We docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico, greeted by colorful façades, warm trade winds, and an itinerary packed with culture and cocktails. Our journey began aboard a tour bus that snaked around the bay toward the iconic Bacardi Distillery, but the drive itself was a lesson in contrasts.
🦎 Island Life on the Road
Puerto Rico is beautifully bilingual—not just Spanish or English, but Spanglish, a linguistic dance you’ll hear everywhere.
- A restaurant menu might say “pollo with rice and beans” or “parking en la calle.”
- Speed signs post in kilometers, but gas stations sell in gallons. It’s metric meets imperial in a humid handshake.
As we cruised past neighborhoods, we couldn’t help but notice the iguanas—dozens sunbathing like retired locals. Locals jokingly call them “the squirrels of Puerto Rico.” And honestly? That’s accurate. They’re everywhere: on lawns, rooftops, even occasionally blocking traffic with tail swagger.
🥃 Bacardi Distillery Tour: History in a Glass
The Bacardi complex rose from the greenery like a rum cathedral. Upon arrival, we were greeted with the welcome cocktail of the day—a classic Cuba Libre (rum and Coke, of course).
The tour began with an immersive history of the Bacardi family—how Don Facundo Bacardí revolutionized rum-making in Santiago de Cuba in the 1860s before relocating the brand to Puerto Rico. Their story is one of innovation, resilience, and a little bit of Latin swagger.
Next, we were ushered into a breezy demonstration on crafting the perfect mojito:
🍃 Mojito Instructions
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Bacardi Superior Rum
- 6 fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 lime, cut into wedges
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Soda water
- Ice
Directions:
- Muddle lime wedges, mint leaves, and sugar at the bottom of a glass.
- Add crushed ice and rum.
- Top with soda water.
- Stir gently, garnish with a mint sprig.
After we felt like honorary mixologists, we toured the distillation process—seeing massive fermentation tanks, copper columns, and barrels aging in silent warehouses. The scent was rich: sugarcane, oak, heat, and heritage.
In the showroom, we had the chance to purchase premium Bacardi offerings—including a bottle of Bacardi Limitada, personalized and engraved. Mine still sits on the shelf like a trophy with memories distilled inside.
A Presidential Walk & Market Charm
On the way back into town, we paused at the Walkway of the Presidents—a short but striking promenade featuring bronze statues of every U.S. President who has visited Puerto Rico. It’s equal parts patriotic and poetic, tucked between palm trees and government buildings.
Then we were dropped at a lively open-air market where vendors sold colorful crafts, fresh fruit, and the occasional quirky souvenir. We strolled uphill, then made the pilgrimage to a San Juan legend: Barrachina Restaurant.
🍍 Barrachina: Rumor Has It…
Legend has it Barrachina is the birthplace of the Piña Colada, first mixed in 1963 by bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero. Whether or not the claim is contested, their version was heavenly: rich coconut cream, sweet pineapple juice, and cold rum shaken into frosty bliss.
We dined in the courtyard, shaded and serene, surrounded by potted palms and soft acoustic music. We devoured:
- Seafood mofongo, a Puerto Rican classic with mashed plantains and garlic
- Traditional paella, packed with saffron, shellfish, and sunny goodness
🎩 The Final Stroll
Bellies full, spirits high, we wandered downhill toward the ship, stopping just long enough to buy a Classic Panama hat—because every Caribbean adventure deserves a stylish souvenir.
