These festivals are great times to visit other parts of the island (though you don’t need a festival to have an excuse to explore the island) and you will get the chance to enjoy parades, local music, street vendors, local foods and local crafts. Depending on the festival you will see mixtures of catholic traditions with local and African elements, ensuring a colorful and lively celebration.

The following is a list of some of the festivals celebrated around the island. Festivals can last for several days and activities take place on evenings and weekends.

Related Information:
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Piragua’s are usually sold by roadside vendors from colorful carts and can be found throughout the island. If you wander around Old San Juan, then a piragua might just be the treat to try, to quench that thirst. Typical flavors include:

Anis (Anise)
Cereza (Cherry)
China (Orange)
Coco (Coconut)
Fresa (Strawberry)
Limon (Lemon)
Melao (syrup from the Sugar Cane)
Melon (Watermelon)
Piña (Pineapple)
Uva (Grape)

And many others.

So next time you are here, stop by one of the piragua carts and give one a try.

Photo resource: daquellamanera wikipedia

More articles:
Lechon (roast pork)
Lighthouses of Puerto Rico
Check out Ponce

1. Rio Abajo Forest
Rd. 621
Utuado
Open Tuesday – Sunday
787-724-3724

2. Dos Bocas Lake
Man made lake (reservoir). From the Dos Bocas Pier you can take a free boat ride across the lake to one of several lakeside Creole restaurants that are open on weekends.
Rd. 123, Km 68
Utuado
Boats run daily until 5pm

3. Caguana Indian Ceremonial park
The Taino Indians built this settlement around 1200 AD. Today the park showcases ceremonial plazas, stone petroglyphs and a small museum
Rd. 111, Km 12.3
Utuado
Open daily
787-894-7325

4. Lago Caonillas (Lake Caonillas)
Tranquil lake located east of Utuado
Rd 140 off Rd. 111

5. Cemi Museum
Showcasing Taino artifacts
Rd. 144, Km 9.3
Jayuya
Open daily
787-828-4618

6. La Piedra Escrita
Here you will see Taino Indian petroglyphs
Rd. 144, Km 2.3
Jayuya
Open daily
787-828-4618

7. Casa Canales Museum
Representation of a typical 19 century home.
Rd 144, Km 9.3
Jayuya
Open daily
787-828-4618

8. Toro Negro Forest
Just south of Joyuya, the forest features trails, mountain pools as well as Puerto Rico’s highest peak. It is also the half way mark for the Routa Panoramica
Rd. 143
Jayuya
Facilities open Tuesday – Sunday
787-724-3724

9. Guilarte Forest
Small forest with trails
Facilities open Tuesday – Sunday

10. Degetau Rock Lookout
Look out tower near the town of Aibonito
Rd. 7718, Km 0.8
Aibonito
787-735-3871

11. Aibonito Flower Festival
Every year at the end of June the town of Aibonito hosts one of the largest flower festivals on the island

12. Carite Forest
Here you will find rainforest vegetation and sierra palms.
Rds. 184 and 179
Facilities open Tuesday – Sunday
787-724-3724

13. Cibuco Historical Tourism Center
This is the restored Hacienda Aurora grounds that include ecology and artisan paths, statues, small lake and playground.
Rd. 818, Km 2.5
Corozal
Open Thursday – Sunday
787-859-8079

14. Monte del Estado Ecological Park
Ecological site that features camping, trails and the islands native flora and fauna
Facilities open Friday – Sunday
787-873-5632

15, Caguas Botanical Garden
Showcases tropical plants as well as art work, a lake and a replica of a farm
Between Caguas and Aguas Buenas
Open Thursday – Sunday
787-653-8223

16. La Ruta Panoramica
La Ruta Panoramica or Panoramic Route through the center of Puerto Rico is a maze of some 266km of roads that run east to west (or west to east) from Maunabo to Mayaguez. The central region has some of the most spectacular and highest sections of the route. If you plan on driving the full route, give yourself a few days to do this as there are plenty of places to stop along the route. If you only have a day; then just check out a section close to where you are staying.

This is the seventh in a series of articles that will cover ideas for the various areas of Puerto Rico. To make sure you don’t miss this series, why not obtain updates in your email or your RSS reader

Photo Resources: oquendo and oquendo

You might find these articles useful also:
41 Ideas to Keep You Busy in Old San Juan
28 Ideas to Keep You Busy in the San Juan Metro Area
43 Ideas to Keep You Busy on the West Coast of Puerto Rico
18 Ideas to Keep You Busy on the east Coast of Puerto Rico
Ideas to keep you busy on the South Coast of Puerto Rico

The area is inundated with lechoneras (roadside cafeterias) whose specialty is seasoned slow roasted whole pig. Traditionally the pig is roasted over an open flame mounted on on a wooden spit called a varita, but now must use a steel spit. The pig is usually roasted for about 6 – 8 hours which ensures that the pork is pact with flavor, moist and tender. The roast pig is not the only delicacy on the menu; as you will find roast chicken, turkey, morcella (blood sausage) and numerous side dishes, including: rice and beans, rice with pigeon peas, tostones, mofungo, sweet potato and many more. If you happen to be there during the Christmas period you will also see pasteles, arroz con dulce and Puerto Rico’s very own egg nog ‘coquito’.

The main road up and through Guavate is lined with lechoneras, so you will have plenty of choices. Look for one that is busy and lively and then try to find parking at the side of the road close by.

Note: The road which is known locally as ‘La Ruta del Lechon’ is fairly winding and can become busy on weekends, so drive carefully.

The lechoneras in the area are cafeteria style with indoor and outdoor seating, where you line up and select what you would like from the counters. Once you have chosen your food, find a table and dig in.

Weekends are the best time to go if you really want to savor the atmosphere of the area, but even during the week you will find some of the lechoneras open.

What: Lechon (roast pig)
Where: Lechoneras in Guavate
When: Weekends are best before 12pm (but some are open during the week)
Map It

Directions from San Juan:
Take Highway 52) south and take exit 32 (Guavate). Make a left and head up Rd 184. You will find lechonaras all along the route with some of the most popular around km. 27.

Enjoy!!!

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1. Pattillas
Small beach town that offers surfing as well as a near by lake.

2. Arroyo
The town of Arroyo has a picturesque seaside promenade that has been recently restored. Many of the towns building fan out from the waterfront.

3. US Customs House
Is now a small museum.
65 Morse Street
Arroyo
Open Wednesday – Sunday
787-839-8096

4. Guayama
Once was the unofficial capital of the area. Today you can check out the main central plaza and catholic church whise design is based on the Notre Dame in Paris

5. Casa Cautino
Once the home to one of Guayama’s richest families it is now a museum showcasing some of the Cautino’s furnishings.
Cental Plaza
Guayama
Open Tuesday – Sunday
787-864-9083

6. Museo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum)
A large restored building showcasing art works and historical pieces
Route 3 (near the plaza)
Guayama
Open Tuesday – Sunday
787-864-7765

7. El Legado Golf Resort
Play a round or two of golf at this course designed by Puerto Rico’s very own Chi Chi Rodriguez
Rd. 713 off Hwy 53
Guayama
Open Daily
787-866-8894
Website: www.ellegadogolfresort.com http://www.ellegadogolfresort.com/

8. Aguirre Golf Course
Is the oldest golf course on the island
Rd 705
Aguire
Open daily
787-853-4052

9. Jobos Bay Visitor Center
Second largest estuarine area in Puerto Rico. Consists of 15 tear shape mangrove islets known as Cayos Caribe and the Mar Negro area. Home to the endangered brown pelican, peregrine falcon, hawksbill sea turtle and West Indian manatee
Rd. 705, km 2.5
Aguirre
Open Monday – Saturday
787-853-4617
Website: Jobos Bay

10. Salinas
Salinas is a small seaside town with small marina and mangrove lined bay. Several seafood restaurants located overlooking the Caribbean sea.

11. Puerto Rico International Speedway
Races usually held on a Wednesday and Saturday
Route 3, Km 155.2
Salinas
787-824-0020

12. Albergue Olimpico (Olympic Village)
Training facilities for Puerto Rico’s athletes. Parts of the complex are open to the public, including the Olympic Museum of Puerto Rico
Salinas Exit of the Hwy 52
Salinas
Public area open May – September
787-824-2607
Website: Albergue Olimpico

13. Santa Isabel Beach
Named after the Spanish queen Isabel la Catolica, the seafront area features small restaurants and bars near the beach
End of Rd 538
Santa Isabel

14. Coamo
Was the third settlement to be established in Puerto Rico and the cathedral, central buildings and plaza are worth a visit.

15. Coamo Thermal Springs
Taino Indians and Franklin D. Roosevelt have all taken dips in these warm soothing waters.
End of Rd. 546
Coamo
Open daily
787-825-1150

16. Coamo Springs Golf Club & Resort
18 hole golf course close to the thermal springs
Rd. 546, Km 1.0
Coamo
787-825-1370
Website: www.coamosprings.com

17. Three Kings Museum in Juana Diaz
January 6, Three Kings Day is a major celebration here in Puerto Rico. The town of Juana Diaz is renowned for its celebrations and also the Three Kings Museum
Comercio Street
Juana Diaz
Open Tuesday – Sunday
787-837-2185

18. Ponce
Ponce, the second largest city in Puerto Rico outside of the San Juan metropolitan area. Known locally as the ‘The Pearl of the South’ due to it’s close proximity to the Caribbean sea.

19. Plaza Las Delicias
This is the historical and physical center of the city. Built around 1692, the plaza has a large fountain and shady grounds

19. Ponce Tourism Office
The place to go to orientate yourself to the city
Close to Plaza Las Delicias
787-841-8044

20. Ponce Tourist Trolley
If you don’t want to walk too much on your trip to ponce, then jump on the free trolley that runs around the major sights of the city. There are trolley stops throughout the city and you can jump on and off as you like.

21. Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The original chapel was built in 1660 and the current cathedral in 1934. The cathedral is named after a famous holy shrine in Mexico.
Plaza las Delicias
Open daily
787-842-0134

22. Parque de Bombas
This is the city’s original firehouse built in 1882, that is now a museum. Just look the famous red and black building near the plaza
Plaza Las Delicias
787-284-3338

23. La Perla Theater
The theater has recently re-opened after major refurbishment. It was originally built in 1864.
Mayor Street, corner with Cristina Street
787-843-4322

24. Clavell Park
The park is centrally located and on Sundays the Ponce Municipal band stages free open-air concerts at 8:00 p.m.
Center of Concordia, Jobos and Marina Streets
787 840-4400

25. Abolition Park (Parque de la Abolición) and Acoustic Stage (Concha Acústica)
Contains the only monument in the Caribbean dedicated to the abolition of slavery.
Marina and Salud Streets
787-284-4141 ext. 2507

26. Ponce Museum de Art
One of the finest in the Caribbean. More than 2,000 paintings, sculptures and prints from the last 5 centuries.
Las Americas Avenue
Note: Currently closed for refurbishment
Website: www.museoarteponce.org

27. Ponce History Museum
49-53 Isabel Street
Open Tuesday – Sunday
787-844-7071

28. Museum of Puerto Rico Music
Corner Isabel Street and Salud Street
Open Wednesday – Sunday
787-848-7016

29. Wiechers-Villaronga Residence / Ponce Architecture Museum
Cormer Reina and Mendez Vigo Streets
Open Wednesday – Sunday
787-843-3363

30. Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center
See how the indigenous people of Puerto Rico lived before the Spanish arrived. 1 hour bilingual tours are available for the museum and the grounds.
Rd. 503, Km 2.5
Open Tuesday – Sunday & holiday Monday’s
787-840-2255

31. Hacienda Buena Vista
Is a century old farm that was part of the coffee processing center of Ponce. The farm is fully restored and showcases estate buildings and water-powered machinery.
Rd.123, Km 16,8
Open Wednesday – Sunday (reservations required)
787-284-7020

32. Castillo Serralles
3-level 14,000 sq ft mansion that belonged to the Serralles family, who dominated the sugar industry at the time. Fully restored and decorated with furniture and paintings from the Serralles family. Visitors can also see a documentary about the rum and sugar industry in Ponce/
17 El Vigia Hill
Open Tuesday – Sunday & holiday Mondays
787-259-1774
Website: www.castilloserralles.org (Spanish)

33. La Cruceta del Vigia
A cross shaped observation tower just up the hill from Castillo Serralles
El Vigia Hill
17 El Vigia Hill
Open Tuesday – Sunday & holiday Mondays
787-259-1774
Website: www.castilloserralles.org (Spanish)

34. Japanese Gardens
Fairly recent addition to Ponce and located close to La Cruceta del Vigia. The gardens include trees, ponds, elevated bridges and a Japanese tee house.
17 El Vigia Hill
Open Tuesday – Sunday & holiday Mondays
787-259-1774
Website: www.castilloserralles.org (Spanish)

35. La Guancha Complex
Waterfront promenade that is popular on weekends. Local artists, artisans and food can be found here.
End Route 14
Open daily
787-844-3995

36. Caja de Muertos (Coffin Island)
Just off the coast of Ponce and accessible by charter boats. You can hike to the old light house or just relax by the sea.

37. El Tuque Complex
Just west of Ponce, you will find this water park
Open during summer months only
Off Route 2 west of Ponce
787-290-2000

38. Yauco Coffee Festival
End of February

39. Franceschi Art Center
Small museum in a renovated historic house, located close to the towns plaza
25 De Julio Street
Yauco
Open weekdays (closed for lunch)
787-267-0350

40. Amaury Veray House of Music
Another small museum located close to the towns plaza
Yauco
Open weekdays (closed for lunch)
787-267-0350

41. Susua Forest
Recreational area with a campsite. The terrain is rugged.
Rd. 368, Km 2.1
Yauco
Open Tuesday – Sunday
787-724-3724

42. Lake Luchetti Wildlife Refuge
Man made reservoir that is also a wildlife refuge. Camping is also available
Rd. 128, Km 12.3
Yauco
Open Tuesday – Sunday
787-724-3724

If you have a favorite place that is not listed, please add it to the comments section at the end of the article

This is the sixth in a series of articles that will cover ideas for the various areas of Puerto Rico. To make sure you don’t miss this series, why not obtain updates in your email or your RSS reader

Photo Resources: bobjagedorf, oquendo and daquellamanera

You might find these articles useful also:
41 Ideas to Keep You Busy in Old San Juan
28 Ideas to Keep You Busy in the San Juan Metro Area
43 Ideas to Keep You Busy on the West Coast of Puerto Rico
18 Ideas to Keep You Busy on the east Coast of Puerto Rico

The ferry to either island takes around 60-90mins depending on weather conditions.

Ferry Schedule:

Fajardo – Vieques
Monday – Friday: 4 Sailings
9:30am, 1pm, 4:30pm and 8pm

Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 3 Sailings
9am, 3pm and 6pm

Vieques – Fajardo
Monday – Friday: 4 Sailings
6:30am, 11am, 3pm and 6pm

Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: 3 Sailings
6:30am, 1pm and 4:30pm

Cost: Adults $2, Children $1

Fajardo – Culebra
Daily: 3 Sailings
9am, 3pm and 7pm

Culebra – Fajardo
Daily: 3 Sailings
6:30am, 1pm, 7pm

Cost: Adults $2.25, Children $1

Contact Information:
Fajardo: 787-863-0852, 787-863-0705, 787-863-3360, 1-800-981-2005
Vieques: 1-800-981-2005 ext 233
Culebra: 787-742-3161

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With an offer of free doughnuts for a year, people lined up over night in order to be near the front, when the doors opened. Originally Krispy Kreme were only giving away 50 ‘free doughnut’ prizes, but the crowd was so big they increased this to 100.

So if you feel the need for a freshly cooked glazed Krispy Kreme doughnut while on your vacation, then you’ll need to hop in a car and head to Caguas. If Caguas is too far for you, just stop at one of the roadside vendors and see what tasty fried treats they have available.

Enjoy.

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XXII Puerto Rico Artisan’s Fair

April 19-20, the XXII Puerto Rico Artisan’s Fair will take place at the Luis Muñoz Rivera Park, San Juan. The event will be hosted by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and will feature around 120 local Puerto Rican artisans. As well as arts and crafts, the fair will also feature local musicians, local food and drinks and events for children.

The XXII Puerto Rico Artisan’s Fair will be open on both days from 10am-10pm. For more information call 787-721-2400

Circa 08, International Art Fair of Puerto Rico

Circa 08, International Art Fair, will take place at the Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan between April 11-14. This is the third year that the fair has been held here in Puerto Rico and is a great opportunity to see the work of local Puerto Rican artists, as well as work from the Caribbean region and international galleries.

This year’s event will see works from the following galleries:
356 (Puerto Rico), Air de Paris (Paris), Altamira (Gijón), Artspace Witzenhausen (Amsterdam), Blow de la Barra (London), Botello (Puerto Rico), Breenspace (Sydney), brot.undspiele (Berlin), Spencer Brownstone (New York), Adora Calvo (Salamanca), Casas Riegner (Bogota), Marta Cervera (Madrid), Contemporary Fine Arts (Berlin), Carmen Correa Contemporáneo (Puerto Rico), DEAN PROJECT (New York), Espacio Líquido (Gijón), Henrique Faria Fine Art (New York), Gavlak (West Palm Beach), Alfredo Ginocchio Arte Internacional (Mexico DF), Moti Hasson (New York), Hardcore Art Contemporany Space (Miami), Caprice Horn (Berlin), Jacob Karpio (San José, CR), Diana Lowenstein Fine Arts (Miami), Federico Luger (Milan), Katharine Mulherin Contemporary Art (Toronto), Museum 52 (London), Pan American Art Projects (Miami), Raquel Ponce (Madrid), Walter Otero (Puerto Rico), Point of View (New York), PM Gallery (Toronto), Fernando Pradilla (Madrid), Primer Piso (Puerto Rico), Lyle O. Reitzel (Santo Domingo), Samson Projects (Boston), Schübbe Project (Düsseldorf), Space Other (Boston), Hamish Morrison (Berlin), Spinello Gallery (Miami), Vane (UK), Voges + Partner (Frankfurt), Cr3ma (Puerto Rico), Storehouse Group (Puerto Rico).

And the following institutions:
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico, Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueñ, scuela de Artes Plásticas, AREA – Lugar de Proyectos, Caribbean University

The museum is marking this closure with a special event on Sunday, March 30, 2008. Admission will be free and there will be all day activities and attractions. The museum will open at 10am, with most of the activities starting at 2pm. If you happen to be one of the first 150 visitors, you will get a free commemorative T-Shirt.

During the renovations, some of the museum’s collections will be loaned to museums in Europe and the United States. The Museo de Arte De Ponce will also hold exhibitions at Plaza Las Americas in San Juan

Note the current Rodin exhibition by the Museo de Arte De Ponce exhibition at Plaza Las Americas (MAP@Plaza) is also due to close this Sunday, March 30, 2008

For more information on the rennovations, check out the Museo de Arte De Ponce website

You could head down to Ponce on the south coast of Puerto Rico and participate in the annual Ponce Carnival. The Ponce carnival takes place the week before Ash Wednesday and this year they are celebrating its 150th anniversary. The carnival is the south’s answer to Old San Juan’s San Sebastian Street Festival and New Orleans Mardi Gras.

This year’s carnival starts on Wednesday January 30 and continues until Shrove Tuesday, Februray 5th. During the carnival you will see street parties and processions led by Vejigantes. A Vejigante is someone who dresses in a devil like mask and a colorful costume; similar to a clown (you can’t miss them). There will also be local artisan and musicians and plenty of attractions for all the family.

The carnival ends with the Entierro de la Sardina (Funeral of the Sardine), led by drag queen mourners who mark the death of the sardine. Why a sardine? It’s symbolic and represents the fact that many fish (some 50% of the yearly amount) will be consumed during the month of lent.

If you need a break from the carnival atmosphere, there are plenty of other attractions in and around Ponce. If you are driving (a rental car is the best way to see the island) from San Juan, take Highway 52 all the way to Ponce; it’s that easy. The drive should take you around 90 minutes.

What: Ponce Carnival
When: January 30 – February 5
Where: Ponce

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