Puerto Rico: Rhythm, Resilience, and Real Flavor

Some places don’t just leave a mark—they live in your spirit. Puerto Rico is one of those places. It’s the kind of destination that feels alive. From the beat of a drum in a coastal town to the stillness of a rainforest trail, this island moves with heart.

I had the chance to experience a side of Puerto Rico that goes beyond postcards. Yes, the beaches are stunning and the rainforest is lush—but what really stood out was the deep connection between the land, the culture, and the people.

Loíza: Where the Drums Tell Stories

Just outside San Juan is a town called Loíza, where the African influence is front and center. The moment you arrive, you can feel the rhythm. It’s in the streets. It’s in the people. It’s in Bomba.

Bomba is more than just music—it’s a conversation. A call and response between dancers and drummers, born from the resilience of enslaved Africans who once worked Puerto Rico’s sugarcane fields. It carried their grief, their joy, their resistance—and still does today.

I met Tito Ayala, who’s been playing Bomba since he was five years old. His family has been keeping this tradition alive for over six decades. To him, it’s personal. Even after Hurricane Maria devastated his home and his grandmother’s, Tito continues to teach Bomba to kids in his community and beyond, including his daughters in Boston. His dream? To one day go to Africa and learn even more about the roots of this music that has shaped his life.

A Taste of Culture at Culinary U

Of course, you can’t visit Puerto Rico without diving into the food. At the Wyndham Rio Mar Resort, I got to experience Culinary U—an annual event where some of the island’s best chefs showcase their talents alongside international guests.

Chef Ramón Carrillo stood out not just for his flavors, but for his philosophy. His dishes draw from African, Indigenous, and Spanish traditions—using ingredients like fresh coconut milk, ginger, and warm island spices. He spoke about cooking with love, the kind you taste in your grandmother’s kitchen. That stuck with me.

Culinary U also included interactive experiences—like a sensory tasting hosted by Don Q Rum—that pushed me to slow down and savor every element. But what made the event even more special was the setting: the resort sits between the Atlantic Ocean and El Yunque rainforest, offering views that are just as rich as the flavors on your plate.

El Yunque: A Living Treasure

El Yunque is more than a rainforest—it’s a lifeline. The only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, it holds over 200 tree species, countless hiking trails, waterfalls, and wildlife you won’t find anywhere else on the island.

Driving through the forest with local guide Francisco Rosario, I learned how much this land means to the people who grew up around it. Francisco shared memories of playing in rivers as a kid, and how the rainforest has always been a source of healing. He described it best: “It’s basically life.”

I also joined environmental biologist Ashley Perez for a walk through the red mangroves near the base of the forest. She explained how these trees protect Puerto Rico’s coastline from storms and serve as nurseries for shrimp and fish—some of which migrate from river to sea and back again. It was a powerful reminder of how nature, when cared for, returns the favor.

The Spirit of the Island

Puerto Rico isn’t just a place—it’s a pulse. You hear it in the Bomba drums of Loíza, taste it in a dish made with love, and feel it as you stand beneath the canopy of El Yunque. It’s a culture rooted in legacy, shaped by survival, and carried forward by people who honor their past while moving forward with pride.

There’s so much more to this trip that I couldn’t fit into one post. But if you want to see it all come together—from the music to the mangroves—you can watch the full video now on my YouTube channel!