Guide to the coffee festival in Yauco - Festival del Café de Yauco

Welcome to the National Coffee Festival, one of the most important cultural celebrations in southern Puerto Rico. Every year, Yauco pays tribute to its coffee-growing history with music, food, crafts, contests, tours, and activities for the whole family. This guide will help you get your bearings, know what to expect, and make the most of your visit.

What to expect?

The festival brings together tradition, culture, and entertainment in the heart of downtown Yauco. Throughout the weekend, you can enjoy:

A central stage with live music, local bands, and special performances.
Traditional contests, such as Best Coffee, Baristas, Troubadours (trovas), Coffee Recipes, Floats, and Posters.
The main parade, with dance troupes, floats, and local schools.
Festival Mass, held at the Nuestra Señora del Rosario Parish.
Artisans and vendors, with handmade pieces and coffee-related products.
Gastronomy, from fried foods and skewers to typical dishes and desserts.
Local coffee, served by producers, roasters, and coffee shops in the town.
A family-friendly atmosphere, safe and accessible for visitors of all ages.

Every corner of the festival is designed to highlight Yauco’s coffee-growing identity and the warmth of its people.

Where is it celebrated?

The festival takes place in downtown Yauco, around the Fernando de Pacheco y Matos Public Square, the Nuestra Señora del Rosario Parish, and the surrounding streets. The area is completely transformed with stages, kiosks, artisans, and food stalls.

Parking: designated areas around the town center, local businesses, and private spaces with affordable rates.
Accessibility: the pedestrian area is spacious; arriving early is recommended for greater comfort.

Program schedule and hours

The coffee festival lasts for one week. It is usually held on the last weekend of February and the first weekend of March, unless otherwise announced. Check our events page and Facebook for the latest information.

On the first weekend, the festival begins solemnly with several events on Saturday or Sunday. The festival starts in the countryside. There are usually events every day during the week, but the second weekend is when the biggest party takes place.

During the week there are usually few events, but some important ones:

unveiling of the official poster
school events
car exhibitions

The second weekend is when most of the festivities are concentrated in the city center. This is when most of the activities take place and when most visitors come to the festival. If you are visiting from out of town, we’d recommend you coming this weekend!

During the second weekend, the program is usually as follows:

Friday: Children’s Day

Activities: opening of the craft fair, musical performances, dancing, and orchestras.

Saturday:

Daytime and evening musical performances of bomba, plena, rock, and pop. Vendors and artisans continue to set up their stalls, as well as food stalls around the square.

Sunday:

The day begins with the Jíbara Mass and the parade of floats, and in the afternoon the main event is usually the Troubadour contest.

Other events:

Cockfighting*

*Forms of cockfighting are illegal in Puerto Rico. Cockfighting in Puerto Rico is subject to a federal ban enacted through Section 12616 of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. However, Puerto Rican law currently allows cockfights to occur within licensed cockpits as a cultural tradition on the island.

How to participate, get involved or volunteer

The festival is a community celebration that invites everyone to participate:

Floats or dance troupes: community groups, schools, and organizations can register to participate in the parade.
Contests: baristas, chefs, coffee producers, artists, and troubadours can join the competitions. More information here.
Artisans or vendors: the committee organizes spaces for artisans, food, and local products. Those looking to build their brands in Puerto Rico, connect with locals for feedback, any artisan start ups. Why not get a booth to promote your business? Contact us for more opportunities.
Volunteering: those who wish to help with logistics, information, or general support can join as volunteers. Spanish language proficiency is likely necessary, but also quite helpful :).

For details and requirements, interested parties can contact the festival organizing committee directly or email.

Gastronomy and Street Food

If you want to take a break from the festival or explore the local scene, Yauco has cafés where you can enjoy coffee from the region:

Dolche Salao
Carajillo Coffee House
Café de Marta
Café Don Luis Coffee Bar
El 368 Café

Yauco and the surrounding region also boasts a few treats. Try local restaurants such as:

La Casona de Coayú
Lolita’s Bar and Tapas
Q’lantro
Restaurante La Guardarraya (technically in our neighboring region of Guayanilla, a quick drive from old Yauco)

All are located just a few minutes from the city center. More information about these cafés and coffee shops.

Artisans, vendors, Exhibitions or Expo

The artisan fair is one of the most popular parts of the festival. The Puerto Rican coffee festival attracts a variety of artisans. Fine handcrafted products, souvenirs and more.

At the coffee fest, you will find:

Ceramics
Wood carvings
Handcrafted jewelry
Coffee art
Agricultural products
Local souvenirs

Each artisan contributes a piece of Yauco’s identity through their work.

Featured cultural activities

The Ballad of the Jíbaros*, known more locally as the Trova jíbara. It’s a really fascinating art form with tenths (or décimas) and improvisations. It’s effectively a cultural rap battle.
Bomba and plena, two Puerto Rican traditional musical styles.
Historical exhibitions related to coffee farming.
Modern music. Recent festivals included artists such as La Secta All Star, Jovani Vázquez, and the famed Los Pleneros de la Cresta who sang the song Café con Ron with Bad Bunny.

*What’s a jíbaro? A jíbaro is the traditional farmer of Puerto Rico, a symbol of rural life and the cultural roots of the island. It is a lot about symbolism and a way of life. The jíbaro represents the farm worker: humble, resourceful, connected to the land and family traditions. With their simple clothing, jíbara music, and way of life, the jíbaro embodies Puerto Rican identity and the resilient spirit of the people.

Tips for Visitors

Arrive early to park comfortably.
Wear cool clothes: the southern climate can be hot.
Stay hydrated and take your time enjoying the different areas. During the peak of day can be hot in the Yauco plaza area with little opportunties for full shade. If you are sun sensitive, we’d recommend visiting during the nighttime and mid-morning hours.
Try coffee at several different spots—each producer has its own distinctive flavor.
Enjoy local artwork via the Yaucromatic art movement
Visit at least one music event at the main stage near the artisan section.

The Coffee Festival that Honors our Coffee Growing Tradition

The National Coffee Festival is not just an event: it is a profound celebration of Yauco’s agricultural history, its hard-working people, and the legacy that has made the municipality the “City of Coffee.” Each edition brings together generations, visitors, and coffee lovers to share music, culture, food, and Puerto Rican pride. Learn more about the history of the oldest coffee festival in Puerto Rico.