the locales

Photo by Patricia Benabe.

An incredible/to die for/must-see beach: Caja de Muertos in Ponce.

A local designer you admire: Doel Fresse.

The kind of souvenir you like to give: To close friends: local design or books written by Puerto Rican authors. For business: Ron del Barrilito (Tres Estrellas) to get them on the sweet side of life.

Shop: Concalma in Old San Juan.

Where would you live in puerto rico and why?: If I could, I would have a beach teepee in Cabo Rojo, an apartment in Old San Juan, and a treehouse in Adjuntas.

Coffee: I don't drink coffee, but I like Libros AC's Nutella hot chocolate, if that counts.

Where to get that perfect cocktail?: I don't drink, but sometimes I find myself ordering a Tom Collins at El Batey in Old San Juan.

Favorite Puerto Rican book: One of them right now is Días Cómics a comic book by Rosaura Rodríguez and Omar Banuchi.

kola champagne or malta india?: Both. Why limit yourself?

favorite musician: Too many to name, but one of my favorite Puerto Rican musicians is Yarimir Cabán, aka MIMA.

where to find the freshest produce: El Departamento de la Comida in Punta las Marías.

the place you must visit if you come to puerto rico: El Faro in Cabo Rojo.

why should people visit puerto rico?: In Puerto Rico, you can climb a mountain, swim in one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and visit a colonial city, all in one day.

a quick recipe: Ensalada de carambola y sandía (starfruit and watermelon salad): Watermelon, honey, granola, cinnamon. Great for the hot weather.

an unforgettable/unique experience in puerto rico: The Bamboo Treehouse in Rincón.

Biggest misconception about puerto rico: We are not Costa Rica!

the first thing puerto rico has to resolve: Status quo.