Semana Santa (Easter) 2024 in Puerto Rico

For many Catholics in Puerto Rico, Easter is the most important holiday of the year. Massive celebrations on the island usually last for more than just one day. Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is filled with various rituals and traditions, running from Palm Sunday till Easter Sunday.

Easter food

When you plan your outings on Easter Sunday in Puerto Rico, remember that many restaurants will be closed. However, most hotel food joints are open even during the holidays, and you can enjoy a delicious Easter brunch with ocean views.

Puerto Ricans don't have foods that they cook just for Easter. During the festive family Easter dinners, they serve traditional meals, like pernil (pork shoulder), mofongo (mashed plantains), arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), arroz y habichuelas (rice and beans), Spanish-style bacalao a la vizcaina (codfish stew). For dessert, many households make flan de coco (coconut flan).

Easter processions

One of the most important holidays is Viernes Santo (Good Friday), a day of mourning for the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. It's an official public holiday in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with all businesses closed. On this day, visitors can see many colorful religious processions throughout the island.

In Old San Juan, the massive procession, called Tenebrae, recreates the carrying of the cross and the Crucifixion. The streets around the cathedral in Old San Juan are filled with spectators, while participants of the procession carry a cross and a statue of Mary draped in a black mourning cape. During the Holy Week, many people also visit Stations of the Cross, located across the city.

Easter Sunday

On Saturday night, churches in Puerto Rico fill up with people attending the midnight service. Easter Sunday or Domingo de la Resurrección is usually celebrated with a family feast or on the beach. On Easter Sunday, people start a conversation by saying "Resucitó" or "He Is Risen."