Most of the notable dining options in Río Grande are limited to the restaurants at the Gran Melia Puerto Rico and Río Mar resorts. But there is one local nonhotel option worth checking out: Antojitos Puertorriqueños (No. 60, Carr. 968, Barrio Las Coles, 787/888-7378, daily 10 a.m.–9 p.m.) serves excellent local cuisine, including stuffed mofongo and tostones, rice and crab, chillo in garlic sauce, and salmon. Check out the changing exhibits of work by local artists.

And if you want to try some excellent Caribbean-style sangria, pay a visit to Los Paraos Liquors (54 Calle Pimentel, off Carr. 3, Río Grande, 787/888-3320, daily noon–2 a.m.), a modest-looking roadside liquor store with a popular outdoor stand-up bar. Those in the know flock here to buy the outstanding homemade sangria, a delicious pale-pink concoction packed with fresh fruit juices and sold in recycled liquor bottles for $7.50 apiece. Stock up! Once you try it, you’ll want more. If traveling east on Carretera 3, turn left by the giant parrot sculptures onto Carretera 187R, and then take an immediate left on the one-way street. It’s on the right—look for the large sign above the awning.