My First Visit to Rincón Recovery Room: The Best $20 I’ve Spent on Myself

By Edmaris Carazo

I have a theory I try to live by: as long as you’re still doing things for the first time, you’re still young.

Maybe that’s what led me to book a session at Rincón Recovery Room.

I’d driven past it countless times and always assumed it was the kind of place reserved for elite athletes, hardcore surfers, or people who have their lives way more together than I do.

Turns out, I was wrong.

And to my surprise, it may have been the best $20 I’ve spent on myself in a very long time.

Maybe because I’m a mom.

And because 20 uninterrupted minutes of silence are basically a mythical creature.

My First Visit to Rincón Recovery Room

Booking was ridiculously easy. I made my reservation online the same day and a few hours later I was walking into one of Rincón’s newest wellness spaces.

The place is beautiful and welcoming, with that instantly comforting smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm wood.

After a quick explanation of how everything worked, I was shown to my private room.

And that’s when I realized this wasn’t just a sauna session.

For 20 minutes, I had an entire space to myself.

I could choose complete silence or connect my phone to a Bluetooth speaker and create my own atmosphere.

Music, a podcast, meditation, or simply sitting alone with my thoughts.

The moment I stepped inside, I knew this was my first visit, but definitely not my last.

Sauna and Cold Plunge: A Challenge for Both Body and Mind

The experience combines heat and cold through contrast therapy.

The recommended protocol is typically a few minutes in the sauna followed by a short cold plunge, repeated in cycles. Many people use contrast therapy to support recovery, improve circulation, reduce soreness, and boost overall well-being.

I arrived with absolutely no idea what I was doing.

Which means I made a few rookie mistakes that I’m happy to share.

Rookie Mistake #1: Bringing My Phone into the Sauna

I wanted to keep track of time, so I brought my phone in with me.

Bad idea.

The heat quickly caused it to overheat and shut down.

Unsolicited advice: set your timer before you go in and leave your phone outside the sauna.

Rookie Mistake #2: Assuming the Cold Plunge Would Be Easy

Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.

At least not for me.

After watching enough Instagram videos, I somehow convinced myself I would gracefully slide into the ice bath and immediately become one of those calm, enlightened people who smile through freezing temperatures.

Reality had other plans.

First came the legs.

Then came the screaming.

Then the internal negotiations.

Eventually, I managed to kneel.

Then sit.

Then lower myself all the way to my shoulders.

By the end, I had fully submerged twice for a total of about two minutes.

To be clear, I am a complete beginner and have no idea how people stay in there for five or ten minutes looking peaceful for social media.

What the Cold Plunge Felt Like

The best way I can describe it is this:

I walked out more awake than awake.

Not relaxed in the way a massage makes you feel.

More like someone had plugged me directly into an electrical outlet powered by happiness.

I felt energized.

Clear-headed.

Focused.

And strangely proud of myself for doing something that felt difficult.

More Than Just Recovery for Athletes

The name Recovery Room made me assume it was primarily for athletes.

And yes, athletes, surfers, runners, cyclists, and active people will absolutely benefit from it.

But after experiencing it myself, I realized it’s also perfect for anyone who needs a break from constant noise, endless notifications, and everyday responsibilities.

Because recovery isn’t always about recovering from a workout.

Sometimes it’s about recovering from a stressful week.

A packed schedule.

A never-ending to-do list.

Or simply the exhausting experience of being an adult.

Services Available at Rincón Recovery Room

In addition to sauna and cold plunge sessions, Rincón Recovery Room also offers:

• Private and small-group sauna sessions
• Cold plunge therapy
• Athletic therapy
• Chiropractic care through Holistica Chiropractic Studio
• Recovery techniques including cupping, kinesiology tape, and percussion therapy

The goal is simple: help people move better, recover faster, and feel their best.

Would I Go Back?

Absolutely.

In fact, I’m already thinking about organizing a group session with my soccer mom friends.

Because if I survived the cold plunge once, I can probably do it again.

Probably.

Rincón Recovery Room

Summer Hours

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

For reservations and information:

https://www.rinconrecoveryroom.com

info@rinconrecoveryroom.com

Instagram: @rinconrecoveryroom

If you’ve been curious about trying a sauna or cold plunge in Rincón, consider this your sign. Sometimes the best adventures aren’t the big ones. Sometimes they’re simply 20 quiet minutes spent doing something you’ve never done before.

*Photo by Ghost Edits PR