Sardine Burials, Ironmen and Rum: Puerto Rico March 2011

Sardine Burials, Ironmen and Rum Tasting are just some of the highlights taking place in Puerto Rico during March.

Curious about those Sardines?

Traditionally here in Puerto Rico (and Spain), the burial of the sardine marks the end of a carnival or festival during the period leading up to Ash Wednesday. The burial of the sardine symbolizes the burial of the past and a time to move forward and look to the future.

Here in Puerto Rico, both the Ponce Carnival and Carnival Mabu in Guaynabo mark the end of their carnivals with the traditional sardine burial.

Highlights for March 2011

March 2 -8, Ponce Carnival
One of the largest and oldest carnivals in Puerto Rico, the Ponce Carnival features parades, local music, masked Vejigantes and culminates on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday with the Burial of the Sardine

March 4 – 6, Mabu Carnival, Guaynabo
The Mabu Carnival in Guaynabo, takes place at the Tablo del Rio just off Rd 199. The 3 day event features, parades, concerts, local foods, artisan and rides. The Carnival ends on Sunday with the traditional burial of the sardine

March 19, Ironman San Juan
How does swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 miles and running 13.1 miles sound?
Sounds hard work to me, but for the almost 1800 athletes taking part in the inaugural Ironman San Juan, it’s a challenge that they are ready and willing to take.

This full blown triathlon takes place in and around San Juan:

Swimming takes place in the Condado Lagoon, starting close to the Conrad Hotel (lagoon side) and finishing near the Caribe Hilton

Bike section starts and finishes at the Sixto Escobar Stadium, in San Juan and heads west on PR 2 and PR 165 towards Dorado passing the Bacardi factory along the way

The run starts and finishes at the X Stadium and takes the runners along the north shore into Old San Juan, where they will pass San Cristobal Fort, El Morro Fort and sections of Old San Juan.

Note: If you plan on watching some of the IronMan San Juan some roads are bound to be closed to accommodate the races, so traffic is likely to be congested

March 19 – 20, Taste of Rum 2011 (Puerto Rico International Rum Festival), Old San Juan
Rum and Puerto Rico go hand in hand and at a Taste of Rum you will have the chance to not only taste the rum but learn about the history of rum making in Puerto Rico. Day passes give you UNLIMITED rum drinks as well as limited food samples and access to the days entertainment

March 20, National Salsa Day (Dia Nacional de la Salsa)
This event is extremely popular here in Puerto Rico with a full day of live Salsa music at the Hiram Birthorn Stadium. Tickets are available at ticketpop

March 7 – 13 Puerto Rico PGA Open
PGA golf returns with th PGA Puerto Rico open that will take place once again at the Trump International Golf Club in Rio Grande. Some of the PGA players taking part in this year’s event include: Ricky Barnes, Angel Cabrera, John Daly, Chris DiMarco and Kevin Stadler, to name a few.
The actual first round of the Puerto Rico PGA Open starts on Thursday March 10

For more events taking place in March, check out the what’s on in Puerto Rico page