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Puerto Rican Culture

Puerto Rico’s culture is a colorful tapestry of old and new, mixing indigenous, Spanish, and African traditions. You’ll find expressions of that culture all around the Island — from art museums to vibrant murals, from bomba dance lessons to lively festivals that fill the streets. Whether you want to look, listen, or join right in, immerse yourself in the unique and welcoming culture of Puerto Rico

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Santurce Street Art

Free-spirited Santurce is home to art galleries, museums, restaurants, and an abundance of street art.
A local artisan displays figurines, and masks, known as vejigante. 

A local artisan displays figurines and traditional masks known as vejigantes.
Festival

San Juan’s famous Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian mark the official end to Puerto Rico’s holiday season.
Woman dances bomba

Bomba dancing is one of Puerto Rico's deepest cultural traditions.
Arte

For a bounty of colorful murals, check out the Santurce area in San Juan.

Festival

Music, dancing, and good food are guaranteed at the Island’s many festivals.  
A mural of a bird at Distrito T-Mobile

"San Pedrito" by Ana Marietta, one of the many murals you can see at Distrito T-Mobile in San Juan.
A man admires a historic painting hanging in a museum

The Ponce Museum of Art.
Exterior shot of the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico in San Juan

The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico displays works ranging from classical to contemporary.
Neon signs in multiple colors light an entrance to Distrito T-Mobile

Distrito T-Mobile is a place where you will find many vibrant murals by Puerto Rican artists.

A Tapestry of Cultures

The vibrant culture of Puerto Rico is a fascinating mix of Taíno, African, and Spanish heritage. The indigenous Taíno people's legacy is still felt today in language and customs. Spanish colonization significantly shaped the island's architecture, language, and religion, particularly evident in historic Old San Juan. Lastly, African traditions have also deeply enriched Puerto Rican culture, especially in music and dance. This unique fusion defines the rich Puerto Rican traditions celebrated across the island.

Lively street scene in Old San Juan showcasing the vibrant Puerto Rico culture with people dancing and musicians playing traditional music.

Live Boricua!

In Puerto Rico, we call ourselves Boricua. It’s a unique name that honors our Island heritage, but it’s also a way of life, a state of mind, a rhythm and flavor that is distinctly Puerto Rico. Once you visit us, you’ll find that spirit in yourself, too. From our sparkling beaches to our rich and vibrant culture, we invite you to experience Puerto Rico the Boricua way.

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Festive atmosphere in Old San Juan during the holiday season, a time rich in Puerto Rican traditions and cultural celebrations.

Festivals & Traditions

From Three Kings Day parades in January to clapping when a plane touches down on the Island, traditions are kept alive by Puerto Rico's locals year after year. It's easy to find a tradition that speaks to you with endless festivals, events, and holiday celebrations from east to west and north to south.

Join the "party in the street" vibe at Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián in the historic city of Old San Juan or experience traditions like drinking coquito — an eggnog-like cocktail made with rum and coconut — during the holiday season. No matter what time of year, culture is present in every corner of this Caribbean paradise.

Learn More About Puerto Rico's Celebrations

The Yaucromatic Art Gallery in Yauco bursts with color, a testament to the vibrant contemporary Puerto Rican culture and artistic expression.

Yaucromatic, a public art project in Yauco, is Puerto Rico's largest outdoor art gallery.

Art in Puerto Rico

With colorful street murals and contemporary art museums and galleries, Puerto Rico's art scene is unique and full of history. The Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (Museum of Art of Puerto Rico) in Santurce is packed with classic pieces that date back to the 17th century. Nearby, the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo (Puerto Rico Contemporary Museum) is not to be missed if you want a taste of the Island's modern side. Distrito T-Mobile offers a less traditional art space, featuring an eclectic mix of mosaics, murals, sculptures, and installations by Puerto Rican artists. You'll find more art in places like Ponce and Bayamón as well. Local art, whether it's a painting or a hand-carved figurine, is the perfect souvenir to take back home with you!

Learn More About Art in Puerto Rico

A joyful crowd participates in salsa dancing in the streets of historic Old San Juan, a lively display of Puerto Rican culture and community spirit.

You can find people dancing salsa on every corner of the Island.

Music & Dancing in Puerto Rico

All year-round, you can experience Puerto Rico's tropical flavor through the music that blankets the Island. Music in Puerto Rico ranges from traditional salsa to softer beats like the trova to bomba y plena, a contagious dance inspired by Puerto Rico's African roots. Bring your dancing shoes because the musical culture on the Island is alive, vibrant, and too good to miss!

Feel the rhythms of Puerto Rico

 

People singing parrandas, a unique Puerto Rican cultural tradition.

Unique Puerto Rican Customs

Puerto Rican culture is rich with unique customs that showcase its vibrant heritage. One such tradition is the celebration of quinceañeros, elaborate coming-of-age parties for young women turning fifteen. You'll also find a strong emphasis on family and community, often seen in lively gatherings and celebrations. The tradition of parrandas during the Christmas season involves groups spontaneously visiting friends and family to sing traditional songs. And don't be surprised by the warm hospitality; la gente (the people) are known for their welcoming nature and strong sense of pride in their Puerto Rican traditions.

How to give a good parranda

Roasting a pork.

Quick Bites of Puerto Rican Culture

  • Puerto Rico is often called "La Isla del Encanto" (The Island of Enchantment)
  • Listen for the vibrant rhythms of bomba and plena, musical styles with African roots that get everyone moving!
  • Lechón asado, slow-roasted pig, is a mouthwatering centerpiece of many Puerto Rican celebrations
  • The colorful architecture of Old San Juan reflects centuries of Spanish colonial history
  • Coquí frogs, tiny native amphibians, fill the night air with their distinctive son.
  • Baseball is a major passion, with many Puerto Rican players becoming international stars

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