Festivals and Holidays

1. Ventana al Jazz

On the last Sunday of each month, La Ventana al Mar in Condado becomes a venue for jazz music thanks to these concerts. Bring your own chairs, blankets, and refreshments.Last Sun of month

2. San Sebastian Street Festival

Puerto Ricans dressed in multi-horned devil masks and colorful costumes take to the streets for this exuberant parade in Old San Juan. After dusk, musicians perform and DJs spin merengue and salsa tunes, turning the streets into a riot of sound and motion.Jan; dates vary

3. Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Festival

This week-long festival is one of the Caribbean’s top jazz events and attracts thousands of visitors and locals alike, as Puerto Rican and big-name international jazz artists perform at various venues in San Juan.May–Jun

4. Casals Festival

Noted cellist Pablo Casals founded this festival in 1957 to bring the world’s best performers and guest conductors to Puerto Rico. Performances are usually hosted at the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré.Feb–Mar • www.festcasalspr.gobierno.pr

View photo

5. Fiesta de Reyes

“Three Kings’ Day” commemorates the day the three wise men brought gifts to the baby Jesus. It rounds off the Christmas and New Year festivities and is a present-giving event – the governor of San Juan hands out gifts to children at his home on La Fortaleza street.Jan 6

6. Fiestas Patronales

Every town celebrates its own patron saint festival with religious processions, live music, parades, beauty contests, and often topes – displays of horsemanship. A fiesta patronal occurs somewhere on the island every week.

View photo

7. Loiza Carnaval

Puerto Rico’s liveliest annual folk and religious ceremony honors Loíza’s patron saint, John (Santiago) the Apostle, as well as the town’s African heritage, with processions featuring masked figures called vejigantes and bomba dancers performing to an Afro-Caribbean rhythm.Late Jul

View photo

8. Carnaval Ponceno

Many Puerto Rican towns organize some sort of carnival in the last week of February, but Ponce has the island’s liveliest one. Vejigantes parade around, hitting people with vejigas (brightly painted balloons or dried pigs’ bladders), while merry-makers enjoy live music and revelry in the streets.End of Feb

View photo

9. Eugenio Maria de Hostos Day

The birthdate of the 19th-century educator, philosopher, and nationalist Eugenio María de Hostos is a national holiday. Families flock to the beach to relax and party. The town of Mayagüez, his birthplace, has a special ceremony.2nd Mon of Jan

10. Puerto Rico Discovery Day

Puerto Ricans commemorate the “discovery” of Borinquén in 1493 by Christopher Columbus on “El Dia de Descubrimiento.” Parties take place on all of Puerto Rico’s beaches at this time.Nov 19

Top 10 Local Customs

1. Politeness

Old-fashioned Hispanic courtesy is important, especially greeting people with formalities when introduced or entering a room.

2. Dress

Scruffiness is not appreciated. Even less well-to-do locals make an effort to dress as smartly as possible.

3. Hurrying

Not a Puerto Rican trait, and locals appreciate foreigners who know how to relax.

4. Machismo

Totally ingrained among local men, who like to flirt but expect their own women to be demure (for further details see Machismo).

5. Jokes

Puerto Ricans like to joke and also often make fun of unusual physical traits, but rarely with malice.

6. The Church

A large majority of Puerto Ricans are Catholic, although few attend church regularly.

7. Siestas

Elderly people and country folk like an afternoon nap, although offices and businesses stay open all day.

8. Politics

Party rivalry is keen and partisan positions are sharply defended. Avoid raising the issue of independence.

9. Punctuality

While buses, ferries, and tours normally leave on time, punctuality is less important at social gatherings.

10. Santería

The majority of Puerto Ricans put their faith in saints to whom they pray, even if they don’t always admit it.

Chapter contents