Rincon, Puerto Rico Tourist Attractions
|
|
Called "Pueblo del Surfing" (Surfing Town) and "Little Malibu", Rincón is known to Puerto Ricans as a "Gringo Paradise". The dominant language in the area is English, as many foreign surfers make this town their home. Rincón's history can be traced back to the 16th C, when the region was comprised of sugarcane plantations. Rincón offers many reef-lined Atlantic Ocean beaches and close proximity to the La Cadena Mountains. The town became a surfing mecca after the World Surfing Championships in 1968, when images of Rincón and the frequent 15ft/5m high waves were transmitted worldwide. Rincón also offers diving and whale-watching opportunities.
Isla Desecheo
Visible in the distance from the Rincon Lighthouse, the Isla Desecheo is located 21 km / 13 mi off the west coast of Puerto Rico. Isla Desecheo has had an interesting past. No evidence of mankind living here prior to Columbus has ever been found, however, since that time Isla Desecheo has been popular with pirates, bandits, and the US Army who used it for bombing practice and survival training in the early 1950's.In 1983 Isla Desecheo was given to the US Fish and Wildlife Services and designated as a National Wildlife Refuge.Today, Isla Desecheo is a popular place for diving with interesting reef formations and crystal clear waters.
El Faro Light House (Punta Higuero Lighthouse and Maritime Museum)
This lighthouse at Punta Higüero was built in 1892 and restored in 1922 after surviving an earthquake, tidal wave and numerous hurricanes. The lighthouse rises almost 100ft/30m and has been powered since 1933, helping ships navigate through the Mona Passage. Inside the lighthouse is a small maritime museum displaying artifacts from ship-wrecks (some from Spanish galleons) and provides information on the local maritime history. However, the view out over the ocean from the lighthouse is the main attraction at Punta Higüero.
