Juana Díaz is a small town on the southern coast of Puerto Rico, part of the tourist region of Porta Caribe. A picturesque and peaceful destination, it is also the proud standard-bearer of one of the most emblematic symbols of Puerto Rico and the Christmas tradition in Spanish and Latin American culture: the Three Wise Men or The Three Wise Men .
The Three Wise Men are an integral part of the holiday season in Puerto Rico, but beyond that, they are part of the island’s cultural fabric. Walk into most souvenir shops at any time of year and you are likely to see Saints, or hand-carved figures, of the three kings. Representations of Gaspar, Melchor, and Balthasar can be found prominently in local arts and crafts, and in many of these cases, the characteristics of the Three Kings have been modified to symbolize the three ethnicities of Puerto Ricans: Caucasian (Spanish) , Taíno (native) and African (the slaves that were brought to the island and remained to form part of the social DNA of Puerto Rico).
The municipality of Juana Díaz was founded in 1798 and in 1884 it celebrated its first Fiesta de Reyes . The celebration has been considered the National Festival of the Three Kings of Puerto Rico, and the city takes its annual responsibility very seriously. During the season, the Three Wise Men depart from Juana Díaz for a trip throughout Puerto Rico, visiting towns across the island before returning on January 6 for the city’s annual parade. The entire city participates, with many residents dressed appropriately as shepherds.
The Kings themselves are carefully chosen and have to embody their chosen roles, right down to their costumes and dialogue. In the past, their travels took them far beyond the borders of Puerto Rico, and even to the Vatican, where they were blessed by the Pope.
As you enter the city, you will see one of the two monuments to the Magi, right at the intersection of Route 149 and Carretera Luis A. Ferré. From here, head to the central Plaza Román Baldorioty de Castro. On the west side of the square, notice the second monument to the Magi, a sculpture above an arched entrance to the square that was built for the centennial Three Kings Day Festival in 1984. Other landmarks include the orange city hall and white, or City Hall, the seat of the municipal government.
The adjacent pastel blue building was originally the city’s fire station. Directly across from the monument to the Three Wise Men is the elegant Iglesia de San Ramón Nonato.
One of the city’s cultural highlights is the relatively new Museo de los Santos Reyes , or Museum of the Three Wise Men. A small tribute to the Magi contains works of art, folklore and photography. In particular, don’t miss the Santos museum collection made by local master craftsmen (note, the museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).
But by far the most important cultural and historical attraction in Juana Díaz is Cueva Lucero , or Cuevas de Lucero, which are known for their size, geological formations, and most of all, sculptures. Note the date, 1822, carved into the cave wall by an anonymous traveler, one of the many carvings, writings and petroglyphs on the walls here, some of them quite old (sadly, many of these are mixed with more modern Much less beautiful, graffiti. Many symbols are of Taino origin. Tours are now offered only with the help of a guide, which can be arranged through the Juana Díaz tourist office.
A small destination on the south coast, Juana Díaz comes to life during the Christmas holidays, but you can plan a visit at any time of the year to feel a bit of the magic of the Magi. And while you are here, be sure to visit a true archaeological gem.
