Spicy Caribbee
Spicy Caribbee
4.5
About
We opened Spicy Caribbee on June 1988. More than a spice shop, Spicy Caribbee also sells tropical jams, Puerto Rican coffee and fragrances.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.7
109 reviews
Excellent
85
Very good
19
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Suedrs
Becker, MN140 contributions
Jan 2025 • Friends
Been visiting this shop for years, every time we are on Old San Juan. Great opportunity to sample their sauces as there was a table with a number of samples. Appreciate that as those samples have not always been available. Always walk out with a few bottles. Whole spices are good quality, but a tad pricey (am well aware that San Juan has always been pricey). Now about the Puerto Rican coffee: there is no info on the bag (a paper bag, not the best storage vessel for whole beans), no roast level, no information other than 100% high mountain arabica beans. Clerk had no info. Must say that I have never purchased a lighter, more dried out, not roasted whole bean. Could not make a decent cup of coffee, sad🙁Was really really disappointed as I paid more than $20 for 12 ounces. Will have Alta Grande shipped to me after this.
Written March 4, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cassie H
Calgary, Canada1,082 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
As a fan of all things hot sauce, I really liked this shop. They had a small table set up with samples which was a nice touch. I ultimately didn’t end up purchasing anything but there was some good flavour to their hot sauces.
Written December 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chuck C
2 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
They have the best hot sauces and tons of variety for every palate. I would highly recommend the Fuego if you can handle heat. When I visited Puerto Rico in January of 2019, I was in their shop and purchased a few varieties of small bottles. Then was told they ship from their online store. Now I'm a continued customer. Thank you Spicy Caribbee team!
Written October 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jen B
Baltimore, MD20 contributions
Mar 2023
I love this shop and try to hit their location any time I'm in San Juan. They usually have a nice selection of sauces, jams, and spices out for tasting, and my hot sauce loving friends enjoy their selection. They also ship to my area in the US, so when we run out of banana ketchup we can always order more!
Written March 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kiana L
Atlanta, GA551 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The shop has so many high quality products. Particularly the jerk and curry seasoning and sauces. The service was great too. The employee answered all our questions and was very helpful. My husband could not stop buying spices and teas! The prices were also reasonable. Highly recommend.
Written February 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andres72423
Bridgeport, CT5,078 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
What a gem of a store. We were just wondering around Old San Juan and came across the wonderful store selling all types of spices, hot sauces, teas and oils. The smells coming from this place were wonderful. The young lady who took care of us was quite pleasant. My girlfriend enjoys good tea and she was able to find something which really interested her. If you are in the area check them out, well worth your time.
Written February 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Regina S
1 contribution
Feb 2020
Every time I am on the island I make it a point to stop my this very special store. I have found that the staff is super helpful, amazingly kind, and very knowledgeable about every product. My favorite are the Coquito, Hibiscus tea, Puerto Rican Honey, Guava and Mango jellies, and the Herb and Sea Salt spice. I'm so grateful that they ship so I can always have a piece of this beautiful island in my home. I am really loving the new website as well. Super easy to find all my favorites and even try out some new stuff. Thank you to the Staff and Owners of Spicy Caribbee. You are all so amazing.
Written October 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
asolotraveler40
Seattle, WA772 contributions
Nov 2012 • Solo
Wow, this was a really nice little store that I happened upon and I am so glad that I did. After looking at all the many different types of coffee that is grown locally in them there hills, and the many bottles of wonderful jelly and jams, I went over to the tasting table and why did I do that? First I sample some the jam/jellies on a little cracker. Yummy. Don’t remember which two I sampled but they were tasty. Ok brave soul that I am and a lover of hot, spicy things, I tried the “Fuego” sauce just a little pea size and boy or boy, that was hot all the way down to my tippy toes. The sales attendant came over and offered me another cracker and jam to cool off my mouth. Wow, that was hot. They have more hot sauces than you can shake a stick at so it is going to be hard deciding which ones you want to take home. I did notice that they have a 3-bottle package that was not too expensive. What is nice about this little shop is that they package a lot of the items according to the TSA regulations of 3 oz which is good because I would hate to buy something wanting to take it home and then have someone say, “not”. They have many, many items to choose from. Need cigars? They have them. How about a book or two on the local cuisine? They have a large selection of them. What I was interested in was the “Herbed Sea Salt”. Nice looking bottles of perfumes for that special someone like yourself. They have a website http://www.spicycaribbee.com/ in case you want to order something after you get home. Or you can get boxes from the post office (Federal Express) and they will ship it home for you. They have 3 different sizes at set prices which is wonderful. This is one of those shops that should be on your “Bucket: List. Enjoy.
Written November 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samuel P
Springfield, OH86 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
We bought the Puerto Rican vanilla from this shop when we visited San Juan. Just recently read the ingredients on the label and were dismayed to see that it is made with vanillin and not natural vanilla. Very disappointed.
Written November 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley C
New York City, NY265 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
If you like unique spices, sauces and teas, then Spicy Caribbee is for you. I am so happy that I made it a point to stoop here during my trip to Old San Juan. It's located on Calle de Cristo and not far from the old Chapel.
Upon entering it was a like feast for the eyes with the walls of sauces and other goodies. I was happy to see the tasting table in the front of the store where you could sample the sauces and jams before you purchased them. I tried just about everything and it definitely helped me in deciding what to buy.
The banana ketchup is unique to the store and sounds odd, but it works. The jerk sauce was some of the best that I have tasted and I have tasted many different jerk sauces. most of full of salt or too sweet, but the jerk sauce here had a perfect balance of both. The hot sauce is also different and is really good. And of course they sell Madre di Pique - something you're sure to come across if you eat in any restaurant in Puerto Rico.
The jams are great - I bought the pineapple and was not disappointed.
There was also a nice selection of loose teas and spices. Both were available in different sizes. The store also sells housewares such as tea towels and other small items.
The shop keeper was cordial and friendly and did make me feel pressured to buy anything, She gave me some great tips on how to use some of the sauces that I bought on what to use them with. She was great to talk to.
Best of all the store has a website, so when I run out, I don't have to run back to Puerto Rico. :)
Upon entering it was a like feast for the eyes with the walls of sauces and other goodies. I was happy to see the tasting table in the front of the store where you could sample the sauces and jams before you purchased them. I tried just about everything and it definitely helped me in deciding what to buy.
The banana ketchup is unique to the store and sounds odd, but it works. The jerk sauce was some of the best that I have tasted and I have tasted many different jerk sauces. most of full of salt or too sweet, but the jerk sauce here had a perfect balance of both. The hot sauce is also different and is really good. And of course they sell Madre di Pique - something you're sure to come across if you eat in any restaurant in Puerto Rico.
The jams are great - I bought the pineapple and was not disappointed.
There was also a nice selection of loose teas and spices. Both were available in different sizes. The store also sells housewares such as tea towels and other small items.
The shop keeper was cordial and friendly and did make me feel pressured to buy anything, She gave me some great tips on how to use some of the sauces that I bought on what to use them with. She was great to talk to.
Best of all the store has a website, so when I run out, I don't have to run back to Puerto Rico. :)
Written October 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The vanilla doesn't have any preservatives does it? I forgot what it's called but some vanilla has it? Thanks, Chris
Written May 26, 2017
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