Art and crafts
The Vejigantes are part of Puerto Rico's cultural identity, symbols of resistance and resilience. These folkloric characters, known for their colorful costumes and masks with three or more horns, embody demons, mysterious and mischievous figures. You can meet them in the flesh during the carnival in Ponce or in Loíza, during the Fiesta de Santiago Apostol. In Ponce, the masks are made of paper mache, while in Loíza, they are made of coconuts. These masks, which have also become decorative objects, can be purchased in craft stores.
Santons(santos in Spanish), the figurines that represent the nativity scene in the Christmas crib, are carved in wood by santeros, master carvers. In Puerto Rico, santos have been a tradition for more than two centuries and are an important part of the national identity, a fusion of Spanish, Taino and African heritage. You will see them in churches and homes. Each piece is unique, and collectors love them.
Rum made in Puerto Rico
If you like rum, you'll certainly have the opportunity to visit one of the island's three main distilleries, learn about the production process, enjoy a glass or two and leave with a bottle. Casa Bacardí remains the most famous, with its top-of-the-line selection and a great view of old San Juan. Hacienda Santa Ana, in Bayamón, will transport you back in time to the late 1800s, where the mixologist's favorite "Ron del Barrilito" is produced. Finally, in Jayuya, the Cruz distillery produces the "Pito Rico", a much stronger rum than the others with multiple flavors (coconut, passion fruit, tamarind, orange,...). Puerto Rico's most popular rum, "Don Q", made by the Serrallés family in the town of Ponce, does not have a distillery open to the public.
A quality coffee
Puerto Ricans are proud of their coffee and with good reason! The first coffee plantations date back to 1755. Today, coffee remains the most profitable crop on the island. Production has picked up in recent years, whereas it had been decreasing since the beginning of the American era, in 1898. The plantations are mainly located in the mountainous center of the island. Most of them (Hacienda Munoz, San Pedro, Jacana, Tres Angeles,...) organize guided tours, usually called "Coffee Tours". You will have the opportunity to taste a coffee "100% made in Puerto Rico" in the many coffee shops that are springing up here and there, especially in San Juan. Our favorites: Cuatro Sombras, Don Ruiz, Café Regina, 787 Coffee, Filtrado. The coffee is ground on the spot and you can leave with your package under your arm.
"Dulces puertorriqueños
Ouch, the call of the sugar! Puerto Ricans love these sweets or local cakes, very sweet, but so good and so varied! Without going into the composition of each one of them, here are some of these typically Puerto Rican "dulces" that you will find on the markets and in the stores: "Cremitas de Coco", "Pasta de Mango" (mango fruit paste), "Mampostial" (coconut candy and cane sugar molasses), "Almejas de Guayaba" (guava jam dessert), "Dulce de Coco", "Galleta Matahambre" (spicy flavored cake), "Gofio" (sugar and cornmeal), "Polvorones" (small typical shortbread),.. Not to mention the Puerto Rican chocolate, which the Cortes family has been making at its highest level, generation after generation, since 1929. Don't miss the " Chocobar Cortés ", store and restaurant, in San Juan.
