Puerto Rico: A Glittering Gem for Latina Creators
¡Hola, hermosas!
If you're a Latina creator looking for a new source of inspiration, it's time to pack your bags, dust off your cameras and get your palettes ready. Let's take a digital journey to a place close to our collective corazón—Puerto Rico. I was lucky enough to visit and think you should too! With its vibrant culture, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes, this island is a wellspring of inspiration.
A Brief Dip into History
Our story begins around 3,000 years ago with the indigenous Taíno people, the original Boricuas. They left us with a rich legacy of art, music, and mythology, and even the name of the island itself: Borikén, "land of the brave lord." Imagine the lush green landscapes, the shimmering ocean, and the captivating rhythm of areitos—ancient Taíno ceremonies filled with song and dance. It’s these images that often provide the backdrop for much of the local folklore and art.
Fast-forward to the 15th century and the island is forever transformed by the arrival of Christopher Columbus and Spanish colonization. The intermingling of the Taíno, Spanish, and African cultures over the centuries has given birth to the unique and vibrant Puerto Rican culture we celebrate today.
Must-See Sights and Experiences
El Viejo San Juan
Let's start with El Viejo San Juan—Old San Juan—a walled city filled with colorful Spanish colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and the magnificent El Morro Fortress. Picture yourself wandering the narrow streets, camera in hand, capturing the pastel houses and historical sites like the San Juan Cathedral and La Fortaleza. Feel the deep sense of history seep into your creative soul. And don’t forget to check out the vibrant nightlife, full of pulsating salsa music and the clinking of glasses filled with local rum.
The famous-seasonally hung umbrellas in Old San Juan!
El Yunque National Forest
Next, journey into the heart of the island, to El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. Here, you'll find a world teeming with life, the air humming with the songs of coquí frogs. These tiny creatures, symbolic of Puerto Rico, will serenade you as you wander through the lush forest, surrounded by majestic waterfalls and ancient petroglyphs. Paint, write, photograph—it’s a living canvas just waiting for your respectful touch. A few things to note: if you plan to go by car you need to make reservations to visit and tickets are available at 8:00am & 11am the day of or a month in advance. Otherwise you are able to visit the visitor center for free, pictured below. I did both and it was perfect and easy to drive through.
Bioluminescent Bays
If you're looking for an experience that’s truly out of this world, head to one of Puerto Rico's bioluminescent bays, like Mosquito Bay on Vieques Island. At night, the water glows with the movement of bioluminescent organisms, creating a starry night scene right beneath your kayak. This magical experience is sure to spark some incredible ideas for your next project.
Food and Music
Of course, your journey wouldn’t be complete without immersing yourself in the local food and music. Take a cooking class and learn to make mofongo or arroz con gandules. And if you're a music lover, why not take a salsa class? The vibrant music scene, from traditional bomba and plena to reggaeton, is a testament to the island's rich cultural heritage.
Puerto Rico, la Isla del Encanto (the Island of Enchantment), is not just a place—it's a feeling. It’s in the warm sunsets over the ocean, the rhythm of salsa echoing in the streets, the rich aroma of adobo and sofrito wafting from a cocina. It's a place where the past and the present dance together in a vibrant salsa of cultures, and where the creative energy is as infectious as the rhythmic beats that fill the air.
Whether you're a painter, a writer, a photographer, a dancer, or a creator of any kind, Puerto Rico invites you to discover, create, and be inspired. So, queridas, let’s take a trip to the Island of Enchantment, shall we?
Nos vemos en Puerto Rico!
