The Puerto Rico Holiday Gift Guide 2025

This holiday season, skip the big box stores and Amazon — and give gifts that carry soul, intention, and island style. For families and friends in Puerto Rico and those in the States looking to support the vibrant creative community here en La Isla, including the northwest coast (Rincón, Aguadilla, Isabela, etc.)–the island is full of small businesses and artisans whose work makes thoughtful, meaningful presents.

Below, I’ve organized a curated list of local shops and makers — offering gifts that feel thoughtful, elegant, and unique to La Isla.

Puerto Rico has never been just a destination—it’s a style language. You can find it in each town center’s architecture, in the local shops where the owner knows each artist they carry by name, and in the handmade goods at the markets that feel like keepsakes rather than souvenirs. This is the luxury of the island: objects with story, memory, and human intention.

This season, the most thoughtful gifts don’t have to come from online shopping carts or big box stores. They can be found in the hands of the makers themselves—many of them in the island’s west coast towns, where the creative scene has become a movement all its own.

Whether you’re in the East or West, there are a few shops you should check out. In Aguadilla, Isabela, and Rincon, storefronts sit along windy two lane roads. These shops offer pieces made for people who value origin as much as beauty. Don’t worry though, most of these shops also offer online shopping, if you can’t make your way to shop in the store.

Isleñas Studio  (Santurce)  

With a curated selection of handmade slides, fisherman sandals, and espadrilles featuring vibrant colors, the studio is a must visit — think craftsmanship meets island chic.

Location: 424 Calle Ismael Rivera, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00915

Holiday hours:
📍 Open Thursday–Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. during November and December

Bring time to browse — the joy is in finding what calls your name.

MUNS the Brand (San Juan)

This woman-owned small business sits among the historic streets of Old San Juan and their pieces embody classy island-girly! Their jewelry uses a mix of 14K gold, silver, and semi precious stones–all with the island as its muse. My favorite piece is the Playa Charm necklace.

Location: 201 C. de la Luna, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico.

Hours: Monday – Thursday: 10 AM – 5 PM, Friday – Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM, Sunday: 12 PM – 6 PM 

Finca & Fern (Aguadilla)

Minutes from the Aguadilla airport, this café–gallery hybrid is a secret gem for travelers landing on the west side. Locally roasted coffee meets artisan prints, sea glass décor, minimalist jewelry, and swimsuits displayed like works of art. Picking up a signature Sunsetz Latte and a handmade piece to set the tone for your holiday season.

Hours:
📍 Open Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Summer Love Shop (Rincón)

Summer Love, is owner Ariana’s workshop and her heart. Ariana combs nearby beaches for sea glass and shells. She then transforms them into heirloom-quality pieces, mixing lapidary skills with a delicate, deliberate touch. In her Puntas studio, you can chat with Ariana, try on clothes, survey an array of lifestyle pieces from local makers, and learn the backstory behind each item. You can even sign up for a Beach Gem Jewelry Class — where you craft your own piece from sea glass or a shell you collect. Shopping here is a must! Wondering what to get…this PR Charm necklace is one I regularly get complements on. I wear it in the ocean, shower, and while working out and it has held up beautifully.

Hours:
📍 Open Wednesday–Monday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Isla Made (Rincón)

Part local boutique, part café, Isla Made is where style meets slow living. Espresso and matcha come alongside ceramics, textiles, home goods, and a rotating curation of indie brands. It’s a shop you linger in—chatting with the barista about the island’s up–and–coming designers before choosing a gift that feels personal.

Hours:
📍 Open Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

1. Kelly Meagher Art (“Puerto Rico Jelly”)
Kelly’s realistic botanical and nature-inspired art and apparel reflect both her deep love for the island and its wild, free spirit. Her prints bring a sense of joy, calm, and lush texture — a thoughtful gift for someone who lives within or dreams of tropical places.

2. Shredsea (Chelsea Grenier)
Surf-inspired and island-life art featuring bold colors and black outlines make Chelsea’s work iconic. Her driftwood murals, tropical stickers, and whimsical holiday cards speak to the ocean lover’s heart.

Ziegler Surf Art
Ziegler captures the northwest coast with acrylics, colored pencil, and posca marker. His canvases are alive with local surf breaks, palm silhouettes, and waves curling in tropical golds, greens, and blues.

Miliesh Pottery
Miliesh’s Pottery is expressive. Think: bold curves, designs with personality, and a touch of playful rebellion. Her work is bespoke, spirited, and art-forward, created for people who want their home to reflect curiosity, individuality, and a little bit of creative mischief.

Kiki Island Jewelry
Kiki’s designs are playful yet refined — think sea-worn stones, delicate chains, and motifs pulled from tide pools and surf. Based in the area, these pieces speak to the laid-back elegance of coastal life. (Instagram: @kikiislandjewelry)

Maria Rebecca Jewelry
For the person who loves something timeless, thoughtful, and ethereal: Maria Rebecca creates delicate necklaces with soft-hued stones and luminous pearls. Her aesthetic leans toward refined simplicity, making her pieces ideal for everyday wear or layering.

Thespi Jewelry
If you’re looking for something that lasts — literally — Thespi’s permanent bracelets, anklets, and necklaces are welded on with a gentle spark, creating connections that last beyond the moment. Reach out directly to her to find out where she’s popping up next — her studio shifts between local markets and small creative spaces. But if you’re not ready for a permanent piece, there’s more to love: earrings and rings.

Boca Custom Designs
Swimsuits made with care, shaped for the water, and tailored for island adventure.

Vigo Swim
Standout swimwear pieces that celebrate island-pride — pieces are made using scrap fabric to reduce waste, while the iconic Borikini  bikini design features the Puerto Rican flag. This bold Isla Roja beach towel is the perfect reminder of home for those living abroad. 

Kula
Kula crafts linen and cotton skirts and tops that feel cool, effortless, and timeless. Made in Puerto Rico, her designs are perfect for island living — but refined enough for dinner and a night out with friends.

Bandolera Clothing
Bandolera doesn’t follow trends — it builds cult staples. Known for signature corsets and bikinis, the brand blends sensual silhouettes with hand-designed prints straight from the mind of its designer. These aren’t your average beach-to-bar looks; they are statement pieces crafted for women who want to be seen, whether on the shore or on the street. Consider this the west coast’s answer to slow fashion with personality.

Balrog Forge

This Isabela-based bladesmith makes gorgeous knives featuring Santoku style blades, Guayacán, African Ebony, and Walnut wood handles. Whether you’re shopping for a Christmas, wedding, or housewarming gift, Balrog has a nice selection of modern meets timeless options to chooose from. 

Con Calma
This brand of handmade bags and totes speaks in rich prints, bold colors, and practical elegance. Each piece feels like part accessory, part work of art — something someone can carry every day with pride. Con Calma bags make errand-running chic. Designed for everyday casual wear, their collection features neutral tones with intricate patterns, structured shapes, and textiles meant to be worn, loved, and carried everywhere. They’re as practical as they are eye-catching, making them instant classics you’ll reach for daily.

Naifecani Ceramics
Their handcrafted ceramics feel like a pause — soft glazes, organic shapes, and functional beauty. Perfect for someone who loves quiet rituals like morning coffee or candlelight.

Lau Pottery Studio
Modern handcrafted tableware inspired by story and soul–featuring fluid shapes and nuetral tones. Dorado based potter, Laur Serrano also offers regular workshops for those looking to make their own timeless pieces.

Latitud18n Candle Co.

Latitud18n isn’t just scent — it’s storytelling. Perfect for gifting to someone who loves ritual, rest, or a scent profile that feels like an island memory. Favorites include:

• Brilla Bonito — Fresh cut pine with a whisper of cold mountain mornings

• Rosemary Sage — Clean, herbal, grounding

• Lola Suculenta — Earthy, lush, botanical and unexpectedly addictive