Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine January 2019 | Page 474

PUERTO RICO Adventure History Culture Walking Tours Stroll through Old San Juan, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristobal and the Bacardi Distillery. Salsa Tours If walking isn’t your style, dance your heart out. Cave Exploration Visit cave systems like Cueva Ventana, Toro Verde Adventure Park and El Yunque rainforest – the largest rainforest in the United States. Traditional Festivals . . . San Sebastian Street Festival In Puerto Rico, Christmas celebrations extend until the end of January and culminate with a Festival on the streets of San Sebastian. “Las Calles” or “San Se” as it is called by locals, is the most well-known festival in Puerto Rico, and attracts thousands of people each year, both tourists and locals, all ready to celebrate the day and night. These are held in the streets of Old San Juan, and last for 4 days, from Thursday to Sunday. This holiday season, it will be conducted from January 17-20, 2019. The event is a celebration of Puerto Rican culture and is perfect for all ages. During the day, there are different activities, including a parade of “Cabezudos,” (giant-headed carnival figures) during which a group of people disguised in masks made of papier-mâché parade through the streets with music to entertain. There is also food kiosks, local artisans, and live music for the enjoyment of the entire family. At nightfall, the festivities do not stop, and the streets of Old San Juan fill with groups of younger people, who enjoy dancing, music, food and drink until dawn. Bioluminescent Bays It’s an experience you won’t want to miss. You’ll see the reflection of microorganisms, which causes the water to glow when touched. Puerto Rico is home to three of the world’s five such bays. Puerto Rico’s is located in Mosquito Bay in Vieques; Laguna Grande in Fajardo; and La Parguera in Lajas. Three Kings Day On the evening of January 5th, children fill shoe boxes with cut grass for the camels to eat. The boxes are placed under the beds of parents, grandparents, godparents, uncles and aunts. In the night, the Three Kings of the Epiphany come to deliver presents while their camels eat the grass. Photo Credit: Discover Puerto Rico