It is an object to obtain an optical connector capable of implementing a more reduction in a cost of a work for carrying out an assembly into a site optical fiber, and a method of assembling the optical connector.An almost sheet-like protecting member 17 for transmitting a light in a predetermined refractive index is stuck to a tip surface of a ferrule 3 having a fiber inserting hole 15 penetrating therethrough with the fiber inserting hole 15 covered, and an optical fiber 14 positioned by a positioning mechanism 5 to be coupled to a rear part of the ferrule 3 has a tip surface inserted through the fiber inserting hole 15 of the ferrule 3 to abut on the protecting member 17 with an elastic force.