Puerto Rico truly is a lovely island. This US territory is an incredible place to visit for warm breezes, colorful architecture, deep history, and vibrant culture. It’s an easy trip to make because of an abundance of cheap flights, the lack of passport required, and no need to exchange currencies. In the winter when so many of us dream about warm, sunny days, Puerto Rico is a delightful respite. There are 78 municipalities on the island but by far the largest is the capital, San Juan. Within San Juan is Old (or Viejo) San Juan, the deeply historic and vibrant gem of a district. The best way to experience Old San Juan is by walking tour. This way, you can explore the centuries-old city with a guide who can teach you about San Juan and all the history that has led to this point. There are two different types of walking tours I’d highly recommend.
A traditional walking tour is the perfect way to get the lay of the land in Old San Juan. This way, you can explore the historic city while learning its context from an expert. On our first morning in Puerto Rico, we went on a walking tour with Patria Tours. The company’s president, Jorge Montalvo was our guide and gave us one of the best tours I’ve ever experienced. We started by the bay of San Juan where he explained to us the origins of the island. It was originally inhabited by the indigenous Taíno people and called Boriken (or Borinquen) until Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493. It then became colonized by the Spanish empire. The Spanish Crown enslaved the Taíno people and brought African slaves to the island, until slavery was finally abolished in 1873. Jorge also pointed out things most people would never think about, such as the history of the distinct cobblestones on their streets. We then walked to Plaza de Armas where he explained that when the Spanish built towns, they ensured it had a plaza, a church, and a government building together. From there, he took us to the Catedral de San Juan Bautista, the oldest cathedral in America. He told us the history of Juan Ponce de León who became the first Governor of Puerto Rico and is buried inside. From there, we walked toward the edge of the city to see La Fortaleza, the Governor’s mansion built in 1540, and the fortifications around it. One aspect of Patria Tours that not all companies have, is the ability to take you into El Morro, a citadel built centuries ago to protect San Juan from invaders. Arguably the city’s most famous site, El Morro also offers breathtaking views of the ocean and the bay. It is now a National Historic Site but having Jorge guide us around the fort and explain the significance of it deeply enhanced the visit.
Jorge made San Juan come alive for us. After just a few hours walking around Old San Juan with Jorge, I felt like I truly knew the city; both its history and its culture. A walking tour with Patria is the finest way you can begin your trip to San Juan. To book with Patria Tours, visit www.patria-tours.com, email info@patria-tours.com, or call 787-923-6885.
There is also another kind of walking tour that is perfect for a trip to San Juan: a food tour. The food in Puerto Rico is phenomenal, a distinct cuisine that became one of my favorites in the world. There aren’t nearly enough Puerto Rican restaurants in the States, but in San Juan you have a plethora of great options. Taking a food tour with The Spoon Experience will guide you to some of the best locally owned restaurants and introduce you to some of the island’s legendary dishes. We met with our tour guide Lorna who took us to five locations. Spoon confirmed ahead of time if anyone had any dietary restrictions or preferences, to ensure we’d have the smoothest experience possible. On our first stop, we tried the traditional dish called mofongo. The food was delicious; it was the tastiest mofongo I had on my trip by far. On top of the excellent flavor, Lorna explained to us the history of the dish. The reason mofongo doesn’t sound like a Spanish word is because it was brought over from Africa by the enslaved population. This demonstrated Puerto Rico’s unique diversity and blending of cultures.
We got food from a total of five locations including some beautiful settings in the Hotel El Convento and the Palacio Provincial Hotel. At the restaurants, we tried local dishes such as roasted pork, fresh fish, and ceviche. We also got drinks at each stop, most of them included Puerto Rican rum, the signature alcohol of the island. The most memorable drink we had was a watermelon mojito, which had a deep history in the region. Spoon allowed us to taste delicious local offerings while Lorna provided a vast knowledge of the food and culture of San Juan. A food tour with Spoon is certainly a fun way to experience Puerto Rico’s mouthwatering flavors while understanding the history behind them. To book with Spoon, visit www.thespoonexperience.com, email hello@thespoonexperience.com, or call 787-598-6008.
Talking to local residents, it was fascinating to learn about the challenges they face by being an American territory but not a state. It seems completely inequitable that fellow American citizens are unable to vote for President or Congress. The federal government should prioritize offering them a binding plebiscite, as was passed by the House of Representatives in 2022. It’s morally unjust to not allow representation for our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico.
Overall the trip to San Juan was magnificent. Even after an economic crisis and natural disasters, the people are incredibly welcoming and their distinct culture shines bright. Puerto Rico is a gem of America that demonstrates how our cultural differences make us stronger. Taking a trip to San Juan isn’t just an excellent way to avoid winter weather, it’s an enriching journey to an island that offers everything.
