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Christmas Puerto Rico holidays
From Thanksgiving in November to the beginning of January, Puerto Rico explodes into a tropical winter wonderland for 45 days, claiming the crown for the longest holiday season in the world. What better place to spend your holiday than with the season seasoned professionals?
On your holiday, learn about the heart-warming Puerto Rican traditions that keep the Christmas celebrations alive for well over a month. Swig Puerto Rican eggnog, a coconutty raisin affair; belt out a festive tune, carol singing till sunrise; and commemorate the Three Wise Men’s visit to baby Jesus, with gifts for the Mahi’s camels and horses.
Christmas holidays to Puerto Rico
Christmas traditions in Puerto Rico
The Boricuas (Puerto Ricans) have a special twist on our traditional Christmas carols in their lively social events called parrandas. The aim is to surprise friends and family with aguinaldos (songs) late into the night – spreading joy amongst the neighbourhood. The surprised - and sleepy - neighbours host the merry visitors; drinking, eating, and joining the crowd to surprise the next hospitable home.
Stealing the show from Christmas Day, Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) is the main event for the festive holiday season. On Nochebuena, locals will feast on a traditional dinner - arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon and peas), exchange gifts, marvel at Christmas decorations, join parrandas and attend Miso de Gallo (Midnight Mass).
On January 6th, Puerto Ricans commemorate Día de Reyes (Three Kings Day) – the day the three wise men visited the baby Jesus. On the evening before, children fill shoeboxes with grass or hay and place them under their beds to feed the Magis camels or horses. When they wake the following morning, the straw has been replaced by gifts. The best place to celebrate Día de Reyes is Juana Díaz, with crowds surpassing 25,000 people. The eight days following Día de Reyes is known as las octivitas, which is another excuse to celebrate and partake in joyful parranda's.
Best places to celebrate Christmas in Puerto Rico
A colourful mixture of traditions, where Spanish, African and Anglo-Saxon influences have put their stamp on the colourful events, parties, food, and drinks that dictate Puerto Rico’s festive season.
San Juan is the best landing spot for your festive holiday – a city adorned with Christmas lights and festivals aplenty. Attend Miso De Gallo on Nochebuena at the beautiful Catedral de San Juan, the oldest cathedral in San Juan and the USA. Old San Juan is also where the festivities culminate at the San Sebastian Festival (San Se).
Best hotels to celebrate Christmas in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is even more mesmerising over the festive season, where the capital San Juan sparkles from head to toe – mirrored by the ocean.
A certified Green Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton in San Juan is fronted by miles of Isla Verde beaches - a private and exclusive place to unwind. Surpass the winter blues and step into luxury, indulging in this 5* haven, where oceanfront pools, fine dining, casinos, and housekeeping become the norm.
Perfect for families, Caribe Hilton is a 4* hotel located near to the historic site of Old San Juan - a UNESCO world heritage site. The kids will love the fountain pool, the hammock garden, the outdoor playground, and the fish feeding. Plus, it’s situated close to the airport, so no long car journeys with the kids!