Discovery Series – Puerto Vallarta

The Starbucks Discovery Series Puerto Vallarta mug presents a colorful look at one of Mexico’s best-known Pacific destinations. Puerto Vallarta began as a small coastal community and gradually developed into an important port before tourism transformed it during the 20th century. Today, the city is known for its beaches, marine life, tropical vegetation, colorful neighborhoods, and relaxed atmosphere around Banderas Bay. The artwork leans heavily into that coastal identity while also adding several references to local food, wildlife, and culture.

Here are some of the foods, activities, animals, and traditions featured in the design:

– The large humpback whale is an especially fitting symbol for Puerto Vallarta.… Read more

Discovery Series – Santiago

The Starbucks Discovery Series Santiago mug takes us to Chile’s capital, a city set in a broad valley between the Andes and the Chilean Coastal Range. Santiago was founded by Pedro de Valdivia in 1541 and gradually became the country’s political, economic, and cultural center. One of the most distinctive things about the city is how close the mountains feel: on clear days, snow-covered Andean peaks rise dramatically behind the skyline, while parks, hills, cable cars, and nearby ski areas make the outdoors a surprisingly important part of life in a major metropolis.… Read more

Discovery Series – Nara

The Starbucks Discovery Series Nara mug takes us to one of Japan’s most historically important places. Nara became the country’s first permanent capital in 710, beginning the Nara Period, when Buddhism, art, and architecture flourished under imperial patronage. Although the capital later moved away, Nara preserved an extraordinary concentration of ancient temples, shrines, sacred forests, and traditional culture. Today, the city is perhaps best known for the deer roaming freely around Nara Park and the enormous Great Buddha of Tōdaiji.

Here are some of the landmarks, foods, traditions, and symbols featured in the design:

– The deer of Nara Park are probably the city’s most recognizable symbol, and naturally they appear several times across the mug.… Read more

Discovery Series – Goiânia

The Starbucks Discovery Series Goiânia mug takes us to the capital of Goiás, a comparatively young city created in the 1930s to replace the historic city of Goiás as the state capital. Goiânia was carefully planned from the beginning, and its early development left behind an important collection of Art Deco architecture. At the same time, the city has become strongly associated with sertanejo music, Cerrado cuisine, public squares, and a very active outdoor culture. The result is a design that mixes the city’s planned urban history with traditions that are unmistakably Goiano.… Read more

Discovery Series – Taichung

The design of the Starbucks Discovery Series Taichung mug describes a city that mixes modern urban life with mountain scenery, cycling routes, agriculture, traditional religion, and a strong food culture. Taichung grew from a regional center into one of Taiwan’s largest cities, while the wider municipality stretches from the coast to the mountains. That unusually broad geography helps explain why the design moves so easily between temples, flowers, horses, hiking, bicycles, and one of Taiwan’s most famous drinks.

Here are some of the landmarks, foods, activities, and traditions featured in the design:

– Bubble tea is perhaps the most obvious food reference, and Taichung has one of the strongest claims to its invention.… Read more

Discovery Series – Guanacaste

The Starbucks Discovery Series Guanacaste mug highlights one of Costa Rica’s most distinctive regions, known for its dry tropical forests, volcanic landscapes, Pacific beaches, wildlife, ranching traditions, and strong Chorotega cultural influence. Guanacaste is the driest part of the country, yet its landscape is remarkably varied, stretching from coastal plains and surf towns to mountain forests and active volcanic areas. The province is also closely associated with cattle ranching, traditional music, pottery, and some of Costa Rica’s best-known national parks.

Here are some of the landscapes, traditions, wildlife, and activities featured in the design:

– The large mountain appears to be Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, one of the main volcanic landmarks of Guanacaste.… Read more

Discovery Series – Tainan

The Starbucks Discovery Series Tainan mug takes us to one of Taiwan’s oldest and most historically important cities. Tainan was the island’s political center for more than two centuries, first under Dutch rule and later under Koxinga and the Qing administration. That long history left the city with an exceptional concentration of forts, temples, old neighborhoods, and traditional industries. At the same time, Tainan is just as famous for its food, coastal wetlands, festivals, and local crafts, giving this design plenty of material to work with.… Read more

Discovery Series – Salvador

The Starbucks Discovery Series Salvador mug highlights one of Brazil’s most historically important and culturally distinctive cities. Founded in 1549, Salvador became the first capital of colonial Brazil and remained the country’s political center until 1763. Its location on the Bay of All Saints helped turn it into a major Atlantic port, while centuries of African, Indigenous, and Portuguese influence shaped a culture that remains especially visible in the city’s music, religion, food, architecture, and festivals. Today, Salvador’s historic center, coastline, and Afro-Brazilian traditions make it one of the most recognizable cities in the country.… Read more

Discovery Series – Kaohsiung

The Starbucks Discovery Series Kaohsiung mug highlights Taiwan’s largest southern city, a place shaped by its harbor, subtropical climate, strong transportation culture, and close connection with both the coast and the mountains farther inland. Kaohsiung grew from a port and industrial center into a major modern city, while districts such as Cijin, Cishan, Yanchao, and Maolin add beaches, agriculture, wildlife, and distinctive local traditions to the wider municipality.

Here are some of the landmarks, foods, activities, and symbols featured in the design:

– The Cihou Lighthouse is one of Kaohsiung’s best-known coastal landmarks.… Read more

Discovery Series – Chihuahua

The Starbucks Discovery Series Chihuahua mug highlights Mexico’s largest state, a region known for vast deserts, dramatic canyons, Rarámuri culture, ranching traditions, distinctive foods, and the famous railway that crosses the Sierra Madre Occidental. Chihuahua also played an important role in the Mexican Revolution, while communities such as the Rarámuri and Mennonites continue to give the state a particularly diverse cultural identity. From the desert in the east to the forests and deep canyons of the Sierra Tarahumara, the landscape changes dramatically across the state.… Read more

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