Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HABITS & CUSTOMS
There are very few tricks to dining out in Puerto Rico - you can eat with either hand, hold
your utensils American or British style, or whatever. Just follow basic manners and you'll
get along fine. Breakfast and lunch tend to be quick, and dinner is usually a lingering, so-
cial and festive affair. If invited to someone's house, a gift bottle of rum, beer or wine will
be well received (more so than flowers). Don't argue when hosts serve you gargantuan por-
tions; as their guest, you get special treatment.
Plantains are in such demand on the island they must be imported from the Dominican Republic.
Food is an intrinsic part of Puerto Rican culture, and festivals celebrating regional spe-
cialties take place year-round. Some favorites:
Carnaval de Salinas, Salinas
April; known for killer seafood.
FestivaldelCamaróndeRío,Moca
May; River Shrimp Festival; river shrimp are prepared
in every way imaginable.
Festival del Guineo, Lares
June; try more than a dozen varieties of bananas.
Puff Pastry Festival, Añasco
August; a dessert showdown between island bakeries.
National Plantain Festival, Corozal
October; plantains mashed, fried and all ways in
between.
FestivaldelCetí,Arecibo
September; the coastal town feasts on a miniature relative of the
sardine.
