- What is unique about Puerto Rico?
- Other goods with national character
- Walk in the capital
Latin American countries are not yet as popular with foreign tourists as their northern neighbors, the United States of America. And yet they can surprise a tourist by offering to get acquainted with a culture that has absorbed the traditions and experience of many civilizations and countries, ancient monuments, and national reserves. In addition to vivid and unforgettable impressions, guests take away hundreds of interesting souvenirs and gifts for family and friends. In this material, the reader will find the answer to the question of what to bring from Puerto Rico, in addition to traditional cotton T-shirts with national symbols.
What is unique about Puerto Rico?
Indeed, T-shirts made from natural fabrics are considered the most popular souvenir for foreigners. The hot climate of the country influences the choice of outfits for walks and excursions; local craftsmen have mastered the production of interesting T-shirts decorated with national Puerto Rican motifs, drawings by famous designers or simply advertising slogans. Puerto Rico can offer its foreign friends and unique products, their list is quite extensive, but the first positions are occupied by the following: Vehigante dolls; carriage - papier-mâché masks; miniature figurines - images of local saints.
Vehigante are the most famous folklore symbol of Puerto Rico. People dressed in marvelous carnival costumes take part in almost all festivals and carnivals. A feature of such outfits are fantastic masks that have an elongated shape, strange colors, complemented by horns or a beak (or both at the same time). You can compare this Puerto Rican character with the famous Chinese dragon, the same endless love of local residents for the mythological character, his popularization in all the media. The vehigante mask is considered the most popular souvenir in this country.
Traditionally, masks were painted black or white, in addition to these contrasting shades, the use of yellow and red was previously allowed. Today, the palette has expanded significantly, so a guest from abroad can buy a traditional Puerto Rican attribute of a folklore festival, with a favorite color scheme. The material for manufacturing can be different: the most common souvenir is made of papier-mâché; the use of coconut shells is in use; peeled and dried pumpkin.
Another symbol of festivals and folk festivals in Puerto Rico is the bladder, dried, painted in ultra-vibrant colors and filled with seeds. It plays the role of both a kind of weapon, with which the vehigante is hit (slightly) by passers-by, and a musical instrument that acts as an accompaniment to songs that are sung at the top of their lungs by artists depicting folklore characters.
Other goods with national character
In addition to the famous vehigante masks, you can bring other gifts from Puerto Rico to your homeland, including very tasty ones. As in other countries of Latin America, coffee is loved here. Locals not only consume the aromatic tonic drink themselves, but also actively offer it to their guests.
From other delicacies from this country, you can bring home cheeses made in small private enterprises, as well as rum. With regard to this strong alcoholic drink, we can say the following - experts believe that the best varieties of rum are produced in Puerto Rico, and not at all in Cuba or the Caribbean, as is commonly thought.
Walk in the capital
A real tourist will find in the capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan, many good places for shopping, because it is here that the largest number of shopping centers, boutiques, antique and souvenir shops are concentrated. Most often, tourists pay attention to rather expensive goods - gold jewelry, crystal, porcelain - precisely because of their low cost. But seasoned tourists warn that prices in the main Puerto Rican city are indeed moderate, but counterfeits are common.
Hato Rei, one of the most prestigious areas of San Jose, is home to the largest shopping center. Three hundred shops, salons and boutiques are ready to offer anything a tourist's heart desires, from souvenirs to large household appliances.
In another area of San Jose, Condado, which is called the tourist capital of Puerto Rico, you can find the most famous European and American clothing and footwear brands. The prices, of course, are too high, since they are aimed at tourists who do not count the cash in their wallets. In the old part of the capital, there are antique and second-hand bookshops, which are also ready to offer guests a lot of exclusive goods with history.
