Accessible Travel Guide: 24 Hours in Rincón

Morning: Sip & Savor

The city’s laid-back pace and peaceful beaches lend a decidedly chill vibe, so ease into your day by enjoying a locally-grown coffee and an acai bowl at Café 2 Go, a seaside shack with accessible parking, smooth sidewalks, and good curb mobility. The baristas are known to write uplifting messages on coffee cups or sneak a little extra chocolate into frappes. After breakfast, shop in Rincón’s lively town center. This bustling plaza offers full-on Island-style with unique boutiques, local bakeries, and several surf shops, of course.

Later, get a taste of the city’s small art galleries and souvenir shops. Secret Garden Art Gallery and Galería Exodo exhibit paintings and crafts by local artisans. Shops like Playa Oeste highlight an assortment of original art, photography, pottery, gemstones, and sea glass.

Please note that not all of Rincón is walkable, and public transportation is limited. While shopping around the city, travelers with special mobility needs may benefit from renting an accessible vehicle.

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Afternoon: Views & Vistas

You’ll want to fuel up for adventure, so stop by Red Flamboyán, which takes its name from the brilliant cherry-red flowers that frame its exterior. Enjoy authentic Criollo cuisine, like crispy alcapurrias, bright shrimp ceviche, and specialty cocktails.

Later, cruise with companies like West Coast Charters or Oceans Unlimited to see humpback whales and kingfish jump through deep-blue waters. When you’re back on land, stop by Faro de Punta Higüera, a lighthouse built in 1852. The first-floor maritime museum offers engaging exhibits and artwork, and the spacious grounds are great for watching surfers ride Atlantic Ocean waves. The park is wheelchair accessible with accessible parking, paved walkways, and ramps.

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Evening: Domes & Drinks

A short two-minute drive from the lighthouse is Domes Beach, which gets its name from a green, dome-like building nearby. Rich green palms and honey-gold sand seem to magnify sunsets at Domes, which are recognized as some of the best on this side of the Island. Travelers who use a wheelchair may need to secure an amphibious wheelchair to navigate the sand beforehand.

End the day at upscale restaurant La Copa Llena at the Black Eagle, which offers a cool, romantic vibe and clear views of Black Eagle Marina. Enjoy dishes like bratwurst tapas and camarones fritos (buttermilk-fried shrimp topped with passionfruit remoulade). Later, wind down with a rum cocktail at Tamboo Seaside Grill, whose deck extends over Sandy Beach.