Do you love coffee? Do you want to learn (and taste) the differences between specialty and commercial grade coffee blends? Are you interested in the history of coffee production in Puerto Rico? If you answered Yes to a least one of these questions, then you should check out this Coffee Cupping tour offered in Old San Juan.
When you think of Puerto Rico, wine might not be your first thought for a local beverage – but it should be. Yet another great example of the island’s diversity is the Bodegas Andreu Solé vineyard and winery in Guánica. The coastal Guánica region has just the right weather conditions for growing grapes, and the winery is serving up some really nice local wines and liqueurs, and live music, in a beautiful waterfront setting.
It is no secret that people in Puerto Rico know how to party, especially around the Christmas holidays. Announce that there will be a parade, music, dancing, libations, food – then add in local artisan crafts for sale – and it all adds up to one crazy celebration! That describes the San Sebastian Street Festival, or Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian, which will be held in 2013 from January 17th to 20th.
If you need an excuse to take off early from work and drink rum … now you have it. August 16 is Nacional Dia del Ron, which translates to “Let’s make up a holiday that gives us an excuse to drink rum”. And what better way to celebrate that made-up holiday than with your favorite rum-infused beverage?
The Puerto Rico Convention Center is more than just a venue for professional gatherings. It is often a place for fun — hosting fairs, shows and exhibitions of interest to the general public. Located in the Isla Grande/Miramar neighborhood, it is a short ride from Isla Verde, Condado, and Old San Juan. It may be just the type of fun you are looking for during your visit.
Barbeque … The word alone makes your mouth start watering for some smokey delicious meats. For me, the word conjures up the mental picture of family and friends, standing around the grill, drinks in hands, cooking and enjoying a sunny day. If you’re looking for a big, backyard BBQ, the Cattleman’s Caribbean BBQ Competition is being held at the PR Convention Center on June 30 and July1.
Do you love ice cream like I do? Then a trip to Jendys Heladería (ice cream parlor) in Caguas is a must-do stop. No matter what you are in the mood for, they have probably made that flavor. They specialize in odd, unusual and totally delicious flavors of small batch ice cream.
If you are staying in the northeast part of the island, and want to spend an evening at dinner and a show, the Wyndham Rio Mar in Rio Grande offers a different show every Friday of the month. They set up a small dance floor in the Marbella Restaurant, and you can enjoy a buffet dinner while watching their live music and dance show.
Do you want to party like a Puerto Rican? I can’t help you with that too much, but I can give you some recipes for a local favorite drink called Chichaito. Chichaito is a seriously strong alcholic beverage, made with Anisette liqueur and rum. It is a yummy, anise (licorice) flavored drink, typically served as a shot, though sometimes it is chilled and sipped.
Food, glorious food … Drinks … Cooking technique & recipe demonstrations by famous local & international chefs … Live entertainment … All in a glorious ocean-front setting. That is what you will experience at the 5th annual Saborea Puerto Rico "A Culinary Extravaganza". It will be held April 21 & 22, 2012 at the Escambron Beach in Old San Juan. We have gone for the past couple of years, and we’ve really enjoyed ourselves. So you know we will be there again this year!
I like turtles. So when April comes around, we head to the Luquillo town plaza to celebrate the annual Festival el Tinglar. Since 2006, the Sierra Club has sponsored this event to help promote awareness and conservation of the wonderful natural environment in this part of Puerto Rico. This year’s Festival el Tinglar is on Saturday, 14 April 2012. We encourage you to stop by!
If you are a foodie, then Puerto Rico is a place for you! Besides the multitude of award winning chefs and restaurants, there are a number of special food festivals and events held throughout the island every year. They range from local specialty-food celebrations to professional chef competitions. Make a point to attend one of these festivals, then get ready to enjoy Foodie Paradise!
I have to say that I was always surprised that there were not any cooking classes offered for tourists here in Puerto Rico. But now there is! Flavors of San Juan has an intimate cooking class experience, where you can learn how to make all sorts of delicious dishes in Old San Juan.
When people come to Puerto Rico, they are often bummed to find that fresh seafood is not all that readily available. It really is kind of shocking, being that we’re on an island surround by vast oceans. But there is one area in Puerto Rico that should be known as the seafood heaven — the seaside community of Joyuda, in Cabo Rojo. We stopped in for lunch recently, and were pleasantly surprised.
I am not a camper, but I know a number of people who are, so I am always looking for places where they can camp in Puerto Rico. I can’t say I have been too impressed with most of the campsites around the island, but Monte del Estado in Maricao gets my vote for probably the nicest, cleanest camping facility.
