Savoring Puerto Rico
Discover the most exotic escape in the heart and soul of the Caribbean
Her face presses against the acrylic window. As the plane cruises over San Juan, Von Diaz studies the terrain below: mountains and freshwater rivers, impossibly biodiverse rainforests and cascading waterfalls, sparkling beaches, and placid tides. Her home, the island where she was born, Puerto Rico.
“I always feel a sense of awe, coming and going,” says Diaz, a journalist, acclaimed radio producer, and two-time cookbook author who recently released Islas: A Celebration of Tropical Cooking—125 Recipes from the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Ocean Islands. Diaz is a Boricua, a term that signifies so much more
than just being born or descended from Puerto Rico; it embodies a unique state of mind, a distinctive attitude, and offers an open invitation for every visitor to embrace the vibrant culture and spirit of the island.
Despite growing up mainly in Atlanta due to her father’s army career, Diaz found her Puerto Rican roots deeply embedded during her summers with her grandmother in Altamesa, a neighborhood in the island’s capital. These formative years were pivotal in Diaz embracing her heritage. Under her
grandmother’s guidance, Diaz delved into the rich customs and traditions of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory where Spanish prevails as the primary language. It’s a unique destination where U.S. citizens can immerse themselves in a distinct culture without the need for a passport. Diaz’s journey beautifully illustrates the seamless blend of her American upbringing and Puerto Rican identity.
While on the island, she’d explore Old San Juan’s historic El Morro citadel, a fortress on which the Spanish began construction in 1593. She also played around El Yunque rain-forest—home to ancient hieroglyphs and rare tree species exclusive to the forest. Yet, it was through the vibrant culinary scene of Puerto Rico that Diaz truly connected with her heritage. Sampling Puerto Rican delicacies like taro fritters from local kiosks and indulging in her grandmother’s yuca con mojo, a traditional dish of boiled cassava root dressed in a garlicky citrus sauce, amid the backdrop of reggaetón beats from Luquillo beaches, Diaz discovered a flavorful path to both the island’s history and her personal narrative.
“I’m from two places—my body lives in one, my soul lives in another,” Diaz says. While that dichotomy once felt jarring, it’s allowed her to celebrate the dynamic culture of Puerto Rico.
“Everyone should be treating a trip to Puerto Rico like a trip to New York City or any other great destination,” Diaz says. “Not only is Puerto Rico a part of this country, it’s very easy to get here.” With all the appeal of an international destination—the powder-white sand, lush turquoise waters, and natural wonders like three bioluminescent bays—Puerto Rico provides mainland visitors with an exotic island getaway without the need for international phone plans or foreign currency.
And there’s plenty to celebrate once you arrive. Nearly three hundred tropical beaches are reason enough to buy a plane ticket. Toast your wise decision with a piña colada, the island’s national drink, which was, according to legend, crafted at San Juan’s Barrachina or Caribe Hilton Hotel—the debate is still
out on that one! Then travel through your taste buds along the island’s famous rutas del lechón or “pork highways”—corridors, Diaz says, of porcine perfection in the towns of Naranjito, Trujillo Alto, and Cayey, where you can savor meat that’s been marinating in adobo for hours. While her own palate prefers the island’s savory delicacies like mofongo and street food specialties like alcapurrias, a fritter filled with shellfish or beef, she encourages visitors not to skip Puerto Rico’s pastries.
“There are incredible desserts here,” Diaz says. At panaderías (bakeries) across the island, try quesitos, the island’s most popular pastry; pastelillitos de guayaba, or guava turnovers; besitos de coco, a.k.a. coconut kisses; or
the Puerto Rican version of the popular Latin American
dish brazo gitano, a thin sponge topped with coconut and powdered sugar for a decadent treat après-beach.
Whether you come for the sun, the sea, or the uniquely original sweet and savory cuisine, there are myriad ways
for every visitor to discover what it means to Live Boricua.
As Diaz says, “Puerto Rico is a choose-your-own-adventure type of place.”
“There are incredible desserts here,” Diaz says. At panaderías (bakeries) across the island, try quesitos, the island’s most popular pastry; pastelillitos de guayaba, or guava turnovers; besitos de coco, a.k.a. coconut kisses; or the Puerto Rican version of the popular Latin American dish brazo gitano, a thin sponge topped with coconut and powdered sugar for a decadent treat après-beach.
Whether you come for the sun, the sea, or the uniquely original sweet and savory cuisine, there are myriad ways for every visitor to discover what it means to Live Boricua. As Diaz says, “Puerto Rico is a choose-your-own-adventure type of place.”
Plan your Puerto Rico adventure at DiscoverPuertoRico.com
Calling All
Chill Seekers
Perched on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, New Smyrna Beach
exists in the place where art and Mother Nature meet
For the best viewing experience,
we recommend viewing this article
on a desktop device.
—von diaz
“I'm from two places—my body lives in one, my soul lives in another.”
In Partnership with
Discover the most exotic escape in the
heartand soul of the Caribbean