Puerto Rico Events For This Weekend

Friday, August 4

Night in Paradise

@ Plaza de Dorado, Dorado

6 PM - 11 PM

Outdoor event held the first Friday of every month in Dorado's town square. Features latin and urban music, food tasting from featured restaurants and alcoholic beverages for sale.

Free admission


Saturday, August 5

Puerto Rico Comics Festival

@ El Mercado Libre, Roberto H. Todd Ave., San Juan

9 AM - 6 PM

This event highlights Puerto Rico's homegrown comic book industry. Featuring several local artists. A food  truck will be on site.

Free Admission


Cine Del Estuario

@ Condado Lagoon, San Juan

7 PM -10 PM

Showing of the Disney movie "Moana" on a large outdoor screen by Condado Lagoon. Bring your own chairs, blankets and food.

Free admission


PRFC vs Jacksonville Armada FC (Soccer)

@ Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, Bayamón

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Puerto Rico Football Club plays a North American Soccer League season game against Jacksonville, Florida's Armada.

Tickets: $10-$50


Sunday, August 6

Rincón Sunset Festival 2017

@ Plaza De La Amistad, Rincón

1 PM - 8 PM

Family oriented event featuring live music, petting zoo, exotic animal exhibits, artisans and food vendors.

Free admission


Emoji Fun Race 5K

@ Luis Muñoz Rivera Park, San Juan

7 AM - 12 PM

Pick your favorite emoji and create a team to participate in this fun race.

Registration: $30 pp, or $25 pp for groups of 4 or more.

The Puerto Rico Monitor cannot take responsibility for the accuracy of the  above listings. They are based on  the best information available at the time of writing.

Puerto Rico Events For This Weekend

Friday, July 21

Fajardo Patron Saint Festival

@ Plaza de Recreo, Fajardo

6 PM - 12 AM

This eastern coastal municipality holds its annual patron saint festivities from Wednesday to Sunday. Food vendors, carnival rides, boxing card, live music and floats.

Free admission


Gallery Nights

@ Plaza De Recreo Rey Fernando II, Carolina

6 PM - 11 PM

Enjoy art, live music, salsa lessons and the opportunity to taste local gastronomy at the plaza in downtown Carolina.

Free admission


Melao Melao Beach Festival

@ Puerto Nuevo Public Beach, Vega Baja

7 PM - 12 AM

Food vendors, live music and sporting events in a beach party setting. Runs from Friday to Sunday.

Free admission



Saturday, July 22

Loíza Patron Saint Festival

6 PM - 12AM

@ Medianía, Loíza

Loíza probably has the most unique patron saint festivities in Puerto Rico, and they stretch from July 21 to July 30, taking place at different spots throughout town each day. Loíza's festivities are known for their many processions, African influence and distinctive "vejigante" masks.

Free admission


Vieques Summer Festival & Carnaval

@ Vieques Town Square

7 PM - 12 AM

The offshore municipality's patron saint festivities include live music, food stands, games of chance, sporting competitions, a marathon and bouncehouses. Runs from Thursday to Sunday, with a "carnaval" on the last evening.

Free admission


Bayamón Museum of Art Guided Tour

@ Ramón Luis Rivera Avenue, Bayamón

10 AM - 4:30 PM

45 minute guided tour of the permanent and temporary collections of the Bayamón Museum of Art. Call 787-269-4433 to register.

Free admission


Sunday, July 23

Playa Summer Tour 2017

@ Puerto Nuevo Public Beach, Vega Baja

11 AM - 5 PM

Radio stations Mega 106.9 and La Nueva 94 host this touring beach festival which is held at different PR beaches  through the summer. Games, contests, music will be on offer.

Free admission


World Salsa Congress / Street Welcome Fest

@ Plaza Del Mercado, Santurce, San Juan

6 PM - ???

The "biggest event in the world" for salsa dancers opens its 20th installment beggining on Sunday and running until July 29th. Sunday features a welcome party at the restaurant and bar-lined Plaza Del Mercado with live music and DJs.

No admission cost listed



The Puerto Rico Monitor cannot take responsibility for the accuracy of the  above listings. They are based on  the best information available at the time of writing.

Visiting Culebra and Vieques, Puerto Rico

Feature

The islands of Vieques and Culebra lie off the east coast of Puerto Rico, and have some of the Caribbean's best beaches. Here are some of the basics you need to know before visiting these two islands.

Flamenco Beach, Culebra

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Casa Culebra.

Source: TripAdvisor.Com

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Culebra

The island-municipality of Culebra lies about 17 miles east of the main island of Puerto Rico. It is sparsely inhabited, and hosts some of the best beaches on Puerto Rican territory, which is saying a lot. Flamenco Beach is the best-known one. Culebra was for a long time home to a US military bombing range, until its closing in 1975. An old, rusting army tank still sits on the beach and provides for good photo opportunities.

There are a few ways to get to Culebra. The simplest and cheapest one is to take the ferry from Fajardo. The terminal is located on Road 987, and the ferries run every day, although the cargo ferries run only during the workweek. The fare is $2.25 per person each way. If the ferry is not your style, you can rent a private boat to take you there. Or, if you are the kind of person that places a lot of faith in small, single-engine planes, you can take a flight to Culebra from Diego Jimenez Torres Airport in Fajardo, or from José Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, for little over $100 round-trip. I've gone to Culebra this way, and it was very fast, but I found the ferry more relaxing (and much cheaper, although also much slower).

Once at the Culebra ferry terminal or airport, you will probably see vans and/or taxis that can take you to Flamenco Beach or anywhere else on the island you need to go. Make sure you agree on the fare before hopping in, and be aware that many of these taxis will be shared. You can arrange with your driver to come pick you up at a particular time. If you're planning on going back to Fajardo the same day, make sure you're back at the ferry terminal by 4:30PM, if not earlier, as the last ferry leaves at 5:00PM. If you want to stay, there are several small hotels and inns on the island (a listing can be found at:http://www.islaculebra.com/puerto-rico/hotels-villas.html)

Culebra has been a pretty bare-bones place for a long time, but tourism infrastructure has been slowly developing over the last several years. It is one of the most charming, beautiful and picturesque places in Puerto Rico, and I highly recommend a visit.

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A beach in Vieques.

Source: Vieques Weekly

W Retreat & Spa in Vieques.

Source: Caribbean Travel

Vieques

Vieques is an island-municipality about 8 miles east of Puerto Rico's "big island". It bears the nickname "isla nena" or "daughter island", a reference to its size in relation to Puerto Rico. While Vieques was a US Navy bombing range for many decades, military activities ceased in 2003 after many years of heated protest both in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Since then, tourist facilities in Vieques have been greatly improving, although the island still retains its sleepy charm.

Vieques offers several attractions, besides its many pristine beaches, such as Esperanza Beach and Playa Caracas. You can visit the Fortin Conde de Mirasol, a Spanish-built fort from the 19th century which now serves as a museum. There are also two historical lighthouses, Faro Punta Mulas and Faro de Puerto Ferro. The main attraction in Vieques these days, though, is its bioluminiscent bay. Like similar bays in La Parguera and Fajardo, the water here is dramatically lit up by a multitude of glowing microorganisms, which only glow brighter when the water is agitated. The bay in Vieques (often referred to as "Mosquito Bay") is alleged to be the brightest one in Puerto Rico. Several companies offer tours, mainly by kayak. Some of these are Abe's Snorkeling (www.abessnorkeling.com) and Island Adventures (www.biobay.com). Make sure you book a trip when there isn't a full moon.

Vieques is still not nearly as urbanized as much of the rest of Puerto Rico, and seeing wild horses and chickens is not uncommon. American fast food outlets seem to be non-existent (which is great, in my opinion) and things generally move at a slower pace than in urban PR. If you're in the area in July, you can go check out Vieques' Patron Saint festivities, which are a real hoot. Make sure you put your drinking shoes on for that one, though.

Malecon Esperanza.

Source: Vieques Weekly

You can get to Vieques by taking a ferry from the terminal on Road 987 in Fajardo, or by plane from the airports in San Juan, Ceiba or Isla Grande. You can also fly between Vieques and the US Virgin Islands, which are not far away. The ferry is about $4 round-trip per person, and runs daily. A cargo ferry is available during the workweek if you want to bring your car (I don't recommend it). For transportation, you can either rent a car in Vieques, or you can take a taxi or van at the ferry terminal or airport, or engage a taxi driver for the day. You can have a driver drop you off at the beach, for example, and arrange to be picked up by a certain time. The last ferry leaves Vieques at 6:00 PM, so be there an hour before that unless you're planning to spend the night. The best-known resort is the very pricey (and amazing) W Retreat and Spa, but less expensive accommodations, such as the Sea Gate Hotel, are available. For more information on Vieques tourism, visit:http://www.viequestourism.com/.

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For more information on visiting Puerto Rico, try The Real Deal Guide To Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Events For This Weekend

Friday, July 14


Villalba Patron Saint Festival

@ Plaza de Festivales, Villalba

1 PM - 12 AM

This south-central town's annual patron saint festivities run from Thursday to Sunday. Carnival rides, musical performances and food vendors, including the "Bacalaitos Food Fest" which highlights the well-known codfish fritter.

Free admission.


Cataño Patron Saint Festival

@ Malecón de Cataño, Las Nereidas Avenue, Cataño

6 PM - 12 AM

Cataño's patron saint festivites run from Wednesday to Sunday. Featuring live music, sporting and children's activities, carnival rides and food vendors.

Free admission


Saturday, July 15,


Medalla Light Lost In Paradise 2017

@ Guajataca tunnel, Isabela, Puerto Rico

5 PM - 1 AM

Electronic and dance music event with various acts and DJs performing live, among them Planet of the Drums and Desert Hearts. Tickets can be purchased at Kókomo, Waves, Echo Verde, Gravity, Treats, Blue Surf Shop, El Rex and The Room.

Tickets: $36-$92


Fish Festival

@ Plaza del Pescador, Cabo Rojo

9 AM - 12 AM

Event highlighting fish and fishermen, featuring fishing tournaments, domino competitions, live music, 5K race and children's activities.

Free admission


No Te Quedes Sin Bailar

@ Placita Roosevelt, Ing. José A. V. Canals Street, San Juan

7:30 PM - ??

Go dance at Roosevelt Square with the Realengos Salseros salsa band and DJ Luis Domenech. Happens every second Saturday of the month.

Free admission


Sunday, July 16


Playa Summer Tour 2017

@ Cerro Gordo Public Beach, Vega Alta

11 AM - 5 PM

Radio stations Mega 106.9 and La Nueva 94 host this touring beach festival which is held at different PR beaches  through the summer. Games, contests, music will be on offer.

Free admission


National Ice Cream Day 2017

@ Luis Muñoz Marín Park, San Juan

10 AM - 4:30 PM

Family-oriented event featuring live entertainment, ice cream workshops, games, prizes and free ice cream (one per person, while they last).

Free admission



The Puerto Rico Monitor cannot take responsibility for the accuracy of the  above listings. They are based on  the best information available at the time of writing.



For more information on visiting Puerto Rico, read The Real Deal Guide to Puerto Rico, only $3.59 in e-book format!

Puerto Rico Events For This Weekend

Friday, June 30

Aibonito Flower Festival

@ Puerto Rico 722, Aibonito

8 AM - 7PM

Horticulturists show off a wide variety of flowers and other plants, many of them for sale. Live music will also be featured at this long-running festival. Runs from June 30 to July 9.

Kids $2 / Adults $6 (weekdays), Adults $7 (weekends & July 4th)


Al Fresco Music & Culinary Show

@ Paseo de las Artes Abelardo Díaz Alfaro, Calle Padial, Caguas

6 PM - Midnight

Food and beverage vendors, artisans and live entertainment. Takes place the last Friday of every month.

Free admission


Saturday, July 1

Fiestas Ciudad De El Yunque

@ Ovidio de Jesus Más Pista Stadium, PR-3, Río Grande

12 PM - 12 AM

The city of Río Grande holds its annual carnival, featuring live entertainment, food vendors, music and a traditional "carnaval". Runs from Thursday to Sunday.

Free admission


Sunday, July 2

Playa Summer Tour 2017

@ Boquerón Public Beach, Cabo Rojo

11 AM - 5 PM

Radio stations Mega 106.9 and La Nueva 94 host this touring beach festival which is held at different PR beaches through the summer. Games, contests, music will be on offer.

Free admission

Puerto Rico Events For This Weekend

Friday, June 23


Noche de San Juan

@ beaches across Puerto Rico

Traditional festival honoring Saint John. Revelers celebrate at the beach after dusk and jump "back first" into the ocean at midnight for good luck. Police presence is expected at most major beaches throughout the night. Avoid out of the way or poorly attended locations.


Inflalandia

@ Puerto Rico Convention Center, San Juan

Family-oriented event with bouncehouses, virtual reality games, sporting events, shows and other attractions geared towards children. Runs Friday and Saturday.

$15-$20 plus service charges


Saturday, June 24


Ceviche & Seafood Fest

@ Bahia Urbana, Pier 6, San Juan

Several restaurants offer tastings of their seafood dishes with prices ranging from $3-$5. Live music will be available.

$15 plus tax


Caribbean Exotic Pets Expo

@ Parque Ecuestre Trujillo Alto

The event bills itself as the largest exhibition of exotic animals in the Caribbean. Exhibits, artisans, vendors and seminars on animal care will be available, along with food and refreshments for sale.

Free admission.


Sunday, June 25


Ventana Al Jazz

@ Bahia Urbana, Pier 6, San Juan

Enjoy live jazz in a family friendly setting every last Sunday of the month. Chairs and coolers are allowed. Runs from 5-9 PM.

Free admission


LGBTIQ Pride Parade

@ Parque Del Indio, Condado, San Juan

March begins at 11:00 AM and will end at Tercer Milenio Park in Old San Juan, where entertainment will be provided.

Free admission.

Puerto Rico Activities For This Weekend

Friday, May 5

Playarte Nights

Boardriders Surf Bar holds this arts and culture event the first Friday of every month at La Pared beach. Live music, artisans and other presentations.

Where: La Pared beach, Herminio Diaz Navarro Street, Luquillo
When: 7 PM - 12 AM
Admission: Free


Pineapple Festival

Chefs from restaurants around La Parguera present pineapple-based dishes. Live music and vendors will also be available. A 5k run will take place Saturday. Festival runs all weekend.

Where: La Parguera, Lajas
When: 9 AM - 11 PM
Admission: Free



Saturday,  May 6

La 18: Art & Gastronomy on Wheels

Fair featuring visual arts, design and several food trucks. Runs Saturday and Sunday.

Where: Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico, San Juan
When: 11 AM - 9 PM
Admission: Free


Guajataca Carnival

Live entertainment, float parade, carnival rides, vendors. Runs from Friday to Sunday.

Where: Pedro Hernández Basketball Arena parking lot, Quebradillas
When: 7 PM - 12 AM
Admission: Free



Sunday, May 7

Expomecanika 2017

Convention for those interested in the building or repair of motor vehicles, aircraft or boats

Where: Puerto Rico Convention Center, Guamaní Street, San Juan
When: 9 AM - 6 PM
Admission: Free


Urban Market at Ventana Al Mar

Farmer's market featuring local produce and food products taking place in Condado.

Where: 1054 Ashford Avenue, San Juan
When: 9 AM - 5 PM
Admission: Free

The Puerto Rico Monitor cannot take responsibility for the accuracy of the  above listings. They are based on the best information available at the time of writing.

For more information on visiting Puerto Rico, read The Real Deal Guide to Puerto Rico, only $3.59 in e-book format!

Puerto Rico Events For This Weekend

Friday, April 21

Carolina Gallery Nights

Enjoy a night of cultural expression with live music, art and the best of local gastronomy. Featuring the exposition "Entre Medios" by the students of the Carolina School of Fine Arts.

Where: Plaza de Recreo Rey Fernando III, Carolina,
When: 6 - 11 PM
Admission: Free


'Ponte Los Cortos" Film Festival

Exhibition of short films, documentaries, music videos and commercials made by young filmmakers. Awards for the best films and creators will be presented.

Where: Museum of Art of Puerto Rico, San Juan (787-568-5318)
When: 4 PM - 10 PM (Runs Friday to Sunday)
Admission: Free


Saturday, April 22

Garnier Green Bag Fest

Musical concert to celebrate and create awareness of the importance of recycling. Featuring Cafe Tacuba, Danny Fornaris and DJ Rosamalia. Requirements for free admission: Buy three Garnier products at CVS or Walgreens and get a Garnier recycling bag. Fill the bag to the printed line with Type 1 and/or Type 2 recyclable plastics, bring the bag to the event.

Where: Pedro Roselló Convention Center, San Juan
When: 6 PM - Midnight
Admission: Free (see restrictions above)


Amy Winehouse Tribute

Outdoor musical event celebrating the late British musician and singer.

Where: Vivo Beach Club, Isla Verde, Carolina
When: 8 PM - midnight
Admission: $20


Sunday, April 22

Rio Camuy Rafts

Motorless rafts, as well as canoes and kayaks, will be on display on the Camuy River. Also featuring live entertainment, food kiosks, bounce houses, artisans, camping areas and river diving competitions.

Where: Florencio Cabán Boardwalk, Camuy
When: 10 AM - 6PM
Admission: Unknown (call 787-262-7471)

Puerto Rico Events For This Weekend

Friday, April 7

Noche En El Paraíso

Outdoor festival featuring music, gastronomy from various chefs and restaurants, alcoholic beverages and fashion. This Friday's theme is "Cuban Night"

Where: Plaza de Dorado, Dorado
When: 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Admission: Free

Mojo Culinary Fest

Local Salinas restaurants display their best dishes. Music, tapas, bar and refreshments available.

Where: Plaza de Recreo Las Delicias, Salinas
When: 5:30 PM - 11:00 PM
Admission: Free


Saturday, April 8

12th Sea Turtle Festival

Luquillo welcomes sea turtle nesting season and promotes natural conservation during this celebration featuring music, food vendors, artisans and childrens' activities.

Where: Luquillo Public Plaza, Jesus T Pineiro St., Luquillo
When: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Admission: Free

Purina Snacks Woof Cinema Easter Edition 2017

Come watch "The Secret Life of Pets" with your dog. Free admission with packaging from a Purina Snack or a donation of any Purina or Purina Snacks food product for the Pet SOS foundation.

Where: Bahia Urbana, Pier 6, San Juan
When: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Admission: Free (see above)


Sunday, April 9

Puerto Rico North Fashion Week 2017

Three-day festival features several designers showing off their latest styles. Runs Friday to Sunday. For tickets, email northfashionweek@gmail.com.

Where: Embassy Suites by Hilton (Dorado del Mar Beach Resort), Dorado
When: 7:00 PM- 11:00 PM
Admission: $30 per night

Condado In Concert 2017

Enjoy classical and local musical favorites, played by Iván Rijos with Francisco Cabán on violin.

Where: Antonia Quiñones Plaza, Luchetti Street, San Juan
When: 6:00PM - 8:00 PM
Admission: Free

The Puerto Rico Monitor cannot take responsibility for the accuracy of the 

above listings. They are based on the best information available at the time

of writing.

For more information on visiting Puerto Rico, read The Real Deal
Guide to Puerto Rico, only $3.59 in e-book format!

Visiting The El Yunque Rainforest

Feature

Bill Alvarez

The only honest-to-goodness tropical rainforest under the United States flag is located in eastern Puerto Rico, mostly in the town of Rio Grande. To get to it from San Juan, take Highway 26 east, and then exit onto PR Interstate Road 3, and head east/south (you can also take Toll Road 66 east, which is a faster way to get to Road 3, with a lot less traffic lights.) Off of Road 3, turn right onto PR-191 (you will see road signs directing you there, so it’s hard to miss). Once on PR-191, follow the signs for El Yunque. You will go through a small neighborhood and then you will notice you are driving increasingly uphill. Before long, you will see the forest’s welcome sign, and then the visitor’s center. The total drive from San Juan (if you take only Road 3, rather than Road 66 and Road 3) is about 30 miles, and will take about an hour.

The forest is officially open from 7:30AM to 6:00 PM daily. It doesn’t cost anything to get into the rainforest as such, and you can enjoy the many hiking trails, streams and waterfalls at no cost. The Visitor’s Center does charge $4 for adults and $2 for seniors, although children under 15 get in for free. They have a gift shop, cafeteria and some forest-related exhibits, as well as a movie about the rainforest narrated by Benicio del Toro. It is open daily from 9:00AM to 4:30 PM.

As you drive up through the rainforest, you will see several spots with limited parking where you can stop and go hiking or take some pictures. La Mina and La Coca waterfalls are both beautiful, and I recommend taking a dip in at least one of the pools at the bottom of the falls. The water is pretty cold, though! Rocks will also be slippery, so water shoes would be a handy thing to bring with you, along with an umbrella and/or poncho. As the name suggests, it rains all the time up there.

Stop at Yokahu Tower, climb up the stairs to the top and take some pictures of the stunning panorama. The hiking trails are pretty amazing, but they can be a bit narrow and steep. If you’re not in at least moderately good shape, you may only want to walk a portion of a trail, or skip them altogether. Wear some tennis shoes or hiking boots with good traction. La Coca Trail, La Mina Trail and the Big Tree Trail are some of the more popular ones (more trails here:http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/elyunque/recreation/hiking/?recid=43377&actid=50).

The Mina Trail actually has a southern and a northern portion. The northern one follows the river more closely and seems to be the prettier one. Most trails have small picnic areas and gazebos along their trails.

DO NOT go exploring off-trail. El Yunque is a very large, deep jungle and you can most definitely get lost, perhaps for days. A few people who throughout the years have decided to venture into the forest without following trails did not make it out alive. I don’t want to scare you, all I’m saying is: follow the trails and you will have a great time.

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There are no indigenous peoples, cannibals, lions, elephants or other large animals in El Yunque. While the flora is very extensive and beautiful, the forest’s fauna is limited to lizards, insects, frogs and birds. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the endangered Puerto Rican Parrot. You will almost certainly hear the call of Puerto Rico’s small native frog, the Coqui (its call sounds just like its name, a hypnotizing “co-kee, co-kee”). Please deposit all trash in marked receptacles, or take it with you.

Out of the hundreds of species of plants you will see at El Yunque, some are known to be poisonous. I would not recommend eating any wild fruits or berries during your visit. For more detailed information on

poisonous plants, go here:http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/elyunque/learning/nature-science/?cid=fsbdev3_042885. Most of the vegetation is safe, though, and the forest is home to over two hundred different species of tree, as well as a dizzying array of flowers, among them different types of orchids.

If you’re more than a little adventurous, you can do some rain forest ziplining. YunKE Zipline Adventures offers a couple of different ‘adventures’ involving a few ziplines over a part of the forest, as well as some rappelling. As of summer 2013, their packages were priced at $99 per person. You can contact them directly at their website (http://yzapr.com). Rain Forest Zipline Corp (http://rainforestzipline.com/) also offers zip lining adventures, apparently at about the same price as YunKe ($99 + tax during day, $75 + tax at night), including a nighttime “Firefly Canopy Tour”.

For more detailed and current information on the rainforest, visit the US Park Service’s El Yunque website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/elyunque

For more information on visiting Puerto Rico, check out The Real Deal Guide to Puerto Rico, 

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