In the skilled hands of artisans like Somarie Domenech, mundillo, a delicate bobbin-lace technique with more than 400 years of history in Puerto Rico, is holding its own against time and modernity. This craft, inherited from Spain, made Moca its world capital and will celebrate its 3rd National Day this Sunday, May 4.
"It is a very valuable art that should pass from generation to generation," says Domenech, who learned the craft at age 8 from her mother and grandmother, becoming the third generation of mundillo makers in her family.
Through her shops Pequeño Angelito in Moca, San Juan and Ponce, this artisan not only sells the delicate lacework but also passes the knowledge on to new generations, including her daughter Adriana, the fourth generation, and even her husband, who as a teacher "has given workshops to see if we can carry it forward to future generations."
From mundillo to handmade hammocks, here is where you can find seven crafts that define Puerto Rican identity and deserve to be preserved.
🧶 Where to find mundillo crafts
3rd National Day of Puerto Rican Mundillo
Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Salón Multipisos del Municipio de Canóvanas
This celebration of Puerto Rican craft tradition takes place every first Sunday of May. This year there will be mundillo workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, sales of crafts and mundillo materials, and more.
Museo del Mundillo
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The Museo del Mundillo, located in Moca, aims to "rescue the history of the development of mundillo lace." It has an exclusive exhibition of mundillo creations including dresses, sheets, handkerchiefs, bookmarks and more. It also offers workshops for all ages. For more information, call (787) 877-3815.
MQ Mundillo de Moca
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., and Sundays, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
The kiosk specializes in selling handmade and machine-made mundillo clothing for infants. It is located on the first floor of Plaza Las Américas, across from the accessories store Claire's.
🎶 Building the Puerto Rican cuatro
Puerto Rican Cuatro
Location: Unknown
Luthier Frank Cruz has more than 20 years of experience making cuatros and other musical instruments with custom, exclusive designs, each carrying a seal and certificate of authenticity. His pieces can take four to six weeks to complete, with a high-quality finish. You can order a Puerto Rican cuatro or another instrument through puertoricancuatro.com.
El Taller del Cuatro
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Bayamón
The family business El Taller del Cuatro has more than 20 years of experience building and repairing cuatros, offering cuatro lessons and selling items related to the island's iconic instrument. You can place orders at their location in Bayamón or through www.tallerdelcuatro.com
Luthier Ángel José Ortiz
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Coamo
Master luthier Ángel José Ortiz, with more than two decades of experience, specializes in building Puerto Rican cuatros and custom guitars. He also offers an intensive course in instrument making of about 1,500 hours. You can reach the artisan at (939) 260-6881.
🌴Petate crafts
Norma Gómez, petate craft teacher and artisan
Location: Sabana Grande
Norma Gómez, a craftswoman from Sabana Grande, is an expert in making crafts from petate palm fiber. In 2021, she founded the Vejigantes Petateros company in celebration of the mask-making tradition. She currently teaches workshops offered on the first level of Plaza del Caribe as part of the artisan workshop program of the Departamento de Desarrollo Económico y Comercio (DDEC). Those interested can register for the next cycle in September. For unique petate crafts, you can reach her at 787-543-2466, or find her Instagram profile as El arte del petate.
🇵🇷 Handmade pava crafting
Ángel López Díaz, independent artisan
Location: Aguada
Artisan Ángel López Díaz is the only person in Puerto Rico certified in making handcrafted pavas. The Aguada native makes his crafts from branches of the Yarey palm, typically found in the western part of the island. You can reach the master craftsman at 787-328-0627 by call or text.
🎵 Güiro making
Jireh Güiros Percussion
Hours: Friday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Old San Juan
With two years of experience making the güiro, artisan José Serrano has become an expert with his original designs. You can find him selling instruments made from the iconic gourd on weekends at Paseo La Princesa, or by calling (787) 378-9437.
🤲 Handmade hammocks
Artesanías Hamacas Maries
Location: San Sebastián With more than 60 years of expertise, hammock maker José Hernández and his wife Carmen Soto typically present their crafts at artisan fairs sponsored by the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña (ICP). You can get information and place special orders through their Facebook profile or by calling 787-318-8964.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
