Fun, fantasy and a return to tradition in Puerto del Rosario
Community success and learning in the 3rd outdoor Escape Room “Who Looks After You… Puerto?”
The third edition of the outdoor Escape Room “Who Looks After You… Puerto?” concluded yesterday with overwhelming participation and excellent feedback from the hundreds of attendees.
The activity, held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 17 December, blended ingenuity, local history and teamwork in a playful tour through the heart of the municipality, with a special nod to the spirit of the Majorero Christmas celebrations.
The initiative was organized by the Social Welfare Department of the Puerto del Rosario City Council—under the mayor, David de Vera—in collaboration with the Fuerteventura Psychology Office, and was supported by members of the Municipal Corporation.
The musical group Rancho de Pascua provided live accompaniment at the start, midway and finish of the route, and also brought to life several historical characters that the participating teams encountered along the way.
After the opening, teams embarked on a double‑objective mission along the coast of the former Puerto Cabras. On the iconic seafront avenue, near the Muelle Grande, participants faced one of the most memorable challenges: collectively holding and transporting a large hoop as a makeshift boat, symbolising the humble, collaborative maritime transport of bygone days.
The whole route was infused with a Christmas message, reminding everyone that in the holidays of the past “less is sometimes more,” and that the true gift lies in health and the people around us—values the activity promoted through cooperation and shared discovery.
A Psychological Perspective on the Game and Inter‑generational Collaboration
“Designing this game was not just about creating riddles; it was about weaving an experience that strengthens key psychosocial skills. Teamwork under pressure, assertive communication to solve clues, and frustration management were all trained naturally and playfully. In a festive setting, we reinforced that wellbeing comes from connection with others and with our roots, not from material things. Seeing children, youths and elders collaborating with such enthusiasm is the best validation of our approach.”
— Omaira Darias, psychologist at the Fuerteventura Psychology Office and coordinator of the Escape Room design
Decoding Riddles and Rewarding Ingenuity
As they progressed, teams solved clues that guided them—for example, a hint that “there is a box of floating oranges” led participants to discover the importance of merchants and export. The route became an active learning journey through the traditional trades that forged the town’s maritime identity: caleros (boat builders), fishermen and merchants.
Bartering was a central mechanic, culminating in an encounter with the historic figure Don Agustín, nicknamed “the Doctor of the Lambs,” who handed teams a symbolic remedy called “hierba clín” to complete their mission.
After a close competition, the prizes—consisting of local product bundles, games and books that promote Fuerteventura’s environment, heritage and culture—were awarded to:
- First Prize: Team “Las chicas y Hermes”
- Second Prize: Team “Gómez Castro”
- Third Prize: Team “Los Golfos”
The aim of the awards was for the winners to enjoy and share the gifts during the festive season, encouraging local consumption and a deeper knowledge of the island.
A Cross‑cutting Commitment to Heritage and Civic Participation
Mayor David de Vera highlighted the event’s significance:
“This activity perfectly captures the spirit we want for the holidays: inter‑generational interaction, learning and valuing what belongs to us. Remembering that the essential gifts are health and the people around us, while rediscovering our history, is the best present we can give.”
Councilors David de León (Heritage) and Jennifer Pérez (Citizen Participation) echoed the sentiment, noting the seamless blend of historical memory recovery, active civic involvement and the transmission of community values through an innovative, festive format.
Special Thanks
The organizers extend a special thank‑you to the Folkloric Group La Pioná, whose collaboration was indispensable for giving the event authenticity, a festive atmosphere and deep cultural roots.
The success of this edition, held in the heart of December, cements “Who Looks After You… Puerto?” as a flagship inter‑generational event in the municipal calendar—a gathering that entertains, educates, unites people and prompts reflection on the values that truly matter.