Separating fact from fiction—one myth, one cocktail, and one story at a time
Every destination has its stereotypes. Puerto Rico is no exception.
Ask almost any Puerto Rican who has spent time talking with visitors, and they’ll tell you they’ve heard the same questions over and over again:
“Do I need a passport?”
“Do you use pesos?”
“Is Puerto Rico part of Mexico?”
“Is it safe to drink the water?”
They’re innocent questions, but they reveal just how misunderstood Puerto Rico remains—even after more than a century under the American flag.
In Episode 17 of Chronicles & Cocktails, Josué, The Spirited Historian, takes viewers on a fun, fast-paced journey through the ten biggest myths tourists still believe about Puerto Rico, mixing humor, history, and culture into one entertaining episode.
More Than a Tropical Island
Puerto Rico is often marketed as a beach destination.
And while our coastline is spectacular, that’s only one chapter of a much bigger story.
From the cloud forests of El Yunque to the coffee mountains of Utuado, from the dry forests of Guánica to the colonial streets of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico packs an extraordinary amount of history, geography, and culture into just one island.
One of the goals of Chronicles & Cocktails has always been to go beyond the postcard and introduce viewers to the Puerto Rico that locals know and love.
Busting the Biggest Myths
Throughout the episode, Josué explores ten misconceptions that continue to surprise first-time visitors.
Among them:
- You need a passport to visit Puerto Rico.
- Puerto Rico uses pesos.
- Everyone speaks English.
- Puerto Rico is “just beaches.”
- Puerto Ricans don’t pay taxes.
- Puerto Rican food is only rice and beans.
- Everyone on the island looks the same.
- Puerto Rico is always hot.
- Puerto Rico is nothing more than a vacation destination.
Each myth becomes an opportunity to explain the island’s history, political status, geography, language, cuisine, and diverse cultural heritage.
Instead of simply correcting misinformation, the episode invites viewers to understand why these myths exist and what Puerto Rico is really like today.
A Cocktail That Represents Puerto Rico
No episode of Chronicles & Cocktails would be complete without a drink.
This week’s featured cocktail is the Fiesta Bar Mojito, a signature variation developed by Fiesta Bar.
Instead of finishing the traditional mojito with sparkling water, this version is topped with Puerto Rican beer, creating a richer body while preserving the bright citrus and fresh mint that define the classic.
It’s familiar—but unmistakably Puerto Rican.
Like the island itself, it respects tradition while adding its own personality.
Puerto Rico Is a Living Story
Perhaps the biggest myth isn’t found on the countdown.
It’s the idea that Puerto Rico is simply a destination.
In reality, Puerto Rico is home to more than three million people whose history stretches back thousands of years.
Taíno communities.
Spanish explorers.
African traditions.
European immigrants.
American citizenship.
Coffee growers.
Scientists.
Artists.
Veterans.
Families.
All of them have shaped an island far more complex than most visitors ever imagine.
Puerto Rico isn’t simply somewhere you come to relax.
It’s somewhere you come to understand.
Watch Episode 17
Whether you’re planning your first visit, returning for another vacation, or you’re a Puerto Rican wanting to share your island with the world, this episode offers an entertaining introduction to the truths behind the myths.
Because the best way to experience Puerto Rico isn’t through assumptions.
It’s through its stories.