If you follow me on social media, you know that I am a proud Boricua. Although I was born in the United States, I proudly claim the island of my ancestors.
Isla del Encanto. Land of the Borinquen. Magnificent Puerto Rico.
As a Boricua born in the States, I felt a gaping disconnect between my daily life and my culture. Sure, I can dance salsa y merengue, cook arroz con habichuelas y pollo guisada, and speak conversational Spanish (although none of those things determine your Latinidad; more on that later). I participate in my culture, but I still felt as though something was missing and it had been for quite some time.
So, I decided to visit Puerto Rico, and not just San Juan. My Puerto Rican coworker and friend, Daniel, had convinced me to take a road trip around the island, to more fully experience our island. We made a tentative road trip itinerary just two days before my departing flight, and off I went.
Yes, I went by myself. Yes, I stayed at hotels/AirBnb's some nights and with my family other nights. No, I am not fluent in Spanish. No, I have never driven on the island before. But, I decided awhile ago that I am done being led by fear and self-doubt. I let my ego take a backseat and decided that in all my experiences, I will be a faithful and eager student to whatever the Universe is willing to teach me. And *spoiler alert*, I had an incredible time. So much so that I know in my bones that I will be back to my island very, very soon.
So, why road trip in Puerto Rico? I'm glad you asked.
Road tripping allows you to take in miles of coastline views, green mountains, rainforests, and gorgeous beaches. You can stop along the way to see magnificent macro murals (here and here), eat delicious Puerto Rican food, and meet really kindhearted people along the way. Need I say more?
Though the island is fairly small, it is rich with beautiful scenery and incredible experiences. You can see most of the island in a fairly quick time frame, although you will definitely leave with a whole list of things you'd like to see next time you're there. And as a U.S. citizen, you do not need a driving visa to operate a vehicle, your valid U.S. driver's license will do. I drove around the island for five days and I only had to fill the tank at the end of my trip.
The weather
It's the Caribbean! This means warm and humid throughout the year with that lovely ocean breeze. The only time of year I would warn against would be hurricane season. The U.S. National Weather Service considers hurricane season for this area to run from June 1 to November 30.a I went on my trip in late June/early July, so I would check weather reports before you book anything.
Food and Drinks
I am probably biased, because I grew up on and continue to eat Puerto Rican food, but I LOVE our food! The base of our cuisine is usually rice, beans and some form of animal protein. Being a Caribbean island, we also consume a lot of plantains (tostones, mofongo, etc.), tropical fruit (i.e. passionfruit, coconut, pineapple, and don't get me started on quenepas!), and various vegetables (i.e. yucca, malanga/taro, calabaza/pumpkin).
We cannot talk about drinks to try on the island without mentioning the Piña Colada. It was actually invented in Puerto Rico! Although there are conflicting stories as to who invented it, the restaurant Barrachina in Old San Juan claims to have been the birthplace to this delicious drink. If piña coladas are not your thing, there are plenty of other drinks to try while on the island, including Medalla. Medalla is a widely popular Puerto Rican beer and you can get it basically everywhere on the island. Another drink I saw a lot was Gasolina, a "sangria" made with rum and fruit juices.
Puerto Rican desserts are so good and incorporate the flavors of the island. Popular ones include tres leches, flan, and budín (Puerto Rican bread pudding). Not feeling anything heavy? Pick up a popsicle from Señor Paleta! They are a Puerto Rican-founded business, opening stores throughout the island and beyond.
Currency
Being a territory of the United States, the island of Puerto Rico operates on American currency.
Ready to start planning your trip? I got you!
I have created a downloadable pdf you can use as a 7 day road trip itinerary to experience my beautiful island! All you have to do is subscribe to my email list, and BOOM! It's yours to have and to hold.
I love my island with everything in me. This land is in my heart and soul, my blood and bones. And I hope I can help you to experience it for the beautiful land, culture, and people that exist there. You will not regret it.
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