bacardi tour reviews

The Bacardi Distillery Tour in Puerto Rico

Serge Melki / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 

You don't need to be a fan of rum to enjoy touring Casa Bacardi in Puerto Rico , the largest rum distillery in the world . With three tour options, you can learn all about the history of the Bacardi family, learn how to taste rum, and even take a cocktail-making class.

Bacardi History

Bacardi has been conducting tours since 1962, an almost 50-year tradition of showing visitors their factory. Bacardi's founder was Don Facundo Bacardí Massó, a Spaniard who emigrated to Cuba in 1830. He and brother José learned to filter rum through charcoal to remove impurities and age it in oak barrels to give it its smoothness.

Facundo's son, Emilio, was a politician, author, and eventually the mayor of Santiago de Cuba, but it was his brother-in-law, Enrique Schueg, who was the architect of Bacardi's international growth. Schueg began rum production in Puerto Rico in the 1930s.

Today, Bacardi continues to be a family business, now in its fifth generation. They continue to be, as Enrique labeled the spirit, "The Kings of Rum."

The Showroom and Secrets

Perhaps the most entertaining part of the tour is the interactive exhibit room where you'll find a recreation of Bacardi's first distillery, heirlooms, and photos from the past, and rum displays that let you sniff your way through different varieties and blends of the spirit.

You'll also learn some of the steps that go into making rum: the two types of fermentation, the best types of rum for sipping vs. mixing, and even what Bacardi does with the byproducts of rum production.

How to Book a Tour

There are many tour companies that sell tours to Casa Bacardi and for cruisers in San Juan for the day, this is one of the most popular excursions. Note that if there is a cruise ship in town the day you intend to visit the distillery, you might be run into some crowds. Many tour companies will also combine the distillery visit with a day tour of the city, so that could be a good option if you're short on time.

It's also possible to book directly on the Bacardi website , where you'll have the choice of three different tour types.

• The Historical Tour is a 45 minute tour of the visitor center and includes a welcome cocktail at the Bat Bar. This is the most basic tour and best for those who are just looking for quick look-see at Casa Bacardi.
• The Rum Tasting Tour lasts 75 minutes and includes a welcome cocktail and a guided tasting of six different kinds of rum.
• The Mixology Class includes a welcome cocktail, plus the three cocktails you will learn how to make yourself in the class. The class lasts approximately 75 minutes.

Bottle Your Own Bacardi

Casa Bacardi also offers the opportunity to purchase and bottle your own bottle of rum with a personal engraving. The experience includes a bottle of Bacardi's Special Reserve Rum, which can only be purchased at the Puerto Rico distillery, a nice box to store your bottle, and a photo of you and your bottle in front of the barrel you poured it from. The most fun part is sealing the bottle with Bacardi's signature red wax.

Terrific Tours in Puerto Rico

Your Trip to Puerto Rico: The Complete Guide

The Ponce Carnival in Puerto Rico

Top Destinations for a Caribbean Guys' Getaway

7 Days in Paradise: An Itinerary for Your Puerto Rico Vacation

Spend a Weekend on Vieques Island in Puerto Rico

These Are the 13 Best Non-Alcoholic Bars in the US

Drink This, Not That: The New Classic Cocktails

The Best Free Activities in Puerto Rico

Best September Anniversary Travel Ideas

7 Drinks With Historic Ties to Popular Travel Destinations

Cuba Guide: Planning Your Trip

The History Behind the World's Most Iconic Hotel Bars

Your Trip to Martinique: The Complete Guide

48 Hours in the U.S. Virgin Islands: The Ultimate Itinerary

The Top 12 Things to Do in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Casa Bacardi Puerto Rico

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Casa Bacardi Puerto Rico - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

• Old San Juan: Segway PT and Kickscooter Tours (From ₹ 8,095.48)
• Mixology Class at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico (From ₹ 7,444.50)
• San Juan Sunset Harbor Boat Ride (From ₹ 8,262.39)
• Rum Tasting Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico (From ₹ 7,444.50)
• Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico (From ₹ 3,722.25)
• (2.81 km) Casa Sol Bed & Breakfast
• (2.83 km) 352 Guest House Hotel Boutique
• (2.81 km) El Colonial (Free Open Bar)
• (2.41 km) Decanter Hotel
• (0.68 km) Aqua By Dreams Hotel
• (0.63 km) Los Serranos
• (2.56 km) Chocobar Cortés (Viejo San Juan)
• (2.90 km) Sofia's Italian Steakhouse
• (2.29 km) Tropical Taste
• (2.38 km) Verde Mesa
• (0.11 km) Parque Recreativo La Esperanza
• (2.42 km) Old San Juan
• (2.45 km) The Spoon Experience
• (2.43 km) Adventure Mermaid
• (2.56 km) 7ven Seas Jewelry

Visiting Casa Bacardí: A Review of the Bacardi Factory in Puerto Rico

• Pinterest 1051

Casa Bacardi is the largest rum distillery in the world, producing the most popular and heavily awarded brand of premium rum. It’s a popular day trip for the more than 1 million cruise ship visitors that land in San Juan’s port every year, though it’s easier and cheaper to visit on your own. 

Rum has become synonymous with the Puerto Rico thanks to its famous drink, the pina colada. In fact, there are a handful of rums that make up “ Rums of Puerto Rico ,” an organization meant to highlight the centuries-old distilling process and showcase local rums of the island, including Bacardi. 

The other distillery you can visit is Hacienda Santa Anna, associated with the rum Ron del Barrilito . Bacardi is better known, however, and the tour has a lot to offer guests, from historical facts to a special reserve rum only available for sale at the factory.

Whether you’re a tourist or a local, I highly recommend a visit. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip to Casa Bacardi.  

RELATED POST: FINDING PINK LAKES IN CABO ROJO, PUERTO RICO

About the Casa Bacardi and the Bacardi Factory

Bacardi was originally founded by Facundo Bacardi Masso in the late 1800s. The brand originated in Cuba but established distilleries in Puerto Rico and Mexico in the 1930’s.

Today, the factory in Cataño, Puerto Rico is the largest premium rum distillery in the world and is located about 20 minutes from Old San Juan. It’s easily accessible by Uber, taxi or rental car. Public transport isn’t great in Puerto Rico so I wouldn’t advise it. 

The factory was christened by the governor of Puerto Rico as the “Cathedral of Rum” in 1958. It’s also the only place in the world where you can buy their special reserve rum, sold for $85 a bottle. As a cool bonus, you can fill and seal the bottle yourself. This makes a great souvenir for any spirit lovers in your life. 

Bacardí ages its rum for a minimum 1 year, and for up to 16 years. It’s the wood of the barrels that gives the rum its aroma, color and flavor. After 16 years the barrels are retired and used for fertilizer or compost.

Rum is a distilled spirit, with charcoal filtering the alcohol. The different types of labels are made by blending different ages. For instance, the distillery adds water to the blending and brings it down to 80 proof, which is 40% alcohol per volume. 

Fun fact: Bacardi also makes beer, but it’s currently only available in the Florida markets.

RELATED POST: CASA ALTERNAVIDA, A WELLNESS RETREAT IN PUERTO RICO

History behind the Bacardi logo

The fruit bat that has become synonymous with Bacardi has a story behind it. Facundo’s wife, Amalia, saw fruit bats in the family’s warehouse when they were first starting the business.

Traditionally, bats were considered a symbol of good luck (this was pre-Twilight series). Amalia knew this was a sign and that the bat was meant to be the symbol of Bacardi, and an essential element of the family legacy. 

The bats were intended to ward off misfortune. They also turned out to be practical, helping the process along by pollinating sugar cane and eating any bugs that threaten the crop.

Today, the Bacardi bat is one of the most recognizable product logos on the market. 

RELATED POST: SEE TAINO HIEROGLYPHICS ON A DAY TRIP FROM SAN JUAN

Hours of operation at Casa Bacardi

The factory is open daily from 9am to 4:30pm, with tours starting and ending at 9:15am and 4:15pm and running about every half hour. The factory tour takes roughly an hour total, and you’ll have some time upon arrival to sit and enjoy your welcome drink before you’re called for your visit. It is open-air and has a comfy seating area. 

This is a nice place to hang out on a sunny day, with several staged photo opps available for guests, and there’s no limit to how long you can stay after your tour is over. There’s also an affiliated vendor selling coco locos , rum drinks served in a carved coconut to help put you in a tropical state of mind. 

It’s recommended that you book tickets ahead of time to make sure you get the time slot you’re looking for, but it’s not necessary. They take walk-ins as they come, you’ll just have to wait for the next available tour. They also accept credit cards here. 

RELATED POST: TAKE A FOOD TOUR OF OLD SAN JUAN

Price of admission 

There are 3 different experiences available. The most basic is the historical tour of the factory which lasts about an hour, costs $15 and includes a free welcome drink. Options include popular drinks like a mojito, Cuba libre, daiquiri, tropical sunrise and more. This is the best deal in the Caribbean!

There’s a slight upcharge for high-end drinks, and you can pay for additional beverages beyond your first free one if you’d like. Note that payment is not accepted at the bar — you buy a drink token at the cashier and exchange it at the bar for your beverage. 

Sometimes people get upset because the cruise ships overcharge them for this experience, asking for $50 or more. If you can get to the Bacardi Factory on your own, there’s no need to do this as a group excursion since they take care of everything when you arrive. 

The other two options are to take a rum tasting tour for $50 or a mixology class where you make your own cocktails for $60. Both of these experiences are 75 minutes long. 

Know before you go 

There is free parking on site. It’s recommended that you arrive a half hour early to allow yourself time to take pictures and enjoy the complex before your activity of choice. There’s also a gift shop at the end with different bottles and souvenirs if you’re looking to purchase something.

This makes a great rainy day activity since the majority of activities are indoors. The welcome area is under shelter so even if you can’t enjoy the sunshine and ambiance you can still get your money’s worth at the bar.

The basic tour also includes a shot of the special reserve rum so you can taste it and see if you’d be interested in purchasing. 

If you don’t drink but enjoy learning about history, culture and business, this is still worth a visit. I saw many families here so this is far from an adults only type of place.

There is no age requirement to visit, although there is a 5-10 minute introductory video at the beginning that I wouldn’t recommend for toddlers or infants. 

RELATED POST: 22 INCREDIBLE DAY TRIPS FROM SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO

Overall, Casa Bacardi is one “tourist activity” that does not disappoint.

Till next time, safe travels! 

Liked this post? Pin me below. 

Tuesday 30th of November 2021

We are going in February on a cruise and can't wait, this is one of our must stop and see of our trip. Thank you for sharing information, is very helpful. There isn't a trip through our cruise so we were just going to grab a cab and spend the day there :)

Jen on a Jet Plane

Saturday 11th of December 2021

Great idea! Hope you have a wonderful cruise. Uber may be cheaper than the cab.

Laura Biats

Sunday 9th of May 2021

Best time! We have been there a couple of times. The mixology class was so much fun! We had a complimentary cocktail in the beginning but I do not remember what it was, I believe is was with dragon fruit juice? I could be wrong but would like to know what that was

Saturday 15th of May 2021

Probably, dragon fruit is very popular here!

Friday 12th of March 2021

Do they have rum that only can buy there?

Sunday 14th of March 2021

Yes, Casa Bacardi's Special Reserve rum is not available anywhere else in the world.

Anna Watrous

Monday 25th of January 2021

Another way of getting to the factory is by ferry boat to Catano; from the terminal near the cruise ship and hotel areas. It's not very expensive and and fun way to go across San Juan Bay. Taxis and public cars take you to and from Bacardi for a low price. La Princesa promenade is close by for a stroll when you get back from the tour and ferry ride.

Thursday 30th of January 2020

I found the tour of Bacardi a bit lame. Can't believe it's really a tourist attraction. It seemed more like a commercial for Bacardi. Our tour guide was darling but overall, not worth it.Ni

Friday 31st of January 2020

Sorry to hear that Nikki! I'm a sucker for history and museums so I enjoyed it. Maybe a cocktail making class could have made your experience a little more interactive?

• North America
• Puerto Rico
• Travel Reviews
• United States
• Wine & Spirits Travel

Mixin’ It Up On A BACARDÍ Distillery Tour In San Juan, Puerto Rico

Bienvenidos from Casa BACARDÍ, the world’s largest rum distillery!   On my recent (unintentionally) brief trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, my cousin and I decided to head across the bay in San Juan to Cataño to check out the famous Bacardi factory for ourselves, along with a mixology tour.

You might also like:    My Favorite Cross-Body Purse for Travel

You have a few different options to choose from when visiting the Bacardi distillery.  All the tours include a welcome cocktail from the outdoor pavilion bar, and it seems like all include the trolley ride tour (my guess is that the length and depth of the tour varies though).

The least expensive is the Legacy Tour, which is a 45-minute tour covering the history of Bacardi and their rum production process, with a single tasting at the end.  You can also take a rum tasting tour that includes a short tour and then a tasting of multiple rums with chocolate pairings.

I’ve done a lot of distillery tours and at a certain point there’s not a lot new that’s super interesting to hear and see (especially at such an industrial-size one).  So we chose to do the mixology class , versus the other regular tour-and-tasting options .  I made the booking that morning and there was still some availability, but I’d definitely recommend booking a bit ahead if there’s a particular day and time you want (you can look at the brand’s website to book directly as well).

You might also like:     The Only Carry-On Suitcase You’ll Need

There are a couple different ways to get to the distillery (Bacardi’s website has more details).

• You can take a ferry from Old San Juan to Cataño, then either get a taxi/Uber for the short ride to the distillery (or book the one-way shuttle on Bacardi’s website).  The ferry leaves from Pier 2 (between cruise ship docks) ever 15-30 minutes and tickets are only 50 cents.  The ride takes 10 minutes.  This is a good option for cruise ship day-trippers in particular.
• The other main option is to take an Uber or taxi from San Juan, which takes 25-30 minutes depending on where you are (our Uber was $15 one way and $22 the other way).

Ours was a last-minute decision, and we were trying to cram a lot in since I had to leave PR two days early (due to diabetic cat shenanigans back home)…so we made it to the distillery with minutes to spare before our tour.

Where to stay in San Juan:   We stayed two nights at the Condado Ocean Club (great pool and beach!), and two nights in an apartment.

You might also like:    The Ultimate Beach or Pool Vacay Packing List

I’d recommend getting there early to enjoy the vibe…after checking in at the reception desk, you can play a game of cornhole, sip your welcome drink, and snap some pics in front of the mural wall.  There are 3-4 welcome cocktails you can choose from, or you can pay $4 to upgrade to a more custom drink.

(As a side note, I’m in love with my built-in bra dress from SOMA , and never go on any warm-weather trip without my beloved ultra-comfy walking sandals .)

You might also like:    My Favorite Non-Toxic Makeup Brand For Travel (Including Summer!)

Then our tour’s time was called and we gathered to board the trolley.  It was a fairly big group, but they move everyone along smoothly.

Kam was our tour guide, and she gave us a brief history of Bacardi’s history, their distilling process, and a bit about their ingredient sourcing and sustainability as our little train scooted along.  It feels pretty industrial, so I definitely felt it was the right call to focus more on the mixology class.

One thing I did find funny is that they call the rum that evaporates while aging in the barrels the “devil’s cut” (rather than the “angel’s share”, which is what it’s called in whiskey).  And they call the main white building the “Catedral (cathedral) of Rum”.

You might also like:    15+ Tips to Avoid (& Survive) Air Travel Woes

We all took up spaces in the classroom and got oriented to the various bar tools and ingredients we were given.  They have a ton of retro Bacardi ads lining hte walls, which are fun to peruse.

You might also like:    25+ Awesome Gift Ideas for the Traveler in Your Life

Our group was…lol UNRULY.  Kam had her hands full trying to get people to calm down and listen, the group had quite a party atmosphere.

We started with some sips of a higher-end rum (I can’t remember which, whether it was the Anejo Cuatro or something they only offer at the distillery).

You might also like:    My Favorite Face Sunscreens & Moisturizers for Travel

Then we mixed up our first cocktail, called La Canchancha.  It’s made with honey syrup, lime juice, and rum, shaken with ice…basically a rum gimlet.  Very simple, but you have to go fairly simple with a group this size.

You might also like:    The Google Flights ‘Map Search’ Hack You Should Be Using

This was simple and delicious!  You know I love me some cocktail mixing, so check out my full range of cocktail recipes if you’d like to try yourself!  (And I recently published my first rum-based recipe, a delicious cinnamon banana dacquiri .)

You might also like:    10 Places I’m Dying to Visit in 2024

Next we went with a stirred cocktail, I think she called it the Cuatro Smash.  It’s very similar to a couple drinks I’ve made in the past, with fresh grapefruit juice, St. Germain (elderflower liqueur, lots of rum, and then ice is added, it’s stirred, and topped with a bit of club soda.  Basically a Bohemian cocktail with rum instead of gin.

You might also like:    7 Travel Intentions for 2024

The second cocktail was good, but I would have altered the proportions a tiny bit (it was a little sickly sweet, needed more tartness from the grapefruit juice).  Personally I’d shake it as well, it gets colder that way (obviously don’t add the club soda til it’s in the glass).  I loved the first one, and definitely plan to make it again!

You might also like:    11 of My Best Tips for ANY Trip

We sipped our cocktails, then meandered through the gift shop and boarded the trolley back to the welcome center.  I would have enjoyed staying for a bit, but needed to get to the airport fairly shortly after that and didn’t want to risk Friday rush hour traffic getting worse.

If you only have a day here, I would focus on exploring the historic old town.  But if you have 2 to 3 days to explore, you definitely should consider the Bacardi distillery tour in San Juan…and my vote would be for the mixology class!

Other adult beverage experiences you’ll love:

• A Tour At Ireland’s Clonakilty Distillery
• Whiskey Pilgrimage: Visiting The Historic Jack Daniel’s Distillery In Lynchburg, TN
• Rosé All Day: Sampling the Wineries of Aix-en-Provence
• Whiskey, History, & Rock ‘N’ Roll At Ireland’s Slane Distillery & Castle
• What It’s Like Touring Jameson Distillery In Dublin

Pin for later!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Everything You Need To Know About Car Rental In The Azores, Driving, & How To Have A Smooth Roadtrip

What To Do With A Half Day In Cordoba: Is This Day Trip From Seville Worth It?

I'm Jessica!

Who am I? I’m not a digital nomad or backpacker. I have a demanding full-time career but still find ways to fit in tons of travel. I believe that sometimes you save and sometimes you splurge, and I’ll help you figure out how to have the best experiences regardless. My goal is to go everywhere, see everything, eat all the pastries, and soak up as much food, wine, culture, and amazing views as I can in this crazy life!

Looking For Something?

Instagram adventures.

Affiliate Disclosure

Fresh Stuff!

Visiting South Africa's Famous Penguins: A Stop At Foxy Beach & Boulders Beach

Why You Have To Take A Ponte de Piedade Boat Tour In Portugal's Algarve

Where To Stay In San Juan, Puerto Rico: A Review Of Condado Ocean Club

Mixin' It Up On A BACARDÍ Distillery Tour In San Juan, Puerto Rico

Locations written about.

• Why Backpacking Diplomacy?
• Social Media
• Hostel Consulting

Backpacking Diplomacy Andy's Travel Blog: Travel tips, culture, and more

• Living in LA without a car, possible?
• 10 Days in Ecuador? What can you see?
• Things to do in LA this weekend
• Is there a purpose to street art? Let me know what you think here
• Check out the street art scene in Montreal Canada
• 25 Life lessons learned by 25
• A Life Lesson from a Kenyan Boy
• Tips for Improving your travel videos

Bacardi Tour in Puerto Rico

A budget friendly how to do-it-yourself guide to the bacardi tour in puerto rico.

I recently took the tour of the Bacardi distillery near San Juan Puerto Rico, and I learned a lot of things that I thought I would share with you. I found the tour to be fun and interesting, but learned that it doesn’t need to be something pre-organized or arranged. One of the things that I have quickly learned here in Puerto Rico is that there is always a cheaper way. Being that San Juan , well Puerto Rico in general, is used to receiving tourists from around the US many tour companies sell pre-organized or arranged tours. Like most places, these are insanely over priced. I found out the way to do it myself.

I was randomly walking around the southern portion of Old San Juan when I walked past a ferry dock with a big sign that said “ Bacardi distillery free admission “. I walked into the ferry dock to inquire about the hours of the ferry as well as the price. I found out that the ferry leaves about every 30 minutes and costs 0.50¢ one way. I thought that it would be interesting, but moved on.

The next day my friend asked me if I wanted to go exploring. I was looking over a pamphlet of some possible activities and noticed that the Bacardi tour was one of them. When I read over the description, I thought that it sounded interesting, then I noticed the price at the bottom. The tour price read $109 per person !!! I was amazed.

Since the Bacardi Distillery has free admission, what else could you be paying for?? 

I recommend doing the tour on your own!

We decided to take the tour but do it on our own. Here is how you can too! Read on…

I remembered the ferry dock from the previous day. We walked to it, which took about 45 minutes from our hostel. One could also take a $15 taxi ride or the local city bus for .75¢. However the city bus takes some time waiting, sometimes more than the time required to walk.

When you arrive there will be some people trying to give you directions and also handing out pamphlets and brochures to their local restaurants, which are located across the street from the ferry. We weren’t interested so we just moved on.

Step 2: Getting to the Bacardi Distillery/Factory : Once you arrive in Cataño, there is still a short ride or walk to the Bacardi Rum Factory. Had I not been with anther person, I probably would have walked for the experience. The locals said it was at least an hour walk, which I find hard to believe because the ride via guaguas took very little time, possibly 5 minutes at most. The only issue is that I do not know the walking path for arrival. So, it may be better/easier to just pay the money for the guagua.

The city bus to the Bacardi Factory is said to exist, but difficult to find and wait. The quickest and cheapest route is via guaguas. By the way, if you are wondering what a guagua is, it is the local name for bus transportation for Puerto Ricans. However, guaguas are not really buses, they are 8-10 passenger vans.

To find the guaguas, walk to the right when you exit the ferry dock. You will see a building (yellowish color) at about 1-2 minute walk on the right side. It is a parking garage. Inside of it, there are some vans. We were charged $3 per person. We should have paid less, because of the shortness of the ride. We were about 6 in a van. $18 for a 4 minute ride just does not add up for me. However, the price is still doable. $3 for each way.

Step 3: Bacardi Factory Tour : The guagua should drop you directly in front of the pavilion of the Bacardi Factory. From there you will need to walk to the desk where the attendant will give you a pass for the tour. The attendant gave us 2 free drink tickets as there are two bars under the pavilion. You can try different flavors using your two drink passes or purchase more expensive drinks on your own. Under the pavilion you wait until one of the next tours begins. Tours are in either Spanish or English. You will have to ride a small trolley to the tour as they do not allow people to walk around on the grounds. The tour lasts about 30-45 minutes and then they bring you to the pavilion again, where you can either have more drinks or take a guagua back to the ferry dock.

Bacardi Factory Review

The tour was informative. We learned about the history of the company as well as the logo of the bat. I definitely learned a few things that I had not known previously. For example, Bacardi began in Cuba. The Bacardi Factory in Cataño produces around 85% of the world’s consumption of Bacardi Rum.

Quick Analysis

The tour was advertised at a price of $109 for at least one tour company. Other companies advertise prices from $40 and up. Assuming that you walk and don’t take the taxi to the ferry dock, you’ll spend $7 round trip .

Price Breakdown:

$1 round trip for the ferry

$6 round trip for the guagua transportation (could be less if you are really into bargaining and are in a big group)

Check out some of the other reviews that I have done in the past of brewery tours:

Parish Brewery Review – Parish brewery is one of the newest micro-breweries to emerge from the Louisiana community. They have been producing quality beer and have been expanding outwards.

Abita Brewing Company – I have not written a review on the Abita Brewery, but I have been to Abita several times. I wrote an article on Abita only here , then a weekend recapturing the time when I went there .

By the way, this has been my 200th post . Thanks for making Backpacking Diplomacy such as successful project for me. I sincerely appreciate your support and follower-ship!

Share this:

Wow, I never knew that you could go on tours like these in Puerto Rico of all places. But thank you for sharing this post. Will put this is mind the next time I travel.

WOW! This is a great trip. I was traveling in many places which are a pretty affordable What were the highlights of your entire trip? Loved reading this!

Pingback: 25 Things to do in San Juan Puerto Rico | Backpacking Diplomacy

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Casa Bacardi and other rum tours

Price & Hours

• Facilities 3.0
• Atmosphere 4.0

U.S. News Insider Tip:  The piña colada cocktail was born in 1954 at San Juan's Caribe Hilton . Visitors to the hotel's Caribar can order the original recipe drink as well as more modern takes on this classic poolside refresher. – Robert Curley

A visit to Puerto Rico wouldn't be complete without tasting one of its best-known beverages: rum. The spirit, derived from sugar cane, is one of Puerto Rico's top exports and the island is often referred to as the "rum capital of the world." There are many kinds of rum from traditional white rum to dark rum as well as several producers, including Bacardí , Don Q , Ron de Barrelito , and PitoRico , a smaller brand.

One way to learn more about Puerto Rico's rum production (and to taste some of the libations) is to go on a tour. Bacardí and Ron del Barrilito offer a variety of tours and cocktail experiences at their San Juan area facilities. Don Q’s tour is located in the Castillo Serrallés Museum in Ponce.

Travelers offer mixed reviews of Bacardí's tours. While most enjoyed the cocktails and tastings offered, some felt the experience was overpriced. Reviewers of the Ron del Barrilito called both the tour and the location a wonderful outing, praising the guides for their knowledge.

Casa Bacardí is located across the bay from Old San Juan in Cataño. You can drive to the distillery, take a taxi or Uber or hop on a ferry from Old San Juan. The facility opens daily at 9 a.m. and tours run at various times throughout the day; the last tours run around 4 p.m. Tickets cost $30 to $75, depending on which tour you book. Read more in our roundup of the best tours in Puerto Rico .

Ron del Barrilito operates its tours out of the historic Hacienda Santa Ana. It's located in Bayamón, approximately 10 miles southwest of San Juan. You can drive, Uber or taxi to the distillery. Tours operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Tickets start at $25 per person for the basic Heritage tour; tasting tours are $80 per person. Visit Ron del Barrilito's website to learn more.

Don Q's rum tours are offered from Wednesday to Sunday. The English language tour is at 1 p.m., while the daily 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. tours are in Spanish. Tours are limited to 15 people each and cost $60 per person. The museum in Ponce is about a 75 miles southwest of San Juan.

Popular Tours

El Yunque Rainforest, Waterslides, and Beach Tour with Transport

(2908 reviews)

from $ 69.99

LED Kayak Night Glow Tour in Condado Lagoon

(3540 reviews)

from $ 65.00

El Yunque Natural Waterslide and Rainforest Hike from San Juan

(6919 reviews)

from $ 59.00

More Best Things To Do in Puerto Rico

#1 Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay (Vieques)

This south Vieques beach might not sound like much, but it's one of travelers' favorite experiences in Puerto Rico. During the day, Mosquito Bay is nothing special as Caribbean beaches go. At night, the waters emit a blue glow from organisms called dinoflagellates that live in the waters and light up when disturbed by boats, paddles or hands dipped in the water. Hundreds of thousands of bioluminescent dinoflagellates live in each gallon of bay water, and the light show put on by these tiny creatures provide is truly a (natural) wonder to behold.

Avoid visiting the bay during a full moon, since the moonlight somewhat spoils the display. Recent travelers recommended going out in a kayak to get the full effect of the glow. Some note that the bay isn't as bright as they hoped.

Explore More of Puerto Rico

Things To Do

Best Hotels

You might also like

Miami Beach

# 2 in  Best Spring Break Destinations

U.S. Virgin Islands

# 2 in  Best Family Vacations in the Caribbean

Santo Domingo

# 10 in  Best Cheap Caribbean Vacations

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Recommended

The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2024

Christina Maggitas February 6, 2024

The 32 Most Famous Landmarks in the World

Gwen Pratesi|Timothy J. Forster February 1, 2024

9 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida for 2024

Gwen Pratesi|Amanda Norcross January 5, 2024

24 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for 2024

Erin Evans January 4, 2024

26 Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts for 2024

Zach Watson December 28, 2023

Solo Vacations: The 36 Best Places to Travel Alone in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Erin Vasta December 22, 2023

26 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget

Kyle McCarthy|Sharael Kolberg December 4, 2023

The 50 Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches in the World

Holly Johnson December 1, 2023

The 26 Best Zoos in the U.S.

Rachael Hood November 16, 2023

44 Cheap Tropical Vacations That Feel Expensive

Holly Johnson|Alissa Grisler November 10, 2023

Casa Bacardi Puerto Rico

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Casa Bacardi Puerto Rico - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Old San Juan: Segway PT and Kickscooter Tours (From C$131.69)
• Mixology Class at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico (From C$121.10)
• San Juan Sunset Harbor Boat Ride (From C$134.40)
• Rum Tasting Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico (From C$121.10)
• Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico (From C$60.55)
• (2.81 km) Casa Sol Bed & Breakfast
• (2.83 km) 352 Guest House Hotel Boutique
• (2.81 km) El Colonial (Free Open Bar)
• (2.41 km) Decanter Hotel
• (0.68 km) Aqua By Dreams Hotel
• (0.63 km) Los Serranos
• (2.56 km) Chocobar Cortés (Viejo San Juan)
• (2.90 km) Sofia's Italian Steakhouse
• (2.29 km) Tropical Taste
• (2.38 km) Verde Mesa
• (0.11 km) Parque Recreativo La Esperanza
• (2.42 km) Old San Juan
• (2.45 km) The Spoon Experience
• (2.43 km) Adventure Mermaid
• (2.56 km) 7ven Seas Jewelry

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Doja Cat at Coachella review – an electrifying tour de force

Empire Polo Club, Indio, California

Festival headliner delivered an A-game set, ignoring some of her mainstream hits yet bringing enough energy to power what some have called a middling year

D oja Cat took the Coachella main stage as the last official act to perform on Sunday’s bill, becoming the first female rapper to headline the festival. (She’s also only the second Black woman to do so, after Beyoncé in 2018.) Her closer rounded out a Sunday showcase of powerhouse female performers such as Reneé Rapp and Kesha duetting the recession banger TiK ToK – changing the opening line to “wake up in the morning saying fuck P Diddy” – and Victoria Monet grinding through a slick and ultra-sexy set, at one point receiving artfully-simulated oral sex from a background dancer.

It would be diplomatic to say that Doja maintains a distant relationship with her fans, who call themselves kittenz, though their fave does not sanction this moniker. Doja has told those who engage in parasocial relationships with the idea of her to “get off your phone and get a job” and “rethink everything” about their lives. Such boundary-setting has cost her some Instagram followers – around 300,000, to be exact, after going off on them in a social media tirade – but she could care less. “I feel free,” she wrote in an Instagram story after the snafu last year.

So it’s not surprising that Doja kept the stage banter to a minimum; about an hour in, she allowed a cursory, but seemingly genuine, “Thank you everyone.” That was about it. Still, Doja didn’t need to give us the cliched “it’s always been a dream to perform on this stage” monologue to show a deep respect for her audience. She did so by putting on a tour de force of a set, one that merged her musical talents with a clear knack for spectacle. I suspect it will become a staple on best-of-Coachella lists for years to come.

Doja first appeared by popping up on the stage’s extended catwalk, opening the night further back in the crowd, so those of us who hadn’t made it to the pit got a good look at her, too. She first wore an all-white hazmat suit. I thought it was a little Patrick Bateman; the girl next to me remarked that Doja looked like “a whole-ass sperm”.

Whatever the inspiration, she took that off pretty quickly, revealing extra-long blonde hair that went well past her butt, and a matching tunic also made of hair. Her background dancers matched in their own full hair suits, and when paired with their syncopated moves, the vibe was a little Bob Fosse meets Fraggle Rock. The South African a capella group The Joy encircled Doja during Shutcho, a diss track for haters that the group turned into a melodic, choir-like crescendo.

Though Doja is a very 2020s pop star, terminally online and well-versed in the meme ecosystem, she didn’t rely on many gimmicks to make it through her set. The stage design was sparse and industrial. Her numerous outfit changes kept the same off-white palette, very Virgil Abloh-esque aesthetic: sculptural, sleek, architectural. My favorite look was a shaggy bikini set by Entire Studios that could have been a reference to Jane Fonda as Barbarella, or just a sartorial nod to the concept of merkins.

Doja tapped A$AP Rocky, 21 Savage and a giant recreation of a T-Rex fossil for guest stars. During her penultimate song, Paint the Town Red, which samples Dionne Warwick’s 1963 hit Walk on By, I wondered for a moment if Doja was about to make my entire life and bring out the octogenarian legend herself. Instead, she did perhaps the opposite of that and rolled around in a sapphic mud pit with her background dancers for the finale, Wet Vagina.

Though Doja found mainstream success in the pop arena with early pandemic groovers like Kiss Me More and Say So, her Coachella set stuck to rap. Understandably, much of it came from her latest release, last year’s Scarlet. She described the album as a“masculine” response to her desire of moving away from pop princess-dom.

This meant that the fans who were there for Doja’s more accessible fare may have been disappointed by the exclusion of those songs – when the set ended, many mulled around the stage as if they were sure she’d come back rearing into Say So. (Again, she didn’t.)

But to me, it didn’t matter: Doja followed her gut, performed the songs she felt represented her best, all presented in an energetic, top-of-game triumph. For all the endless chatter this year about a lackluster lineup, Doja proved she’s worthy of a headline spot, so long as the people in charge – and, crucially, her fans – trust her to do it her own way.

• Pop and rock
• live music reviews

Most viewed

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

Camila Cabello Named New Face of Bacardí: Behind the Scenes at Her First Commercial (Exclusive)

Rahul Bhatt/BACARDI

Cheers are in order: Camila Cabello has a new gig.

The pop star is the new global face of Bacardí, the brand announced on Tuesday — and her first commercial for the rum empire just dropped.

In the commercial, which is dubbed a “Do What Moves You” production and directed by Nicolás Méndez, Cabello’s new hyper-pop-inspired single “I Luv It” plays, making waves around a Caribbean city, from a bar and a strip mall to the beach and a rooftop party.

Cabello shot the new campaign in February in the Dominican Republic’s capital city of Santo Domingo. PEOPLE was invited to be on the ground for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look as the commercial came together at multiple locations.

After a long shoot day, Cabello sat down with PEOPLE in her trailer, where she opened up about why becoming the new face of Bacardí “feels amazing”— and teased her next musical era.

Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Cabello, 27, felt an affinity for Bacardí because “they have a very closely linked Caribbean background,” says Cabello, who collaborated with the brand on a signature cocktail (recipe below). “My grandma’s favorite drink is the cuba libre — a rum and coke — and growing up in Miami, you just are surrounded by Bacardí, so I was just super excited to collaborate with them. And also I feel like Bacardí has such party energy — I feel like their vibe is always about partying and having fun and music, so it just feels like the vibe.”

Since Cabello carved her path as a solo artist, her music has been informed by her Latin heritage, so this latest move is in sync with her personal brand. 

“I think where I’m from just influences me a lot,” she says. “I’ve also never really left Miami. I’ve kind of always been surrounded by that culture out there, which is its own kind of little, unique microcosm. It’s Latin but also Latin immigrants but also a melting pot of different cultures. I think that’s just influenced me, and it’s influenced my music, too. It kind of just comes out of me.”

Matthew Canals/BACARDI

Though she’s from Cuba, filming in the Dominican Republic felt familiar to Cabello.

“My best friends are actually Dominican, so I told them hearing the Dominican accents and everything really feels like I’m home,” she says.

When it came time to film for the commercial, Cabello was prepped because the work is similar to performing onstage or shooting a music video.

“It’s just less time. This was just kind of a day, a few hours, of learning choreo,” says Cabello. “But it’s fun to be moving.”

Because “I Luv It” had yet to be released when they shot, the track wasn’t played on set as Cabello and performers from La(Horde) dance collective filmed.

“Nobody’s heard the song yet, so we’re not playing it out loud, so it’s all to count,” Cabello said at the time. “So it’s, like, very mysterious.”

Indeed, locals were likely left wondering what was happening in the city, as Cabello quite literally stopped traffic as she shot scenes in downtown Santo Domingo and off the DR-2 highway, overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

Earlier in the day, Cabello shot multiple takes as she strut down a shut-down city street, whipping her newly platinum tresses around with ease. After the shoot wrapped for the day, the Grammy-nominated star joked she “might honestly” need a chiropractic adjustment from the “hair-ographry.”

“I’m feeling the soreness come on for sure,” she said at the time. “I definitely will take a hot bath or something. I feel like the adrenaline of being on camera numbs out pain; during it, I was like, ‘This is fine,’ and right now, I’m like, ‘I know I’m going to wake up tomorrow with some limited movement.’ But it’s all part of the job.”

And the job comes with some risks. At one point, as the crew was racing against the clock to shoot Cabello in front of a seaside high-rise apartment during the “blue hour” (which is just after sunset), the singer-songwriter experienced a near-accident during a choreographed fall with the dance troupe — but Cabello brushed it off like a pro, of course.

“I wasn’t terrified until one time, where I felt like I came really close [to falling]. Then I was scared for, I think, six takes after, I was kind of like, ‘Okay, I’m feeling some fear!’ But that’s one of those things, you’ve got to just kind of be confident, or else it’s worse,” Cabello says. “So I just was like, ‘Go for it, and focus.’ And I’m still here, not a scratch on me.”

Cabello’s glam squad was also along for the ride to achieve the perfect look on set.

On the beauty end, “we really wanted the look to embody a street grunge vibe, with a sexed-up edge to it,” says makeup artist Ash K Holm, who gave Cabello a smoky eye and over-lined lip and worked with cool, matte shades.

Cabello's longtime hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos says, “we wanted her hair to be a little more edgy and cool — and effortless at the same time,” which he executed by giving her a locks a wet look all day.

And celebrity stylist Jared Ellner dressed Cabello in a knit and crocheted top with a denim skirt and black boots. “Camila right now wants everything to be a little bit mismatched, a little bit chaotic, in a fun, sexy way,” he says, adding that the look of the day was “unified but still hit a few different vibes all at once.”

As for the vibe of her new era, Cabello kept mum, other than to say “it definitely feels like… ‘signed by me.’”

But her new ’do may hold a clue, too.

“I just feel like this next chapter for me is so different, and I just like the idea of shedding your identity,” she says. “I feel like my dark hair was such a part of how I saw myself and how other people saw me, so it’s kind of nice to be like: palate cleanser.”

Camila Cabello’s I Luv It Punch

1 oz. coconut water

1/2 oz. elderflower liqueur

1/2 oz. passion fruit nectar

1/2 oz. fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)

1 lime wheel, for garnish

Toasted coconut flakes, for garnish

Add rum, coconut water, elderflower liqueur, passion fruit nectar and lime juice to an ice-filled rocks glass; stir to combine. Garnish with a lime wheel and coconut flakes; serve immediately.

Related Articles

The fastest and most secure way to protect the watches you love.

We've minimized the paperwork and maximized protection, so you can stop worrying about your watches and focus on enjoying them.

In most cases, you'll get a personalized quote in seconds and your policy kicks in immediately.

Wherever you are on planet Earth, your watches are protected. Rest easy and travel safely.

If you suffer a covered loss, there's no deductible and no gimmicks. Ever.

Each of your watches is covered up to 150% of the insured value (up to the total value of the policy).

Our quotes are based on historical sales and real-time market data allowing us to give fair prices without all the hassle.

Popular Searches

Hands-On The Cartier Tank Mini Keeps Small Watch Fever Burning

Hands-On Cartier Brings Back The Tortue – Monopusher Chronograph And All

Introducing The Piaget Altiplano Concept Tourbillon, The World's Thinnest Tourbillon (Live Pics)

Editors’ Picks

How To Wear It The Cartier Tank Cintrée

In-Depth Examining Value And Price Over Time With The ‘No Date’ Rolex Submariner

Watches In The Wild The Road Through America, Episode 1: A Model Of Mass Production

Hands-On Baltic Brings Back A Classic Combo With The Tour Auto Chronograph And Dash Timer Set

As official timekeepers for the oldest car rally still running, baltic is throwing it back to a time when watchmakers served the car community in a whole different way..

I know I'm not alone when I say that a lot of what I love about watches is the nostalgia of it all. It's also an overlooked part of what ties the love of watches and cars together; it's not just about mechanical objects but the romance of design. Last year, I got sucked deep into the nostalgia of both watches and the role they've played in automotive history when I visited Rennsport at Laguna Seca . It was great to see all the incredible cars, interesting watches, and awesome people drawn in by both. But one thing stuck in my mind more than most: dash timers.

That's right. Out of everything there, I spent a few extra minutes standing around the TAG Heuer booth, looking at the old rally timers on display and the new dash timer/clock pair in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Panamericana unveiled in the booth. I thought to myself, "Why aren't people making these anymore?" And as with any time I see something good and nostalgic, I immediately pulled out my phone and start looking for deals on old Heuer dash timers.

The Heuer Carrera dash timer in the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Panamericana.

And the car that was obviously just made to justify a dash timer, right?

If you want a dash timer now, you've basically one great option on the market: Hanhart. But now, thanks to Baltic, you've got another. Really, that was the biggest surprise about the set I got to spend some time with a few weeks before the release. Baltic makes great watches, and when they tell you they've got a new chronograph, you generally know what to expect in the best possible way. Believe me, I own one. But when they told me they were taking their next limited edition release a step further with a dash timer, it was both a surprise and some dream come true for that nostalgia-driven part of my brain that tempts me to buy things I probably don't need but desperately want. First, there's a watch to talk about.

The idea for the new set from Baltic came in support of the brand's role as the official timekeeper for the Tour Auto 2024, a French road rally running April 21 to 27. The rally actually dates back to the Tour de France Automobile which started back in 1899, making it the oldest rally still in existence. This time, the route starts in Paris and ends in Biarritz, with stops to compete on the Le Mans, Val de Vienne, Nogaro, and Pau Arnos circuits. In a way, it's kind of funny to see such a young brand associated with such an old race, but through our chats, I've learned the team at Baltic are massive lovers of auto sport and automotive history. 

Photo: courtesy of Baltic

Ari Vatanen. Photo: courtesy of Baltic

The crew is not only sponsoring the event but partaking in it. They have a BMW M1 with Baltic livery. Finish rally car legend and four-time Paris Dakar Rally-winner Ari Vatanen will be driving with the team. And while both cars and watches can be expensive hobbies, they don't have to be, as this commemorative chronograph shows.

Having handled a few of Baltic's three-register chronographs before, the first thing that struck me was the very nicely done, relatively subtle tricolore French theme. You've got a mix of red, white, and blue, all in slightly different hues around the watch. The colors they've chosen are harmonious enough that they don't clash, but soft enough that it doesn't smack you in the face of French nationalism the way a pair of "stars-and-stripes" shorts does. 

The case measures 39.5mm by 13.5mm (with a large double-domed crystal making up 2.5mm of that height) and has a 47mm lug-to-lug with 20mm lug width. It's a pretty normal measurement range for a modern recreation of a classic design. Inside, there's a Sellita SW510-M manually-wound cam-style chronograph movement with a hacking running seconds at 9 o'clock, 30 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, and a 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock. The watch runs at 28,800 vph with a 63-hour power reserve.

Commemorative watches like this are a great souvenir – you get one from Chopard for competing in the Mille Miglia if you're a paid participant. But the ways that brands choose to "theme" the watches or differentiate them between standard releases vary. Baltic has gone all-in not just on the tricolore accents but highlighting "Tour Auto" at the bottom of the dial. They've also put the rally logo on the caseback, which will also be where you'll find the numbered edition of the watch (out of a total of 500 pieces). 

The rest continues the standard things I liked about the Chronograph I already have. Drilled lugs, solid pump pushers, decent winding action of the crown. The brushed aluminum bezel also has a bit of a nice faded quality to it already, with gold lettering giving another pop of color.

Even if you have drilled lugs that make changing straps a breeze, Baltic has also included a quick-change system on their stainless steel flat-link bracelets. For a bit of extra automotive styling, they've included a navy blue Alcantarra strap, which I thought was a nice touch. Even if I like wearing bracelets, I've started to dip my toes more into straps lately and the right strap makes all the difference.

Now, let's go back to the thing that really surprised me with this new limited edition set. Each box also comes with the aforementioned dash timer. The designs and layouts pair well with the chronograph I just showed you. The left module is a flyback chronograph with 30 30-minute counter and that French-flag-inspired design language. On the right is a super-legibile clock with a nice font selection that gives it a good retro appeal.

Baltic didn't do these alone, however. Remember how I mentioned that one brand has nearly cornered the market on the anachronistic mechanical dash timer? Well, the stopwatch with Flyback function is powered by a Hanhart mechanical movement. The action of the reset is a bit squishy – I found that I would occasionally not depress it all the way and it would only partially go back to zero. But in the heat of a race, I'd probably be gripping onto that sucker for dear life and clicking like my life depended on it.

The clock, on the other hand, is powered by a Seagull ST3600 Type 6497 movement. I don't have much to say about that, really. I set the clock, let it run, and it seemed to work just fine. You'll also note that the prototypes say "2023" on the bottom. Obviously, that will be updated for the release models. But the best fact for me is that the pair not only goes well together, but exists at all these days, let alone from a relatively young and affordable brand.

Let's talk price and release date. The sets will be available for sale on the Baltic website starting April 22 and 10 AM Eastern time for €2,100, which feels like a great deal for the set. The last Tri-compax I bought cost more than that and didn't come with a rally timer. So am I going to get one? Well, remember how I said this stuff falls into the category of things I want but don't necessarily need? I don't have a car right now, so the only dash it would be timing is my run from my desk and back to get coffee in the morning. Does it make me want it any less? Not really.

The Baltic "Tour Auto" Tricompax and Dash Timer Limited Edition Set: Chronograph with 39.5mm x 13.5mm 316L stainless steel case with 47mm lug-to-lug and 20mm lug with. Watch comes on a flat-link steel bracelet with navy blue Alcantarra strap; French " tricolore" dial with light beige matte finish, white guilloche subdials, and Super-LumiNova; aluminum tachymeter bezel; movement: Sellita SW510-M manually-wound chronograph; water resistant to 50m; Dash timer set with stopwatch with Flyback function powered by a Hanhart mechanical movement and dashclock powered by a Seagull ST3600 Type 6497 mechanical movement; Comes with steel mounting structure; Set limited to 500 numbered pieces; Price: €2,100.

For more on the Baltic Tour Auto limited edition set, visit their website.

By Anthony traina

Hands-On How Long Would It Take To Tell The Time Backwards On The Cartier Santos-Dumont Rewind? Only Time Will Tell, If You Ever Can Tell The Time.

By Mark kauzlarich

Hands-On The Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT

By James stacey

Hands-On The New Hand-Wound IWC Portugieser Tourbillon Day & Night, A Fun Story Of How One Small Idea Can Turn Into Something Much Bigger

Top Discussions

Photo Report The Sights, Scene, Watches, And Style Of Watches & Wonders 2024

Patek Philippe Standardizes Water Resistance To 30 Meters Across Its Lineup

Talking Watches With Ronnie Fieg, Founder Of Kith

Last Week’s Top Stories

Editors' Picks Our Rolex Predictions For Watches & Wonders 2024

By Danny milton

Introducing The Black Bay 58 GMT

Introducing The Rolex GMT-Master II With Grey And Black Ceramic Bezel

Introducing The New Tudor Black Bay Goes Monochrome

Breaking News The White Gold Rolex 'Le Mans' Daytona Is Discontinued

By Malaika crawford

'That is how you turn 60': Maynard James Keenan, Primus and Puscifer go hard in Phoenix

Maynard James Keenan was nearing the end of a freewheeling stop on his 60th birthday tour, Sessanta , basking in the afterglow of “Southbound Pachyderm” as performed by a sprawling collective of extremely talented musicians from A Perfect Circle, Puscifer and Primus, when he told the crowd, “And that, mother (expletives), is how you turn 60.”

He was technically still 59 at that point. He turns 60 on Wednesday, April 17, when he returns to that same stage with those same friends at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, just down the hill from his home in Jerome, Arizona .

But it’s doubtful many people have embraced the thought of turning 60 with a more inspired blend of self-effacing humor, undeniable vitality and unabashed artistry than Keenan.

Maynard James Keenan's Sessanta was as untraditional as promised

The night was every bit as untraditional as promised, played out on a two-tiered stage with sofas and three drum kits on the upper level and a chairlift to transport musicians from one level to another, not because they’re too old to climb the stairs but because it added to the entertainment value of the night.

And that goes double for the people playing ping-pong during “Bullet Train to Iowa” and Keenan and Carina Round of Puscifer squeezing a game of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots into Puscifer’s “The Remedy,” which features some of Keenan’s greatest lyrics (“Yes, we’re being condescending/ Yes, that means we’re talking down to you”).

The premise of this tour is that the members of A Perfect Circle, Puscifer and Primus will not only share a stage but share musicians as the night unfolds, resulting in some truly awe-inspiring feats of musical cross-pollination.

Having multiple drummers definitely added layers of intensity to the proceedings. You never knew when Les Claypool of Primus would show up in another goofy mask to join one of the other bands on bass. And Keenan gamely guested on lead vocals on Primus’ “Tommy the Cat.”

It felt like crashing a really cool party at a rock star’s house and watching the musicians let their hair down, except for one thing. You could tell they put some thought and effort into making sure it sounded right.

It was all about musicianship and friendship and the magic of collaboration.

How Keenan's Sessanta played out on the eve of his 60th birthday

The concert began with a video of Keenan in a Spam commercial driving home the zero-camera policy by warning fans that if you chose to disobey this policy, you would be asked to leave, at which point you would find yourself fed through an oversized meat grinder outside the concert, thereby becoming the secret ingredient that makes Spam such a culinary favorite of “cannibalistic cultures.”

As threats go, it was pretty entertaining.

Each band took a turn in the spotlight, starting with A Perfect Circle, who followed Keenan’s PSA with a haunting rendition of “The Package.”

At the song’s conclusion, Keenan took a moment welcome the crowd to his birthday show with “Let’s confirm what we already know… Arizona.”

The audience cheered, but not enough to satisfy him.

“Sounds like California,” he scoffed, an insult met with boos. “Let’s fix it. Arizona!"

Maynard James Keenan's Sessanta setlist: What A Perfect Circle, Puscifer and Primus played.

Maynard James Keenan weighs in on Arizona's return to 1864

That did the trick. Then, Keenan took a moment to address the local news.

“OK, so I’ve been out of town for about three weeks, out of state,” he said. “ Anything change that I should know about ? I dunno, like 1864 ? Jesus (expletive) Christ, people. Here’s my short speech, then I’ll (expletive) off. Register to (expletive) vote, please.”

Then it was back to the music with “Disillusioned.”

Each band did a three- to four-song set before rotating through the lineup two more times while changing up the order.

After bringing it all to a head with “Southbound Pachyderm” and telling the crowd this is how you turn 60, Keenan said, “I have been blessed with the privilege of working with some of the best musicians on the (expletive) planet… For my birthday, I got three new songs.”

And with that, the three bands dusted off the three songs featured on “Sessanta E.P.P.P”: A Perfect Circle’s “Kindred,” Puscifer’s “No Angel” and the Primus song “Pablo’s Hippies.”

Keenan closed his birthday celebration 'witnessing the majesty'

As the Primus song ended, Keenan joked, “Holy (expletive), you’re still here?”

Then, he brought the concert to a suitably majestic close with Puscifer’s “Grand Canyon,” singing “Witnessing the majesty.”

He’s referring, of course, to the majesty of the Grand Canyon. But it certainly applied to what we’d all just witnessed in the course of that performance.

Sessanta returns to Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on Keenan’s birthday — Wednesday, April 17.

Maynard James Keenan's Sessanta setlist 2024

Here's every song A Perfect Circle, Primus and Puscifer played when Maynard James Keenan's Sessanta tour hit Phoenix on Tuesday, April 16:

A Perfect Circle Set 1

• “The Package”
• “Disillusioned”
• “The Contrarian”

Primus Set 1

• “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers”
• “Too Many Puppies”
• “Sgt. Baker"
• "Follow the Fool"

Puscifer Set 1

• “Indigo Children”

Primus Set 2

• “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver”
• “My Name Is Mud”
• “Tommy the Cat”

Puscifer Set 2

• “Momma Sed”
• “Bullet Train to Iowa”
• “The Underwhelming”

A Perfect Circle Set 2

• The Hollow”
• “So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish”
• “Weak and Powerless”
• “The Outsider”

Puscifer Set 3

• “The Humbling River”
• “The Remedy”

A Perfect Circle Set 3

• “Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums”

Primus Set 3

• “Southbound Pachyderm”

Sessanta E.P.P.P.

• “Kindred” (A Perfect Circle with Les Claypool)
• “No Angel” (Puscifer)
• “Pablo's Hippos” (Primus with Maynard James Keenan and Mat Mitchell)

Puscifer, Primus, A Perfect Circle

• "Grand Canyon"

Reach the reporter at  [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter,  @EdMasley .

Support local journalism.   Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

Casa bacardÍ

• Start date:
• Search for experiences

Welcome to casa bacardÍ

Welcome to Casa BACARDÍ, our incredible brand home located in the heart of Cataño, Puerto Rico. The world’s largest rum distillery, Casa BACARDÍ celebrates our rich heritage, rum process, exciting classes, and more.

Welcome to the home of rum.

things to do

tours & experiences

legacy tour

Discover the BACARDÍ family legacy and the history of the world’s most-awarded rum.

Rum tasting tour

Try BACARDÍ’s rums and get a lesson in how to taste rum like 
a pro.

mixology class

Master some cool bar tricks and skills in this interactive class.

founder’s experience

Enjoy an exclusive multisensory experience guided by our brand ambassadors.

where it all began

Casa BACARDÍ opened in 1962, after we chose 
Puerto Rico as part of our decision to begin producing rum outside of Cuba for the first time ever. Christened by Puerto Rico’s governor as ‘the Cathedral of 
Rum,’ Casa BACARDÍ helped us grow beyond our 
wildest dreams.

what’s on offer

Get involved.

We’ve opened the doors of our brand home to bring you closer to the rum products you love, giving you an exclusive look into the workings behind your favourite drink. Part museum, part sensory experience, we invite you to discover a side of BACARDÍ you’ve never seen before.

sustainability in action

At the core of our mission lies a commitment to sustainability. Many of our exciting green initiatives unfold right where the magic happens – our brand home. Click to discover more about the projects we’re proud of at Casa BACARDÍ.

Biodiversity

Pollinator gardens awards.

Responsible sourcing

Good sources.

Cleaner energy

Powering up.

Yes, except for major holidays and private events.

Yes! You can grab a bite from our delicious food kiosk, do some shopping at the BACARDÍ Store, or just relax and enjoy the breathtaking views while sipping on a delicious and refreshing cocktail at the Pavilion.

You can take a taxi, an Uber or take a round trip on our ferry and shuttle.

We have a Caribbean food kiosk.

Yes, we have wifi.

Reservations can be modified or cancelled up to 48hrs before your scheduled experience. Beyond that we cannot offer refunds or changes to your booking.

Yes, Casa BACARDÍ is ADA compliant . If you have any specific needs and would like to know more, please contact us.

The tours are strictly for adults of 18 years or older. You can visit Casa BACARDÍ with minors, but they will only have access to our gift shop, food kiosk, or our Pavilion area. Any minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

We love our furry friends! However, we only allow service animals on our premises.

Yes! We offer events spaces for hire, to find out more please email [email protected] or submit your request here: Casa BACARDÍ Event Request .

Yes, we offer collection! You can take a look at our online shop here: BACARDÍ Store .

how to contact us

Address: Carretera 165 KM 6.2, Cataño, Puerto Rico Open Hours: Every day 9:30am – 6:00pm Email: [email protected] Telephone: Puerto Rico 787-788-8400

Cataño’s top-rated attraction

need more help?

If you still have unanswered questions, check out our FAQs section . Visit: Carretera 165 KM 6.2, Cataño, Puerto Rico Email: [email protected] Call: Puerto Rico on 787-788-8400 For further questions, please fill out this contact form.

@casabacardipr

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• March Madness
• AP Top 25 Poll
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Trump goes after the judge and prosecutors in his hush money case in last rally before trial begins

Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event in Schnecksville, Pa., Saturday, April 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Joe Lamberti)

Former U.S. President Donald Trump walks to the podium during a campaign event in Schnecksville, Pa., on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Joe Lamberti)

Attendees gather as former U.S. President Donald Trump holds a campaign event in Schnecksville, Pa., on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Joe Lamberti)

FILE - Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally, July 29, 2023, in Erie, Pa. Trump plans to hold a rally Saturday, April 13, 2024, in northeast Pennsylvania, his last before his criminal hush money trial begins on Monday. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

Former U.S. President Donald Trump greets attendees during a campaign event in Schnecksville, Pa., on Saturday, April 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Joe Lamberti)

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a news conference with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., Friday, April 12, 2024, at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

• Copy Link copied

SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump on Saturday lit into New York prosecutors and the criminal hush money case they brought against him during his last rally before what he called a “communist show trial” begins Monday.

“I will be forced to sit fully gagged. I’m not allowed to talk. They want to take away my constitutional right to talk,” said Trump, who has been barred from publicly discussing potential witnesses and jurors but not the judge or prosecutors.

“I’m proud to do it for you,” Trump told a crowd in northeast Pennsylvania. “Have a good time watching.”

Trump spoke as Israel was fighting off a retaliatory drone attack from Iran that threatened to tip into a regional war in the Middle East. After a short mention of the attack, which he claimed wouldn’t have happened if he were president, Trump turned to an extended tirade against his own legal troubles.

What to know about Trump’s hush money trial:

• Follow our live updates .
• Trump will be first ex-president on criminal trial. Here’s what to know about the hush money case.
• A jury of his peers: A look at how jury selection will work in Donald Trump’s first criminal trial .
• Donald Trump is facing four criminal indictments, and a civil lawsuit. You can track all of the cases here.

He went after Judge Juan M. Merchan, whom he called “corrupt,” and District Attorney Alvin Bragg, declaring himself a victim of Democrats bent on blocking his return to the White House.

Trump is navigating four separate criminal prosecutions while running to avenge his loss to President Joe Biden, creating an unprecedented swirl of legal and political chaos.

Jury selection starts Monday in New York in his trial where he is charged with seeking during his 2016 campaign to bury stories about extramarital affairs by arranging hush money payments.

It will be the first criminal trial ever of a former U.S. president. And it will limit Trump’s availability on the campaign trail, though he is expected to speak to the media after court often and has for months fundraised and campaigned on the felony charges he faces.

Trump spoke at the Schnecksville Fire Hall in Lehigh County, where a long line formed outward three hours before Trump’s planned appearance. It was Trump’s third visit this year to the vital swing state , one that could decide who wins this year’s presidential race. He also plans to attend a fundraiser in nearby Bucks County before the event.

Pennsylvania is a critical battleground in the rematch between Trump and Biden, with both candidates expected to visit the state frequently through November. Trump flipped the state to the Republican column in 2016 but lost it four years after to Biden, who was born in the northeast city of Scranton and has long talked about his roots in the city. Biden plans to deliver a major address Tuesday in Scranton on tax fairness.

Bob Dippel, 69, retired after working as a chief financial officer for several small businesses. He said he didn’t think the upcoming trial “would matter too much” to independent voters because “people are starting to see the mockery being made” of the legal system.

Biden has argued Trump’s lies about losing the 2020 election are dangerous for the country. He has said Trump poses a fundamental threat to democracy and U.S. alliances abroad — rhetoric that Trump has argued applies to Biden.

“We’re going to win in the biggest landslide in history, because we’re the ones who are fighting to save our democracy and Joe Biden is a demented tyrant,” Trump said.

Iran’s attack on Israel, in apparent retaliation for a strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that killed 12 people, may once again push foreign policy and the Middle East into the center of the presidential campaign.

It marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, where officials have vowed to strike Iran directly in response to any attack from Iranian soil.

Prior to Saturday, Trump has recently said Israel needs to “ finish up ” its offensive in Gaza, warning the country is “absolutely losing the PR war ” as deaths mount and images of mass destruction proliferate. Israeli forces are going after Hamas after militants staged an Oct. 7 attack in which they killed an estimated 1,200 people and took 250 hostages.

“Get it over with, and let’s get back to peace and stop killing people. And that’s a very simple statement,” Trump said in an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt earlier this month. “They have to get it done. Get it over with, and get it over with fast because we have to — you have to get back to normalcy and peace.”

Trump recently said that any Democratic-leaning voters who support Israel should back him instead, as Biden has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions in his war against Hamas. The Republican said Wednesday that “any Jewish person who votes for a Democrat or votes for Biden should have their head examined.”

During his presidency, he moved the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and facilitated the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab states through a series of agreements known as the Abraham Accords. He pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama, a move that Israel welcomed.

The deal lifted sanctions on Iran, which agreed in exchange to limit its nuclear program and allow inspections. Trump said it was too generous to Iran, while supporters of a deal said it was the best option to forestall a nuclear-armed Iran.

Cooper reported from Phoenix.