8 Things You Absolutely Must Do in Caguas, Puerto Rico
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About an hour outside San Juan lies another picturesque Puerto Rican city: Caguas.
The biggest urban spot in the Central Mountain Range, Caguas (founded in 1775) offers beautiful scenery, good food, historic buildings — and all at walkable distances, starting at one central location: Santiago R. Palmer plaza.
With delicious coffee at Cafe Palmer, family-friendly attractions (including a carousel), and all kinds of must-try food carts, you could spend all day inside this park. But you shouldn't, because Caguas is such a fun city to explore! Read on to discover the eight things you've got to experience during your stay.
Stay at the Four Points by Sheraton Caguas
Four Points by Sheraton is the only hotel in Caguas, so it'll make your stay a lot easier.
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Follow the Route of the Creole Heart
Caguas has an easy-to-follow walking tour, The Route of the Creole Heart, that spans 12 stops throughout its city center. Just pop into the tourism office — your first stop — in front of Santiago R. Palmer plaza and ask for a map. Then, look for the above symbol right outside the office and start walking!
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Try These Delicious Almojábanas
Don Juan's almojábanas (Puerto Rican-style fried rice balls) cart has been outside the tourism office for 40 years. He wakes up at 4 a.m. to start cooking, and once they're gone for the day, that's it. Try them with a cafecito!
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Eat at Orujo Taller de Gastronomia
Chef Carlos Portela (pictured) is an innovative chef working to bring back Puerto Rico's farm-to-table roots.
At his contemporary restaurant, Orujo Taller de Gastronomia, he uses at least one local ingredient in each dish and interviews every table before service, getting to know them, their likes and dislikes, and any food allergies. He then either prepares the set dinner menu or improvizes customizations based on their answers.
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Taste the Sangria at The Sangria Factory
The flag pictured here isn't just a dose of Puerto Rican pride, it's also the door to The Sangria Factory, where owner Emanuel Reyes Ruiz serves up his delicious Los Hermanos sangria.
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See the Shrine Dedicated to Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodriguez
Puerto Rico's only saint, Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1999, and you can visit his shrine at the Sweet Name of Jesus Cathedral in Caguas.
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Visit the Popular Arts Museum
The Popular Arts Museum works to preserve and promote Puerto Rico's rich history and diversity. You'll be able to see beautiful pieces that tell its story like the one here, "Artífices" by Edwin Báez Carrasquillo, which showcases the evolution of Puerto Rican people. Bonus: admission is free of charge.
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Make Your Own Cigar
Stop by the Hermino Torres Grillo Tobacco Museum to learn a bit about the fragrant crop and revel in the opportunity to craft your own cigar — with professional guidance, of course. When you're done, head over to Don Rey Cigar Parlor to purchase some of the country's best cigars.