July is a busy month here in Puerto Rico with the annual Aibonita Flower Festival, the Puerto Rico Salsa Congress and the 8th Annual El Morro Artisan Show; just some of the highlights for the month.
Aibonito Flower Festival, Jun 29 – Jul 8
The annual Aibonito Flower Festival is a must for plant and flower lovers. This 10 day festival is the largest plant and flower show on the island and features, plant and flower displays, live local music, food kiosks and of course plants and flowers for sale.
It costs $5 per person ($3 for children under 12) and parking is free.
The Aibonito Flower Festival runs June 29 – Jul 8 from 8am to 7pm.
This is an extremely popular festival here in Puerto Rico, especially on weekends. If you want to visit the festival when it is a little quieter, consider going midweek
Schedule to perform during the festival are:
Friday 29 June – NG2
Saturday 30 June – Elvis Crespo
Sunday 1 July – Grupo Mania
Wednesday 4 July – Millie Quezada
Friday 6 July – Zona D’ Tambora
Saturday 7 July – Mongui y Pescuezo
Sunday 8 July – Tito Nieves
Puerto Rico Salsa Congress, Jul 21-28
This year the Puerto Rico Salsa Congress will take place at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, San Juan from Jul 21 – 28, 2012
For Salsa professionals and lovers of Salsa this is a must attend event. The weeklong festival features: dance workshops, demonstrations and Open Salsa Competitions for various categories.
Live music will be provided by (to be confirmed): José Alberto-El Canario, Sonora Poncena, Willie Rosario, Bobby ValentÃn, Luisito Carrion and more.
Check out the Puerto Rico Salsa Congress website for full details
Castillo San Felipe del Morro Artisan Fair, Jul 20-22 @ 10am to 6pm
The annual Castillo San Felipe del Morro Artisan Fair is a 3 day event this year from Friday July 20 – Sunday July 22. Over 150 artisans from around Puerto Rico will showcase their work from 10am = 6pm each day.
Along with the artisans the fair will also include:
Live demonstrations
Local music
Ranger Talks on the history of San Juan’s famous forts
Interpretive programs on local culture, musical instruments
Also happening in July
5th Cattlemen’s Caribbean BBQ Competition, Jul 1 (also Jun 30)
On Sunday July 1, the Cattlemen’s Caribbean BBQ Competition will hold the traditional American style BBQ competition, featuring slow smoking & grilling meats at the Puerto Rico Convention Center.
Teams from Puerto Rico, Antigua, St. Croix, St. Thomas, Texas, Australia, Jamaica, the east coast of the USA will be taking part in the 2012 competition.
Along with the BBQ competition, you will be able to check out:
Texas de Brazil International Tasting Station
Hot Wings eating contest
Live entertainment
kid play area and rides
Free Food Sampling at every teams booth
And more…
Admission is $25 per person (over 16) and $10 (10-15 year olds) and the event runs from 10am – 6pm
More info here
Rio Grande Carnival Jul 1
The final day of the annual Carnival in Rio Grande features a parade starting around thru Jul 8
July 4 Celebrations at the Rio Mar Resort, Jul 4
Celebrate July 4th at the Rio Mar Resort in Rio Grande with music food and fireworks.
Hammock Festival, Jul 6-8
Festival featuring handicrafts music and food kiosks.
Where: Juan Jose Beniquez Baseball Field in San Sebastian
Phone: 787-896-1550
Cibuco Agricultural & Artisan Fair, Jul 6-8
Agricultural event featuring artisans, exhibits, music and food
Where: Cibuco Historical Center in Corozal
Phone: 787-859-8079
Vieques Patron Saint Festival, Jul 11-15
Annual festival featuring parades, music, food and
Where: Public Plaza in Vieques
Tourism Carnival and Fair, Jul 11-15
Exhibits, artisans, food and music
Featuring shows, handicrafts, and food stations.
Where: Plaza Banderas in Mayaguez
Phone: 787-832-2010
Barranquitas National Handicrafts Fair, Jul 13-16
Popular artisan fair in the mountain town of Barranquitas featuring artisans, music and food kiosks
Where: Town Square in Barranquitas
Phone: 787-857-0520
XTERRA Triathlon – Fajardo, Jul 15
This OFF-Road Triathlon includes 800 meter swim, 16Km mountain bike ride, and a 5km trail run.
Where: Seven Seas Beach in Fajardo
Web: http://www.xterrapr.com/
Guanica Crab Festival, Jul 15-17
Along with numerous crab dishes, the festival will also showcase local artisans
Where: Town Square in Guanica
Phone: 787-821-2777
Lares Banana Festival, Jul 20-22.
Where: Los Patriotas Square in Lares
Phone: 787-9897-2300
Puerto Rico BBQ Festival, Jul 28-29
Mayaguez will be holding its own BBQ festival, featuring shows artisans and of course great BBQ.
Where: Bosquecito, Paseo del Litoral, Mayaguez
Phone: 787-832-2010
Camuy Beach Festival, Jul 29
Family festival featuring shows, artisans and food kiosks
Where: Penon Bruis Area
Tel: 787-262-7471
Note: All events are subject to change, so contact the event organizers for up to date information. Discovering Puerto Rico is not responsible for any schedule changes
