We’re totally feeling like lucky ducks since we randomly decided to detour to Puerto Real, Cabo Rojo (instead of Boqueron) as our first stop here in Puerto Rico…and that decision resulted in us stumbling upon the town’s Annual Fish Festival!
What are the odds?!? It’s like someone decided to roll out the welcome party mat for us! And I love it!
We sailed into Marina Pescaderia last week after a long, but great 3-day sail from the Dominican. We were immediately greeted with friendly faces all around and were super excited to grab a dock slip and settle in. Puerto Real is a small fishing village located on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. It is part of the Cabo Rojo municipality, and about a 20-minute drive from Mayaguez. Locals love the Cabo Rojo area for its great beaches, fresh seafood daily at family owned affordable restaurants, and offshore islands to explore. And we couldn’t agree more!
We got a first hand look at the local seafood at the 3-day-long Festival del Pescado, or Fish Festival, here in Puerto Real. Since we are staying at the big marina right in town, we were able to partake in the festivities all three days. I mean, how could we not? As soon as you step foot off the boat, you’re basically right in the action.
The fish fest was three full days of tasty street food vendors, awesome live music, a 5k and bike race (I think), a fishing tourney, and a display of locally caught fish delicacies on the final day.
We made sure to try just about everything at the fest…from empanadas of every kind, to street meat (very delicious chicken and pork/plantain skewers), mofongo (we grabbed a plate of it with fried pork), diced bbq italian sausage hoagies, arepas, guava cookies, and more!
I can’t believe I (unsuccessfully) searched high and low for a tasty empanada in the DR, only to have them EVERYWHERE here in Puerto Rico. And they are muy delicioso!
Side note, do they sell Gasolina brand alcohol in the U.S.? ^^These party-in-a-pouch sangria drinks^^ are freaking awesome! You literally rip open the pouch and out comes the most delicious sangria punch with a straw in the pouch! Think Capri Sun packaging, but straw on the inside. So smart!
The last day of the festival is the big “reveal” of all the local (and somewhat bizarre I might add) fish catches of the weekend. They put everything on display here at Marina Pescaderia, including some huge sharks (that I decided not to include in this blog post because it made me kinda sad.)
Pretty crazy, huh? There was a few roach-looking sea critters and one furry crab that resembled a tarantula that I found especially odd.
Anyhoo, ^^that^^ was the annual fish fest of Puerto Real and I’m so glad we lucked out on our arrival timing! Go us! ;))
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Beautiful pics guys!! awesome 😉
Cheers.
Few cruising blogs present beautiful photos AND fun storytelling, but you guys are 2 for 2! (I mean, you’re making dead fish look pretty over here.) Also, happy to see that you’ve mastered the single most important knot for the lady cruiser – the top knot!
[…] very weekend! Yay! Another fun little activity right here at the marina. First the Puerto Real fish festival, now […]