Puerto Rico Surf December-

stay at jobos.
when the swell hits rent a car and hit rincon.
when the swell stops back to jobos.
yes there are nasty-types at jobos.
sidestep 'em like everybody else does.
also in general be careful - in and out da water - with spongers.

 

^^^^^^

Yeah the North coast is a better option. Personally I like to stay in Aguadilla. Jobos and Middles is always crowded and the wind comes up early. If theres little swell get up early and go to Isabella for the AM. I used to stay at Shacks and the the drive up and down the hill from Isabella to Surfers and Wildos got tiresome. Better vibes and more peaceful in the Wildos area. If the swell gets big head down to Rincon for the day. Rincon can be a zoo with tons of touristas. Aguadilla is centrally located so leaving the beach to go back to your place ain't so bad provided your staying on Ramey Base.

 

Palmas vacation rentals has a lot of affordable options on Ramey Base. The places are clean with all amenities and the management is very helpful.

http://www.palmaspr.com/

 

I'd stay on the North coast. You can be in the water at first light at Middles or Jobos then head to Wilderness when the morning breeze starts. If there is real swell you can head to Rincon. You'll never get skunked on the North coast but Rincon can get pretty flat.

 

Always wanted to go to Puerto for my first surf trip... Might go for a graduation trip/gift with my dad.

 

this is a GREAT location...but you might need a car.

 

Just rent a car - all the breaks are relatively close to each other.

 

Definitely want a car, to travel around. North coast is super consistent, and there will always be waves there. Rincon area, is essentially a surf town and very americanized, but it can get flat spells when there are no NW swells. Rincon is has great waves when there is a NW swell, and is more often then not offshore with the trade winds. The North Coast on the other hand will often have to deal with late morning sea breezes. If you have a car, you can drive around the Rincon, Aguadilla, Isabella area quite easily.

 

I prefer Rincon. North get's blown out too early (by 9-10 am usually) and it's usually blown out all day.
Rincon has more people but better bars and restaurants.
In the unlikely event Rincon is flat or really small, you drive north for scraps.

 

Beware of speed traps. There are these "school zones" that are barely identified. Despacio, brah, dessss-paccc-iiii-oooooo.

 

When the swell comes, which happens somewhat frequently during december/january, waves are generally OH on the north coast. During those swells, Rincon is smaller but cleaner. Go to Rincon. more spots, less driving, more restaurants/bars.

 

That is what I've always done. Stayed in Rincon, and drove north when we wanted.

 

Agree to stay in Rincon. Fly JetBlue into BQN out of JFK and you will be in the water by 11 am. Then head to Rincon for some afternoon surf. You can rent a decent board at Unlimited Surf right by the airport. Every morning wake up early and surf North till wind picks up around 10-11 then get some food then head back to Rincon for afternoon session. After that, grab a few beers / dinner in Rincon then crash. Wash, rinse, repeat each day! Last day surf north, return board, hop on plane. Have done this quite a few times and always has worked for me.

 

If you fly in to BQN ou of JFK you should be waiting for the sun to come up to surf. I always take the 11:59 Pm flight and have my car by 5:30... Sitting Surfers or Wildo and wait for first light

 

Villa tropical is a pretty good place to stay. Right on shacks beach. Affordable condos overlooking the water.

 

and it has as much empty beach as one could want....

 

www.vrbo.com #214129 is the best deal on the island