Celebrate Puerto Rico’s famous coconut concoction during the Piña Colada Festival in July.
In San Juan, the month of July is hot and sunny. And nothing is more refereshing than a piña colada—Puerto Rico’s signature blend of pineapple, coconut cream, rum, and ice that can make the steamiest afternoon feel almost delightful.
In celebration of the concoction comes this year’s edition of the Piña Colada Festival (pinacoladafestival.org). From July 10 to 12, 2026, the event turns Old San Juan into a walkable tasting route for the famous cocktail. A few of the many stops are not to be missed. Raíces and Nono’s keep the drink classic, while Caficultura and The Mezzanine bring a more contemporary cocktail-bar sensibility. Even those who don’t imbibe can get in on the fun. Festival bites include piña colada gelato at Divinissimo Gelato, popsicles at Señor Paleta, chocolate at Montadero Chocolate, and cookies from Drunken Cookies.
If you want to further explore the drink’s origins, try two worthwhile side routes. While you’re in Old San Juan, try the version at Barrachina (104 Calle de la Fortaleza, Old San Juan, barrachina.com), which attributes its version to Ramón Portas Mingot in 1963. Then there’s Caribe Hilton, in San Juan’s Puerta de Tierra area, which credits bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero with creating the piña colada in 1954. Explore the hotel’s latest iteration at Caribar.
It’s worth nothing that the festival offers much more than food and drink. Cultural highlights include salsa lessons at Rincón Ibérico, art workshops at La Casa del Libro, and piña colada painting sessions at SJ Paint & Sip on July 10.
And once the festival comes to a close, there’s no reason to stop dancing—or sipping on piña coladas, for that matter—for the rest of July. The following weekend, salsa takes over La Placita de Santurce during Noches al Son de la Salsa (July 18 from 4-9 pm), with open-air dancing, classes, live bands, and artisans. For a truly sensational piña colada or other fabulous cocktails, stop by nearby Jungle Bird (254 Calle Canals, Santurce, @junglebirdbar). At the end of the month, Destino Salsa 2026 builds toward the Congreso Mundial de la Salsa finale (July 30-Aug. 1) at Fairmont El San Juan Hotel & Casino.
For Marco Polo Travelers, the route to the festival or any of the other events is easy. Just take an Uber or Lyft—all of the destinations are a short and affordable ride from our San Juan properties.
stay close to all the action
Stay with the Marco Polo Collection in San Juan’s top neighborhoods—Condado, Ocean Park, and Isla Verde—and enjoy stylish accommodations to take advantage of all the island’s top cultural happenings. But even if you stay further out at Bahia Beach, the Northeast Coast or Palmas del Mar, you’re just an hour or less from events in San Juan.