bacardi tour reviews

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.

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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

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

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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.  

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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?

Casa Bacardi and other rum tours

Price & Hours

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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.

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#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.

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Who Is The Woman In That Bacardi Commercial?

If you're ready to sip a summertime cocktail, Bacardi Rum has you covered. Their latest spokesperson is a famous musician who's also dipped her toes in the acting world, as Camila Cabello was named the brand's latest spokesperson, via People Magazine . The first commercial trails Cabello through Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. She can be seen stomping the concrete to dust, causing yellow caution tape to peel up and vibrate. Participating in rooftop parties, dancing, and generally having a good time, Cabello helps sell the notion of the alcoholic beverage being a good-time drink. That's also her latest single, "I Luv It," playing in the background.

Cabello told People that Bacardi is a part of her DNA, thanks to her Cuban ancestry. "They have a very closely linked Caribbean background," the singer said. "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." She added that she loved that the drink brings a party atmosphere with it.

Naturally, the multihyphenate is known for more than slinging booze. To movie fans, she might be best known as Cinderella in the 2021 take on the classic fairytale — and the film's director, Kay Cannon, thought working with her was amazing. But Cabello also spent time in a girl group, voiced a memorable animated character, and even popped up in the Dream House.

Camila Cabello is a multihyphenate with an extensive resume as a singer and actor

Aside from her successful solo career and her hits with the girl group Fifth Harmony, Camila Cabello has contributed her talents to several productions. She appeared 15 times on "The Voice," and voiced herself in an episode of "Barbie: Life in the Dream House" a cartoon on Netflix you should definitely be watching .  She has acted in the shorts "Hui" and "Rob Peace." But most interesting of all, she provided the speaking and singing voice for Diva in the "Trolls" franchise, which is something only an adult might notice in "Trolls: World Tour."

Cabello told Hollywood Hangout that she's a lot like her character. "Diva is the kind of person who will knock on your door at 3 am and be like 'the night is still young, let's go," she said. The singer-actor added that Diva's sense of humor and energy are similar to her own, and admitted that she too is loud. "When I'm feeling really great and happy, I can just yell!" she revealed at the time. 

It seems that Cabello has crossover appeal, whether she's crooning for rum or convincing kids they need to follow the beat of their own drummer.

Tours & Experiences

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Welcome to casa bacardÍ

Embark on an unforgettable journey at Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico. Don’t just hear the legacy, live it! Join us for immersive tours and experiences that unravel the magic behind the bottle and discover the heart and soul of BACARDÍ in ways you never imagined.

guided tour

Legacy tour.

Discover the BACARDÍ family legacy by getting to know the history of the World’s most-awarded rum. In our Legacy Tour, you will learn about our origins, understand the meaning behind our iconic bat, and become a part of our family! Swipe for more details -> PRICE: $40.00 + tax | Duration: 50 minutes

the details

The tour includes one welcome cocktail and a guided tour bus to the Visitor Center. This tour is offered in English 7 days a week. Spanish tours are available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 12:30 pm. Guests must be 18 years or older to participate. The Legacy Tour can be combined with one other experience. You can find additional details here . PRICE: $40.00 + tax | Duration: 50 minutes

rum tasting tour

Get inside the minds of our esteemed Maestros! On this guided tour, you will taste BACARDÍ’s rums and get a lesson in how to taste rum like a pro. Swipe for more details -> PRICE: $80.00 + tax | Duration: 75 minutes

THE DETAILS

The tour includes one welcome cocktail and a guided tour bus to the Visitor Center. This tour is offered in English 7 days a week. Guests must be 18 years or older to participate. The Rum Tasting Tour can only be combined with the Legacy Tour. You can find additional details here . PRICE: $80.00 + tax | Duration: 75 minutes

MIXOLOGY CLASS

If you can’t tell by now, we love history! In this interactive class, you will learn the history behind our most popular cocktails. Take our Mixology Class if you want to master some cool bar tricks and skills. Swipe for more details -> PRICE: $80.00 + tax | Duration: 75 minutes

The tour includes one welcome cocktail and a guided tour bus to the Visitor Center. This tour is offered in English 7 days a week. Guests must be 18 years or older to participate. The Mixology Class can only be combined with the Legacy Tour. You can find additional details here . PRICE: $80.00 + tax | Duration: 75 minutes

FOUNDER'S EXPERIENCE

Explore legendary Don Facundo’s founders’ mentality with an in-depth, intimate, and behind the scenes journey into the unique tropical aging processes of the World’s most-celebrated rum. This exclusive multisensory experience is a private engagement guided by our brand aficionados; please join us and unlock the island spirit! Swipe for more details -> PRICE: $125.00 + tax | Duration: 120 minutes

FOUNDER'S EXPERIENCE

The tour includes one welcome cocktail and a VIP tour bus through the back of the house. The Founder’s Experience is only offered on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Guests must wear closed toe shoes and long pants. Guests must be 18 years or older to participate. You can find additional details here . PRICE: $125.00 + tax | Duration: 120 minutes

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.

Cataño’s top-rated attraction

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