Visit the Rum Distilleries of Puerto Rico (2024)

If you love rum, visiting a distillery will giveyou the opportunity to discover this spirit’s enticing history, learn how it’s made, and, of course, sample a drink or two.

Rum is the Caribbean’s most popular and versatile spirit, so if you want to appreciate rum’s true craftsmanship and rich history, the best option is to visit one of the Island’s three main distilleries. Casa BACARDÍwill wow you with its modern visitor center, premium selection, and views of Old San Juan from across the bay. Hacienda Santa Ana will take you back in time to the late 1800s and walk you through the production process of Ron del Barrilito, the craft co*cktail scene’s favorite small production rum. Or take a daytrip to the town of Jayuya for some flavorful moonshine called pitorro at theCraft Spirit Distillery.

Casa BACARDÍ

Carr. 165, Km. 6.2, Cataño

Just across the bay from Old San Juan, in the town of Cataño, is the “Cathedral of Rum.” The Casa BACARDÍ distillery produces most of the BACARDÍ rum consumed worldwide (which is A LOT considering it’s the number one rum in the world). Visitors are greeted with a welcome co*cktail at the bat-winged Pavillion and you can choose between three tour options: Historic Tour, Rum Tasting, or Mixology Class. In the gift shop, you can even bottle your own premium rum directly from the barrel.

Hacienda Santa Ana

Edmundo B. Fernández, Inc., Carretera 5, Km. 5.5, Bayamón

Just 15 minutes outside San Juan, the town of Bayamón boasts the oldest distillery in Puerto Rico, where Ron del Barrilito has been manufactured since 1880. This rum is produced in small batches, with a flavor profile similar to bourbon, which makes it a darling of the craft co*cktail movement. A visitor center was recently opened, where you can learn its history and taste what Barrilito is all about.

Don Q

Museo Castillo Serrallés

17 Cll. El Vigia, Ponce

Don Q, manufactured by the Serrallés family in the town of Ponce, is the most popular rum in Puerto Rico, but it doesn’t have a distillery open to the public. You can, however, visit the Serrallés Castle Museum. This imposing Spanish Revival mansion was the home of the Serrallés family since the 1930s and visitors can learn about the history of sugarcane and rum during a guided tour. Stroll around the grounds which also include a Japanese garden, a butterfly sanctuary, and the emblematic Cruceta delVigía, a giant cross overlooking the town of Ponce.

PitoRico

PR-5141, Km 0.7, Jayuya

Up in the mountains of Puerto Rico, moonshiners would bury handles of 95-proof pitorro, pure or mixed with fruit, to “cure” underground until they were smooth enough to drink. A modern and legal version of this spirit, which is a much stronger version of rum, is now available thanks to PitoRico. Manufactured at theDestilería Craft Spiritsin the town of Jayuya, Visitors can drop by the distillery from Tuesday through Saturday, and get a brief tour of the factory and a tasting of the different flavors of PitoRico, including coconut, passion fruit, tamarind, orange, and original.

Puerto Rican Rum Journey

Get your rum-soaked passport and follow your own path in the Rum Capital of the World.Download the Puerto Rican Rum Journey App and use it as your guide through different distilleries across the Island. Create a route, book your walking and tasting tour, and even make a mixology class reservation. You can even enroll in their rewards program, buy rum and other gifts to bring home, and receive special notifications of promotions directly.

Begin Your Journey

Get travel inspiration, news, tips and more delivered monthly.

Subscribe