Cataño, Puerto Rico

Our Guide to Visiting The World’s Largest Rum Distillery: Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico | The Founders Experience Tour – Cataño, Puerto Rico

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📍Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico – Carretera 165 KM 6.2, Cataño, Puerto Rico

Grab yourself a mojito and read on to learn more about our incredible day exploring Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico, The World’s Largest Rum Distillery, where we booked The Founders Experience Tour. This behind-the-scenes tour took us on a guided VIP tour through the sprawling BACARDÍ campus, also known as “The Cathedral of Rum,” into the barreling warehouses & ended with an intimate rum & cocktail tasting. If you find yourself in Puerto Rico, The Rum Capital of The World, for the day or the week a visit to BACARDÍ is a must-do!

Entrance to the Bacardi distillery with a large 'Bacardi' sign and a clear blue sky above.

HOW TO TOUR CASA BACARDÍ PUERTO RICO

There are several different tours offered at Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico for visitors, but since this was our first time at The World’s Largest Rum Distillery, we wanted to get the full Bacardi experience. Below you will find more information on the various tours offered:

  • The Legacy Tour – A guided tour that features a stop at the Visitor’s Center. This tour is 50-minute in duration and operates 7 Days per week at a cost of $40.00 USD/per adult
  • The Rum Tasting Tour – This tour includes one welcome cocktail and guided tour that features a stop at the Visitor’s Center. This tour is 75-minute in duration at a cost of $80.00 USD/per adult
  • Mixology Tour – A 70-minute interactive class that includes one welcome cocktail and a guided tour bs to the Visitor’s Center at a cost of $80.00 USD/per adult. This tour was taking place in the room across the hall from our tasting, and they were having an absolute blast! We definitely want to book this tour next time.
  • Founders Experience Tour – A 120-minute private tour that includes a welcome cocktail, a VIP tour guide and shuttle with access to the Visitor’s Center and various production areas, and a private tasting experience all at a cost of $125.00 USD/per adult. This tour requires closed-toe shoes and is only offered Wednesdays through Sundays.

We booked The Founders Experience Tour, and the price for our tour was $125.00 USD/per adult. The price of admission for our tour included one complimentary welcome cocktail per person, a VIP tour guide and shuttle with access to the Visitor’s Center as well as behind-the-scenes areas, and a private multisensory tasting experience to remember. Of the four tours, The Founders Experience is the only tour that takes guests into the actual production areas while the other three tours simply watch a short video on BACARDÍ inside the Visitors Center.

A hand holding two silver coins with intricate designs featuring a bat motif.
Menu board from Casa Bacardi Bar in Puerto Rico featuring Caribbean classics and signature cocktails.
A hand holding a mojito cocktail in a clear plastic cup branded with Casa Bacardi, in a lush green park setting under a blue sky.

HOW TO GET TO CASA BACARDÍ PUERTO RICO

We reserved our Founders Experience Tour for a Saturday in December prior to an upcoming cruise, and we arrived via Uber from our hotel in San Juan. It was a short and easy commute. There is a shuttle service that includes a ferry ride which can be purchased directly through Casa BACARDÍ when making your online reservation, but after talking to fellow travelers in Puerto Rico who have done this before, we decided that Uber was the most efficient option for us.

We did not experience any issues with traffic, and our Uber driver dropped us off at the front gates where we picked up a shuttle bus that brought us to The Pavilion which was the check-in area. While we were checking in, one of our new BACARDÍ friends shared with us that The Pavilion’s architecture was designed to mimic a bat in flight – we love intentional design and it was so nice of them to chat with us! From there, we presented our pre-purchased tickets to the staff (they had an easy barcode to scan), they checked us for closed-toe shoes, and we were provided with our reflective safety gear – so chic!

Two individuals standing in front of a Casa Bacardi sign made of barrels, with palm trees and blue sky in the background.

THE CASA BACARDÍ PUERTO RICO CAMPUS

First opened in 1936, the Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico campus is simply stunning! At over 120+ acres, on this December afternoon, the sun was shining and the grounds were beautifully-landscaped, maintained, and easy to navigate. If there weren’t signs showing you the way, there were plenty of friendly staff members who were eager to chat and ensure that your day was a good one. From The Pavilion, located on the western edge of San Juan Bay, we could see Old San Juan and El Morro framed perfectly in the distance, and it was really neat seeing this from a different vantage point. After we checked in at The Pavilion, we took full advantage of all of the photo-ops, we chatted it up with fellow visitors, and we explored the area before our group was called. We also noticed that the main Production Building somewhat resembled a cathedral, and we wondered if that is where it got it’s name “Cathedral of Rum.”

View of Casa Bacardí sign in front of wind turbines and palm trees under a blue sky with clouds.
View of a Bacardi sign featuring a bat logo, set against a blue sky with clouds, captured from below.
A modern building with a sharp roof design and large glass facade, set against a clear blue sky and manicured lawn, featuring palm trees in the background.

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE FOUNDERS EXPERIENCE

The Founders Experience Tour required closed-toe shoes because we were entering the actual production areas, the distillery, the holding tanks, and the tour included one complimentary cocktail each of your choice from the menu above which offered Daiquiri’s, Mojito’s, and Cuba Libre’s complimentary (all three included with your tour admission). We were given Bacardi coins when we arrived to The Pavilion that were to be used in exchange for our complimentary beverage, and we ordered the most incredible mojitos which kicked our spirits into high gear 🙂 The other drinks listed above were at an additional cost, including the famous Pina Colada which would’ve been our other choice. Salud!

A stylish bar interior featuring a neon bat logo, wooden paneling, and shelves stocked with liquor bottles, with bartenders and pineapples decor.
Interior view of Casa Bacardí in Puerto Rico featuring a wooden barrel table and stylish bar stools against a decorated wall.
Interior view of a modern restaurant with wooden furniture, marble tables, and decorative plants. The atmosphere features a black wall with the text 'Salud Puerto' and a bar area with liquor bottles and barrels.
Neon sign featuring the text 'Salud Puerto Rico' with a bat symbol, surrounded by lush green plants against a dark wall.

OUR REVIEW OF THE FOUNDERS EXPERIENCE TOUR

Throughout The Founders Experience Tour, we saw the distillation towers, the warehouses used for aging barrel storage, and tanks that stored diesel fuel, water, as well as molasses, separately of course. Our Tour Guide explained that the campus was hit hard during Hurricane Maria as warehouse walls, roof structures, power lines, and fences had all collapsed from the gigantic storm. The impact of that storm, or any, would understandably be devastating to the production process.

We learned about Casa BACARDÍ’s rich history from being founded in Cuba as a simple Caribbean beverage to their move to Puerto Rico and now in Jacksonville, Florida where they bottle it as a globally consumed spirit.

That’s right, although over 100,000 liters of rum are produced every 24 hours at Casa BACARDÍ, the common misconception is that BACARDÍ performs the entire manufacturing process in Cataño, Puerto Rico, but that is not the case. We were hoping to see the full production from distilling to blending to bottling and packaging during our tour, but we were informed that BACARDÍ Cataño, Puerto Rico focuses solely on the distilling process while the rum is then shipped to Jacksonville, Florida in steel containers to be blended, bottled & packaged. In addition, the molasses used in their distilling process is also not homegrown and often sourced from The Dominican Republic as sadly the decline of the sugar industry has been felt throughout the Caribbean (this was a common thread on each of the islands we visited during our upcoming cruise). However, there are two varieties of select reserve rum aged ten to sixteen years, Bacardí Reserva Limitada and Casa BACARDÍ Special Reserve, that are manufactured and hand-sealed solely in Puerto Rico, and these high dollar varieties are only available for purchase at the Cataño, Puerto Rico Visitor’s Center or at the International Airport Gift Shops.

We even learned the correct pronunciation of the popular rum – “buh-KAR-dee.” Our fabulous Tour Guide Maria was an encyclopedia of knowledge when it came to BACARDÍ! We also learned the origination story of the iconic BACARDÍ bat logo – a symbol of good fortune & a tribute to the actual fruit bats often seen at the original Cuban facility.

Text display about the history of Bacardi rum, highlighting Don Facundo Bacardí Massó's purchase of a distillery in Santiago de Cuba in 1862.
Exterior view of the Bacardi building featuring a red vintage locomotive and green landscaping under a blue sky.
A storage area featuring stacked wooden barrels on shelves and a few barrels on the floor, with a clean concrete floor in the background.
Interior view of a distillery storage facility with stacked whiskey barrels lining the walls and a concrete floor.
A festive holiday tree made of wooden crates and adorned with greenery, pinecones, and ornaments, placed in front of a colorful mural at Casa Bacardí.
A sign indicating that Casa Bacardi generates its own electricity through a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system. The sign highlights features like guaranteed continuity, circular operation, and the amount of electricity produced since 2023.
Two hands holding glasses toasting in front of a colorful Bacardi-themed vehicle.
A man and a woman smiling together in a distillery or brewery setting, wearing bright orange safety harnesses. In the background, there are wooden barrels stacked on shelves.

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Interestingly, we learned BACARDÍ’s distilling process is sustainable in that the entire facility is run by wind power (you will see the turbines on The Campus) and their aging barrels are repurposed American white oak barrels purchased second-hand from other distillers – most commonly Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey who has a one time use rule with their barrels. The facility then reuses the repurposed barrels over and over which creates the unique flavor profile we’ve come to love from BACARDÍ. We love the idea of reusing the barrels (we do in our own wine making) and it creates a different flavor profile with each batch because you never truly know what was in there beforehand.

Overall, Maria gave us a new perspective and appreciation for the entire distillation process and Casa BACARDÍ Rum after learning exactly how much time, effort, and love go into crafting every single batch. Quality control is on point! With these barrels aging anywhere from 3 to 5 to 10 to 16 years, you can understand how horrific a hurricane or fire would be to this production facility as aged rum isn’t exactly replaceable like rebuilding a warehouse would be.

In addition to the history lesson, we also had an education in the proper way to taste rum. A full tasting (with chocolate!) was conducted by our Tour Guide after the tour in a beautiful private tasting room which we learned was actually a re-creation of the “Havana Room” from BACARDÍ Cuba during the 1930s. The room was perfectly prepared for our arrival with pre-poured samples, ice water, and everything we needed for the perfect Casa BACARDÍ experience.

A stylish tasting room featuring a long wooden table with glasses and a carafe, illuminated by pendant lights, and adorned with vintage photos and a vibrant red wall displaying the name 'Giovano Bacardi'. A collection of liquor bottles is visible in the background.
A clear glass container with a decorative exterior, placed on a circular wooden coaster, on a polished wooden table.
A wooden board displaying several clear glasses filled with a golden liquid, accompanied by a small dessert on a white paper cup, resting on a polished wooden table.
A wooden platter featuring two snifter glasses filled with golden rum, alongside a decorative candy in a white paper cup, all set on a reflective table.
A hand holding a glass of golden liquid in a dimly lit tasting room, with blurred background featuring people and decorative elements.
Close-up of a wooden shelf displaying various bottles of Bacardi rum, including a black-labeled limited edition bottle and other Bacardi varieties in glass bottles.
A long wooden dining table set for a meal, featuring numerous glassware and a water pitcher. The background includes a large historical photograph and a shelf with various bottles. Soft lighting and greenery enhance the ambiance.

There was a variety of rums included in the tasting, but there were two batches in the tasting that were incredibly rare and exclusive only to Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico which, in combination with our amazing Tour Guide Maria, made this tasting very special. We’ve done many tastings over the years from Wine to Bourbon, but this was beyond anything we’ve ever experienced before. It’s no wonder Puerto Rico is known as The Rum Capital of The World! The level of thought that Casa BACARDÍ puts into their tours & tastings is unmeasurable and something you just have to *taste* for yourself.

It should be noted that if you are looking for an afternoon of day-drinking, The Founders Experience Tour may not be the tour for you. At the same time, if you’re on the fence about this tour because you are a non-drinker, not a fan of rum, or otherwise, there were several in our group who don’t enjoy alcohol but absolutely loved the tour. This is a cultural experience with an added rum tasting. No one in our group was looking to light it up, and we all had a great time learning together, asking questions together, and sharing our opinions on the various ingredients & formulas.

THE GIFT SHOP

The Gift Shop is open to anyone, even if you do not book a tour. Parking is available for free on the campus, so just check the hours beforehand and stop by to shop. They do a fantastic job of safely packaging your purchases for travel, so just let them know ahead of time. Since we were heading on a cruise a few days after our tour, Bacardi offered to package our purchases, and then we declared at the Pan American Pier Security Checkpoint during embarkation (Norwegian Cruise Line Rules, every cruise line will be different) where the ship our purchases onboard until the night before disembarkation back to San Juan, Puerto Rico. We received a notice in our stateroom the night before disembarkation to visit the towel hut on the main pool deck with our receipt where we collected the goods & packed them away for our travels home.

A wall display featuring the words 'BOTTLE YOUR OWN' in gold letters, with a large wooden barrel and a glass bottle filling station. Behind, shelves showcase various bottles of rum. A work surface with tools and a warning sign is visible.
A display of Bacardi rum bottles on glass shelves, featuring decorative items like a plant and promotional materials in a modern setting.
A decorative Christmas tree made from wooden crates and adorned with greenery, ornaments, and a Bacardi logo, situated in front of a vibrant mural at Casa Bacardi.
Three decorated gift bags featuring Casa Bacardi branding and palm leaf designs, placed on a wooden table with an outdoor backdrop.
A display shelf featuring several bottles of Bacardi rum, including a prominently placed bottle labeled '10 Year Old' on a small stand, accompanied by a decorative vase with dried grass.
A vibrant green wall covered with tropical leaves and flowers, featuring the bold white text 'DO WHAT MOVES YOU'.
A person holding a bottle of Bacardi rum with a personalized label reading 'James C.' in a retail setting.

One of the most exciting things we purchased were one-of-kind souvenirs for friends and family like laser-engraved rum bottles with our own personalized etching. We were provided with the opportunity to engrave a variety of things into the bottle, and we chose to engrave the recipients names on each bottle along with the Bacardi Bat Logo – a fantastic touch. This is perhaps the best souvenir, and they made for the most brilliant Christmas gifts!

From beginning to end, our Founders Experience Tour at Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico was a memorable one. Our Tour Guide Maria gave us a rum-believable experience with nonstop facts & fun from start to finish. Maria is an absolute rockstar, and we will definitely return for the other tours in the future – we’re thinking The Mixology Class!

If you find yourself in San Juan for the day or the week, we highly recommend you add a visit to Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico to your itinerary!

A cheerful couple taking a selfie outdoors, wearing bright safety vests. The background features palm trees and a clear blue sky.

Is a visit to Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico on your list? Let us know down below & let’s go have some fun 🗺️ safe travels ♡

The comments, opinions, and views set forth on this site are the reflected personal positions of the site’s creators.  This site is not an affiliate of Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico and all opinions are our own.  The comments, opinions, and views set forth within this site are not the official positions of Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico, and they do not reflect the Company’s position.

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