your level of surfing ability, you can find your surfer’s paradise in Rincon, Puerto Rico. At Maria’s, we’ll be happy to assist you not only with your accommodations, but we’ll also be pleased to help you make the most of surfing in Puerto Rico while you’re with us. When you’re ready to start planning your surfing vacation of a lifetime, give us a call at 787-685-6648 (español: 787-449-3673), or use our convenient online contact form to tell us more about you and your vacation plans. We look forward to having you “hang ten” with us!
My husband and I had our wedding and reception at Maria’s. We rented the property for three days/nights. We wanted to make our destination wedding as accessible as possible for our family and friends. Maria’s was the perfect place. Twelve of our closest friends and family shared the house. I was so impressed that Maria’s had everything we needed, even little things like laundry detergent.