The Quiet Lounge
Adults only travel | Childefree tourism
Puerto Rico - Rum and Salsa
A vacation on the Caribbean island often sounds like an exotic dream vacation. Still, it is also far away, as it is mainly a vacation for the back belly that combines lying on a spectacular sandy beach with a cocktail glass in hand and Caribbean music in the background or some marine activity.
True, there are Caribbean islands such as Cuba, Barbados, or the islands on which the Dominican Republic and Haiti reside that are beyond that.
One of these islands is none other than Puerto Rico, the island where rum and salsa were born, the inspiration for the famous movie "West End Story". Puerto Rico, some think that it is an independent country, almost true, but the island is still under the rule of the USA, so it is also relatively easy to visit it once you visit the USA and no additional visa is needed. There are a large number of companies that fly to San Juan, the capital city of the island and considered the second oldest city in the USA or the first depending on how you treat the history of over 500 years.
I made a second visit to Puerto Rico, the first was like many good ones via a cruise to the Caribbean Islands for a few hours in San Juan, to participate in the annual conference of IGLTA – International Gay Lesbian Tourism Association (I have been a member for several years already) in the organization's 40th year, after which I stayed on the island to experience more of the Live Boricua, that's how the Puerto Ricans call themselves, of the island nature - the only rain forest in the US "El Yunque" and La Parguera, from the food which is a combination of Africa with America via Europe (someone mentioned the Spanish?), the longing for "Mofongo" which is considered the national dish, and how is it possible without the rum, the Pina Colada and the music?
My recommendation is to get to know San Juan through the senses of taste and smell and not just sight and hearing. There are indeed food tours almost everywhere in the world, but something about the tours in San Juan adds to the historical experience, the sights and sounds that are visible from points in the city while eating, drinking, and tasting. A day tour that starts with a chocolate dish in one of the famous cafes in the city and also includes learning how to make mofongo and ends with a sunset tour that combines three types of cocktails. How can you refuse? When one of them is in a hotel that was undoubtedly a monastery, a day when your stomach and head will thank you.
As mentioned, rum is one of the well-known drinks that came out of Puerto Rico and one of the well-known brands is Bacardi. The brewery is a short cruise from downtown San Juan (allowing you to see the city from another perspective) along with a ride on the brewery's shuttle. After registering at the reception, you receive a token for a cocktail of your choice. I recommend two tours on the same day to enjoy the place to the fullest, starting with the historical tour and continuing to the rum tasting or cocktail workshop of your choice. I did not miss a visit to another brewery and this time in the south of the island, in the city of Ponce, the Don Q boutique brand where you visit the family home (castle to be exact) and proceed to a cocktail-making workshop, think of the atmosphere combined with alcohol.
After sightseeing and drinking, you should also rest your head and relax for the next day. In terms of adult-only hotels, I should mention that I experienced, first, of course, the leading and well-known LGBT guesthouse owned by a lovely couple Coqui del Mar, the special Condado Ocean Club boutique hotel with the infinity pool that is also on the beach, O: LV in the city center and the Don Rafa hotel with its special story. In the south of the island, I stayed at the new Parguera Plaza hotel with a 24-hour coffee bar. In the Rainforest area for those who love nature the hospitality of the owners of Rainforest Inn will add to the experience or for the ones who want to be spoiled Wyndham Rio Grande with an adult-only area and great restaurants.
Are you still here? It's time for Live Boricua and Pina Colada.