Coastal Puerto Rico is warm and humid throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from the low 70’s to the high 80’s. Hurricanes occasionally make landfall from June to September. Temperatures are significantly cooler inland, especially in the mountains.
JetBlue and Continental fly daily from New York to Ponce and Aguadilla, a half-hour’s drive from Rincón. Spirit Airlines flies daily to Aguadilla from Fort Lauderdale.
Km 3.0, Carr. 429, Rincón; 800/633-1857 or 787/823-4030; horneddorset.com; doubles from $970.
75 Cristina, Ponce; 800/448-8355 or 787/842-0260; hotelmeliapr.com; doubles from $105.
A low-key hotel near the Guánica Dry Forest. Km 6.7, Carr. 333, Casa 25, Guánica; 787/821-3600; maryleesbythesea.com; doubles from $100.
Km 2.5 on Ramal 527; 787/828-1717; haciendagripinas.com; doubles from $125, including dinner and breakfast.
María’s Beach, Rincón; no phone.
75 Cristina, Ste. 1, Ponce; 787/ 284-6275; marksatthemelia.net; dinner for two $95.
Outdoor dining near Rincón’s marina. Black Eagle Marina, Rincón; 787/823-0578; dinner for two $60.
Climb up waterfalls during a daylong hike in the Toro Negro rain forest. 787/706-0695; acampapr.com; $149.
Dozens of motorboats at La Parguera waterfront take passengers out to this eerie natural wonder ($5).
51-53 Calle Reina Isabel, Ponce; 787/844-7071.
Get a 1 1/2-hour lesson with International Surfing Associationaccredited Ramses Morales. 787/617-4731; surflessonspuertorico.com; $65.
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