San Juan to Rincon; Horned Dorset
 

Am narrowing down my choices for a winter getaway, and I'm thinking very hard about staying at the Horned Dorset in Rincon (the other choice is Nisbet Plantation in Nevis). A couple of questions:

- How is the drive from San Juan to Rincon? We won't be in a particular hurry, and have enough Spanish to manage the road signs, so should we be OK?

- How are the beaches in Rincon? I know it's a surfing area, but can non-surfers enjoy the beaches too? Or will they be too rough in Feb/Mar?

- I hesitate to get a meal plan at the Horned Dorset, but want to make sure there are options for meals outside of the hotel. Are there decent places in Rincon? Don't need fancy -- fish shacks and down-home P.R. food would be great.

- Has anyone stayed at the Horned Dorset recently? Any thoughts or opinions?

Thanks in advance for any help!

I think it's about 2 hours to Rincon from San Juan (perhaps a little more or less). Much of the trip will be on a highway.

Rincon does have very nice beaches; they're not all surfing beaches, and if you drive down to Boqueron or El Combate (perhaps a half-hour), there are really nice beaches in the Cabo Rojo area.

There are some decent restaurants in Rincon, mostly cheap places. And if you are willing to drive 30 minutes you'll find many different options further down the coast as well.

Hope this helps. I haven't stayed at Horned Dorset, but I have heard nothing but good things.

Stayed at the Horned Dorset for three nights last week. FABULOUS! Links to photos and a video of our villa:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vinolov...260305/detail/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfkuHWIzNmA
We didn't eat outside of the hotel but read about (and saw) a number of decent restaurants so I wouldn't worry about getting the meal plan. We didn't get the plan, just ate off the regular menu and/or had room service (with a villa like those eating in your own suite is great).

The drive was quite easy, you won't even need your Spanish for road signs. Much of the drive is on the autopista which is hwy 2, a toll road so bring quarters to save time (some rental cars have toll tags). I think there were 3 or 4 toll booths, anywhere from 50 cents to $1.50 each.

Do be sure you print the driving directions to the hotel from their website however so you won't get lost once you get to the Rincon area (you actually go past the exit to Rincon and get to the resort from another road south of town).

Since we didn't leave the resort I also can't comment on the area beaches. The beach at the Horned Dorset is nothing to speak of but the pools are wonderful (not to mention that you will have a private plunge pool at your villa). They do have a small lawn area and beach area with chairs for sunning and kayaks for you to use if you want to try that.

It is a really special place if you want peace and quiet and romance. Not the place to go if you want nightlife or action.

Oh my, Vinolover! You've definitely confirmed that we made the right choice! I'm so psyched about going to the Horned Dorset that my thoughts leapfrog over the two trips I'll be taking before we go there in the winter.

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. We have opportunities to go back in October and/or next May. Maybe next time we'll venture off the property to see a little of Rincon.

Don't know when you are going in the winter but keep in mind that rates are about half price in the off season (April-December).

You should have a great time, Rincon is my favorite place in PR. There are many fine non-surfing beaches & make sure & try some plantains as well as some roadside foods, you can't beat them. Rincon also has a nice grocery in it as well so you can stock up on drinks & such affordably.