Rio Mar & the coast · Panama
Surfing Rinconsito (Little Rincon)
A point break in Rio Mar & the coast, Panama, for intermediate and advanced surfers.
- TypePoint Break
- LevelIntermediate / Advanced
- Size3-6 ft
- Best monthsApr-Oct
- Crowd2/5
The wave
Rinconsito, or Little Rincon, is a right point on the West Panamá coast named after the Californian wave. It needs a big south-west swell to work and is small or flat most of the time.
When the size arrives it wraps around the point and peels for a long way. Because it's so inconsistent, there are rarely many people out.
8.35, -79.98 · Big S-SW swell · Open in Google Maps
When to surf Rinconsito (Little Rincon)
Rinconsito (Little Rincon) is at its best from April to October. Conditions it likes: Big S-SW swell. This is how the year looks across West Panamá Province:
| Months | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| April to June | Good | S-SW swell building; the narrow window means it's smaller than Santa Catalina |
| July to September | Prime | Peak S-SW season, best NZ lows send the optimum ~210° swell; onshore afternoons |
| October to November | Good | Onshore south winds increasingly dominate late in the season |
| December to March | Quiet | Dry season, offshore northerlies, but swells are unreliable and often flat |
Waves near Rinconsito (Little Rincon)
| Wave | Area | Type | Level | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Point (Punta Barco) | Rio Mar & the coast | Reef Break | Intermediate / Advanced | 3 km |
| Punta Teta | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate | 6 km |
| Costa Esmeralda | Rio Mar & the coast | Reef Break | Intermediate | 9 km |
| Rio Mar | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate | 17 km |
| Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii) | Rio Mar & the coast | Beach Break | Beginner / Intermediate | 18 km |
| San Carlos Point (Jeffreys) | Rio Mar & the coast | Point Break | Intermediate | 19 km |
Straight-line distances. By road it is usually further.
Getting there and staying around Rio Mar & the coast
Transport, costs and the rest of the waves in the area are in the Rio Mar & the coast surf guide →
A week here costs from about $844 with flights from Europe, or around $1,762 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →
Rinconsito (Little Rincon): common questions
When is the best time to surf Rinconsito (Little Rincon)?
Rinconsito (Little Rincon) works best from April to October. Ideal conditions: Big S-SW swell.
Is Rinconsito (Little Rincon) good for beginners?
No. Rinconsito (Little Rincon) is a wave for intermediate and advanced surfers. The closest beginner-friendly spot we cover is Hawaiisito (Little Hawaii) in Rio Mar & the coast, about 18 km away.
How crowded is Rinconsito (Little Rincon)?
Rinconsito (Little Rincon) is usually quiet: 2 out of 5 on our crowd scale.
Where is Rinconsito (Little Rincon)?
Rinconsito (Little Rincon) is in Rio Mar & the coast, in the West Panamá Province region of Panama (8.35, -79.98). The nearest wave we cover is Rocky Point (Punta Barco), about 3 km away.
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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