As a self-described cold-blooded East Coaster, my travels almost invariably lean toward slices of paradise wrapped in sunshine and balmy air. This year, after a period of profound change and grief for my friend group—times when being together felt especially vital—the long-discussed girls’ trip finally made it out of the group chat and into reality. Our destination was the laid-back coastal oasis of Rincón, Puerto Rico, a sanctuary that promised both a change of scenery and a collective deep breath.
The journey began the moment we touched down. The drive from the Aguadilla airport to the easygoing surf town of Rincón immediately began to melt away our lingering worries. Lush island foliage provided a natural canopy, offering both privacy and a deep sense of peace around our accommodations. By the time we pulled into our peaceful retreat at the Rincon Surf Club Airbnb, we could collectively breathe a sigh of relief. I was immediately overjoyed to discover that the balcony with the swinging hammock chair we had admired in the online listing photos was genuinely ours. It meant I could start each morning bright and early with a cup of coffee against the backdrop of a blistering Caribbean sunrise.
Stepping into this environment meant I was ready to relinquish some of my overzealous New York City tendencies. I wanted to genuinely absorb Rincón’s slower, more fluid pace of life. Following a seamless check-in process, our very first instinct was to take a dip in the crystal-clear communal pool shared with a few neighboring properties. With our swimsuits on and celebratory drinks in hand, we preemptively mapped out the week ahead. We took full stock of the communal space surrounding the pool, envisioning quiet dinners, long stretches of conversation, board games, and lazy afternoons dozing in the hammock.
Fortunately, we had a distinct advantage for navigating the local landscape: our good friend and local expert, James, who lives right in the heart of Rincón. He armed us with a comprehensive laundry list of recommendations for things to do and places to see. Among his top suggestions were the lively Art Walk in the town square and a vibrant burlesque show at Roots Restaurant, which we earmarked to cap off our week with a memorable exclamation point.
Our Airbnb served as an ideal home base, located just a short 10-to-15-minute drive from the center of town and all the nearby beaches. Most of our days ultimately fell into a comfortable rhythm, split between lounging lazily by the shared pool at home and planting ourselves on the golden sands of Playa Doña Lala for optimal sun and sea. The property itself was remarkably well-equipped, stocked with a variety of communal items designed to make our adventures effortless, including snorkeling gear, sturdy beach chairs, umbrellas, and yoga mats.
That thoughtful provisioning proved particularly useful when we signed up for an outdoor yoga class situated on a nearby horse farm at West Coast Ecuestre. Nothing quite prepares you for the profound stillness that settles in when you are elevated on a wooden platform surrounded by dense tropical trees, listening to the distant, rhythmic thunder of galloping horses and the sweet, uncomplicated sound of children laughing in the distance.
True to our resourceful New York roots—where financial pragmatism is not merely a choice but a way of life—we chose to cook the majority of our meals at home. The property’s excellent kitchen setup provided all the tools we needed to whip up comforting pasta dinners, fresh tacos, portable sandwiches for our beach excursions, and endless bowls of late-night cereal. On the occasions when we opted to dine out, we sampled some of the area’s standout culinary spots. We kicked off our mornings with breakfast at Wake and Break, enjoyed leisurely lunches at The Beach House, and treated ourselves to one of the island’s premier culinary destinations for dinner: Bakku. Securing a table required a bit of patience and a short wait, but the decadent, Japanese-inspired island dining experience proved to be well worth every minute. Standout flavors included melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu beef and imaginative, smoke-infused artisanal cocktails.
As evening turned to night, our routines settled into a peaceful cadence. Late nights were frequently spent swimming in the warm ocean under the glow of the moon. By the end of the week, a reliable daily ritual had taken shape: dinner followed by a night swim, quick showers, and a restful retreat into each of our three private bedrooms.
The primary bedroom, in particular, was a space that naturally invited lingering. On our very first night, we established a communal wardrobe inside its spacious walk-in closet, a system that felt remarkably cozy without ever crossing into feeling cramped. The other two bedrooms were similarly inviting, offering ample square footage and storage so that everyone truly retained their own sense of personal space within the shared property. While the main living areas fostered wonderful group connection and conversation, our private rooms provided the necessary sanctuary to decompress independently.
Throughout our stay, the Airbnb felt safe, secure, and comprehensively prepared for any eventuality. Even an unexpected bout of rainy weather was easily remedied by the comfort of the home itself. We spent those indoor hours watching home videos together in the living room, taking long naps across the plush king and queen beds, and lingering over meandering conversations, perfectly content to let the rain keep us indoors while we enjoyed each other’s company.
There is something uniquely joyful about discovering a new place alongside old friends. While I rarely need to travel beyond my own living room sofa to thoroughly enjoy the company of these people, I must admit that a lovely pool, spectacular views, and a touch of tropical adventure went a long way in bringing us even closer together. We often indulge in shared fantasies about the communal land we hope to live on together one day, and this Airbnb experience felt like a small, beautiful preview of that long-term dream. It provided us with far more than just a temporary place to sleep for a week; it offered a physical space to truly land, exhale, and explore the life we are constantly talking about building together.
