Travel Guide
Museum
Discover the Beauty of Bobbin Lace in Moca
Mundillo is a special kind of lace that is handmade using bobbins to weave thread into a pattern. It is an old craft, coming to Puerto Rico via the Spanish settlers. As time goes on, fewer and fewer people know how to make it - at the risk of becoming a "lost art". The Museo del Mundillo de Puerto Rico in Moca is a showcase for preserving this beautiful art. By offering tours, information, and classes, they are trying to help this craft make a comeback in Puerto Rico.
See a Riot of Color in the Murals in Santurce
Since 2010, Santurce has transformed into a vibrant, colorful place of artistic expression. While many of the murals from Santurce es Ley adorn the walls, buildings, and hidden corners of Calle Cerra and surrounding streets, there are murals all around the neighborhood. We invite you on a journey to discover the captivating and colorful art that breathes life into the streets of Santurce.
Explore the Historical PR Train System at the Isabela Train Museum
There are some train enthusiasts that formed a non-profit corporation called Amigos del Tren de Isabela (ATI) whose goal is to preserve that part of Puerto Rico's history. They collect all sorts of train memorabilia, and they restore and preserve the old train parts. Much of that is now housed at the Museo del Tren in Isabela. They also staff the museum and give the tours so that everyone can learn about and enjoy this part of Puerto Rico's history.
History, Museum, Rainy Day, Tour, West, Off Beaten Path, With Kids
Step Back in Time at Hacienda Los Maldonado
Hacienda Los Maldonado is a family run "museum", offering a glimpse into the earlier times of Puerto Rico. The Maldonado family has set up various buildings, featuring the jíbaro (country people), the indigenous culture, and the Spanish and African history of Puerto Rico. It is a world (and about 80 years) away from the hustle and bustle of modern times.
Don Q Rum Tour in Ponce
If you enjoy rum like we do, you should know that Puerto Rico is full of rum distilleries and rum tours. One of the newer rum tours available provides the opportunity to explore the oldest Puerto Rican rum, Don Q! Find out why rums produced by Don Q are the best selling rums in Puerto Rico. While the tour is not of the actual distillery, they have created an interesting tour, which takes you from the beginning of the Serrallés story to the newest Don Q rum offerings. And it is a mixology tour, so you get to make (and drink) a few delicious drinks.
El Portal de El Yunque Visitor Center & Walking Trails
El Portal de El Yunque is the main visitor and information center in El Yunque National Forest. It features an elevated walkway through the tree tops, educational displays, a short wheelchair-friendly interpretive trail, a short interpretive walking trail through the lower forest, a counter-service restaurant, and a small gift shop. Though completely optional, the visitor center is an informative stop for first-time visitors to El Yunque National Forest.
Hiking, Museum, Nature, Rain Forest, East, North, Budget, With Kids
ClosedCasa Doña Bisa - A Wonderful Surprise
After seeing a photo of the Casa Doña Bisa (or the San Sebastian Museum of History), I had to see it in person. I am so glad we did! It is one of the prettiest and well preserved houses I have seen in Puerto Rico. The fact that they offer a free, bilingual guided tour, with docents in period costumes was the topping on the cake. It is really worth the trip!
Art, History, Museum, Rainy Day, Tour, West, Budget, Off Beaten Path, With Kids
Painted Houses of Aguadilla - Pintalto Strikes Again!
Aguadilla, a lovely coastal town on the north west coast of Puerto Rico, is decked out in a riot of color. The large macromural, called "Amanecer Borincano" (Boriquen Sunrise) in its totality, is located on the hill (Cerro Cabrera) above Rompeolas Beach. Completed in December 2018, the work is comprised of the hill of painted houses, which each look like colorful mosaics, plus a number of actual murals painted on various walls and buildings in the area.
Learn about the History of Trains in Puerto Rico
There was once a time that trains traveled almost completely around the island of Puerto Rico. There were multiple trains used to move people, cargo, and sugar cane from place to place. But that all ended in the 1950s, and today almost nothing remains of the railroad system. However, Vega Baja has restored their old train station and turned it into a museum. It is really interesting to learn about this forgotten piece of Puerto Rico’s history!
The Beauty of Ponce's Main Plaza
Ponce is a large town, in fact, it is the second largest city in Puerto Rico It has many interesting, historical and modern things to see and explore. The starting point for most people who want to check out the city will be Ponce’s main plaza. Called Plaza de Las Delicias, it is the center of the historic area, with many of the older buildings having been maintained and restored. The city name (Ponce) and its nickname La Ciudad de los Leones (City of Lions) are references the famous explorer Ponce de Leon and his descendants.
Exploring the Town of Coamo - Part 1
We have had a lot of time on our hands lately, which has given us a chance to do more "internal tourism", and return to places we have visited in the past to explore them more thoroughly. The town of Coamo is best known for its thermal springs, but it has so much more to offer than that. You can spend a whole day just checking out all the nice things in this town. And that is what we did!
Art, History, Museum, Nature, South, Budget, Off Beaten Path, With Kids
ClosedFortín San Gerónimo
Most people don't realize that the land defense system of what is now Old San Juan consisted of much more than the big forts that are popular with visitors today. Fortín San Gerónimo played a vital role in the defense system on the eastern end of the island. That fort has been abandoned and vandalized since 2008. In 2018, a group of volunteers started a renovation project at the fort, but again, the Fortin is closed and abandoned.
History and Nature Combine at Aguirre Sugar Mill
As with many islands in the Caribbean, sugar was once the primary cash crop here in Puerto Rico. The Aguirre Central Sugar Mill, located in the town of Salinas, had a thriving "company town" around it to support the employees of the mill. But when the sugar industry declined — they stopped growing sugar cane commercially in Puerto Rico and the mill closed — the town and large tracts of waterfront property was left to waste away. Luckily, The Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research reserve has acquired much of this area and made a nice nature reserve there. Today, you can enjoy nature and check out what is left of the sugar town.
ClosedMuseo Casa Roig in Humacao
Casa Roig, built in the 1920s for sugar barons, is an excellent example of modernist architectural design adapted for the hot, humid Caribbean environment. You can take a quick tour of this house museum, and the rotating artist displays they have on the second floor.
Casa Cortés ChocoBar: Indulge Your Senses
Fine chocolate and fine art … what is not to love? Casa Cortés ChocoBar is a restaurant & art gallery in Old San Juan operated by the Cortés family. This chocolate-producing family has opened this venue to allow the rest of us in on some of their greatest family treasures — meals that incorporate their amazing chocolate, and pieces from their amazing art collection.
Art, Foodie, Museum, Rainy Day, Old San Juan, Budget, Cruise Ship
Art Museums in Bayamón
If you are an art fan, Bayamón should be on your list of places to visit. There are two noteworthy art museums in town — the Bayamón Museum of Art, and the Oller Museum of Art and History. Both museums feature the works of local artists, from the mid-1800s through today.
Museum of Coffee in Ciales
For more than 275 years, the haciendas throughout the cool mountain regions of Puerto Rico have been growing coffee. It was once one of the largest crops in production on the island. The Museum of Coffee in Ciales is a place where you can explore some of the history of coffee, and to experience some of the best coffee available in Puerto Rico today.
ClosedCaparra Ruins: Remains of the First Spanish Settlement
The Spanish settlers made Puerto Rico their home more than 500 years ago, and you can see the archaeological evidence of their first settlement at the Caparra Ruins Museum and Historic Park in the town of Guaynabo. It is a small but important spot that has been set aside for its historical significance.
Three Kings Museum in Juana Diaz
The big holiday in Puerto Rico is Three Kings Day, celebrated on January 6. And nowhere else on the island are the Three Kings taken more seriously than in the town of Juana Diaz, referred to by some as the Bethlehem of Puerto Rico. Juana Diaz is also home to the only museum dedicated exclusively to "all things Three Kings". Stop into the Casa Museo de los Santos Reyes to learn about the Christmastime traditions of the island.
Ojo de Buey, a Natural Oddity
We explore at lot of places in Puerto Rico, and I love it when we find something unusual that is relatively unknown. A recent find for us was Ojo de Buey along the coast in Dorado. This natural rock formation resembles the head of on ox, and it held special meaning for the pre-Taino inhabitants of the area. You may want to do a little exploring and check it out for yourself!
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