Nobody Visits This Part Of Puerto Rico...Find Out Why
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
- I took the tram up to the Mercado de Rio Piedras. Walking past graffiti-covered shop after shop this was a different world than the movie set of old San Juan propped up by pastel-painted buildings and cruise ship dollars. This was the guts of San Juan and it is reeling. A failing economy, not yet recovered from the devastating Hurricane Maria in 2017.
The Mercado had the bones of an eerie dystopian wing of the Mall of America. Vendors’ pride in their stalls shined through like a flower growing out of concrete. Nicely arranged fruit stalls, a Barber that was neat and orderly, a well-stocked butcher case. I stopped by the cafeteria, dotted with a handful of full-time loiterers but found a couple of bright food stalls cooking Puerto Rican comfort dishes. There was a line of 4-5 women at one so I ate there. I ordered a bowl of Sancocho which was solid. It was served with mangú, a delicious plantain mash engineered to leave any appetite satiated.
It all felt odd, I felt like a trespasser into the heart of the struggles of the country, the area had the undeniable stillness and quiet of unemployment. But in that Mercado, people were doing their best, the stalls were still open, meals were being prepped, mangos and avocados being neatly displayed amongst a dreary backdrop. A symbol of resilience, the Mercado beats on.
Episode Intel:
Mercado de Rio Piedras
1114 C. Vallejo, San Juan, 00925, Puerto Rico
Reggie Ate: Sancocho and Mangú (mashed plantains)
Old San Juan
As a college student I walked those streets. Some of the houses were historic gems before being converted into student residences. Shops were full of students, and university faculty members shopping, eating, enjoying their evenings. But the local government doesn’t see Rio Piedras as a profitable zone, so they just ignore it. The business owners here are some of the most resilient on the island. The few that survive do so because of local support.
When you said "The business owners here are some of the most resilient" I felt that. Do you think this area can bounce back?
@@unculturedtravel Keeping the University is a huge part of saving it. Investing in updating infrastructure. Unlike most town centers in PR the area has two main squares. Both can be used for fresh air markets, with live music, artisans and crafts exhibits and sales. It’s done all over the island, but for some reason not there. Locals want to see it thrive. They would support small business if the areas infrastructure and security were better.
@@waleskagracia4891 Thanks for sharing this. Agreed, fresh air markets help areas a lot. It also should attract more tourists as it's easy to reach by the train. I hope to see it thrive. Do many locals use this train?
@@unculturedtravel Unfortunately, although locals, and students use the train, it’s not the preferred mode of transportation in the area. In order to get visitors with more disposable income there needs to be investment in infrastructure, and security. It’s a historically and culturally rich and under appreciated part of the metro area.
@@waleskagracia4891 100% agreed! This is such a cool, cultural area of San Juan. Still a lot of potential!
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That area of Rio Piedras was never the same after the Humberto Vidal store exploded in 1996. Some of the iconic stores in the area ended up closing because of the overall activity in the area winding down and more malls being created or expanded around it. I still go every few months to take my mom to her doctor appointments, the buildings are so old and have been abandoned for so long that it would take a major investment to bring it back to life.
Thank you for this history. So many of the comments are so informative. Puerto Ricans have such pride in their country. It’s really incredible.
My cousin's husband worked at humberto vidal and was killed in that explosion
@@dins5066 I'm so sorry for your loss, I read more about the explosion and the history of the area, what a tragic event.
Yeah, if I had to narrow it down, the Humberto Vidal explosion really did a number on Río Piedras as a thriving business center. Then as more malls and more attractive shopping centers boomed (plus urban decay and blight), that sadly sealed the deal. Many similar commercial areas in San Juan have suffered as well due to the recession of the early oughts, urban decay and the impact of natural disasters such as Maria just a few years ago. I fear recovery will be extremely difficult if not impossible. 😔
@@GhostRydr1172 Thank you for this insight. Do you see a path back to this area thriving again?
Seeing this point of view is bittersweet. I like seeing Rio Piedras from another person's perspective, but it's sad seeing and hearing how quiet it is. It brings out a feeling of nostalgia in me, seeing that marketplace and the little shops in the street that I used to go to with my mom as a kid, but the people truly bring out the joy in those parts. And no matter how touristy Old San Juan is it feels great to walk around there once in a while.
I still loved visiting Rio Piedras, the people were warm and the food was delicious. I could definitely picture it much busier in the past. Do have any other favorite areas of San Juan?
@@unculturedtravel Around the metro area there's the Luis Muñoz Marin park, it went through years of abandonment and later on it got remodeled to look nicer but sometimes they charge an entry fee depending on the day. When I was a kid I remember it had cable cars and even a moving small train for entertaining people so it was fairly popular before. At Santurce there's the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico for folks that like art. Also if you leave the rio piedras train station there's the ice cream shop Heladería Georgetti near by that's really popular with the locals. Aaand the upr uni has a free entry (if you tell the guard you wanna walk around the campus for a stroll) so you can enter the area and look around, they even have a small museum at the beginning but I don't know if it's open these days.
Overall having lived in the metro all my life it's all about having curiousity and finding out cool spots here and there. Luckily the public transportation helps a little bit with that but it's limited, though there was a train in the 1900's that did go throughout all the island, "El Ferrocarril de Circunvalación de Puerto Rico", and there's a tunnel in Guajataca that still remains as a memory of that time.
Thanks for showing me a big part of areas I frequented as a student in the University of Puerto Rico Pharmacy and Medical schools.After leaving the island I have visited more than 120 countries and being back in the island multiple times. Never took the tren urbano and neither visited my old markets. Now I have to! Thanks!
The train was awesome and the Mercado still had great food and good people. Puerto Rico is such a cool place. Of 100+ countries what country pleasantly surprised you the most?
I grew up near there in the 1970's - nearby Dos Pinos, and its sad to see how much it has deteriorated. That area used to be alive with commerce. UPR is near there so you had a confluence of young people and the older generations at the markets, the "publico" van service and so much more. My neighborhood was like "Wonder Years", well kept homes, lots of kids playing, everyone had a nice car, everything clean - you could even go the project (Caserio), nearby Lopez Sicardo, to buy limbels or to the grocery that was there to get bread, milk whatever, without any problem at all. What happened in PR was to me the repealing of IRS Section 939, that gave US corporations tax-exempt status and took with it good paying jobs and the educated classes that go with that. PR never recovered from that. Those that could leave did, leaving behind a poor population of unskilled, uneducated masses who got screwed over by corrupt politicians, and lets not forget the whole drug/crime issue that comes into depressed areas that has destroyed the moral fiber of the island and ruined too many generations. Hurricane Maria was like Katrina in that it exposed the complete societal breakdown of the island. Its a shame!
Thank you for taking the time to write this history and sharing your personal experience growing up in PR. Do you think Puerto Rico can ever return to what it once was?
@@unculturedtravel Very Doubtful. Everything is set up for the wealthy and US Corporations to use the island as a tax shelter, that do not benefit the people of the island for the most part. And these are the same people that donate money to both political parties. Despite recent referendums favoring statehood, the wealthy elite will get their way. The cryptos and other Act 60 transplants are buying all the prime real estate, pushing many out. Until an economic engine based on manufacturing instead of services can be established (and that corporate tax rate does not help), and the statehood issue is decided, nothing will change. The island residents will remain economically distressed. It will become what it already is in many ways, a place for retirees & rich investors, with the young and professionals leaving to the US mainland for opportunity and jobs.
I live in Dos Pinos one of the nicest neighborhoods ... about 7 years now and property value is on the rise and new construction in town so better things to come. Big corruption is being dealt by the FBI...wish it would be handled by local authorities but again things looking better.
@@victorabadia9700 Happy to here this, Puerto Rico is a special country. I hope the culture is preserved, there is so much of it to offer.
@@victorabadia9700 Glad to know that things are on on the upswing - I lived on Calle Casiopea in my childhood and have fond memories. Thanks for your update
first time I see tourist in this area! nice that your recorded it to see the actual present. It was an amazing place
Thank you for the nice words. Still an interesting and cultural place to visit with kind people and tasty food. I enjoyed it! Do you have any favorite places in Puerto Rico you recommend?
I’m 28 now, last time I saw Rio Piedras vibrant and all the shops open was like in 2002. It slowly died down throughout the years thanks to the economy crashing and local politicians not doing anything for Rio Piedras. I have great memories of visiting that town, thank You for showing this part of Puerto Rico that no other people show because they are ashamed to. I loved it because it reminded me of how great it was over there. There’s Great history behind the town of Rio Piedras.
Thanks for this memory. Honestly it was still a great place to visit with some shop owners full of pride and comforting dishes. My first thought was that this place must have used to thrive and that it has so much potential to thrive again. It just has the bones and feel of a great neighborhood. All over the world you see places like Rio Piedras reboot with new vendors, artists, entrepreneurs mixing with old, I think it can happen but I'm far from a local who knows the ins and outs!
Hey TK for the the video I’m from Puerto Rico and I never be in those places but TK my friend.
Any favorite places in Puerto Rico you suggest I visit? Or favorite dishes?
Nice video brother.. I am from Rio Piedras , but I am right now in the states.🇵🇷 👍
Do you go back often? What’s the first thing you eat when you return?
The best area!!! ❤️ real live and local food and people.
I totally agree, everyone was so kind. In the mercado people were passionate about suggesting which dishes to try and where to eat, I wish i got more on camera of that. Also they gave me many many tips of small towns around the island to go to for a particular dish. Any tips are welcome, thank you for the comment!
Any other places in PR you recommend visiting?
Yes, we did the whole island in Jan. I tell everyone get out of San Juan to see it ❤️🏝PR
I live in Rio Piedras. There are good bars with live bands at night.
@@markhayes2003 Thank you for tip! I would love to come back at night. It's always great to see how an area changes throughout the day. Is there a venue you recommend for local music?
You took me on a trip to my childhood. Sixty years ago the Río Piedras public square was bustling with activity. I can remember taking a bus from school, buying a small packet of platanutres (plantain chips) in front of the cathedral while waiting for the Río Piedras to Caguas bus to take me to La Muda. We would shop at the many stores on Paseo De Diego and buy food at the Plaza del Mercado (market square). Those streets were once filled with loud conversation and laughter. It makes me sad to see places that bring back fond memories , die.
Thank you for your beautiful story, I could visualize it down to the plantain chips! Have you returned to this area recently?
@@unculturedtravel I moved to the south coast, Ponce, but I prefer to spend as much time as possible up in the central mountains, my favorite part of the island. I haven't been back in the metropolitan area in a few years.
@@robmariner7866 Thank and yes, driving through inland Puerto Rico was beautiful, I had the best Lechon of my life there!
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Any small towns you recommend visiting in the central mountains?
When I used to live in PR back in the 70’s and 80’s that area used to be so alive and beautiful, what’s going on? This video is brought me down, PR is deteriorating, such a gorgeous Island with so much potential. Not too long ago an Italian couple told me that out of all of the Islands in the Caribbean PR San Juan was the most kept , clean and beautiful and that PR had sooo much potential.. too sad 😢 ..despite all, the Italian couple and their families have visited PR more that 20 times, they love it 😍
I found the island stunning, the roadside restaurants and countryside were a great experience. Even Rio Piedras had so much to offer in the way of small pockeets of culture and food, it just needs to bounce back, I hope it does. A great country with good people. Any favorite dishes you miss eating from growing up in PR?
@@unculturedtravel yes the rest of the island is stunningly beautiful, thank you for embracing our culture. I live in Orlando and both of my parents are boricuas(natives are called boricuas is a Taino Indian word) so I don’t really miss the food because we cook it and Orlando and Kissimmee which are called little Puerto Rico have plenty of restaurants from the island, just make sure that they are authentic because a lot of other Latinos are using our food to sell and they don’t cook it the same way, good but not the same. What I do miss is the land, the island, the terrain, the mountains, PR has a certain smell and feeling, listening to our frog El Coquí, is very important to us. I miss the beaches and the love of the people. Everywhere you go they call you , love, sweetheart, dear .. This why Puerto Rico is called La isla del Encanto or The Enchanted Island. There are only two or three fruits that I miss thou, one is called Jobo(hobo) and Acerolas and Quenepas ask for them and taste them , they are delicious.
@@mayicos66 "Everywhere you go they call you , love, sweetheart, dear" - This is so true! The people are so friendly and soulful!
@@mayicos66 I actually heard Orlando has great PR food, is there a Puerto Rican restaurant you recommend? Sometimes I fly through Orlando!
Go to Crocante and Viktor Pollos in Kissimmee, they are a hole in the wall or what we call chinchorros but their food has the authentic taste of the island
Rio Piedras needs some love. They need a plan to consciously re develop that section of San Juan.
So much potential in this area, good people and interesting buildings and history. The food for one, is still very good. Rooting for it!
Good Food bro.
I went to High School in Rio Piedras, everything was full of glory, going to Rio Piedras was the trend in the 80', all the stores opened, students everywhere, families eating and shopping, a very happy environment. My great-uncle used to had a pharmacy (Ave. Constitución) and another great-grandma had an apartment where she used to rent rooms to students from UPR, the public transportation was the one that keep Rio Piedras moving until the famous "subway" came in and replaced those public transportation :( the 80' were the best
Thank you for this memory, do you think this area will ever return to that level of activity?
@@unculturedtravel who knows… PR government system is very complicated. I left in 1998, when I was 30 years old 22 years later I still living out of the Island I don’t think I’m going back, except for vacation.
@@irenec6558 Thank you for your insight! Puerto Rico National Day Parade tomorrow in New York! I'm sure it will be wild and lots of fun!
The first Plaza you visited, is a great place to hang out in the evening.
I’ve since heard! Any other good nightlife spots around San Juan?
I grew up in that area of Puerto Rico, the so-called town of Rio Piedras, I will never forget all those years that I enjoyed living in that area, I even studied at the school that is in front of the University it’s named, Ramon Vila Mayo School, where I graduated from Grade 12 from High School in 1989 what beautiful memories it made me travel back in time thanks for sharing this video, God bless you!
Thank you for sharing this memory, did you go to this Ice Cream shop in this video growing up?
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I don’t think so, but they have an small version in the Bahia del Condado
@@pablomonge9746 Awesome, thanks for the tip! The locals of P.R. are so kind!
I could spot a few Dominican flags in your video, and then they hit you with the MANGU 😅. Saw it coming from a mile away, great video.
I know truth, I since have learned! I did eat some wonderful Lechon in another video I did in PR! I love the food of PR, especially Mofongo! Do you have a favorite Puerto Rican dish you can recommend I try and find? I will look for it in the Bronx back in NYC?
@@unculturedtravel try yam and codfish(vianda con bacalao) with olive oil.. another good dish is “siete potencia”.. it is like a soup with 7 different seafood ingredients
Lived in Condado in 2018, you should explain more where you actually are. La Placita was one of my favorite spots.
Any favorite spots? I found good food in the markets! Many helpful and friendly people!
Thanks for Sharing I hope you enjoyed your visit here in Puerto Rico 🙏🏽 The City of San Juan is divided by 8 Districts Rio Piedras is one of them☝🏽 Not only Irma and Maria, but government corruption and scandles were the seeds of it's down fall😞 Just recently local investors and from the mainland have agreed to revive the area (Finally) Rio Piedras was an independant municipality in itself then integraded as the 8th District of the City of San Juan in the 50 or 60's☝🏽
Wow, love this history lesson! What’s your favorite of the 8 districts?
@@unculturedtravel When a Teenager I used to hang out in Miramar a lot before enlisting in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico State Police when such was Paramilitary under the old law back in 1980☺️
Investors are messing up everything. Rents has increased significantly. They’ve tripled li. It’s insane and does not make sense
@@moreadventure3627 Interesting, are you hopeful there are ways to a make areas like this thrive again?
@@moreadventure3627 so you must like abandon buildings with graffiti....you need to read a book.
When visit Puerto Rico, you should leave the San Juan area and check out the rest of the island. The mountains in the center, beaches in the north and west. The beauty of the sound part of the Island... all around PR is a beautiful island with tons to do
Wish I would have seen your video before my trip to PR.
If you go back, find some Lechon !!ua-cam.com/video/1F_U7OBPEvk/v-deo.html
great video, the food looked great 👍, am a food person myself, how much did the food cost you 😋, just asking...
Very reasonable 7-10$ a plate.
Hola! It seems like you headed out really early in the morning. That's why it seems dead. Even the "train Urbano" was dead. The train was a cool choice. Thanks for sharing. 💪💪💃💃☕🚖✈️🚖✈️
I really enjoyed the train experience and the area still had delicious food and very friendly people. I would love to see it at night. Do you have any favorite markets or places to visit in this area?
You just happened to be in Rio Piedras and by chance get to eat at one of the best food stands in Plaza del Mercado. 😋
Just got back Wednesday from Puerto Rico and yeah I definitely didn’t go to that part lol but I really loved it… such a beautiful place me and my girlfriend had an amazing time. I will definitely go back eventually after I hit up I few more other places first 💪🏻
It’s an awesome country with really unique and comforting food. I found the entire island interesting. What was your favorite place you visited?
@@unculturedtravel we did a tour in the rain forest and got to see the waterfalls and go down one.
@@osbty9267 Yes the forest / mountains in P.R. are incredible, was there a specific area you visited?
Completely unaware they had a subway system. I am Wondering how far into the island it travels?
Yeah, I live in the mainland now, but I used to hang out at all those places. You took me back! I remember Rio Piedras. It was the shopping center of the entire metropolitan area. Now it is dead. How depressing... I used to work in Old San Juan. You've got to eat at Cafe Manolin. Best working-man food ever! especially the pernil (pork shoulder)... You must have walked like 10 miles that day (I know!)
Thanks for the tip, I googled Cafe Manolin, the food looks so comforting! Any favorite dishes? Yes, I walked for hours but it was a great way to see different areas of the city.
Went to that area last year for the first time as a tourist I took the train. I enjoyed myself the food in the cafeteria is excellent the locals are very friendly and nice I will return again August 2022
It’s a cool place and a great way to see different parts of San Juan out of the window. Did you stop anywhere else on the train?
@@unculturedtravel actually no only went to Rio piedras. I will definitely like to see the other areas in August
@@tamarawaite1981 Yes! Keep me posted if you go somewhere that you enjoy!
For the unimfomed or confused: mangu is made of boiled, mashed green plantains, which is topped with cheese, salchichon, or fried eggs, it is of Dominican origin. Mofongo is made of fried, mashed green plantains, filled with chicharron( cracklings, which is crispy fried pork), or crab meat, personally I like my mofongo with crab meat, it is of Puerto Rican origin.And now you know !!!
De esto' se yo.
Thank you for this informative breakdown!!!! Which one is your favorite?
Saludos, en el centro de la isla se prepara mofongo con plátanos cocidos. No solamente se hace con plátanos fritos. En el campo se maja el plátano cocido con empellas(grasa visceral del cerdo). Ese mofongo es más sabroso y se mantiene blando por más tiempo. Y además Puerto Rico no es solamente mofongo y arroz con habichuelas… hay muchos platos que degustar.
Rio Piedras is now a Ghost Town! Wow! I remember that place used to be pack back in the days I was in middle school and high school.
Rio Piedras used to be a very busy place, specially on week days, but the crash of 2008 forced a lot of stores to close and it became a ghost town. I went there in 2010 and almost cry.
Thank you for this insight. It still has comforting food, kind people and lots of people trying to hustle and make it work. I found it an interesting place to visit. Do you think it can bounce back?
@@unculturedtravel I think and hope it does. I remenber on week days I had to walk between the traffic and the parked cars because the sidewalk was too crowded. When I reached the Paseo De Diego it was packed all the time.
@@rabiddogoncrack Thank you for this memory. I could see the infrastructure of a place that was once booming, I hope Rio Piedras returns! It was still a great place to visit.
Yah, I was literally there about a week and a half ago, and I felt the same way. It felt like the area that time left behind. It wasn't totally dead, I saw locals there for sure. I enjoyed it, it made me feel like i was in another world, it's hard to explain unless if your there, but seeing the history, and seeing some of the dead business there, while there was some that are still in operation and thriving made me wonder what use to be there. I was imagining the place being busy and poplar in the past, but it's a bit calmer. Damn, I thought Ponce San Laurel's area was dead, this area this area have me Twilight zone vibes, but I'm a good way. It was a great discovery, I did like this. I felt it was a nice area, very historic, a little run down, but it still has some life left in it. Quietness, that you could hear a conversation from a group of people on the other side of the block, and sometimes the pitter patter of feet from someone walking some where. Good ASMR tho 😁
Thanks for this description, very well written. Is there a small town in Puerto Rico you recommend visiting?
@@unculturedtravel CAYEY, MY Hometown, Specially 👉🏽 Guavate,
I Born And Live in Manhattan And in The BRONX, Half Of My Life. But i Considerate 🇵🇷 My Hometown...But
N.Y.C Too..✍🏽 GUAVATE IS THE #1
PLACE TO EAT OUR TIPICAL FOOD
And To Listen Our Músic....You Can Found Nice Family Oriented Restaurants And The Puertoricans
Own👉🏽 The CHINCHORREO THING =
A Place FOR Dance And Drink And
Have it a Good Times.....ASK FOR
GUAVATE IN THE TOWN OF CAYEY.
35 TO 40 MINUTES AT MOST FROM
SAN JUAN.....IF I CAN HELP YOU WITH OTHER INFORMATIÓN.....NO
PROBLEM....U CAN ASK ME...✍🏽.
ENJOY THE ISLAND...✍🏽 OH ONE
MORE THING. EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT 👉🏾 GUAVATE 👈🏾. BILL CLINTON, CAME IN 2005-06. AND
OBAMA TOO, AND BOTH DRANK A COUPLES OF MEDALLA BEERS.
Medalla is Our National And #1 Beer.
After a Bud, 😂f Course..✍🏽
@@unculturedtravel I wish that I could give recommendations. I've visited very few places in PR...Possibly if you have the stomach for mountain driving because it's definitely not for the faint of heart, I would recommend Villalba, Orocovis, PR. I was there a few months ago with my family. I recommend, going to Aracelie's Chinchorreo, they have a waterfall diagonal from it called Cascada Chorro de Dona Juana. You could bar hop for sure because there are many Chinchorreo's on that road too. Make sure to bring someone along who is experienced with driving narrow roads off the side of mountains. You would literally be less than a foot away off the side of the mountain on some parts of the road. Don't go if you don't feel too confident about it. Driving up those mountains will stress you out if it's not your forte. But if you do decide to go, just be cautious, people drive crazy up those roads like it's nothing. Just weigh your options. Good Luck on your journey's!
Visit Santurce in san juan. You can take a bus from old san juan and ponce de leon st. Ask driver. Many restaurants. Also a livelier place calle Loiza in Santurce area . Small stores and restaurants. Very interesting to walk through. Many surprises.
Thank you for this!
@@unculturedtravel You were actually in La Placita early in your video. La Placita is in Santurce.
I live here and love it
The food is especially comforting and the people were so kind.
Rio Piedras Marketplace was a thriving place back in the day, Its sad that its it is like that now. But there are plans on renovating that whole area.
Thank you for the insight, I hope it bounces back, the Mercado still had delicious, comforting food and the shop keepers were kind. Do you have a favorite neighborhood of San Juan you recommend visiting? Or surrounding town?
There's a large dominican presence in Puerto Rico which has influenced our daily lives culturally speaking, particularly
with their music and their food. Some have even found love in the island and added yet another layer to our ethnic composition.
Thank you for the insight! Yes I realized I had a Dominican meal in the market. Alas the food was good and I did eat many delicious Puerto Rican meals like Mofongo and Lechon. Is there any dishes you recommend looking for? I love grandma cooking / stews especially!
@@unculturedtravel For many ppl a typical Puerto Rican dish could be white rice, beans and fried pork chops but it's much more than that.
To start off next time you visit the island, I would suggest taking a trip through the RUTA DEL LECHÓN. I'm leaving you this link down below entitled: "DISCOVERING PUERTO RICO'S RUTA DEL LECHÓN IN GUAVATE"
which will explain better than I could exactly what is all about. Let me know if you can't open it.
@@unculturedtravel Seems like YT won't allow me to share the link but you already have the title so check it out.
That's Cool. I think both cultures compliment each other in positive ways. I love visiting both countries.
@@hectornegron9155 The simple dishes in Puerto RIco were the best to me. Even the way PR people cook rice and peas is an art form. I learned about the Pegao de Arroz which I will try to replicate at home!
Wow, you went out of your way to see that area of Rio Piedras, good of you. In the past that area used to be bustling. Very sad to see it in such decay. Definitely rookie move on the mangú. 'Puerto Rican Leopard'. LMAO
HAHA ABSOLUTE ROOKIE MOVE! Oh well, real-time when you don't know you just assume the stuff in the local cafeteria is Puerto Rican. Now I know for next time! What is a dish in Puerto Rico I should try?
@@unculturedtravel good question, the mofongo is the Puerto Rican version of those mashed plantains. Some others, carne guisada (beef stew), pionono (my favourite), arroz con gandules, pollo guisado or pollo en fricasé (chicken fricassé stew), fried corn sticks (sorullos), bacalaitos (cod fish fritters). Lechón asado --> in Guavate Cayey you can find all year long roasted pork, pasteles, longaniza (sausage) for lunch or dinner. The lechonera Los Amigos is a good place to go and is right next to the highway. It has a lot of turnover and food is always fresh.
subway "system" is very generous of you
I was impressed by the subway! Is there a stop you recommend getting off at to check out?
the people who live there are not Puerto Ricans, they are people from nearby islands
Interesting, thanks for the insight, which islands? I would love to learn more.
@@unculturedtravel in general of the Spanish that is made up of Haiti and the Dominican Republic in other islands because the Caribbean is mostly poor in money
@@sanjuan3934 Fascinating, wow I learn almost as much from the comments on these vids as walking around the actual places. The internet is amazing. I would assume they were all from PR. Granted the first thing I ate was Mangú which is Dominican. Any favorite meals in PR you recommend?
@@unculturedtravel Mofongo, alcapurria, piña colada and bacalaitos
@@sanjuan3934 Never heard of alcapurrias or bacalaitos, awesome. They look delicious!
The train doesn’t go all around the island. It’s just in the San Juan/Metropolitan area
Yes, I looked at the old railway map and it used to go much farther. I guess like most railway networks it was no longer useful. I found it to be a good service, do locals use it much?
@@unculturedtravel not really. Mainly the people that use public transportation use it. When there are events at El Choliseo, El Hiram Birthorn, and el Coliseo Roberto Clemente people use it to avoid traffic and looking for parking. Almost everyone on the island has there own means of transportation as the public transportation is not very reliable.
@@mgbeurocaribena6755 Thanks for this insight!
Yeah, downtown Rio Piedras has sadly deteriorated in the past few years.😔
All it takes is one good local restauranteur or entrepreneur to inject life into it. I've seen it happen time and time again in New York. Granted I'm not from PR so I don't know the whole situation or want to speak for Puerto Ricans. I do know there are so many beautiful old building around there and the people have a lot of pride for the area. I hope it bounces back. Any favorite places to eat in PR?
“Waterfront” restaurant in Pinones (back of airport), want to try (haven’t been there yet) “Deaverdura” in Old San Juan, a family member of mine likes “Prole” (I think in Santurce), the carnita tacos of “Lupe Reyes” of T-Mobile District”. If I can think of anywhere else will let you know. You here till when?
@@Cinedos I've returned to New York but will hopefully come back soon. All these suggestions look great, been googling them!
@@Cinedos Any favorite towns in the South you recommend?
I personally ❤️❤️❤️ Cabo Rojo, the southwest point of PR. You can swim at “Playa Sucia”, see the lighthouse/cliffs, I think it’s called “Puente La Piedra” & a nearby “cave” too. I may have some pics that I can send you (via email?).
Need to travel coast and mountains
Truth! Such a scenic country! I loved the Lechon in the mountains!
I used to love going to the Paseo de Diego.
What year did you visit/go?
If only I can show you pictures of the rest of Puerto Rico beyond the tourist areas where your at! You will love Puerto Rico even more!
Love Puerto Rico ❤️
Where is that shopping mall located? Town please or mall name please. 🙏
Mercado de Rio Piedras
1114 C. Vallejo, San Juan, 00925, Puerto Rico
Reggie Ate: Sancocho and Mangú (mashed plantains)
@@unculturedtravel gracias!
When I was a kid Rio piedras was a good commercial zone is sad that is now almost a ghost town
Thank you for this comment. I found there were still some good food stalls and hard working merchants left. When was it the busiest? Would it have been the 80's or 90's? or earlier?
@@unculturedtravelIt was bustling in the 90s. I went to school a couple blocks away and that area was always packed. My grandma used to go shopping there, then meet me up at school and we either rode the bus or got picked up by my parents.
I sure saw a lot of locals driving really nice cars, ones i don't even see on the mainland. BMWs, range rovers, Mercedes, raptor trucks. I was shocked
Looks pretty clean and beautiful to me
Like anywhere else, depends where you go. You will see both.
Saludos! So sad to see Rio Piedras like that. It was so alive back in the 70's!
I could only imagine, still an interesting place with some good honest food. Have you been back since the 70's? Did you use to live there? Thanks for your comment!
@@unculturedtravel I go back to Puerto Rico at least every 3 months. Was there in April and will be there July 2 God willing. I use to do a lot of shopping in Rio Piedras back in the 70’s and went to school in University Gardens.
@@josearrieta4522 What's the first thing you rush to eat when you go back?
@@unculturedtravel Churrasco, rice and beans
@@josearrieta4522 Love that, any restaurant you recommend for it or at home?
2:18 I used to live right there at that corner on ponce de leon in that tall building right across from the subway. It looks like nothing has really changed
Thanks for sharing, it seems like a calm and beautiful corner to live. How long ago was that? Have you seen the area change much?
@@unculturedtravel calm? no, no no. But I know what you're talking about. There were some very nice houses a block behind there that I would purchase if I could. The university up the street holds parties every thursday at that bar that's a block away from jose gandara street (next to the elementary school). They had a few good taino talents there. It gave me a real Puerto Rican feel. The people there were mostly nice and there is some kinda church a block up that is owned by people from the US. I lived there until like january 2020. I don't know if it's still public housing but it was when I was there and it was called Casa Rosa. A little over a fourth of my neighbors in that building were terrible to be around. I tried taking them to court. I would go back if I could get into the other place from Casa Rosa in santurce. The electricity was spotty around there. It would go out almost weekly but the weather can't be beat. I wish they would expand that subway. They have a few container houses on the other side of that university but I couldn't see if they were just for show or if someone actually lived in them. I still miss the place
@@JerettFranklin Thanks for sharing these memories! It paints a vivid picture. Sounds like an adventure between the neighbours and electricity :) Will you move back or are you off the island for now?
@@unculturedtravel I'd like to move back but somewhere that isn't too crowded. Ponce would be my first choice if I had the money but since I have none, I'd go back to the Santurce area only because I know i could possibly get in the same place that I was in last time.
This is a great video. Did you see ANY parts of town with a lively LOCAL scene like you would in other Latin Countries and could you see yourself living there ?
I walked all over San Juan, I found almost every meal I had in local eateries to be delicious, mofongo, rice and pigeon peas, guisado. My favorite part of the trip was this Lechoneria I visited here:
ua-cam.com/video/1F_U7OBPEvk/v-deo.html
I hope to go to the Dominican Republic and watch some baseball and eat, I loved Guatemala for the food, everything feels like it is made by your grandmother!
@@unculturedtravel THAT WAS THE AREA THAT I RECOMMEND..👉🏾.LAS LECHONERAS DE
GUAVATE, EN EL PUEBLO DE CAYEY.... THAT WAS FOUNDED IN 1774.👈🏾 BEFORE
THAN THE USA, THAT WAS FOUNDED IN 1776.....
The market he was in at the beginning will close in the afternoon and the square is surrounded by restaurants and bars that come alive. There will be people eating and drinking and dancing until the wee hours of the morning. He just wasn’t there at the right time. PR has lots of lively places and while we have only lived here for the last 3 years we love it.
@@shanefoster1805 Great. Thank You for the reply. Keep enjoying PR !
@@shanefoster1805 Thank you for the insight! Any favorite places you recommend visiting? I love some of the inland towns!
Dude, the sector of Rio Piedras was a commercial hub during the 80's and 90's but thanks to Walmart and other mega stores the place decayed and this caused the city government to try displacing the people living in the area to build luxury projects but the people protested and the plans were dropped leaving the area without any plans.
Wow, thank you for this history. It's such a interesting area with kind people and the food was absolutely delicious inside the mercado. Any future plans for the area at all?
@@unculturedtravel they want to redevelop the area into something more residential.
@@RealengoPrimordialDemon I'm super glad you shared this backstory. I have some more "fun" vids from Puerto Rico coming but I felt like I had to post this because it was a different side to my experience. Admittingly my story telling through video is pretty rough and a work in process but I really felt like the people in this area deserved better. It's weird so many people visit PR and have a Pina Colada and go to Old San Juan and bounce and you have places like this Mercado with so much history and interesting food and it was a total ghost town which I didn't expect. This all makes sense now. This is why I find travel to be such a gift because I lose a little bit of ignorance through the process. I really learned something with your comments, thank you.
@@unculturedtravel don't worry about it, I only hope the area doesn't get gentrified or the government tries to push the old residents out so rich developers turn the area into another Dorado or Condado.
@@RealengoPrimordialDemon Last question, any towns or areas you recommend visiting next time I'm in PR? Local knowledge is always so much better than google!
For real you got Puerto Rico
A beautiful place!
Others have commented on it but what you experienced in Rio Piedras is what every traditional (read, Spanish times) "downtown" has been experiencing in the last 3-4 decades, long before Maria. Cars and malls is what destroyed these areas.
Paseo de Diego was kept alive longer in part because of the local Dominican community (evidenced by the flags in your video and even your meal) and student population from nearby UPR's biggest campus.
Go to the downtown in any of PR's 78 municipalities and you will find ghost towns
Thank you for this history and insight. PR has such special culture, food and community, I hope it bounces back and these areas thrive again. Do you think there is a chance this happens?
@@unculturedtravel I think so. Newer urbanism schools promote pedestrianism and less use of the car. However, it will take a cultural shift to get the PRicans off the car and urban sprawl.
@@luissaavedraroman9714 Thank you for the perspective Luis!
Yes. All those other little cities are ghost towns even ponce I was shocked for the 3bd largest citi. It was creepy
Rio Piedras is a place that almost no one goes to, tourists and puertoricans included, it's home to the main campus of the University of Puerto Rico and it used to be a big business spot. Apart from that, barely anyone uses the train because most people have cars and it's more convenient to go places that way. The train runs a short distance, but I suppose it's good for tourists. If you want to explore outside of Old San Juan visit Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico in Santurce (San Juan), Casa Bacardi in Cataño, Museo del Niño in Carolina, and the biggest shopping mall in PR, Plaza las Américas in San Juan. For all of this you need a rental car or taxi.
Thank you for this amazing insight. I still found the area full of kind people and tasty food and well worth a visit. Cataño and the other towns you mentioned look awesome to visit. Thank you for commenting!
Fanny listed popular tourist spots which are great, but you need at least two weeks, and everyone should rent a car and go to Rincon 🏝️.
Along the way on the expressway there's an outlet mall in Barcelonetta, and there are some coffee plantations you can visit in the mountains on your way back. The island of enchantment has an endless list of places to go and things to see. There's even a statue of Columbus that's taller than the Statue of Liberty, and recently they were near there filming the new Black Panther movie.. 🤪
There's a lot more going on here than people realize!
@@OtayBuckwheat "There's even a statue of Columbus that's taller than the Statue of Liberty" Woa! Thanks for these spots! Yes a car and some extra time seems key!
PR is the best. Go hang out in Loiza 187
On Thursday thru Saturday. Beaches are fun, good food. Patillas is another nice place
Notice the high carbohydrate/caloric content of your lunch. Rice, plantain, and tubers. The mangú is indeed Dominican.
Thanks for the insight. Yes, food that provied a lot of fuel! Any favorite P.R. dishes?
@@unculturedtravel Historically, our diet has been one of sustenance, high caloric. It's why Ricans are generally overweight/obese. I've abandoned our traditional diet for a healthier one. But for flavorful, fattening dishes, a sure place is Los Ranchos at the Guavate forest in Cayey.
@@Lelolai Thank you for this tip! I googled Lechonera El Rancho and it looks amazing! I guess it's all about balance!
Most of those shops have declined due to the Walmart opening in the area. About 90% of mom and pop shops were decimated due to the new malls and the walmarts
Interesting insight, truth, one Walmart can crush local businesses. Which towns in PR have a thriving local economy still?
@@unculturedtravel I can't speak for all of the towns as I've not been to them all but one that stands out to me is aguadilla. It's very busy there and plenty of local eateries and shops. There's a big surf scene there so that may be a big part of it. The nearest Walmart is about a half hour drive as opposed to just 5 to 10 minutes in the metro area
@@Avazq153 Great, thanks for this tip, it looks beautiful!
@@unculturedtravel of course! Check out some of the videos here on YT of aguadilla and you'll see how busy it is. There is also la parguera in Lajas with plenty to do, eat, and see including the bioluminescent bay which is magical at night.
@@Avazq153 Awesome tips, la parguera in Lajas looks stunning. There is so much to do and eat on one island! Would you recommend the outer islands of PR? Thanks for taking the time Alex!
That’s crazy, I didn’t know they had a subway system. Gonna have to say something to my wife.
It's a nice subway!
Nice vid
Thank you!
This is a good video dude. :-D
Thank you! Any smaller towns in PR you recommend?
I don't go into the populated areas much. I've been all around for years. What I like the most is the entrance to the mountain roads. I started going up there last year, 152 is the road. It goes from Naranjito to Barranquitas. It's a mountain top road that many people go on the "chinchoreo". That's when they bar hop with a bus and get drunk. Anyway, it's a mountain top road where you can see for miles and miles off the sides while you are going up. Basically the views are spectacular. It's the start of the massive mountain range up in the sky. I think the highest point is orocovis but I've never been there. The one thing that bothers me when I try to film things is that I'm always alone over there driving. So I don't get to control the camera. I mounted one on the hood and it was cool but.... I may go back myself and just keep parking walking to take shots of the view up there.
@@plantedinpr886 Awesome tip, thank you for sharing. I found the inland part of PR beautiful and the lechon is of course the best of any country on earth :) I wonder if people try to bike this route ever!?
Um biking... I used to bike for most of my life in the states. Biking in PR, Hard. Lol, not only is the heat from the sun bad, the elevations are killer. I guess if you went biking around the flatter locations you'll be fine but, up in the mountains... no way.... but.. (people still do it). I see Natives biking all the time with uniforms and carbon fiber bikes but... again, that's some pro biker stuff. Not easy.
@@plantedinpr886 Fair enough! Sun + elevations is a tough combo, but the roadside food would keep you fuelled :) I hope to spend more time through the central towns!
I moved to Puerto Rico 12 years ago, and this video depicts one small portion of a bad area of the big city of San Juan, and it's definitely not an indication of what life is like here for most of us.
Drive West 40 miles. 😉
I found the this area still had great food and kind people. I enjoyed P.R., the culture and cooking is really special. The best thing I ate was definitely the Lechon here: ua-cam.com/video/1F_U7OBPEvk/v-deo.html
Any other towns you recommend inland? It is so beautiful.
@@unculturedtravel
Lares
Utuado
San Sebastian
Inland from Arecibo
The Southern coast is very modern in places, but I can only speak to Ponce.
The Caribbean side is different from the Atlantic side.
Camuy and Isabela are nice coastal towns and inland from any area past Manati is going to be more rural until you reach a town, and less English will be understood and spoken.
Cabo Rojo, Aguada.
Anywhere away from the tourist traps
@@OtayBuckwheat Awesome, awesome, awesome, thanks for this list. It's great to get insight from locals. P.R. has so many amazing places that rarely get mentioned.
@@unculturedtravel Ponce, Cabo Rojo, my town ..Coamo. You will love Rincón at the west coast… surfing paradise
Comment by Carmencita: Mangú is made if mashed plantain or green bananas; it is a Dominican Republic dish. The Puerto Rican dish made of green fried and then mashed plantain is mofongo.
Yes! I have since learned! Thank you! What’s a good place or town in PR for Mofongo?
@@unculturedtravel at Salinas town..El Dorado Restaurant…south coast. You might also try “Paella dish” at Isla de Cabra.. at Cataño town
Is lots of nice places in puerto rico..people only visit old San juan...is like going to sacramento.and visit old sacramento
Truth! I really enjoyed inland, lots of beautiful views. Do you have a town you recommend visiting?
Wish the train could extend to other parts of the island
Truth, it is still a great service. I wish the old railway map around the island was available! What’s your favorite town in PR?
Sad too see a a town that used to be very vibrant when I was growing up. Went to the local High School in the late 70s it was so alive with local merchants, university students and residents. Unfortunately inattentive politicians, disinvestment by the central government, highways, malls, urban sprawl and one economic calamity after another destroyed what it was a very lively town. I hope a town with so much potential gets back once again but probably not my lifetime.
Still a very interesting place to visit with comforting food. I could only imagine what it was like in the 70's. It definitely has the infrastructure to be a much busier mercado. What do you think would help revive it?
@@unculturedtravel thanks for reading my comments. I’m not a urban planner or an architect but I’ve seen how some sort of government intervention can help. I’m currently living a section of Alexandria VA, which at one time before my time was depopulated but now everybody wants to move due being close to mass transit and DC. However it never reached such a low like Rio Piedras. I think one option is to incentivize people to move in with tax credits and update the property registry so, unclaimed or abandoned properties can be auctioned at very attractive prices or sold for nominal cost of $5 with the condition that it needs to fixed and livable on them for a period of time, maybe 5 years, before it can be sold or change hands for a profit. Another option is to relocate government agencies forcing people to go there like Moving the CESCO office (local DMV) close to the train station so you don’t have drive to conduct a government transaction. Develop new housing for badly paid public servants like cops, teachers, nurses etc. the issue if there is political will to embark on a project of such magnitude. Also, they need to involve the university, they have a big presence and lots of talent to tackle a project like that. it was a great town until early 80’s when I left for college and then moved to the states.
I love Puerto Rico the beautiful Island, one of the 7 wonders in the world is in PR, The Castle of San Cristóbal knowing as EL Morro in the Old San Juan,
It's truly one of the most beautiful areas of history I've ever been. Are there any other historic castles like this in P.R?
Wow so sad Rio Piedra I have not been there in 20 yrs 😒
Still good food and kind people.
need to check those places at night as during the day everyone is working
Interesting, it's always cool to see how areas change from day to night. Thank you for the comment. Are your from San Juan? Any neighbourhoods you recommend visiting?
@@unculturedtravel i am not from there but lived there for awhile. Over near the passo de diego where you were at is a music club called Club 77 and a cool bar called El Boricua i recommend both
Awesome, thank you!
@@unculturedtravel Yeah that area in Rio Piedras becomes fun at night, more college aged though
Greetings! I’m very sorry you went straight into the ghetto!!! It does not represent all the beauty of Puerto Rico beaches, rainforest great modern restaurants and music. The train is great. The 500 year, history is beautiful awesome to experience. Yes… we wish, America would comprehend how the Hurricanes destroyed our countries and we really need Emergency Aid but we got Trump, instead. You need to return and stay, We’re we all live. It’s beautiful ocean fronts. Rent a car and see majestic nature! Show the real Islands of enchantment. 🤙🌴
More videos coming, I spent a beautiful week driving through the hills and eating Lechón and seafood and exploring the beach. I'm glad I had a chance to see this area though and I would go back for the food alone. I think it's never a bad thing to see a different side of the country. Even in Canada there are areas that are just as bad. I felt that the people had in no way given up though which was inspiring to see. Puerto Ricans have a wonderful energy! The one thing I wish I did do was go to a baseball game! Is there a town you would recommend for the next trip? Somewhere known for a particular dish?
Its not the ghetto... Rio Piedras was once the most thriving economic commerce center in the island where small family buisnesses flourished. its also home the most important university in the Island, where thousand of Boricuas graduated from. Sadly, when mall and megastores arrived this destroyed the commerce in this once thriving cosmoolitan area. PR goverment is very corrupt and sadly there hasnt been any public proyects to bring life once to Rio Piedras and the worst part is they are dismantling the UPRRP which used to be a hub for puertorican intellectuals.... The train is ok..... Sure it can get you from Bayamon to Rio Piedras, but in reality the island used to have a way better train infrastructure that used to go all around the island, now we have depend on imported expensive cars that depend on gas for everything... in order for the economy to thrive we need to change... Agriculture is another are where we must work... 85% of food is imported.... sadly we cant compete with the US market... and again the goverment basically little by little made us dependent on imported foods... not saying that import is bad though. we need a more balance ration so we can sustain ourselves....
@@brandoncespedes9421 Thank you for this detailed insight. I could only imagine what it would be like to ride the train around the island in the old days. I google the old railway maps, it's pretty amazing. I enjoyed visiting Rio Piedras, I hope it bounces back. PR has such a unique culture, cuisine and history for anyone visiting. It's a wonderful place with good people.
Trust me I'm sure he has seen more GHETTO IN NEW YORK!🤪
@@foxsy69 Every city has it's areas. Even this area had kind people and delicious food. Seeing places empty is disheartening but the people that were there were friendly and had a lot of pride. Do you live in P.R.? Any favorite places to visit?
Puerto Rican Mofongo is totally different than the Dominicana Republic mangu bro Mofongo have more ingredients but the Mofongo they give to you hardly thinking is Mofongo, for a good Mofongo in this United States territory Puerto Rico (Boriken) visit in Puerto Rico in Pinones, Luquillo, and the country mountains side of this gorgeous island.
Truth, the mangu was tasty but I want to try Mofongo con Camarones by the ocean. I have had some good Mofongo in New York but Pinones and Luquillo look like great tips, thank you!
It has been abandoned by the government. A total shame, it was the place to be in till the 90’s
I bet, it looked like it was vibrant in the past! Did you visit much in the 90's? Was there good nightlife too?
Wow…the marketplace in Río Piedras was deserted. Last time I was there was maybe 6 months before Maria…the market was super busy, the streets were full of vendors and there were lots of stores open in the area. Now, the areas a mere shadow of its former self. I don’t know what happened…what I do know is this was sad to see.
Still delicious food being made and vendors open, some bright spots. I hope to see it bounce back. Is there any areas of PR you recommend visiting?
@@unculturedtravel Rincon, Aguada and Aguadilla are at the other side of the island definitely recommend
Was this on a Sunday in Rio P?
Weekday, what's the busiest day?
@@unculturedtravel Weekdays are. Rio P is least pretty area but safe more or less... Sunday's are dead.
@@taccntb4345 Thanks for the tip!
I never found out why ppl don't visit a part in PR as this tittle implies
This area was full of comforting food and kind people, I wondered why people don’t visit it more. The train makes it easy. P.R. Is an amazing place with strong culture, a wonderful place.
Awesome, pretty cool. I’d take either the train or Uber.
I thought the train was great, it was a nice way to see some of the city as well.
Wow I grew up in PR. And Rio piedras was a bustling town filled with pedestrians and shops. Now this? And never went to that subway. It didn't exist yet. And yes you know your food. Except that mangu. Try Mofongo next time instead. That's our dish and is so good!
Thank you for the memory! Is there a restaurant or place you would recommend for Mofongo?
If u are going to old San Juan you can try El jibarito in calle sol. Or in Piñones. Or anywhere in the island is one of our national dishes. Ask locals where u are now. I'm in Corozal. If u come to this neck of the woods. Let me know. They have mini rice and pork pasteles here. And bacalao dishes that are amazing Enjoy and welcome!!
@@pinkyrose6307 Awesome tips! I love Salt Cod! P.R. has so many unique dishes that are hard to find off the island!
@@unculturedtravel indeed! So many to mention. I hope u get to try tons while u are there and see how some are prepared. Btw I like the Mofongo with the shrimp garlic sauce topping. The best!
@@pinkyrose6307Thank you! What is a good town to go for Mofongo con Camarones?
Walking there is so scary when it’s 4pm for some reason…
I’d like to visit at a couple different times of the day to see the difference. Do you have any favorite areas of Puerto Rico?
Honestly one of my favorite “chinchorreo” places is Puerto Nuevo in Vega Baja. Beach there is stunning and you can see fishes very easily 🥰 But aside from a beach which is what we most have 😅 I also like walking a lot in Hato Rey because we don’t have many few places that look like a tall building city or a modern one and I think Hato Rey is the closest to it. There are so many local restaurants and specially the indie theater Fine Arts. Very fun to walk around with friends! I sometimes enter buildings just to look at their designs 🤧
@@Kurodesu96 What an awesome tip, Puerto Nuevo looks beautiful, very few places in the world have beaches as nice as PR. Hato Rey looks like a good trip too! What's your favorite seafood dish from Puerto Rico? I'll look out for it!
@@unculturedtravel I don’t like seafood so much but I’d say salmon with arañitas. Alcapurrias are one of my favorite foods here including bacalaitos hahaha. You’ve probably had them already since they’re very popular
It’s a ghost town, but… it’s beautiful. You can actually hear the birds,
The food is out of this world nothing like Puerto Rican food❤️🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰how I miss it 😢 I’m a Puerto Rican raise all my life in NYC but born in PR my mom and dad are both Puerto Rican but since he was in the Air Force he traveled all over the world he was an Air Force Pilot in the 30’s 40’s war war 2 my mom had 7 kids then pass away in 1963 but I always remember how beautiful Puerto Rico was and those beaches forget it so beautiful and the foods are so rich and delicious you can gain the weight for sure 🤣🤣🤣
The food is incredible, it is so comforting. Do you have any favorite Puerto Rican restaurants in NYC?
I was born in Manati in 1960 and have back time and time again from Florida and I have never been on their subway.
You're not missing much, unfortunately. It opened four years behind schedule and as the video showed, nobody rides, but that's because it doesn't go anywhere.
I'm was in Puerto Rico wasn't aware they have a subway system. Well haven't vsist for 36 years.
Worth a trip back! What do you remember most about PR from 36 years ago?
@@unculturedtravel I'm from Ponce , really not much. WAS 10 yrs when we the left the Island. I went back briefly for summer vacation and to buried my mom and my sibling. Don't have much family there. If there exists don't know them.
But will like to go back to live in my Puerto Rico 🇵🇷.
@@TatumProdXz I hope you make it back soon, your people are special and the food is absolutely delicious.
@@unculturedtravel thank you. 😊
That part got graffiti was a lot of store in the past very fluent of people; after the explosion in one of those stores they close all the stores. The place with fruits is call Plaza del mercado is merchandise place but got more people the weekends.
That what you eat is mondongo is like beef stew. With rice.
It’s still a nice place to visit, the food was delicious and the people were all very friendly and helpful!
Delicious! Any other dishes I should try that you recommend?
There's such a lot to visiti inside of Puerto Rico, if you're looking to meet something differents of San Juan.
Thank you for the comment, what's a small countryside town you recommend or a P.R. dish to seek out!?
@@unculturedtravel mayority
@@laec70ty Thank you! I did hear La Perla is interesting but maybe touristy?
@@unculturedtravel the entire west coast is the finest zone of PR, beaches, restaurants, sunsets 🌅
The Mangu is dominican is like our mofongo but is boiled the mofongo is fried plantain but the sancocho many Spanish countries do it including dominican Republic, Puerto Rico. BTW that place back in the day was busier now day the malls have over taken everything. You have to go to santurce to la placita in a Saturday night you will have fun.
Thank you for this tip about Santurce! Do you prefer Mangu or Mofongo? I find them both delicious.
@@unculturedtravel me too I love them both lol I find that mofongo is a bit more versatile you can eat it many ways I like the shrimp garlic one and the churrasco steak 2 of favorites.
@@ramonortiz3095 Yes, very few things beat a good mofongo con camarones. Back in NYC there are a couple places in the Bronx that do it NEARLY as well as P.R. but it's never quite the same!
Puerto Rico has deteriorated because our people keep leaving instead of staying & helping revive it. People just take off. Go back & help rebuild.
Interesting. What years did the majority of people leave?
@@unculturedtravel it's been ongoing but alot of it started in 2017
@@unculturedtravel another UA-camr : Bianca Graulau has alot of history & information on her channel.
Puerto Rico is such a beautiful place with amazing people and culture. The government (both major parties) are not only corrupt but completely inept. Most places do not have even the basics such as paved roads and working traffic lights. The public schools are horrible. In addition, PR is giant welfare state with the second lowest labor participation rate in the planet. The controlling elite families love poor uneducated people that provides cheap labor for their business. It is really a shame because most of the talented people leave the island for a better opportunity in the main land.
Thank you for this insight John, do you think PR can return to what it once was? I agree with you in that I found the people and culture unique and incredible.
@@unculturedtravel Hopefully one day but I think things will get worse before we see a turn around.
You just pointed out the Big Pink 800lb Gorilla in the room. You are spot on with your assessment.
@@lightning9279 Thanks for your insight, do you have a favorite area of P.R.? It's always nice to learn from locals!
I agree with your assessment of the government, schools but remember Washington and commonwealth/statehood parties made it a welfare state with their social programs and keeping those people dependent on the government. I never hear that labor participation was that low. Anyway, there are very few jobs in Puerto Rico. The reason people leave to the mainland.
Wow ! Even Rooster 🐓 can take the train. LoL 😅😅😅😅
Haha it was great to see, why can't they hitch a ride too :) Any favorite inland towns in P.R. you suggest?
Mangu is original from Dominican Repúblic. And is boiled mashed plantains. Sancocho and Mofongo also in debate if it's from puerto rico or DR. But at the end it doesn't matter. Bought countries have practically the same food.
One thing is for certain, both are delicious! What's your favorite P.R. dish I should look out for?
Sancocho is from the canary islands & Mofongo originated in PUERTORICO!!... stop it 5
@@foxsy69 One thing is for sure, Mofongo is totally delicious. Very few dishes better than fresh made and pounded Mofongo. I did a google, it sounds like the origins of Sancocho and Mofongo are often debated :) Lots saying Canary Islands for Sancocho though which is cool history I did not know! Thanks for the comment.
La Placita the place to be Thursday nights
Ahh yes, I walked through there and it was bumping. Is there a club / restaurant you recommend?
Best food I ever ate ❤️👍
Guy you really need me to be your guide
Any suggestions are welcome!
Rio Piedras is where we went shopping for bargains, where you find Güayaberas ,But not for Mofongo.. best mofongo I ever had in PR .. was in la Guancha Ponce , but is hours of wait.. Rio Piedras is a dead town now Probably because there's retail shopping plazas allover .. and Yes Rio Piedras and Santurce, are Dominican town.. .. if you want to taste Puertorican food you need a friend that takes you CHINCHIREO.. definitely outside the metro area ..
Ah yes, CHINCHIREO, my favorite word I have learned. I googled Guancha Ponce, it looks like a beautiful area! What is the best type of Mofongo to try?
Are you sure it was mangu (from Dominican Republic) or MOFONGO (puertorrican smashed plantain)
Mangu as I have been told, where is the best mofongo in P.R.?
Time stamp 6:38 I hear a creepy voice “your gonna die tonight “ play back and listen that was creepy … Puerto Rico has a lot of spirits wondering around…. I took a photo one year next to a statue and when I developed it something else was by me too that creeped me out.
Hah I don't doubt it! I remember though in this case it was a random guy joking with his friend and sarcastically yelling at the Carnival cruise liner in the bay. I meant to edit it out but it made it in the cut!
@@unculturedtravel ah ok lmao well heck that’s a relief!!! I grew up in Puerto Rico it is definitely not how I remember it … old San Juan plaza use to be lively with traditional clothing men and women and even us kids … my great uncle use to take me to the rooster fights … the last time I visit was 2015 … it’s great to see roosters walking amongst the pedestrians lol
@@gingerguzman2022 Thank you for the memories, do rooster fights still happen on the island? That one was taking the subway I guess!
@@unculturedtravel I couldn’t say if they still do as this was 40 years ago … but who knows lol I wouldn’t be surprised if it still happens… lol … we would take our life rooster back home and the one he defeated and cook for dinner
@@gingerguzman2022 An honorable death! Homemade rooster soup sounds great!
Some places in EU are similar...I visited New York last year and I saw awful places....
Absolutely, this area was still great to visit with kind people. Any favorite cities to visit?
If you haven’t try mofongo you should it’s a typical plate of Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 delicious I always say if you visit Puerto Rico and you did not have mofongo you did not came to the island
Truth! This is one of the best dishes on planet earth, I love it with roast pork. What is your favorite kind? I have tried pork and shrimp only!
Those huge department store or super stores ruined local bussiness.
Thank you for the interesting insight, do you think this area can ever return to what it once was?