Culture – Caribbean Trading

Chinchorreo at Luquillo

Captain Tim — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 20:19:48 +0000

Are you interested in tasting what our local food has to offer and enjoy a beach view? Well let’s go! Right after El Yunque Rainforest, you will find Luquillo, a town on the north-east coast of Puerto Rico. It’s a favorite of locals and lovers of chinchorreo.

What is a Chinchorreo?

Chinchorreo is a group of people that go to a cozy bar or “chinchorro” to eat, drink, dance and have fun. It is very popular on the island. There are many of these “chinchorros” at the Luquillo beach area. They are known as Luquillo kiosks– Kioskos de Luquillo.

This is an area with a large selection of food. Sixty bars and restaurants offer a great gastronomic variety. Options include fresh seafood, local fried foods, and cuts of meat. No matter which one you choose, you will be totally satisfied! There is usually live music on most days of the week, especially the weekends. Salsa, Merengue, Jazz and more.

Why Luquillo?

Luquillo, known as the Capital of the Sun, has a beach that is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico. El Balneario La Monserrate offers parking for your convenience. Along the coast you can choose from one of the many great spots to launch yourself into a dip in the warm crystal clear waters. Many come to practice water sports here such as surfing, jet skiing, kite surfing and kayaking. This public beach offers showers, covered gazebos, and usually a lifeguard on duty. A great place to organize family gatherings!

The beautiful crystalline waters and great culinary variety of this town are a must-see attraction. It is worth the trip to schedule at least a day in Luquillo. Get in your car and go to this spot to witness its charms. Complement your chinchorreo by stopping at our Rio Grande store for some fresh Puerto Rican coffee, Caribbean spices and sauces, quality gifts, souvenirs and local arts.

Old San Juan Guide for Visitors

Cabin Boy Patrick — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 14:00:50 +0000

This Old San Juan Guide will get you orientated in preparation for your visit. Old San Juan is the oldest settlement within Puerto Rico and the historic colonial section of the city of San Juan.

Visit San Cristobal Fort

San Juan was founded in 1521 located in the North West of the city. Old San Juan is full of colorful architecture and rich history. It’s also home to San Cristóbal Fortress that offers sweeping views of the city and provides a journey back to the colonizing days where it was used to fight off any invaders. It was also used to hold people captive but it all stopped when the Americans won the Spanish-American war in 1898. Over the years it’s now a museum that people can visit.

Stroll the Streets

Old San Juan is a very populated area and well known for shopping in the Historic District of Old San Juan. In Old San Juan the streets are filled with stores, artisans and restaurants to go and visit. You can find Caribbean Trading’s awesome products in many of the stores there. I like to go eat and party at the different plazas and food trucks.

Visit El Morro Fort

I suggest one of the first things to do in San Juan is to go visit El Morro to see the views. See how everything operated in the past. Next best thing is to fly a kite in the grassy area in front. By then you’ve probably worked up an appetite! .

Visit the Museums and Art Galleries

From the Children’s Museum to Casa Blanca, the home of Juan Ponce de Leon to a bunch of art galleries, there are many museums and art galleries throughout Old San Juan. Learn about Pablo Casals or Feliza Rincon de Gautier, the first female mayor. This site has up-to-date information on what’s open.

There are also some tourist spots for kayaking and paddle boarding. If you’ve done everything listed here, then go and visit the casinos if that interests you.

If you want to explore outside the city, visit our store in Rio Grande in Palmer next to El Yunque. We also have a store in Rincon. Caribbean Trading Company has the best gift shops in the Island. Try our hot sauce challenge. We offer a great family experience. Our employees will guide you and give you great tips on fun places to go.

El Yunque Wildlife

Captain Tim — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 12:02:51 +0000

Here’s a quick listing of some of the El Yunque Wildlife you can expect to see. The El Yunque Rainforest offers lots of wildlife and fauna for the visitor to appreciate. While you will not find any monkeys, you will find lots of birds and lizards and a coqui frog or two. They key is to be observant while in the rainforest as many of the the animals are small and it is difficult to distinguish them amongst the tropical rainforest greenery and canopy. Below is a listing of some of the wildlife you may see while visiting El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico. Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/elyunque/landmanagement/resourcemanagement/?cid=fsbdev3_042976. Photo courtesy of: Puerto Rico Tourism Company. And… don’t forget to visit our Caribbean Trading El Yunque store while you are here!

Endangered Species

The Rainforest is home to 5 endangered species and 1 threatened species. Much work is being done to help these animals return from the brink of extinction. They are unique to Puerto Rico.

The Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata) is one of the ten rarest birds in the world and is only found on the Island of Puerto Rico. The island parrot population was estimated to number in the hundreds of thousands when first encountered during Columbus’ second voyage of discovery. It dropped to a low of 13 birds in 1975. After this date the population reached an estimated 47 birds in the wild, declining again to 23 birds after Hurricane Hugo in 1989. Currently the wild flock is climbing but challenges are many and its future still hangs in the balance.

The Puerto Rican Boa (Epicrates inornatus) is found throughout the island, and lives in El Yunque below an elevation of 1200 feet (365 meters). Although the recovery plan for the boa was approved in 1986, its ecology is only now being understood through research conducted by the USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry.

The Puerto Rican broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus brunnescens) is a subspecies of the broad-winged hawk and is found in isolated mountain areas preferring to hunt from lofty perches. This hawk’s prey consists of frogs, lizards, other birds and insects. As of 1992 its population on the island was estimated at approximately 124 individuals. The cause of its decline has been due to forest destruction and habitat loss due to construction.

The Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned hawk (Accipiter striatus venator)– another subspecies of the sharp-shinned hawk–is a small forest hawk. Currently it is restricted to five isolated mountain-forest areas. Primarily it feeds on small birds. If you are fortunate you may see one streak by in the forest. Nest failures, deforestation, and habitat loss due to construction have played a significant role in the decline of this species.

Non-native Invasive Species

An invasive species is a species that is not native to the area and does or is likely to cause harm to the environment or other species. In El Yunque, you will see mongooses, rats and the stray dogs and cats. They are actively managed to deal with these pests as they do negatively impact local species. If you happen to see any of these species, please alert Forest Service staff.

Wildlife Species

Coqui frogs/Lizards/Insects

Coqui frogs are plentiful and considered a national treasure on the forest. There are currently 16 species of coquis. These tree frogs are endemic (only found) in Puerto Rico. A satellite population of coquis has recently been discovered in Hawaii possibly transported there in plants.

There are about 14 different lizard species that make the EYNF their habitat. They can be seen on the various forms of vegetation once you enter the forest.

Insects are an important part of the ecology of the EYNF and the diversity of these creatures throughout the forest will astound any insect enthusiast. At one research site alone, a list of 1,200 insect species was collected; ranging from ants to beetles to flies.

Neotropical Migrant Birds

These migratory birds breed in North America and migrate to the south for the winter. Approximately 35 species of these migratory birds either winter or pass through El Yunque during this season. They contribute significantly to the total animal diversity of the forest. The recent decline in the population of migratory birds throughout North America, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean is of growing concern. Major causes of declines in the populations of many of these species are believed to stem from the fragmentation of North American breeding habitat; also the loss of wintering habitats in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

For more information:
https://avesdepuertorico.org/ingl_site/index.htm

Aquatic Creatures

Rivers and streams provide aquatic habitats for organisms that are important elements of the forest’s biological diversity. Most perennial (flowing year-round) and many ephemeral (flowing in short periods, yearly) streams on the forest support many aquatic species, including: seven species of fish, nine species of freshwater shrimp, and 1 species of freshwater crab. For ecological as well as recreational reasons, the forest’s aquatic resource values are very significant. Within the forest boundary exists some of the most pristine and productive aquatic habitats remaining on the island. These nonrenewable resources are illegally fished with traps and spears. Harvest of these species are as yet unregulated, both on and off the forest. Monitoring surveys to determine their distribution, habitat needs, population status and trend are conducted regularly to protect these aquatic members of the forest’s family.

Captain Tim’s Annual Caribbean Blog Review – The Wisdom of 2015

Captain Tim — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 12:45:57 +0000

It has been a busy year here at Caribbean Trading Company and 2015 marked the year where we tried to focus more on our blog and quality content, sharing all the pearls of wisdom and insights we have on the Caribbean. Located in Puerto Rico, we tried to bring an authentic perspective to our Caribbean blog postings and share with the world a bit about the Caribbean lifestyle and to respond to all of the questions that we received from visitors to the islands. Of course, as natives of Puerto Rico, many of our postings reflected the culture and happenings in Puerto Rico. Here is a listing of all of the blogs that 2015 brought…. We hope to bring you even more interesting topics in the coming new year!

The Paso Fino Horse: A Puerto Rican Icon

Captain Tim — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:26:47 +0000

Sourced From Enciclopedia PR – one of my favorite informative websites for all things cultural and historical in Puerto Rico…..
Paso fino horses are a particular breed developed in Puerto Rico and descended from a mix of Spanish horses. They naturally have a particular way of walking in short and rhythmic steps that can be perfected and further stylized through training.

The horse is the product of a mix of horses and ponies from Andalusia and North Africa. Puerto Rico’s nature as an island, as well as the characteristics of its topography, created the ideal conditions for the development of the Puerto Rican paso fino through selective breeding.

Their smooth and fluid movements lend them a grace and majesty. They walk with their necks arched and their ears alert.

Historically, these horses were used to cover short distances in rough terrain. It is not known for sure when paso fino races first began, but there are accounts from the 1790s that describe the particular gait of Puerto Rican horses. During the 19th century, paso fino competitions took place in various parts of the island. In the Carreras de San Juan, which were held during the San Juan Day festivities, the owners of paso fino horses sent their best examples to be shown.

Governor Juan de la Pezuela y Cevallos (1848-1851) prohibited horse races for moral and safety reasons, but it is speculated that the real reason was because the events drew together the landowners who opposed the regime, giving them the opportunity to conspire. Subsequent governors maintained the ban, so paso fino competitions had to be held clandestinely.

In that era, landowners were not the only ones who owned paso fino horses. Foremen and even laborers also owned them. The sport continued after the change of sovereignty in 1898. By the 1930s, however, the sport had diminished considerably.

To further the sport, a group of enthusiasts formed the Puerto Rico Association of Saddle Horse Owners on March 21, 1943, with the support of the Horse Racing Commission. Later, the association changed its name to the Puerto Rico Paso Fino Horse Sporting Federation. The purposes of the organization included bringing together fans of breeding and riding paso fino horses; supporting and improving breeding; organizing competitions and exhibitions; spreading awareness of the sport; and establishing and maintaining a Genealogical Registry and issuing corresponding certifications.

In the 1940s, various horse owners in the United States exported Puerto Rican paso fino horses to the mainland. They followed the federation’s regulations but they also began to breed their horses with paso Colombian horses from Colombia. Thus they created their own line of horses that they also called paso fino.

According to the Puerto Rico Paso Fino Horse Sporting Federation, it is essential that the horse keep its back and haunches – the rear part of the horse’s back – at a constant level when walking, with no rising and falling, which allows the rider to remain very comfortable. Paso fino horses can be trained to execute three categories or levels of gaits, which are based on the horse’s speed. The paso fino is the shortest gait and is preferred in competitions.

Among the paso fino horses recognized for their talents is Dulce Sueño, from the 1930s, who was considered an example for achieving excellence in the paso fino gait. As a result, he was bred with other lines and produced many stellar examples. Other famous paso fino horses were Guamaní, Copita and Garza.

Currently, the paso fino breed is regulated by the Paso Fino Office of the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture through the Purebred Paso Fino Horse of Puerto Rico Agri-Industry Regulation, the purpose of which is to preserve the purity of the Puerto Rican paso fino breed. Purebred horses are those that have not been mixed with other breeds, particularly those from Colombia.

Exhibitions and competitions are currently held in many municipalities around the island, including the Minín Kuilan Cup in Dorado, the Dulce Sueño Fair in Guayama, the Puerto Rico Paso Fino Festival of Champions in San Juan, and the Puerto Rican Country Fair, which has been held in various towns around the island.

References

- Federación del Deporte de Caballos de Paso Fino de Puerto Rico. s. f. Web. 30 mayo 2010.
- Olazábal, Romualdo. “¿Qué es el paso fino?”. Paso Fino, puro de aquí. Romualdo Olazábal, s.f. Web. 30 mayo 2010.
- “Puerto Rico’s Paso Fino Horse: The Epitome of Elegance in World Horsemanship”. Puerto Rico Local Legacies. The Library of Congress, s. f. Web. 30 mayo 2010.
- Paso FIno Magazine https://www.pasofino-pr.com/

Read more on our blog about horses here:

- Vieques Horses

Vieques Horses

Artisan Fairs of Puerto Rico

Captain Tim — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:23:48 +0000

Artisan fairs and festivals are a staple of Puerto Rican life and culture. All municipalities host festivals honoring their patron saints and there are themed fairs based on local fruits, vegetables,or crafts There are festivals to celebrate holidays, musical instruments – pretty much there is a festival for everything. If oyu are planning a visit to Puerto Rico, plan a visit to a fair or festival and go to enjoy live music, art, food and activities.

The table below lists the majority of the celebrations held in the towns around the island that include or are centered on artisans’ fairs. Patron saint festivals, which are religious in origin, are not included. Sourced From Enciclopedia PR – one of my favorite informative websites for all things cultural and historical in Puerto Rico…..

Fairs / Festivals / Carnavals

January
INTERNATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL (San Juan)
THREE KINGS FESTIVAL (Juana Díaz)
SAN SEBASTIáN STREET FESTIVAL (San Juan)
MAYUCO FESTIVAL (Añasco)
LA NOVILLA FESTIVAL (San Sebastián)
INDIAN CARNAVAL (Santa Isabel)

February
MABó CARNAVAL (Guaynabo)
LA PLATA CARNAVAL (Dorado)
JIBARO TOMATO FESTIVAL (Jayuya)
COFFEE FESTIVAL (Yauco)
BEATRIZ CREOLE FESTIVAL (Caguas)
COFFEE SEASON FESTIVAL (Maricao)
PONCE CARNAVAL (Ponce) One week after Lent

March
CORRETJER CANTATAS (Ciales)
BORINQUEN FESTIVAL (Caguas)
FISHING FESTIVAL (Cabo Rojo)
ARTISANS’ FESTIVAL (Toa Baja)
PASO FINO HORSE FESTIVAL (Guayama)
CULTURAL CONFERENCE (Hormigueros)
FESTIVAL OF ORANGES (Las Marías)
GüIRO FESTIVAL (Las Piedras)
REGIONAL ARTISAN FESTIVAL (Ponce)
HUMPBACK WHALE FESTIVAL (Rincón)
BLACK FESTIVAL (Arroyo)
WITCH CARNAVAL (Guayama) March/April

April
PUERTO RICAN KITE FESTIVAL (Aguadilla)
BETANCES DAY A WEEK IN HONOR OF PATRIOT RAMON EMETERIO BETANCES (Cabo Rojo)
CORN FESTIVAL (Canóvanas)
LLORENS WEEK A WEEK IN HONOR OF THE POET AND POLITICIAN LUIS LLORENS TORRES (Juana Díaz)
STUFFED POTATO FESTIVAL (Río Grande)
SOBERAO DANCE FESTIVAL (Sabana Grande)
KITE FESTIVAL (Fajardo)
BOTTLE CAP FESTIVAL (Aibonito)
GUARIONEX FESTIVAL (Utuado)
CAñABóN CREOLE FESTIVAL (Caguas)
FISHING FESTIVAL (Guánica)
CELERY FESTIVAL (Barranquitas) April/May
TURTLE FESTIVAL (Luquillo)

May
ORCHID FESTIVAL (Fajardo)
HOME GARDEN FESTIVAL (Gurabo)
PINEAPPLE FESTIVAL AND BLUE MARLIN FESTIVAL (Lajas)
SOCIOCULTURAL FESTIVAL (Vega Baja)
SUGAR SYRUP FESTIVAL (Yabucoa)
COCONUT FESTIVAL (Rincón)
NATIONAL GüIRO FESTIVAL (Peñuelas)
EMERALD OF THE SOUTH CARNAVAL (Patillas)
FISHERMAN’S FESTIVAL (Fajardo) May/June

June
ARTISANS’ FESTIVAL IN HONOR OF THE FLAG (Coamo)
TOWN AND COUNTRY FOLK FESTIVAL (Aguas Buenas)
KETTLE COOKING FESTIVAL (Aibonito)
TRADITIONAL CREOLE FESTIVAL (Caguas)
OAK FESTIVAL (Cayey)
CUSTARD APPLE FESTIVAL (Naranjito)
GRACKLE FESTIVAL (Naranjito)
FISHING FESTIVAL (Salinas)
BANANA FESTIVAL (Lares)
CASALS FESTIVAL (San Juan)
LACE FESTIVAL (Moca)
CUATRO FESTIVAL (Moca)
TRUNKFISH FESTIVAL (Naguabo) June
ANNUAL ARTISANS’ FAIR Plaza Las Américas Shopping Mall, (San Juan) June/July
FLOWER FESTIVAL Aibonito June/July
THE SALSA, BOMBA AND PLENA FESTIVAL Aguas Buenas June/July

July
CAYENALISA PINEAPPLE FESTIVAL (Florida)
FOLK FESTIVAL (Arecibo)
BARRANQUITAS NATIONAL ARTISANS’ FAIR (Barranquitas)
FRESHWATER FESTIVAL (Ciales)
CUATRO FESTIVAL (Morovis)
SHRIMP FESTIVAL (Orocovis)
ISLAND SAUCE FISH FESTIVAL (Salinas)
HAMMOCK FESTIVAL (San Sebastián)
CRAB FESTIVAL (Aguas Buenas) July/August

August
CIDRA FESTIVAL (Adjuntas)
CHALK FESTIVAL (Cataño)
BREADFRUIT FESTIVAL (Humacao) August/September

September
CULTURAL FESTIVAL (Camuy)
ARTISANS’ FAIR (Orocovis)
ARTISANS’ FAIR (Arecibo)
TRADITIONAL FESTIVAL (Las Piedras)
COCONUT FESTIVAL (Luquillo)
FESTI-CARNAVAL OF CRABS (Maunabo)
FESTIVAL DE LAS PICúAS (Río Grande)
CUSTARD APPLE FESTIVAL (San Germán)
EMBROIDERY AND LACE FESTIVAL (San Lorenzo)

Octuber
SUGAR CANE SYRUP FESTIVAL (Vega Baja)
ROOSTER FESTIVAL (Vega Alta)
RICE FRITTER FESTIVAL (Lares)
JíBARO FESTIVAL (Guayama)
ENCANTADO RIVER CULTURAL FESTIVAL (Florida)
PLANTAIN FESTIVAL (Corozal)
COROZO PALM FESTIVAL (Corozal)
COMERIO JíBARO FESTIVAL (Comerío)
THE AMéRICAS FESTIVAL (Cataño)
TRADITIONAL FESTIVAL (Canóvanas)
FOLK FESTIVAL (Barceloneta)
ARTISANS’ FAIR (CONFERENCE OF CARVERS) (Aguada)

November
NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN MEAT PIE FESTIVAL (Orocovis)
PLAIN PIGEON FESTIVAL (Cidra)
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS FESTIVAL (Jayuya)
VALENCIANO CARNAVAL (Juncos)
FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL (Toa Alta)
ARTISANS’ FAIR (Mayagüez)
PASO FINO FESTIVAL (Trujillo Alto)
AREYTO FESTIVAL (Villalba)
CETí FESTIVAL (Arecibo)
PASSION FRUIT FESTIVAL (San Lorenzo)
FISHING FESTIVAL (Arroyo)

December
MARTORELL JíBARO FESTIVAL (Yabucoa)
TROUBADOR FESTIVAL (Sabana Grande)
FESTIVAL OF THE MASKS (Hatillo)
OTOAO CULTURAL FESTIVAL (Utuado)
PETATE FESTIVAL (Sabana Grande)
BURéN FESTIVAL (Sabana Grande)
MACABEO FESTIVAL (Trujillo Alto)
LA MORA CAVES FESTIVAL (Comerío)
TROUBADOR CONTEST (Adjuntas)
TRADITIONAL CULTURAL MEGA FESTIVAL (Quebradillas)
CHRISTMAS PARADE AND ARTISANS’ FAIR (Lajas)
ARTISANS MARKET Carolina One Sunday Each Month

As you travel around the island, be sure to stop in at Caribbean Trading and say hi at either our El Yunque or Rincon stores.

The Flamboyan Tree: A Puerto Rico Icon

Captain Tim — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 12:17:59 +0000

The Flamboyan Tree is a theme you will see throughout Puerto Rican art and is celebrated as a major iconic image of Puerto Rico. You will see images of the flamboyant in much of the local art and souvenirs when in Puerto Rico.

The Flamboyan is actually spelled Flamboyant, and is also known as Royal Poinciana, Flame Tree, Peacock Flower, and Gulmohar.

It produces large, fiery red or golden blooms that blossom from spring through summer. This fast-growing, deciduous tree develops fern like foliage and takes on a natural umbrella shape. Its tolerance to poor soils and hard pruning make it an excellent selection for the drier areas of Puerto Rico, and even for bonsai!

Flamboyans were planted by the roadsides to shade people riding the roads on horseback. Originally from India, they thrive is dry climates and are most flamboyant on the south coast but still thrive in the wet forest.

A road trip through Puerto Rico in June and July to view the blooming flamboyant trees makes for a very scenic drive. Any Flamboyan road trip should include a full trip around the island and should include a trip to the town of Peñuelas, Puerto Rico, located about 12 miles west of Ponce, is nicknamed “El Valle de los Flamboyanes” (“The Valley of the Poinciana Trees”), as many Flamboyant trees are found along the surrounding Río Guyanes, Río Macana, and Río Tallaboa Rivers. Also a drive along the north coast on Route 2 is lovely too.

You can read more about it on Uncommon Caribbean’s Blog.

Also, it is a cultural icon of Puerto Rico and represented in many local artists’ work, of which you can see a variety in our El Yunque or Rincon stores.

The Art of Palm Weaving

Captain Tim — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:12:28 +0000

The art of palm weaving is alive and well in Puerto Rico, as it is in many parts of the world. With an abundance of natural materials, i.e. the palm tree, there is always the base material available to start the next project.

Palm weaving is the folding and weaving of strips of palm leaves (also called fronds). You can make anything you like weaving palm; but, there is a tradition of making religious symbols representing Easter.

The Religious Tradition

The custom of blessing “palm” branches has its origin in the gospel account of the triumphant entry of Christ Jesus into the city of Jerusalem amid the palm waving Hebrews. Blessed “palms” are also a Christian symbol of victory and date back to the year 700 A.D.

The palm has become associated with the blessing of the home. Their religious significance is one of hope and belief in life after death. When offered as gifts, they symbolize love and friendship through Christ.

The Tropical Tradition

Anything can be made with palm fronds, and in Puerto Rico you will find artist weaving more htan just crosses. The most popular are calabash bowls, hats, and smaller items like roses and birds.

Curing and Travelling with Fronds

You can indeed bring them back with you to US, but they must be cured. To do this, they need to be put in a freezer for 24 hours. That will help kill any remaining bugs and help it cure at an equal rate.

I’ve personally had some palm calabash bowls for about 8 years now and they are still in great condition!

This article was written by Captain Tim and the Crew of Caribbean Trading Company.

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Follow the Route of San Juan Bautista in Old San Juan

Captain Tim — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 17:54:24 +0000

Follow the Route of San Juan Bautista in Old San Juan (St. John the Baptist) and discover the origins of Christianity in the New World.

The Route of San Juan Bautista shows the most important religious patrimony inside the historic walls of Old San Juan. You will discover some of the oldest churches, catacombs, religious ceremonies, religious art, sacred relics and architectural legacy that Puerto Rico has to offer.

Some of the must-see places in Old San Juan for the Religious Traveler:

Capilla del Cristo

Legend has it that this chapel was erected to commemorate a miracle that occurred in 1753 during a horse race along Cristo Street. An out-of-control horse and its young rider plummeted over the city wall. Just then, the secretary of state (secretario del gobierno), Don Mateo Pratts, implored Christ to spare the boy’s life, and miraculously, the youth was saved. (Ironically, the history is that both horse and rider perished; however, Pratts did have the chapel built.) Open Tuesdays.

Plazoleta de la Rogativa,

The site of a statue that immortalizes another famous event. The sculpture depicts a rogativa (religious procession) that occurred in 1797 during a British siege. Led by the bishop, the women of Old San Juan formed a procession chanting and carrying torches through the streets. From afar, the lights and commotion appeared to be reinforcements and frightened the enemy away.

Plaza de San José, site of Iglesia de San José,

One of the earliest examples of Gothic architecture in the Americas. Its construction began in 1532 and originally served as the church for the Dominican monastery (next door), San José Church was the resting place of Juan Ponce de León for 300 years until his remains were moved to the San Juan Cathedral. Many of the conquistador’s descendents are also buried here as well as Spanish governors, religious figures and renowned painter José Campeche. Due to structural problems, the Church has been closed since 2000 and is in the midst of a $5 million renovation project.

San Juan Cathedral

The oldest church in Puerto Rico and the second oldest of the Americas (1521). Its original wooden structure was destroyed by a hurricane in 1526 and reconstruction began in 1529. The oldest part of the neoclassic structure is its four Gothic chapels, one of which has an urn containing the remains of St. Pius. The cathedral houses the tomb of Spanish explorer and the Island’s first governor, Juan Ponce de León. Most recently, an altar was erected in honor of the Blessed Carlos “Charlie” Rodríguez, the first Caribbean-born layman to be beatified.

This article was written by Captain Tim and the Crew of Caribbean Trading Company.

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Coquis: A Puerto Rican Cultural Icon

Captain Tim — Tue, 12 May 2015 12:15:05 +0000

The Puerto Rican coquis are a very tiny little frog that is endemic to Puerto Rico. If you are in the country (or anywhere really) you will often hear the sounds of the coqui at night (co-qui co-qui). One would think they are the size of a bullfrog based on how much noise they make, but in fact they are more the size of your thumbnail.

This little frog, due to it’s uniqueness, has over the years become a cultural icon in Puerto Rico. It is represented in local artwork and books and has generally become the unofficial mascot of Puerto Rico. You will find coqui toys, books, recordings, and shirts in many of the souvenir shops on the island. Many establishments bear the name “Coquí,” and the Puerto Rican version of egg nog is called the coquito (it’s a mix of rum, cinnamon, cloves, coconut and egg, if you ever want to try it; you can also buy bottles of it on the island).

They have been featured in many poems and stories, and are even prominently featured in the myths, pottery and pictographs of the Tainos (native tribe of Puerto Rico)

In Puerto Rico all coquíes are called coquí even though not all sing ”co-quí”. Only two of the species the ”Coquí Común” and the ”Coquí de la Montaña or Coquí Puertorriqueño” actually sing ”co-quí”.

Puerto Rican coquíes have relatives all over Latin America. The coquí genre is found in all the Caribbean Islands, and in Central and South America. But again, the only ones that make the sound ”co-quí” are Puerto Rican.

The scientific name for the coquí is Eleu-thero-dactylus, characterized because they have no webbed toes. There are 16 different species in Puerto Rico and all of them have padded discs at the end of their toes which helps them climb.

Contrary to frogs, the coquíes do not go through a tadpole stage and break out of their egg – a small replica of their parents. The Golden Coqui is the only specie in the world that bears live young.

You will find many representations of the coqui in both our stores and online. Want a coqui souvenir for your self? Consider one of these:

This article was written by Captain Tim and the Crew of Caribbean Trading Company.

Liked this article? Join the Crew and Start the Journey! Connect with Us for News, Events, Lifestyle, and all things Caribbean by joining our Newsletter – Click Here to Join or find us on Facebook or Instagram.