How to Celebrate a Puerto Rican Thanksgiving

Ahh, it's that time of year in Puerto Rico; when the smells of pavochon and mofongo stuffing come wafting through the doors of many a home, where guineos en escabeche are served with turkey, and where you can expect coconut custard for dessert ... it's all part of the fun of celebrating a Puerto Rican thanksgiving.

So how can you enjoy the holiday in typical boricua style. Here are three suggestions to whet your appetite.:

• The Wyndham Rio Mar in Puerto Rico is giving its guests a "Feast On The Beach," a buffet of traditional Thanksgiving fare, with rates starting at $209 per night; the package is available November 24-30.
• One of my favorite tour companies, Legends of Puerto Rico, invites you to Thanksgiving in Guavate, a full-day tour to the Puerto Rican countryside where you can eat roasted pork (another holiday favorite) with typical 'Rican side dishes, or turkey (if you must) and even vegetarian dishes. The tour is $55 per person.
• The El Conquistador Resort has a nice array of activities to keep your mind and body stimulated during Thanksgiving weekend (check out their full list), and you'll probably need them both after overindulging on the $39 buffet at their Grand Atlantic Ballroom. And when you've exerted enough energy, cool off with a pumpkin cream body wrap at their Golden Door Spa. Not a bad way to complete your Thanksgiving holiday in Puerto Rico.