Cataño

Puerto Rico’s smallest municipality is home to Casa BACARDÍ, the world’s largest premium rum distillery.

Spanning just 5 square miles (12.5 square kilometers), Cataño is by far the smallest of all of Puerto Rico’s 78 municipalities, but its close proximity to San Juan has earned it the unofficial nickname la Antesala de la Capital (“The Capital’s Foyer”). In fact, ferries depart from the port of Cataño every 30 minutes to take the five-minute trip across the bay to Old San Juan.

Cataño is located within easy reach of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the beaches of Condado, La Placita in Santurce, and all of the other can’t-miss metro-area attractions. The municipality sits on the Island’s northern coast just 20 minutes from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), with San Juan across the bay to the east, Bayamón and Guaynabo to the south, and Toa Baja to the west.

The Cathedral of Rum

Nothing says "Caribbean" more than a bottle of authentic rum, and Cataño is home to Casa BACARDÍ, the largest premium rum distillery in the world. Dubbed the "Cathedral of Rum" when it was first built in 1958, the 127-acre property is one of Puerto Rico’s most popular tourist attractions, welcoming visitors with a range of experiences that pull back the curtain on the distilling process. The 45-minute historical tour focuses on the company’s storied heritage, while a 90-minute tasting tour includes samples of five BACARDÍ varieties. To hone your bartending skills, sign up for the 90-minute mixology class, where you’ll learn how to craft your own Cuba libre, mojitos, and more.

No matter which option you choose, your tour begins with a complimentary welcome cocktail in the waterfront Bat Bar Pavilion and ends with a chance to fill your very own bottle in the gift shop. ¡Salud!

Learn more about Rum Tasting in Puerto Rico

Places to Eat in Cantaño

After your tour of Casa BACARDÍ, you can savor more of the Island’s signature flavors at a handful of local restaurants in Cataño. Enjoy authentic Puerto Rican food and cocktails on the rooftop of Container Bay, try vegan spins on local favorites at El Punto Vegano, or dig into pizza, burgers, barbecue, and more.