Our Cultural Gem
by Natalia Alomía Arroyo
Travel to our cultural gem and enjoy our African heritage and savor a true Boricua sazón. Do this by visiting this impressive town called Loíza where you can hear the sound of the drums by just entering this place. If you want those drum sounds mixed with the ocean’s lyrics stop at Piñones, a strip full of food kiosks, bars, and beautiful beaches. What can you do in this place?
- Start your day with a bike tour
What a better way to start your day by exercising. Rent a bike at Corporación Piñones se Integra (COPI) and go riding through the boardwalk. The view you will see in your path through this coastal town is breathtaking, and of course, the ride in a bicycle will also leave you breathless but you will barely notice it. It is a long journey, so remember to take a small backpack with a bottle of water, sun block, repellent, and wear sunglasses and/or a hat to protect you from the sun. During the bike trip, you will pass through different kiosks that offer a variety of our typical gastronomy, a few stops will upgrade your trip and recharge your energy.
2. Eat our fritters
Piñones is known for their delicious cuisine and typical Caribbean flavor. But their specialty is the fritters, like alcapurrias, bacalaítos, empanadillas, pastelillitos, among others and all filled with different meat or seafood. These small kiosks offer similar food but each one gives you a different experience. Don’t just order one thing, try them all! Or if you are looking for a course meal there are places where you can find our most distinguished dishes like mofongo, tostones, rice, and most of any other culinary experience that you are craving for.
3. Coconut Revolution
Ever wonder how you will survive if you get lost on an island? Well, Coconut Revolution 101 is an outdoor workshop where they teach how you can use coconut and coconut palms to survive, if lost in paradise. They also tell you all the benefits coconut have and how they protect the coasts. From hiking through a palm forest, interacting with the wildlife, climbing palms, to opening coconuts is just some of the things you will do and learn at the workshop. It is an experience full of adventure and learning. If you are interested about Coconut Revolution 101 click here.
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4. Beach hopping
Either after tasting our fritters, or taking your survival class, you are more than ready to start beach hopping through blue clear waters and light golden sand. Piñones is a strip that has different spot beaches. Just to mention some, la Posita is perfect for a family day, save for children and it is a natural pool with shallow water (of course also depending on the tide). After la Posita, there are two beaches perfect for surfers because of its wild and big waves, called Chatarra and Aviones. Further up, almost at the end of this strip there is Vacia Talega also good for family trips but deeper than la Posita, here you can snorkel, scuba dive or just relax sitting on the sand.
Do not forget to dispose of your garbage properly.
5. Cueva María de la Cruz
Cueva María de la Cruz is a small tall cave which has been declared as a historic monument. The legend says that the name of the cave is attributed to a woman whom during hurricane season moved there with her family looking for refuge. This cave is also the biggest and oldest bee sanctuary in the Caribbean. Take a tour through the cave, enjoy three workshops that can include how to make drums, how to tie a turban and taste the honey bee with ginger and other flavors. It is a different cultural experience you will enjoy.
6. Have a drink
This part of Loíza also has a charming nightlife. The house of our Plena and Bomba music rumbles in the surroundings, that eventually will merge with other tropical or caribbean sounds like salsa, merengue, bachata, regguetón and even reggae music. So you should not go without tasting Piñones evening ambience, and dance with the rhythm of the Island. Better yet, lighten up, turn on the night and try some delicious tropical drinks like Piña Colada. You can go to K'rajo Beach bar and taste one of their colorful drinks from the house menu or stop at The New Reef Bar and Restaurant, listen to live music or sing at the karaoke, order some appetizers, have a Mojito and look at the sunset because this place just has the perfect view for it. But local business in this area close early in the night, if you want to keep enjoying the rest of the night, Isla Verde is just minutes away and is perfect for bar hopping.
