5 reasons to visit Puerto Rico this holiday season
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.
‘Tis the season for coquito, fireworks and a historic New Year’s Eve countdown.
You’ll find all the above in Puerto Rico, where holidays are taken seriously. Decorations blanket the island by early November to prepare for one of the longest holiday seasons in the world, spanning from right after Thanksgiving to mid-January.
The show will go on this year despite ongoing safety restrictions and protocols, in some ways bigger and better than before. The capital city of San Juan is celebrating its 500th anniversary and the tourism industry is eager to welcome visitors back just in time for peak season. Deals on nonstop flights from major U.S. hubs are everywhere thanks to budget airlines such as JetBlue and Frontier.
If you like your festivities with a side of tropical beach, Puerto Rico should be at the top of your holiday list.
Related: A beginner’s guide to visiting Puerto Rico
New Year’s Rockin’ Eve
This year marks the 50th anniversary of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” — a repeat number one New Year’s Eve programming special hosted by Ryan Seacrest that boasted more than 18 million viewers last year. The more than five hours of performances provide a glimpse into holiday celebrations around the world. There will be one important, inclusive addition to the programming for 2022 – the first-ever Spanish language countdown to midnight, broadcasting live from Puerto Rico and hosted by Roselyn Sanchez.
The countdown will take place at 11 p.m. ET, 12 a.m. AST. However, due to a spike of the omicron variant, there will no longer be a live audience at the Puerto Rico Convention Center and Distrito T-Mobile, a state-of-the-art entertainment and nightlife complex that celebrated its grand opening in August 2021.
Acts including rapper Daddy Yankee will still perform and the Convention Center will still have an impressive display of fireworks, a tempting option for those seeking an alternative to the Times Square Ball Drop.
Three Kings Day
New Year’s Eve is just the beginning of the celebrations, followed by Three Kings Day on Jan. 6. This holiday honors the Magi, the kings that brought gifts to Jesus when he was born. To celebrate, children write a letter asking for a gift to their favorite king. On the eve of Three Kings Day, they leave boxes filled with straw out for the kings’ horses, like Santa’s cookies. In the morning the straw is gone, and gifts are in their place.
Preceding Three Kings’ Day, the town of Juana Díaz on the south coast of Puerto Rico hosts an annual festival and caravan starting around Jan. 2 that includes re-enactors of the three kings on horseback. They make their way to several cities throughout the island before returning for an official parade on the sixth, where Juana Díaz residents join dressed as shepherds. There’s a museum in town called Casa Museo de los Santos Reyes that is the only museum dedicated exclusively to Three Kings artifacts and artwork.
The party never stops
Puerto Rico is famous for the length of its holiday season. Having lights on a house until February is the norm, not the exception. Instead of caroling, there are parrandas, where friends and family visit each other’s houses with instruments, spend an hour or so dancing and eating before moving on to the next house. They’re meant to be a surprise and grow in attendees as the party goes into the wee hours of the morning.
Each municipality has its own celebrations, from Festival de las Mascaras in Hatillo with colorful masks and costumes to Manantial Iluminado in Vega Baja, a natural spring lit up with Instagram-worthy decorations. If you’re staying closer to the metro area you can visit NaviTown at Bahia Urbana, a fair with carnival rides and the ability to drive through Santa’s workshop. You can also watch the Christmas Boat Parade in the Bay of San Juan.
Puerto Rican holiday food
A typical celebratory feast features a roast pig, also known as lechon. There’s a pork trail in the mountains of Guavate called “La Ruta del Lechon” where you can go kiosk hopping and sample different cuts. They have live music and street vendors during the weekends and holidays.
Looking for a sweet fix? Loiza Dark has a shop right by the San Juan International Airport and should be your first stop when you land. They grow and cultivate their own cacao and create unique holiday truffle flavors throughout the year. When five o’clock comes around during the holiday season, pour yourself a glass of coquito. This festive Puerto Rican ]drink is a creamy coconut and rum-based alternative to eggnog that’s topped with cinnamon to taste. It’s so popular, you’ll find it in pharmacies and corner stores.
For a healthy holiday alternative, Poliniza (Jardines de Castillo, PR 181, Trujillo Alto) offers pick-up service of decadent dairy-free, gluten-free and refined sugar-free desserts, from cakes to brownies, all worth the drive. They offer local favorites like tres leches, a cake soaked in three different types of milk.
San Sebastián Street Festival
All good things come to an end. The Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián signal the end of the holiday season in Puerto Rico. It was still expected to take place from Jan. 13–16, 2022, in the streets of Old San Juan at press time. The festival was significantly reduced in 2020 due to the pandemic, so locals are excited to have it return on a grand scale.
During the day, the centuries-old corridors hold artists and vendors, forming one giant shopping plaza and showcase. At night, the city turns into a party with concerts and dancing in the streets. Finding parking is rare and the area is hard to navigate by car, so get an Uber or taxi to drop you off or stay in the Old San Juan area if possible.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.