Popular Culture In Puerto Rico

Just like any other country, Puerto Rico has its own forms of popular culture. Some of the images that dominate Puerto Rican popular culture and have since crossed over into the United States mainstream include artists of the reggaeton genre. Reggaeton is a form of music that is often associated with the island's youth and is a mixture of various music forms. These music forms that compose the genre include bomba, plena, salsa, rap, r & b, cumbia, reggae, dancehall, electronica and merengue among others. Some of the artists that have achieved massive success and have attained recognition in the United States include Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Wisin y Yandel, Alexis y Fido, Tego Calderon, Ivy Queen, Hector El Father and Tito El Bambino.



Denise Quinones and Zuleyka Rivera are both two of the five Puerto Rican women in history to win the Miss Universe crown in the Miss Universe beauty pageant in 2001 and 2006 respectively.





Sports are also a big part of the island with boxing champions like Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya and John Ruiz being very celebrated throughout the island. Puerto Rico's national basketball team also obtained its spot in the limelight after defeating the United States dreamteam 92-73 which is unheard of ever since the United States's inclusion of NBA players into their national teams.

Tourist Attractions in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has become quite the tourist destination since becoming a territory of the United States. Some of the different places that have been of interest to many tourists include natural wonders and some manmade structures. The old fort known as "El Morro" is hands down the most widely recognized fortress in Puerto Rico. It was declared a World Heritage site in 1983 by the United Nations. It was used by the Spanish to fend off attackers who came by sea. "El Morro's" sister fort known as "Fort San Cristobal" was built on the contrary to deal with attacks that came by land. Both are now sites that enjoy a great deal of popularity among those looking to see the Spanish's influence on Puerto Rican history.



The Arecibo observatory in Arecibo, Puerto Rico is the world's largest single dish radio telescope. It measures at about 305 meters in diameter or 1000 feet and is at its deepest point 167 feet deep. Scientific research is conducted here by scientists from around the world.




Another very popular tourist attraction is located in San Juan. Bacardi rum is a very well known brand and Puerto Rico is home to its largest rum distillery. Free tours are given to those visiting the so called "Cathedral of Rum". A museum is also dedicated to the history of Bacardi and can be found on site along with a gift shop that contains various hard to find bottles of rum.

El Yunque: The Puerto Rican Rainforest

The Puerto Rican rain forest is known by the name "El Yunque" and while it once covered most of the island, it is in its present day 28,000 acres in size. This rain forest is home to many animals and fauna that can only be found here. Outside of this area, these species do not exist. Animals that call the region home range from the Puerto Rican parrot to the island's national mascot "el coqui". The Puerto Rican parrot is exclusive to this rain forest which makes it one of the rarest birds in the world.
"El coqui" is a tiny frog that actually has thirteen known species in this rain forest and can be heard chirping at night.
It received its name from the chirping noise that it does.



Another impressive animal that can be hard to find in this rain forest is the Puerto Rican Boa Constrictor. This snake can reach up to ninety inches in length. Other animals found here include different varieties of birds, snakes, spiders, insects, bats and frogs. As far as plants go, there are 700 species of plants in "El Yunque". Forty-eight of these species are currently on the endangered list and another sixteen are exclusive to this rain forest.

Puerto Rico's Diversity

The island of Puerto Rico is a island with a culturally diverse background that is full of very rich traditions and a very extensive history. With an estimated population of 3,958,128 people it is without doubt one of the most densely populated islands in the world. The Taino peoples were present on the island at the time of the arrival of the Spanish.

Once the Spanish conquistadors arrived, they brought about a mixing of cultures and mated with Taino women. The Taino population would decrease dramatically however after coming into contact with unfamiliar European diseases like smallpox or died of poor conditions forced on them by the conquistadors.


African slaves were also brought to the island not only to populate the island but to ensure that the Spanish would have the workforce needed to work the lands and to mine for riches. Other cultures from around the world also made their way over to Puerto Rico in search of a better life such as families from Ireland and Scotland.



By the mid 19th century, laborers were recruited to start the task of getting roads done and with that came a wave of Chinese, Lebanese, French and German workers. Once the United States was ceded Puerto Rico from Spain, the American influence began to be felt on the island as well. Cubans also migrated to the country following Fidel Castro's ascension to power on the island.

Puerto Rican Food

Puerto Rican food is a result of the mixing of many cultures into one. As mentioned in my prior blog, Puerto Rico is home to a variety of different cultures such as the Spanish, Taino and African culture. Another influential culture would include the American culture.

Some of the favorite or better known foods include “Arroz con Gandules” which is translated to Rice with Pigeon Peas. It is Puerto Rico’s national dish and sofrito is a type of seasoning that is used to give the rice its flavor. Diced pieces of ham are also typically thrown into the mix while cooking this dish although it is up to the person making the dish.

Another main dish on the island is "Arroz con Pollo" or rice with chicken which is highly popular. It is actually the most popular dish on the island.

With regard to desserts on the island, "flan" or custard is usually one of the main desserts. Coconuts are sometimes involved in the making or seasoning of this custard.

Lastly, some drinks that are favored on the island include beer, black coffee and when it come to alcohol, rum is the liquor of choice. As a matter of fact, 80 percent of the rum consumed in the United States is produced in Puerto Rico. The most popular brand of rum is "Bacardi" and it comes in a variety of flavors.