It may be a necessity, but it is also a joy: eating. And, in this day and age as the world get closer together through social media, one of the big stars is food. No matter which social media channel you favour, you will be deluged with images of lip-smacking eats that will have you dashing to your device to book a flight or a hotel or a restaurant so that you can be part of it all. It’s a good time to be alive.
So what’s Mofongo? It’s the Puerto Rican dish that shares the island’s history on a plate. To enjoy it, fried plantains and crispy pigskins are combined into a mush using a pilón—the wooden, Puerto Rican version of a mortar and pestle. And though the pilón is small, it’s not easy. The pigskins, called chicharron in Spanish, are hard and resistant to pressure. Even the plantains, which look fairly soft, don’t want to be squashed. It’s hard work, but worth it. Even better, you’re in Puerto Rico!
Known as La Isla del Encanto, or The Island of Enchantment, Puerto Rico is dotted with natural wonders like rainforests and mountains, islands ringed in white sand, and nearly 300 beaches. Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and unincorporated U.S. territory with a landscape of mountains, waterfalls and the El Yunque tropical rainforest. In San Juan, the capital and largest city, the Isla Verde area is known for its hotel strip, beach bars and casinos. Its Old San Juan neighborhood features colorful Spanish colonial buildings and El Morro and La Fortaleza, massive, centuries-old fortresses.
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Stay at Aloft San Juan. Part of the international Aloft chain, it is located a 16-minute walk from Condado Beach, Aloft San Juan offers 3-star accommodations in San Juan and features a terrace, a bar and a casino. Featuring free bikes, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, nightclub and a shared lounge. Click here to book.