Private Guavate Local Gastronomic Tour
What your day looks like
If you want to experience the culture and the gastronomy of Puerto Rico, nothing is better than making a trip to Guavate! Every year thousands of Puerto Ricans and tourists visit Guavate to enjoy traditional dishes like roast pork, BBQ ribs, rice, and beans, “pasteles” (mashed green banana filled with meat), pavochón (turkey cooked like pork), Puerto Rican sweets, and “piña colada”. Join us on this unique and local private gastronomic experience. Have a great day in the mountain town of Cayey, while visiting La Ruta del Lechón for their signature dish of yummy roast pork and learning about the history and culture this place beholds. Enjoy the true flavor, like locals do, when you join them and head to the famous lechoneras in Guavate. Lechoneras are outdoor restaurants that specialize in seasoned whole-pig, slow-roasted over an open fire. This makes the pork flavorful and delicious. The pig is mounted on a “varietal”, a bar usually made of steel, and slowly roasted and turned for 6 to 8 hours. If you are wondering, the taste is a combination of slightly smoked juicy pork and crunchy toasted skin which we call a “burrito”. There can be a dizzying array of side dishes at the restaurant, but since virtually all lechoneras serve cafeteria-style, you can just point to something that appeals to you and it will be served on your plate. Besides the delicious pork, you'll be able to taste various native side dishes like Arroz con gandules - Rice with pigeon peas, Yuca - Cassava, Pana - Breadfruit, Sweet potato, Tostones, Mofongo, Morcilla - Blood sausage. In addition to all of the delicious food, you'll take in fantastic live music (on weekend trips only) that gets people dancing and singing, and taste the cool mountain air. Anthony Bourdain of No Reservations on the Travel Channel visited Guavate to sample our world-famous barbecue. Now it's your turn! Depending on your interests, and if the schedule allows for it, we can make a final stop at Charco Azul. This is a small natural pool located 30 minutes from Guavate. It's an easy trail (10 mins walk approximately) and you can take a quick dip in the refreshing water (optional).
The experience, in brief
- Culinary Experience: Visit Guavate, known for its vibrant food
- Signature Dishes: Enjoy roast pork (lechón), BBQ ribs, rice and beans
- Avochón (turkey cooked like pork), and Puerto Rican sweets
- Lechoneras: Dine at outdoor eateries specializing in wholepig roast
- Live Music: Experience live music on weekends that adds to the festive atmosphere
- Enjoy the cool mountain air and beautiful scenery of Cayey
- Charco Azul: Optionally visit this natural pool 30 minutes from Guavate
Your day, step by step
Cayey
Food Tasting at Guavate, Cayey, Puerto Rico.
Cayey
Dancing at Guavate, Cayey, Puerto Rico.
What to know before booking
Included
A knowledgeable guide to provide insights into the local culture, history, and gastronomy A visit to famous lechoneras (outdoor restaurants specializing in roast pork) Live music entertainment on weekend trips
Not Included
Food and Gratuity for your tour guide are not included but are greatly appreciated
What to Bring
Comfortable shoes Comfortable clothes
Restrictions
If traveling with children from 0 - 6 years a car seat/ booster seat is required. We provide them complimentary but need to be requested with anticipation
Meeting & Pickup
Guavate, Cayey Your Hotel Lobby is in the metro Area. (Exact pickup time will be provided upon purchase of the tour) Complimentary transportation from San Juan is included for all tours. Guests may also meet us directly at the tour location — if so, meeting details will be provided the day before the tour. Please note that the tour cost remains the same if clients opt out of the transfer from San Juan.
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Manual By Business