What is a uniquely Puerto Rican gift?

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crnd

Hate to break it to you guys, but while true Bacardi is now made in Puerto Rico, it's really Cuban. A small bottle of rum for $5 is on the right track though - just not Bacardi.

Try Don Q.

That's "truly" Puerto Rican.

Other ideas:

Alto Grande coffee, which is one of the world's most premium coffees. A tin of it is more like $20, not $5 - but can be easily shared amongst family or co-workers.

Interesting list of places you're visiting by the way, harder to get farther apart and still be in Puerto Rico. Offshore to the east, all the way west, and everything in between.

Stan

Rum (Bacardi is made in Puerto Rico). In the gift stores they sell little (8 oz, 12 oz) bottles some flavored (coconut, pineapple, etc.) and some are other specialties.

â™¥ || Brown Eyed Girl || â™¥

$5? How about if you buy them each a small bottle of Bacardi (PR rum).

Mr. Vitamin C

A key chain, or one of them small PR display plates.

Mia

Something unique to Puerto Rico (and Hawaii, but they were brought there so it doesn't count) is the 'Coqui', which is a small frog native to the Island. Pretty much any souvenir shop (and any local Walgreens) will carry keychains, figurines, etc. with the Coqui. In addition to Puerto Rican rum (and of course our flag!), it's about as Puerto Rican as you can get!

Bebe

Here are some Uniquely Puerto Rican gifts that are cheap:

1. Barcadi Rum- large bottles start at $7, small ones are $5 (you can also try Don Q rum)

2. Puerto rican candies- you can find these anywhere in PR even walgreens, cheap, under $5. They have coconut, mango, etc

3. Guiro Instrument- dried out gourd that is used as an instrument, cheap

4. Postcards, keychains, etc- cheap, get with PR or the coqui frog

Other uniqe gifts that are not with in that budget are Vejigante masks (what the other guy was referring to), they are used in parades, very colorful & fun- But very expensive. Handmade lace is only made in Spain & in Puerto Rico nowadays, not sure of the price. Handmade hammocks are nice too. Santos are handcarvesd wooden figures, usually of saints or nativity scenes. Cuatros are a typeof guitar from PR, but also expensive.

Dee

Well, a gift uniquely from P.R. can be anything representing it's culture..

I agree with every1 else , Puertorican Rum

We love are cocunut candies, guayava pastries

souveniers of the coqui, sceneries of beaches, the country-side

music: Salsa, or some "maracas and widos" ( instruments)

It's usually not that difficult to find something, cause they have many local stores, and gift shops everywhere you go..

dart

When I was little, my dad went there on a business trip...he brought us back these castanets that were printed with flamenco dancers...might be too cheesey for your taste. Also, they aren't terribly unique to P.R., more like all of the Spanish speaking world.

He also brought back some Maja soap...also, not uniquely P.R. as I also saw it in Spain...I can't tell you where it's made, but you could look for it...it's wrapped in black with a woman who looks like Carmen on it...Very flamenco, red and black motif, very mysterious.

They have some spice mixtures that are typical to the island, that you probably wouldn't find anyplace else, if they are cooks. Or whatever the local coffee is, if they are coffee drinkers.

Rum is a major export, you might be able to pick some up inexpensively. I'm not sure if you could bring back 8 bottles, even if you can get it that cheaply, but you should look into it. Being part of the US, I'm not sure what the transport laws are, or if you could get duty free, because you aren't actually leaving the country.

They have these wonderful hand-crafted masks (no idea how much) that I don't believe are related to Carneval at all. They are Taino-made or inspired.

I wonder if you could find some hand-made dolls (collector type) or marioinettes! I remember them being difficult to find - the real thing - in Mexico, but you might find something that is dressed up in their native style...do NOT buy the plastic flamenco dolls! They have been cheesey since they began!

I would poke around markets looking for something hand-made. And make sure it really IS hand made, because so many things are replicated in China, these days!

Had the worst time in Spain, trying to find REAL Spanish made hand crafts!

Tito

I'd say that a souvenir representing the Puerto Rican culture would definitely be a nice gift. When you think of our culture, keep in mind Puerto Rican music, food, television, politics, animals, plant life, etc.. Puerto Rico is a beautiful place and I'm sure that you'll find all sorts of things that you could take to your colleagues as a souvenir. best of luck and I hope that you enjoy your time here. :)

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