Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine January 2019 | Page 474
PUERTO RICO
Adventure
History
Culture
Walking Tours Stroll through Old San Juan,
Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San
Cristobal and the Bacardi Distillery.
Salsa Tours If walking isn’t your style, dance
your heart out.
Cave Exploration Visit cave systems like
Cueva Ventana, Toro Verde Adventure Park and El
Yunque rainforest – the largest rainforest in the
United States.
Traditional Festivals . . .
San Sebastian Street Festival In Puerto Rico, Christmas celebrations
extend until the end of January and culminate with a Festival on the streets of San Sebastian. “Las
Calles” or “San Se” as it is called by locals, is the most well-known festival in Puerto Rico, and attracts
thousands of people each year, both tourists and locals, all ready to celebrate the day and night.
These are held in the streets of Old San Juan, and last for 4 days, from Thursday to Sunday.
This holiday season, it will be conducted from January 17-20, 2019. The event is a celebration of
Puerto Rican culture and is perfect for all ages. During the day, there are different activities, including
a parade of “Cabezudos,” (giant-headed carnival figures) during which a group of people disguised in
masks made of papier-mâché parade through the streets with music to entertain. There is also food
kiosks, local artisans, and live music for the enjoyment of the entire family. At nightfall, the festivities
do not stop, and the streets of Old San Juan fill with groups of younger people, who enjoy dancing,
music, food and drink until dawn.
Bioluminescent Bays It’s an experience you
won’t want to miss. You’ll see the reflection of
microorganisms, which causes the water to glow
when touched. Puerto Rico is home to three of
the world’s five such bays. Puerto Rico’s is located
in Mosquito Bay in Vieques; Laguna Grande in
Fajardo; and La Parguera in Lajas.
Three Kings Day On the evening of January
5th, children fill shoe boxes with cut grass for the camels to eat.
The boxes are placed under the beds of parents, grandparents,
godparents, uncles and aunts. In the night, the Three Kings of
the Epiphany come to deliver presents while their camels eat
the grass.
Photo Credit: Discover Puerto Rico