Flavors of San Juan: Exploring San Juan Top 5 Bites
I devised a plan to fall in love again with my country after returning to the island in 2018. To achieve that, I started a series as a tourist in my own country, and definitely, the Flavors of San Juan food tour became one of the things I decided to do as part of it.
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As you might recall, Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in September 2017. There is still a lot that needs to be done. 2020, and its situation has presented a new challenge for Puerto Rico. We all know that since the hurricane, the emergencies have not been solved properly (Thanks, bureaucracy!)
It is up to us, the Puerto Ricans, to help rebuild the island in any way we can. Considering that, I know the island desperately needs tourism to get back on track. That is why I decided to start this adventure of becoming a tourist in my city, San Juan. I joined a wonderful walking food tour open for business: the Flavors of San Juan food tour.
We want to thanks Flavors of San Juan for offering a complimentary tour in order for this post to be written. All opinions are my own. This post might contain affiliate links that help to keep this site running with a small commission on any purchase done through them at no additional cost for the reader.
What is the “Flavors of San Juan” food tour?
Flavors of San Juan has been offering tours in the area for a few years. Their Old San Juan Food Tour is the #1 ranked food tour on the island on TripAdvisor. This food tour, one of the best tours in Puerto Rico, around the Old City gives an insight into the local tradition and culture through an authentic culinary experience. (Spoiler Alert: I agree with TripAdvisor!)
REMEMBER to mention when you book and remind your tour guide about any food allergies or if you have any special requests (Vegan, Gluten Free, among others)
Need some tips for a hotel in San Juan? Check these affordable hotels in San Juan Puerto Rico.
What can I do to join the tour?
You can book your tour through the Flavors of San Juan website. This is a popular tour around the city, so I recommend booking as soon as possible.
Start Flavors of San Juan Tour at Cuatro Sombras
After introducing the Tour Guide, the tour begins in Café Cuatro Sombras (another spoiler: this is one of my favorite cafes in the city). In the Café, you’ll learn some details on the local coffee productions and some of the coffee history on the island. Of course, you’ll also get to try the coffee and other local goodies, such as brioche with guava butter. You need to do the tour and visit Cuatro Sombras again.
Flavors of San Juan Tour: Exploring the wall
When I mentioned that this tour combines the culinary experience with culture and history, I was being serious. You’ll have the chance to explore the history of the walls surrounding the Old City. Why were they built? Why are they still important? Those will be some of the questions you’ll consider while indulging in a Señor Paleta Popsicle.
Señor Paleta is a local Popsicle store with flavors like Ferrero Rocher, Nutella, Chocolate, and Strawberry. They also have other local fruits such as guava, pineapple, and passion fruit. Considering how hot the weather in San Juan can be during any season, this stop will be very refreshing.
Flavors of San Juan Tour: Shopping in San Juan
The Flavor of San Juan tour knows your needs while visiting a new place. There is a stop if you’re looking to buy coffee, rum, or any other goodie you need to bring back home. You will have enough time to ask questions concerning the products and pick your favorite spicy sauce.
Flavors of San Juan Tour: Café el Punto
I must admit that—considering that I’m a local—Café el Punto was one of my favorite stops. The main reason is that it was a spot I had never visited before in my own city, and that became an amazing discovery.
During our stop in Café el Punto, we got to try Alcapurrias. Since you might not be familiar with them, I will explain a bit. They are a typical fried snack made with plantain, yucca, and yautía (taro roots) dough filled with beef in our local Creole sauce.
If you ask a local, for an Alcapurrias made far from Piñones (which is the place to go if you are looking to eat alcapurrias) these were amazing! At this stop, we also got to try some delicious ceviche. After this tour, Café el Punto is one of those places I’m going back to.
Mofongo, Mojito and Arroz y Habichuelas
If you watch Man vs. Food, you may recall the episode when Adam came to Puerto Rico and decided to take the Vaca Acostada challenge. No, you won’t have the chance to get into the Vaca Acostada challenge, but by doing the Flavors of San Juan food tour, you’ll visit Vaca Brava, the restaurant that prepares this dish. When Adam came to Puerto Rico, he visited the original one in Barranquitas, but there is another Vaca Brava in Old San Juan.
During the stop in Vaca Brava, you’ll learn how to make your own Mojito. I loved this part of the tour.
After preparing your own Mojito, you get to try one of the dishes most Puerto Ricans eat: arroz y Habichuelas, Rice, and Beans! Definitely, what is the point of trying Puerto Rican dishes if you don’t try Rice and Beans? It was needed to have a stop where we could have this, considering I’m weird. It was the best starter for the king himself, his royal highness Mofongo.
If you have read other articles I’ve written, you know that Mofongo is one of my favorite local dishes. The mofongo is prepared with mashed, fried plantain mixed with garlic. Sometimes, it is filled with some type of meat, which can be shrimp, chicken, or flank steak. The mofongo in Vaca Brava is amazingly good. Trust me, this tour part will teach you how to eat like a true Boricua.
Flavors of San Juan Tour: Casa Cortes
Casa Cortes is another of my favorite places in Old San Juan. During the tour, you’ll get to try their delicious hot chocolates and indulge in some churros—because what are churros without some good hot chocolate? And yes, as a local, let me tell you how we indulge in hot chocolate.
When I was little, my grandmother always prepared hot chocolate (Cortes chocolate!). This part of the tour was also one of my favorites because it took me back to my childhood. It was the best way to end a tour with such an indulging dessert.
Why Do I recommend the Flavor of San Juan Tour as A Local?
Well, here comes my opinion as a local.
I genuinely believe this Flavors of San Juan tour reflects exactly what I wish every tourist would learn about our cuisine and Old San Juan. It is the perfect mix of history and discovering something new about the culture in every bite. My sincere opinion is that, if you have the time and the budget, this is the tour you should do while visiting San Juan.
This tour is definitely worth every penny. I also want to highlight that most of their tour guides are amazing and dynamic. I was lucky enough to have Andrea as my tour guide. She guided us through every bite we tried and the history and facts of Old San Juan.
If you need to read this post to decide if this Flavors of San Juan tour is an option for you, this is all I have to say: BOOK IT!
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