Ponce — Travelrags

National GeographicSep 12, 2024

Learning the bomba, Puerto Rico's oldest musical tradition

Puerto Rico has always marched to the beat of its own drum — and if you ask any Puerto Rican, they’ll tell you that the drum in question is the barril de bomba, a rum barrel topped with goat skin that ...

10 things in this story

bombaPlaceLoíza, Puerto Ricocenturies-old Afro-Boricua dance and musical tradition
Juan FuentesPlaceLoíza, Puerto Ricowood artisan making bomba drums for over 40 years
Cueva María de la CruzSightLoíza, Puerto Ricocave recently converted into a tourist centre
Sheila OsorioPlaceLoíza, Puerto Ricobomba dance teacher whose workshops attract islanders
St James the Apostle FestivalFestivalLoíza, Puerto Ricothousands of Loiceños take to the streets to dance bomba
Los Pleneros de la 21PlaceNew York City, United StatesGrammy-nominated band keeping the bomba beat alive
La Terraza De BonanzaRestaurantSan Juan, Puerto Ricohosts live bomba y plena nights on Mondays
La VergüenzaRestaurantOld San Juan, Puerto Ricooffers sensational sea views and hard-to-beat mojitos
Café BorikénRestaurantSan Juan, Puerto Ricoknown for reggaeton nights, expect bomba y plena Wednesdays
barril de bombaPlaceLoíza, Puerto Ricorum barrel topped with goat skin, beaten during bomba dance

Read the full piece at National Geographic →