iBestTravel has partnered with San Juan-based travel community Platea to provide comprehensive guides, curated lists and insider tips for your next trip to Puerto Rico.
Travelers today recognize that there’s more to visiting a destination than merely ticking boxes and stamping a passport. It’s all about slow travel – taking time to connect with the people, culture, food, and music. If you’re seeking enriching experiences, Puerto Rico’s San Juan is brimming with them. By joining a local workshop or class, you can have authentic travel experiences that will resonate long after you leave.
Here are several ways to embrace slow travel, learn new skills, and create a meaningful visit to the Island of Enchantment.
Try Dance Lessons in the Capital of Salsa
This spirited and slightly seductive dance originated in Cuba and rapidly spread throughout the Caribbean and into the United States, particularly within the Puerto Rican and Cuban communities living in New York City. Salsa is a blend of Cuban dances like pachanga, rumba, and mambo, mixed with a bit of American swing.
While salsa dancing is popular anywhere Latin culture thrives, it’s especially favored in Puerto Rico (so much so, the island is known as the capital of salsa). It also hosts the internationally attended Puerto Rico Salsa Congress, a week-long celebration of all things salsa dancing.
Finding a spot in Puerto Rico to salsa the night away is relatively easy. Many nightclubs boast designated salsa nights, with some even offering lessons for beginners. Thursdays are salsa nights at Piso Viejo, an eclectic vintage-inspired bar and tapas club located in the historic neighborhood of Santurce. Free hour-long salsa lessons begin at 9 pm, accompanied by a live orchestra.
Seasoned salsa enthusiasts gather at La Factoría, known for its six-clubs-in-one layout, creatively concocted cocktails, and internationally recognized bartenders.
Join a Mixology Class at the Largest Premium Rum Distillery in the World
Rum and Puerto Rico are almost synonymous. Production of the spirit dates back to the early 16th century; what better way to experience Puerto Rico’s rum culture and learn its history than by making two of the country’s iconic rum drinks: the piña colada and mojito.
The origin story of the piña colada is somewhat vague. One version credits a San Juan bartender with its creation in 1954, while another claims it was first made in 1963 at a restaurant in Old San Juan. Regardless of its beginnings, it became Puerto Rico’s national drink in 1978.
Most stories surrounding the mojito point to Cuba. However, it has been widely embraced throughout the Caribbean and pairs beautifully with any of Puerto Rico’s premium white rums. Learn to make both cocktails through a mixology class at Casa Bacardí.
Although rooted in Cuba in 1862, Casa Bacardí expanded with additional distilleries in Mexico and Puerto Rico in 1930. Today, the Puerto Rico facility is the largest premium rum distillery in the world.
While honing your drink-making skills, you’ll also explore the backstory of both cocktails and dive into the history of Bacardí. The class includes a tour of the family museum. Tickets ($75) are available on the website.
Take Surf Lessons with a Pro at Playa Isla Verde
Aptly named, Surf With a Pro introduces novices and experienced surfers alike to the best beaches in Puerto Rico, the “Hawaii of the East Coast.” Owned by Puerto Rican pro-surfer Alejandro Moreda, a national surf champion and recent contestant on ABC’s reality show The Ultimate Surfer, Surf With a Pro is located at Playa Isla Verde, one of the most popular beaches in the metro area.
The waves here are perfect for beginners – surfable, yet forgiving – while Moreda also guides his more advanced students to Escambrón Beach or La Punta, where the waves are more challenging.
Newbie surfers learn the basics, starting with a warm-up jog and some exercises to loosen the knees, hips, and ankles (which are essential for balance and injury prevention). Before hitting the waves, Moreda assesses your balance on the board, showing you the correct way to get up and position yourself while standing.
Learn About Puerto Rico’s Culinary Heritage Through a Cooking Class
Puerto Rico boasts a rich culinary heritage. One of the joys of traveling here is discovering the diverse regional cuisine, which is a blend of Taíno, Spanish, African, and American influences. Each dish, featuring ingredients like cacao, nispero fruit, coriander, and plantains, narrates a different facet of Puerto Rico’s history.
Launched in 2012, Spoon offers visitors an intimate cooking experience, allowing them to explore beyond a regular restaurant meal. This hands-on approach fosters a deeper connection to the island while savoring authentic food and experiencing Puerto Rico’s culture through the senses.
Puerto Rican-trained chef Nivia “Kitty” Villanueva meets participants at San Juan’s farmers market to purchase fresh, locally sourced ingredients, providing an opportunity to engage with the merchants and hear their stories.
The island’s farming community has experienced a renaissance over the past four years. Prior to Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico imported 85% of its food due to government policies. However, the hurricane severely damaged the ports, preventing food delivery.
Farmers who rebuilt their farms successfully fed their communities in the aftermath, highlighting Puerto Rico’s need for agricultural independence. The increase in local growers has fueled a movement towards balancing the island’s food distribution through sustainable agriculture.
Following the farmers market, participants join Villanueva in her home to create an appetizer and entrée. The menu varies regularly, using whatever is abundant and seasonal. Throughout the meal preparation, Villanueva shares insights into the history of iconic Puerto Rican dishes.
Students can also enjoy a signature rum cocktail, an original recipe created by Villanueva and her daughter (a mocktail version is available as well). Private classes can be customized based on dietary needs. Classes are $95 per person and are limited to six participants (eight in a private group). In addition to the cooking class, Spoon offers other San Juan-based food and cocktail tours.
Enjoy a Yoga Class with Panoramic Views of Old San Juan
Although research regarding the benefits of yoga is ongoing, scientists generally agree that yoga can have a favorable impact on health and temperament. Benefits of a consistent yoga practice include improved flexibility, strength, brain function, mental health, stress relief, reduced anxiety, and better sleep.
Reap these health benefits during your stay in Puerto Rico by attending a yoga class with Santosa Yoga and Health. Led by studio owner Daniella Gould, sessions are predominantly held outdoors – as they should be.
What better way to commence a day than with a meditative hour on a breezy beach or atop a roof with panoramic views of historic Old San Juan? Additionally, exercising outdoors offers health and social distancing benefits, making it a pandemic-friendly activity.
Classes accommodate all skill levels, with poses and movements modified as needed. Gould encourages participants to listen to their bodies, discovering their comfort (or challenge) within themselves.
Local residents attend regularly and are usually open to post-class discussions, providing travelers with recommendations for dining, drinking, and exploring around the island.
Public classes occur twice weekly ($10 per person), with updated dates, times, and locations available on the website. While you can drop in, it’s best to reserve your spot ahead of time, especially if you need to rent a yoga mat ($5).
Keep an eye out for specific workshops focusing on breath healing, meditation, and other practices. Private classes at your accommodation can also be arranged, making for a fun activity for health-minded friend groups or family travelers.
