Imagine sipping a small coffee in the mountain cold. Learning about the town of Ciales, exploring the rhythms of bomba and plena, then tasting a spread of country cooking prepared by chef Juan Pérez Negrón. All with the assurance that every cent of your money goes directly toward rebuilding a small piece of Puerto Rico. This is not just any chinchorreo (hopping between chinchorros). It is the holiday route Café con Ron, a chinchorreo with a purpose whose destination is the community.
"This is not just another hangout. It is an educational, cultural and recreational experience", says Jenith Rivera, founder of Acción Valerosa, the organization behind the initiative, which runs from Saturday, Nov. 22, through Dec. 21. Each ticket purchase helps build the Centro Cultural Yerba Bruja, a space where they aim to continue the mission the foundation has been carrying out for eight years.
The nonprofit was born in the barrio Frontón after Hurricane María to educate, preserve and promote agroecology, the arts and culture.
The Café con Ron route, however, grew out of the foundation's cultural work during the summer, with Los Pleneros de la Cresta at its center, as brothers Joseph, Joshuan and Jeyluix Ocasio Rivera are Jenith Rivera's sons.
Holiday route Café con Ron in Ciales 🎄
👆 Click the icons to see information about each stop. (Locations are approximate, not exact)
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Departure point – Bayamón
Round-trip transportation from Bayamón to Ciales (40 people per vehicle)
Start of the route
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1
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Ciales coffee tasting
Enjoy authentic Ciales coffee, known for its quality and distinctive flavor
Stop 1
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2
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Cultural immersion
A local expert guide will share the music, flavors and stories of Ciales
Stop 2
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3
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Paseo Lineal Juan Antonio Corretjer
A walk along the linear promenade dedicated to the poet from Ciales
Stop 3
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4
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History and musical rhythms workshop
Learn about the history and traditional rhythms of Puerto Rico
Stop 4
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5
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Culinary experience
Enjoy traditional cooking at a restaurant in Ciales
Stop 5
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6
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Closing celebration
Final celebration with local artists and live music
Last stop
A story told in its own voice
On the route, it is the residents who narrate the history of their town.
"One of the special things about this route is that you will be guided by community guides who know this town inside and out. And they are from here, they are natives of Ciales, and that is one of the most beautiful things, meaning they are representing our town," says route coordinator Nasherin Rivera.
Fellow route coordinator Raúl Ortiz puts it this way: "We are not tour guides. What we promote is that our people feel empowered and share their own experiences".
Even so, residents' involvement goes beyond the role of guide: they animate the entire route. "Along the way we have neighbors from our community who paint their little houses, put up flags for when you visit our town so you can walk by and take photos. We have friends and neighbors painting their little houses, they come out onto their balconies, they wave to you, and it is a really beautiful experience," Ortiz explains.
The holiday route runs from Saturday, Nov. 22, through Dec. 21 and is similar to the first route, but with the particular charm of the Christmas season: "We have specific stops to highlight our folklore, to highlight our Ciales and to highlight this holiday season," Ortiz says.
"Ciales represents what we used to be: the jíbaro, the countryside, the cold, that little coffee in the morning…".
– Nasherin Rivera, coordinator
Puerto Rican gastronomy, the other draw
Chef Juan Pérez Negrón, from Ciales, will bring the holiday season to the kitchen using regional products. "We have many farms full of great products, so we're going to be incorporating them into the menu," he said.
Diners can expect pleasant surprises: from a roasting lechón to smoked meats. "We can also welcome them and surprise them with a paella made with meats from the countryside. It's going to be a very attractive menu," the chef confirmed.
While the chef prepares the food, guests will enjoy a workshop on the history of Puerto Rico's musical rhythms, such as bomba and plena, and after the meal, a closing party with live music.
An opportunity for regional commerce
The route is not only an opportunity for Puerto Ricans to learn more about their island; it also represents an economic opportunity for artists, businesses and entrepreneurs in the region.
One of the first stops on the route is Kfeína, the home of Ciales coffee, where during the route's first edition visitors were able to enjoy tastings of the area's aromatic coffee. "It was a wonderful experience to receive people from all over the island and also tourists from outside Puerto Rico. Everyone was delighted with our concept. (…) This represents a great opportunity for us," said administrator Bernardo López enthusiastically.
Among the local collaborating brands is Rüya, created by Stephanie Soto Román, a Ciales native and coffee expert with 20 years of experience. Her innovation: tea made from coffee husks, which are normally discarded, loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Her products will be available at the route's stops.
What does the holiday route include?
The route includes around six stops: local coffee shops, hidden tourist spots and corners where Puerto Rican identity is lived without filter.
One of the stops is Paseo Lineal Juan Antonio Corretjer, where the very blessed stone of Ciales mentioned in the holiday hymn "Dame la mano paloma" is located. "We guarantee you'll leave feeling young," Ortiz promised with a laugh.
☕ Ciales coffee tasting.
📖 Cultural immersion with a local expert guide who will share the music, flavors and stories of Ciales.
🛑 Stop at Paseo Lineal Juan Antonio Corretjer.
💃 Workshop on the history and musical rhythms of Puerto Rico.
🍽️ Dining experience at a restaurant in Ciales.
🎉 Closing party with local artists.
🚌 Round-trip transportation from Bayamón to Ciales (40 people per vehicle).
What are the dates for Ruta Café con Ron?
Initially it was set to begin Nov. 1, but the organizers informed Platea that the start was moved to Nov. 8.
🗓️ Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025
🗓️ Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025
🗓️ Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025
🗓️ Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025
🗓️ Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025
🗓️ Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025
🗓️ Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025
🗓️ Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025
How can you sign up?
Ruta Café con Ron is designed for all members of the family. Tickets are available at PR Ticket.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
