Feliz Navidad in Viejo San Juan
Dazzling decorations, merry maracas and more
Ella La Loba
Puerto Rico wins the mofongo for the most festive Christmas. And Old San Juan is the soul of the celebration.Dazzling decorations, merry maracas and fabulous food would put even a scrooge in a magical mood.
Natives don’t wait December to begin the revelry, which erupts the day after Thanksgiving, and doesn’t stop until Three Kings Day, which this year is January 6.
La Fortaleza, the governor’s residence in Old San Juan, the oldest executive mansion in the New World is festooned with ribbons and aglow with lights befitting the Oz like structure.
Adjacent Calle Cristo (Christ Street) alone is worth a holiday trek to Puerto Rico.
The street, long ago a gathering spot for rowdy groups now offers sensational shopping for art, crafts, clothing and jewelry. You'll also find galleries and savvy restaurants and cafes. (We love El Buren and La Danza.)
El Convento Hotel, listed as one of the Worlds Great Hotels and Juan Cathedral, also populate the street.
And La Capilla del Cristo next to the pigeon park, at the end of the street offers an intimate spiritual respite with its ornamental alter.
Known as “ the miracle shrine,” Capilla Del Cristo was built in Old San Juan to commemorate what legend alleges was a miracle. In 1753 a young rider lost control of his horse, while racing it on Calle Cristo during a fiesta. Horse and rider plunged over the precipice. The horse was killed, but the rider was miraculously unharmed.
When in Puerto Rico during the holidays, be sure to drink some coquito, the official Christmas beverage. It similar to eggnog, but creme de coco and Puerto Rican rum makes it island authentic.
Photo: Festive road leading to La Fortaleza in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photo © D. B. Bostdorf
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