My husband and I (we are in our early 30s) are looking for a fun, relaxing and inexpensive 4 night get away from Boston in late February. We had ruled out the Caribbean as being too expensive but then saw an article about Rincon in the NY Times last week. It looks like just what we want - laid back, some inexpensive hotels, not too touristy, etc. I found a good flight but now I'm having a few doubts and would appreciate some advice.

I know Rincon is a big surfing spot. Are there also beaches in the area that have smaller surf that are good for swimming or snorkling? We'll be there in february. Are the beaches clean? I heard some mention of beaches not being as clean as they could be.

If we go, we'll fly into San Juan and rent a car. Assuming we don't stay at an inn right on the beach, is it easy to drive to the beaches? any parking issues?

Our alternative in Sanibel Island in Florida which looks nice but not as much fun and the weather is more risky in Florida. i've never been there so feel free to comment on that too.

Please let me know if you have any good hotel or restaurant suggestions. We are looking at staying at the Lazy Parrot, Lemontree, Beside the Pointe or Los Angeles del Mar.

I have been to PR before and really liked it but never to the west coast.

Thanks for the advice!

We stayed in Rincon last year, but at the Rincon Beach Resort. We loved it. The Rincon Beach Resort has a really nice long beach that is great for swimming, but the water didn't seem that clear for snorkleing. I'm sure you can access that beach from other places. This beach really is away from the inns that you mentioned...farther to the south.
This area is not very touristy. We had to go to the Lazy Parrot to buy t shirts and stuff for the kids. The Lazy Parrot was nice and laid back, with very entertaining birds. Looked like a great place to stay. The beaches that they surf on make for poor swimming...some coral and very rough water. We still got in the water to cool off and stuff...husband and son were surfing. I did not think that the beaches were dirty. You can drive to the beaches and parking isn't a problem....possibly parking problem around some of the inns you mentioned. Check that out. We liked Rincon so much that we brought home the little bumper stickers that say "rte 413, road to happiness." That's the rte that goes to the surfing beaches. And since we returned home to Maine we've seen these stickers on another car. How funny. Rincon was right up our alley, but not if you're looking for glitz and glamour.

We stayed at the Lazy Parrot a couple of years ago. We were happy with it, but it is fairly basic and a fair ways from the water. Very pleasant staff and excellent restaurant though. We had several meals there. It is a very quiet and non-touristy area. We were there in June, which I understand is not a season for surf, so the fact that the beaches we saw were pretty quiet may not hold in February. However, there are a reasonable number of popular swimming beaches in that region. We never encountered a parking problem.

Any other thoughts on how whether the water will be too rough in February for swimming or whether there are protected beaches in the area? I know winter is prime surfing time in the area. I need to make my decision in the next day or so. thanks for your help

I stayed at Corcega Beach Condo, http://www.corcegabeachcondos.com/condo.htm, which is a well equipped condo on the beach on the south side of the point, which should not be subject to the swells.
This was a nice place, with a nice beach, but the snorkeling is not good. A tiny bit of coral, and the sand obscures the visibility.

I also stayed at Pools Beach, which is on the north side of the point. http://home.coqui.net/beach/index.htm This place has rooms by the beach, and a house by the swimming pool, set back on the hill. We stayed in the house, which seems like your in the canopy of the rain forest. It is rustic though. My understanding is that the 'Pool', as in Pools Beach, allows for swimming in spite of the winter swells, but I'm not sure of that. I don't believe the snorkeling is good in the winter.

You can go snorkeling at Desecheo Island of the coast, with Taino Divers. http://www.tainodivers.com/

From Rincon, you can reach the caves, the Arecibo Telescope (James Bond Movie scene), a bioluminescent bay in Parguera, within about an hour. The Rain Forest is on the other side of the island, but we stopped there before we went to the airport. Old San Juan and El Morro are beautiful, but you have probably been there.

Hope this helps.