The Convention Center is for More than Just Meetings
The Puerto Rico Convention Center (officially the Centro de Convenciones de Puerto Rico Dr. Pedro Rosselló González) is more than just a venue for professional gatherings. It is often a place for fun — hosting fairs, shows and exhibitions of interest to the general public.
Located just steps from the Pan American cruise ship pier in the Isla Grande/Miramar neighborhood, it is a short ride from Isla Verde, Condado, and Old San Juan. It may be just the type of fun you are looking for during your visit. And now, within walking distance to the Convention Center they have hotels/casinos, and the Distrito T-Mobile area, which has bars, stores and shops and concert fun!
Newly opened in 2005, this modern design building is beautiful inside and out — from the fountains outside, to the custom chandelier inside, to the wave-shaped roof overhead. With space to accommodate 25,000 visitors, it is easily the largest convention center in the Caribbean. Being in Puerto Rico, it is a really cool place for professional meetings and conventions.
But the convention center is not all work and no play. The center is also host to all sorts of fun events, including home shows, ComicCon, Gaming Xplosion Fest, bridal and fashion shows, concerts, food/restaurant festivals, sporting events … almost anything you can imagine.
Two of the more unusual events are Inflalandia (when the fill the convention center with all kinds of inflatable, jumpy-things for kids) and Winter Wonderland (when the make snow inside the convention center for tubing, snowball fights, and other wintertime fun).
Some of the events have free admission, while some require a paid ticket. Depending on the event, you will often get samples, interesting seminars, competitions to watch, shopping options, and (since this is Puerto Rico), live music and food!
My favorite events are the specialty food and drink festivals and competitions that they have throughout the year — like the Cattleman’s BBQ, Wine & Food Fest, Sangria Festival, Rum & Beer Fest, and the Coffee & Chocolate Expo.
At most of the events, Spanish is the primary language. But some are in English. Even so, there are always plenty of people that be able to communicate with you in either language. We’ve never had a problem.
It is air-conditioned and inside, so it is a great rainy day option!
Check out the convention center’s calendar of events to see what is happening while you are in town. Oddly, not all events are on their published calendar, so watch our events calendar and Facebook Page for postings of events we hear about.
If some of the people (or all of you) prefer another kind of fun … while you are in the area, just steps away, is the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, The Ficus Cafe, Distrito T-Mobile and a few other restaurants.
Details
There is parking available (for a fee). A few public bus routes swing past the convention center.
You can call the Puerto Rico Convention Center at 800-214-0420 for more information.
You can check the Puerto Rico Convention Center web site for more information. For info on the T-Mobile District, check out their web site
The Puerto Rico Convention Center is located at 100 Convention Blvd. in San Juan.
Click on a placename below to view the location on Google Maps ...
PuertoRicoDayTrips.com assumes no responsibility regarding your safety when participating in the activities described in this article. Please use common sense! If your mother or that little voice in your head tells you that you are about to do something stupid … then don't do it!
