Happy New Year! Here is a thematic guide with activity ideas for the first weeks of January 2026, with different options depending on your mood.
🌴 To unplug and learn about history and the environment
Medio Mundo y Daguao is a nature reserve adjacent to the Bosque Estatal de Ceiba, on the grounds of the former Roosevelt Roads naval station, and managed by the conservation trust Para La Naturaleza. The land, which crosses the border between Ceiba and Naguabo, contains one of the most extensive dwarf mangrove forests in Puerto Rico and is well suited for hiking and cross-country cycling.
Para La Naturaleza, which organizes educational excursions through all of its reserves, offers a tour of Medio Mundo y Daguao that explores how these lands have grown and developed in relation to the military installations that border them.
You can reserve your spot here for the excursion on Saturday, Jan. 10, and you can also sign up for any other tour organized by Para La Naturaleza by visiting this link.
🔊 For those who live underground electronic music
From the mind of Phillip Pulitano, creator of the BPM Festival in Costa Rica, came the 5th Element Festival, an esoteric electronic music experience that will bring together close to a hundred artists on stage during the second week of January, with performances spread across Ventana al Mar, in Condado, in Isla Verde and at Hacienda Siesta Alegre, in Río Grande.
The multi-day event centers on personal rediscovery and finding harmony with one's surroundings, and will feature a "wellness sanctuary" bringing together artists, therapists and health professionals for talks and workshops free of charge for festival attendees.
To get your tickets, visit this link, where you will also find exclusive discounts for Puerto Rico residents.
🎨 For those who enjoy a day at the museum
The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico (MAC) closed 2025 with the success of its Timbiriche Fashion Show, an evolution of its Timbiriche crafts and design fair that highlighted talent from the local fashion industry.
Carrying that momentum into 2026, the museum announced the extension of its exhibition Sereno no me mandes a dormir, by artist Christopher Gregory Rivera, through Monday, Jan. 26. The exhibition, which opened last October, centers the communities of Caño Martín Peña through an intimate and affirming photographic lens.
You can visit the MAC during its hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. If you prefer to buy tickets in advance, you can get them here.
⛪️ For those who love history and architecture
Tours with the Puerto Rico Historic Buildings Drawing Society: The PRHBDS offers a calendar of educational architecture tours through Old San Juan. The calendar includes 12 walking tours that explore different aspects of the historic city, including little-known corners, balconies, Calle del Sol and its secrets, stained glass, walls demolished in 1897 and the historic zone of Puerta de Tierra.
Tours begin at several meeting points, including Plaza del 5to Centenario, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de Colón, Plaza Rafael Carrión and Plaza de Armas, with start times ranging from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
All tours require a reservation through ATH Móvil ($15 per participant), except the cemetery tour, which is priced at $25.
🗓️ More events happening in January
Fairs and markets
Carnaval Capitán Correa: Thursday, Jan. 29, through Saturday, Feb. 1, at Paseo Víctor Rojas in Arecibo
Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián: Thursday, Jan. 15, through Sunday, Jan. 18, in Old San Juan
Festival de la Novilla: Sunday, Jan. 18, in San Sebastián
Live music and theater
Puerto Rico Jazz Jam: Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Centro de Bellas Artes de Santurce
Dos Locas de Remate: Saturday, Jan. 17, and Sunday, Jan. 18, at the Centro de Bellas Artes de Santurce
Crafts and evenings in the plaza
Celebración de Reyes del Fiestón Ponceño: Saturday, Jan. 3, at Plaza Las Delicias de Ponce
Noches de Galería: Every Thursday at the Plaza Pública de Rincón
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
