Arroyo (Puerto Rico)
Arroyo is a small seaside town and municipality of Puerto Rico by the Caribbean Sea immediately to the east of Guayama. The small town has beaches, history and seafood to offer to its visitors.
Understand
Samuel Morse established the telegraph in the area in 1852, as he had family who lived nearby at Hacienda Concordia in Guayama. The Town of Arroyo, meaning 'creek' in Spanish, was founded in 1855. The telegraph line was inaugurated in 1859 in a ceremony celebrated by an American and Spanish delegation. The town today has a monument dedicated to Samuel Morse who is considered an important figure in the history of the municipality.
The town hosts two popular festivals: Fiesta Negra in March which celebrates the town's African heritage, and Festival del Pescado (Arroyo Fish Festival) celebrating the town's fishing industry and heritage.
Get in
- San Juan: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
- Aguadilla: Rafael Hernández Airport
- Ponce: Mercedita Airport
Arroyo is immediately to the east of Guayama and can be reached by car through route PR-54/PR-3 from Salinas in the west. PR-53 connects Patillas in the east to Arroyo.
Get around
The best way to get around town is by driving.
See
- Central Lafayette (Lafayette Sugarcane Plantation and Refinery Ruins), PR-753 close to PR-3 (just outside downtown Arroyo). Historic sugarcane plantation and sugarcane refinery now in ruins although preserved for its historical value.
- 🌍 Arroyo Pueblo (downtown Arroyo). See the historic Roman Catholic church, Spanish-style recreational plaza, and the municipal buildings surrounded by streets and shops.
You can drive around the pueblo or park your car and walk around the square and into the plaza. The Spanish law, which regulated life in Puerto Rico in the early 19th century, stated the plaza's purpose was for celebrations and festivities. - Malecón Paseo Las Américas (Malecón de Arroyo / Arroyo Boardwalk), along Marina Street. Waterfront boardwalk and esplanade with seafood restaurants, food kiosks and bars.
- Old U.S. Customs House (Museo de la Antigua Aduana), 64 Morse Street, ☏ +1 787-839-3500. Tu-Sa 8AM-4:30PM. Old site of a United States Customs House now a museum dedicated to Samuel Morse and the Morse family, and the history of American invasion and administration of Puerto Rico. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Punta de las Figuras Lighthouse (Faro de Punta de las Figuras), Cangrejos Street. Historic Neoclassical-style lighthouse built by the Spanish colonial administration in 1893. The lighthouse area has access to the beach and nearby food kiosks and bars. The interior is inaccessible as it was heavily damaged by Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Do
- Although a small municipality, Arroyo has a number of beaches such as:
- Arroyo Municipal Beach (Balneario de Arroyo y Centro Vacacional Punta Guilarte), 126 Arizona Street (end of the road of Camino Punta Guilarte), ☏ +1 787-839-3500. This is the main beach of Arroyo, also providing access to other nearby beaches such as Las Palmas and Punta Guilarte. The beach has a campground with bathrooms with showers and picnic tables.
- Cangrejos Beach (Playa del Faro / Lighthouse Beach), Cangrejos Street Esq. Vecinal Road (near the lighthouse). Sandy beach next to the Punta Figuras lighthouse.
- Las Palmas Beach (Playa Las Palmas de Punta Guilarte), Camino Guilarte (end of the road).
- Punta Guilarte Beach (Playa de Punta Guilarte), Camino Punta Guilarte (end of the road). Popular beach in Punta Guilarte with parking, restrooms and gazebos for picnics.
- Arroyo Surfing Park, Carretera #3 Km 133.0, ☏ +1 787-455-1081. Sa Su 10AM-6PM. Water park popular with families and children.
Eat
- 123 Pescao, end of Morse Street (by the boardwalk). W 4-11PM, Th-Su noon-11PM. Fresh seafood, Puerto Rican snacks and drinks.
- Antonino's Pizza, Centro Commercial Mauna Coop, ☏ +1 787-271-4031. Daily 11AM-10PM. Popular Puerto Rican chain of pizzerias.
- La Fondita Bucanera, 66 Morse Street (downtown Arroyo). M-F 7AM-5PM.
- La Llave del Mar, Marina Street (by the boardwalk). Daily 11AM-11PM. Family restaurant serving seafood specialties and Puerto Rican favorites such as mofongo.
- La Taberna, Cll Diamante Urb. Las 500, ☏ +1 787-839-9600. Th-Su 3-10PM.
- Little Italy Pizzeria, Morse Street Esq. PR-3, ☏ +1 787-839-2870. Daily 11AM-10PM. Local pizza place.
- Puri's Tiki Bar, Centro Vacacional Punta Guilarte (close to the lighthouse). M-F 3-11PM, Sa Su 2-11PM. Eclectic restaurant and tiki bar serving everything from Puerto Rican food, American bar food, Mexican favorites, pizza and fun cocktails.
- Restaurante La Diosa del Mar, 1-21 Esperanza Street (close to the boardwalk). W-Su 11:30AM-midnight. Popular Puerto Rican seafood.
- Tacos El Méjico, Morse Street, ☏ +1 787-240-7018. Sa Su 7-11:30PM. Tacos and Mexican fare.
Drink
- Aqua Beach Club, 11 Marina Street (by the boardwalk). M-F 4PM-midnight, Sa Su noon-2AM. Seafood snacks and bar.
Sleep
- Campomar Beach Resort (Arroyo Beach Resort and Condos), P.º La Palma (Atlantico Street Esq. La Palma Road). Beach hotel, apartments for rent and vacation center.
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