Puerto Rico
Feliz Año Nuevo! New Year’s and Three Kings Day in Puerto Rico
Program No. 22153RJ
Experience the traditions of Puerto Rico and discover the island’s incredible culture while celebrating New Year’s and Three Kings Day! Explore the city, villages, museums and more!
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9 days
8 nights
22 meals
8B 7L 7D
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
San Juan - Isla Verde
8
Three King Day Festival, Old San Juan
San Juan - Isla Verde
9
Program Concludes
San Juan - Isla Verde
At a Glance
Learn about and share in the New Year’s traditions of Puerto Rico. Join in local celebrations of the New Year and Three Kings Day — the Epiphany — and survey the variety of regional music, art, folklore and cuisine across the island. In bustling San Juan, explore the Old City and visit Haciendas in Ponce and Manati. Meet locals in the north while discovering small fishing villages and an underground cave system, and celebrate New Year’s Eve itself with live music at a beautiful resort at Ponce in southern Puerto Rico.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walk 2 miles some days; standing indoors up to 20 minutes.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Celebrate New Year’s Eve in authentic Puerto Rican fashion at a beautiful resort in southern Puerto Rico.
- Visit to Manantial De Guayaney an stunning natural spring located in the heart of Manatí, Puerto Rico.
- During San Juan’s City at Night celebration, walk from one small restaurant to the next sampling authentic local food while you peruse art galleries, craft shops and city plazas.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Andrea Torres
Andrea was born and raised in Puerto Rico and studied at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. She has been an active travel educator for over four years, leading trips through the only tropical rainforest in the United States, El Yunque, where she met her first Road Scholar group. “Being outdoors and leading travelers is my way of life,” she says. “It brings me joy to share my passion with others and to educate individuals on some of the amazing wonders of the world.”
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Andrea Torres
View biography
Andrea was born and raised in Puerto Rico and studied at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. She has been an active travel educator for over four years, leading trips through the only tropical rainforest in the United States, El Yunque, where she met her first Road Scholar group. “Being outdoors and leading travelers is my way of life,” she says. “It brings me joy to share my passion with others and to educate individuals on some of the amazing wonders of the world.”
Suggested Reading List
(8 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Feliz Año Nuevo! New Year’s and Three Kings Day in Puerto Rico
Program Number: 22153
Stories from Puerto Rico/Historias de Puerto Rico
In this book the Spanish and English stories are side by side--lado a lado--so you can practice and improve your reading skills in your new language while enjoying the support of your native language. This way, you'll avoid the inconvenience of constantly having to look up unfamiliar words and expressions in a dictionary. Read as much as you can understand, and then look to the facing page for help. As you read, you can check your comprehension by comparing the two versions of the story. You'll also find a bilingual vocabulary list at the end of the book, so you'll have a handy reference for new words.
Stories from Puerto Rico/Historias de Puerto Rico allows you to explore the island's rich history. It includes 18 well-known Puerto Rican legends that stretch from the dawn of creation to the twentieth century. These tales will introduce you to an array of characters as dynamic and colorful as the country that gave birth to them. Animals, indigenous peoples, conquistadors, spiritual beings, and extraterrestrials are among those who will make these pages come alive for you! As you read these stories side by side, you will be not only fine-tuning your language skills but also gaining insight into the rich cultural heritage of the Puerto Rican people.
Lonely Planet - Puerto Rico
This is one of the best travel guidebooks for Puerto Rico covering:
lodging and dining options to satisfy every budget and taste
natural and historical treasures, including the rain forest of El Yunque and colorful Old San Juan
the best spots for diving, surfing, sailing, hiking, caving and more
handy Spanish language chapter
30 detailed city and regional maps
Puerto Rico: Culture, Politics, and Identity
This book uses historical and interview data to trace the development of Puerto Rican identity in the 20th century. It analyzes how and why Puerto Ricans have maintained a clear sense of distinctiveness in the face of direct and indirect pressures on their identity. After gaining sovereignty over Puerto Rico from Spain in 1898, the United States undertook a sustained campaign to Americanize the island. Despite 50 years of active Americanization and another 40 years of continued United States sovereignty over the island, Puerto Ricans retain a sense of themselves as distinctly and proudly Puerto Rican. This study examines the symbols of Puerto Rican identity, and their use in the complex politics of the island. It shows that identity is dynamic, it is experienced differently by individuals across Puerto Rican society, and that the key symbols of Puerto Rican identity have not remained static over time. Through the study of Puerto Rico, the book investigates and challenges the widely-heard argument that the inevitable result of the export of U.S. mass media and consumer culture throughout the world is the weakening of cultural identities in receiving societies. The book develops the idea that external pressure on collective identity may strengthen that identity rather than, as is often assumed, diminish it.
Stories from Puerto Rico
The book will fill you in on how the natives discovered the Spaniards weren’t Gods, and other local legends.
Puerto Rico Mio: Four decades of change
It is a sizable picture book
Puerto Rico - Island in the Sun
Puerto Rico, Island in the Sun is a compact, hardcover pictorial book in the coffee-table book format (measuring 10 x 9 inches) with color photographs and English-language text. The photographs and accompanying captions present the scenery, beaches, architecture, geography, culture, and history of Puerto Rico, with a special emphasis on aerial photographs and Viejo (Old) San Juan.
This is the fourth book on Puerto Rico from author-photographer Roger LaBrucherie, whose books on Barbados, Bermuda, the Dominican Republic, and Hawaii have made him a leading photographer of tropical islands. His previous three titles on Puerto Rico have been best-sellers on the island for more than two decades. In addition to his stunning, award-winning photography, Mr. LaBrucherie brings to his work the perspective on the Caribbean gained from his training and service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, as well as his years spent living throughout the Caribbean.
Explore Puerto Rico
Harry Pariser gives you detailed information on little-known towns, parks, reserves and offshore islands. His ecologically-aware perspective provides a refreshing look at archaeological sites, preserves and rugged rain forest environments. Old San Juan, El Yunque and the Caribbean National Forest, Palmas del Mar, Ponce, Guanica, Mayaguez, Mona Island, Vieques, Culebra, Arecibo, Camuy, Barranquitas and San German are but a few of the chapters in this book. Each region is covered extensively, with details on where to stay and eat, sailing, chartering and deep-sea adventures, snorkeling and diving, and the best bird watching and hiking spots. Practical travel tips abound, and the introductory sections on the island's culture, history, geography, religion and customs will stand you in good stead for your next trip. Color photos and maps round out the picture.
Insight Guide Puerto Rico
Insight Guide Puerto Rico includes a section detailing Puerto Rico's history, 8 features covering the island's life and culture, ranging from its exuberant festivals to its carved religious figures, a region by region visitor's guide to the sights, and a comprehensive Travel Tips section packed with essential contact addresses and numbers. Plus 15 maps and many amazing photographs.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
9 days
8 nights
What's Included
22 meals (
8B, 7L, 7D
)
6 expert-led lectures
11 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
8 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
San Juan - Isla Verde
Meals:
D
Stay:
Hampton Inn & Suites San Juan
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
After checking in at the hotel and getting your room assignment, ask the front desk for the location of the Road Scholar meeting room where we will have our Orientation session. Program Registration: 5:00 p.m. As you register with the program staff, you will get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from the Group Leader and a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Meals will be at the hotel and local restaurants unless otherwise noted. Unless specified otherwise, transportation will be primarily by motorcoach and will require going up and down a few steps. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At a restaurant within walking distance of the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
2
Casa Bacardi, New Year’s Eve in Ponce
Location:
Ponce
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
Activity Note
Bring baggage to lobby for loading on motorcoach. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 50 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 1.5 miles; paved road, uneven in places.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board our motorcoach to Ponce. En route, we’ll stop in Casa BACARDI. Travel through time and Discover the Bacardi family heritage and become part of the legacy by getting to know the World’s most awarded premium rum.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Continuing our ride, we’ll reach Ponce on the south of the island and check in to our hotel with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At the hotel, we’ll attend a New Year’s Eve party with live music, food on the terrace, a glass of sparkling wine, and stew at midnight.
Day
3
Puerto Rico Overview, Ponce City, Cooking Lesson
Location:
Ponce
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
Activity Note
Getting on/off a trolley; riding and walking up to 1/2 mile; paved road, uneven in places.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll gather for a late morning presentation by our Group Leader, providing an overview of Puerto Rico.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Led by a local expert, we’ll take a field trip by trolley and on foot to explore Ponce, second-largest city in Puerto Rico. It was founded in 1692 by the great-grandson of Juan Ponce de Léon who explored Puerto Rico and Florida, allegedly in pursuit of the Fountain of Youth. Ponce today is notable for its impressive neo-Classical architecture in the old colonial center that has been declared a national treasure. We’ll see the historic, beautiful, and unique Ponce Firehouse, Ponce Cathedral, and Delicias Square.
Dinner:
At a popular restaurant, we will learn how to cook an authentic savory dish, Mofongo — made of mashed plantains and other tasty ingredients — as well as appetizers. We’ll then dine on our creations.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Coffee Plantation, free time
Location:
Ponce
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 10 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Walking up to 1.5 miles throughout the day; periods of standing.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Our first field trip today will be to the Coffee Hacienda , a 19th century coffee plantation turned museum. Restored to its former glory by a team of Smithsonian specialists and island artisans, its location is indeed a buena vista (beautiful view), with just under 500 acres in the Rio Canas Valley. We may be able to see hummingbirds as the Hacienda's trails take us past cascading waterfalls. With our local expert, we will explore some of the plantation’s grounds and visit the on-site museum while learning about the development of the coffee industry in the area.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time to enjoy resort facilities
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Serralles Castle Museum, Porto Coeli Chapel
Location:
Ponce
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 40 miles, approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Hiking about 1 mile, approximately. 1 hour; some rubble and loose terrain. Bring walking shoes with good ankle support.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach and depart for Castillo Serralles. This castle is the family home of the best selling rum brand in Puerto Rico, Don Q. This incredible castle and much of the entire city of Ponce, was build as part of the vast Serrallés family fortune. Built in 1930, this four story concrete castle sits on top of a hill overlooking downtown Ponce, Puerto Rico. The former family mansion turned museum is Spanish Revival or Spanish Moroccan architecture designed in
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Our next field trip will take us to the town of San German and the Convento de Porto Coeli, notable as the second-oldest church in the New World (1609). After centuries of gradual decline, it was seriously damaged in 1949 and sold to the government of Puerto Rico. It has since been reinvented as a museum of religious art. After the field trip, we’ll return to our hotel with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer to Manati tomorrow.
Day
6
Manantial of Guayaney, Arecibo Lighthouse Overlook
Location:
Manati
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place Manatí
Activity Note
Bring baggage to lobby for loading. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 40 miles, aprox 2 hour riding time. Hiking about 1 mile, approximately 1 hour; uneven terrain. Important : None slip close shoes, you will need to walk up to 2 miles at the Manantial Level of difficulty: moderate Not recommended for people with asthmas or cardiac condition.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board our motorcoach for a field trip to Manantial Guayaney where a leader will give a presentation. Manantial De Guayaney is a stunning natural spring located in the heart of Manatí, Puerto Rico. This hidden gem is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant surrounding greenery. As you venture into this enchanting area, be prepared to encounter a diverse array of flora and fauna, showcasing the rich biodiversity of Puerto Rico.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Resuming our journey to Manati, we’ll stop in Arecibo to see the Arecibo Lighthouse, then proceed to our hotel for check-in.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
7
Hacienda La Esperanza, Free Time
Location:
Manati
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hyatt Place Manatí
Activity Note
Walking up to 1.5 miles; hilly terrain, wear comfortable walking shoes.Walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our motor coach to transfer to Hacienda La Esperanza in Manati City. Revive the history of sugar in Puerto Rico visiting one of the most important haciendas from the 19th century, visit a sugar cane plantation, explore the ruins of the historic site and visit the house of the Marquis of La Esperanza.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer to San Juan tomorrow.
Day
8
Three King Day Festival, Old San Juan
Location:
San Juan - Isla Verde
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hampton Inn & Suites San Juan
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Hiking/walking about 1 mile, approximately 1 hour; uneven terrain, high humidity.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Three Kings Day is one of the most important holidays on the Puerto Rican holiday calendar. Known in other places as Epiphany, it venerates Los Reyes Magos — the Three Kings, Wise Men, or Magi — who came bearing gifts for the infant Jesus. This is traditionally the day of gift giving in Latin America. Along with our Group Leader, we’ll observe and participate in festivities with the people.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant a short walk from the hotel.
Afternoon:
Led by a local expert via motorcoach, we’ll explore Old San Juan and such famed sites as Fort San Felipe del Morro and La Muralla. Both are part of the San Juan National Historic Site. Puerto Rico was once known as the “Gibraltar of the Caribbean” due to its strategic location. The fort, where construction began in 1539, was not completed until 1787 and became one of the largest Spanish colonial fortifications in the region. Our expert will give us a presentation.
Dinner:
At a restaurant in San Juan. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
9
Program Concludes
Location:
San Juan - Isla Verde
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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MEALS
22 Meals
8 Breakfasts
7 Lunches
7 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Dec 30, 2024 - Jan 07, 2025
- Dec 30, 2025 - Jan 07, 2026
Participant Reviews
Based on 2 Reviews
Sort By:
As a veteran world traveler who avoids tour groups, I signed up for this one, my first Road Scholar trip on the urging of friends who rave about the company. Words cannot express how wonderful it was!! I give the highest rating! I came home with a new understanding and profound appreciation of Puerto Rico and its beautiful people that I never would have learned any other way. This trip expertly combined city and country, mountain drives, museums, a fascinating climb into a cave, lighthouses, beaches, not to mention a fabulous New Year's Eve party at the Ponce Hilton with fireworks and Three Kings Day celebration at the end . We avoided hotel food and souvenir shops typical of ordinary tours to learn instead about the history and culture, music and dance, while experiencing the best foods where the people eat, scenery and wonderful spirit of the Puerto Rican people. Our tour leader Alberto Melendez was brilliant, kind, generous and so much fun to be with. A native of Ponce, he shared his passion for his island and inside knowledge with us. He treated us as friends, not tourists. I would joyfully sign up for future tours lead by Alberto; I think he has spoiled me. How could any other Road Scholar trip be as terrific without him?! I will add that although there were earthquakes and tremors in various spots along our trip, they were impossible to predict and were very unusual on Puerto Rico. Despite them, Alberto kept us safe and informed at all times. My heart is still there wishing the best for everyone on the island.
On our last day, after the group had said goodbye, several of us strolled the beach across the street from our last hotel in San Juan. We talked about how intelligently planned this trip was and how sorry we were to see it end. (I stayed in San Juan another 3 days!)
Thank you Alberto, and Road Scholars!
— Review left January 13, 2020
For the portion of the trip I experienced it was great but with the seismic activity there for quite some time and the big one hitting recently, I almost wonder why we were sent there anyway.
I never experienced the actual three kings day as I was gone by then leaving the island when a quake hit in Ponce and the room shook, very scared of what was to follow.
In addition, our group leader, Alberto, was wonderful, knowledgeable and very accommodating to our entire group. He was smart, energetic, a good listener and born in Puerto Rico so he knew the Island well. I would highly recommend him to anyone that would need an excellent tour guide.
— Review left January 7, 2020
