Jayuya
Jayuya is a mountain town and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Cordillera Central mountainous region. Although a small town, Jayuya has many tourist attractions such as its historic downtown, coffee plantations, waterfalls, haciendas, indigenous sites and natural reserves. Many of Puerto Rico's highest peaks are also located within the municipality.
Understand
Jayuya is one of the municipalities in "La Montaña", the mountain. Its pueblo with the municipal buildings, a Roman Catholic church, and a main recreational plaza is a must-see. It is named after Hayuya. Born in 1430, Hayuya was an important Taíno cacique who ruled the area until the colonists came from Spain. The annual Festival Nacional Indígena is celebrated around November 24 in Jayuya.
Get in
- San Juan: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
- Aguadilla: Rafael Hernández Airport
- Ponce: Mercedita Airport
Get around
A word of caution: if driving you are sharing the road with trucks, and locals. The mountain roads have steep descents and ascents, hairpin turns, and steep cliff drops are not always protected by railing. The roads may look like one-lane highways but are made to handle two-lane traffic.
See
- 🌍 Jayuya Pueblo (downtown Jayuya). 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. - 🌍 Museo el Cemí, PR-144, km 9.3, Barrio Coabey, ☏ +1 787-828-4618. 8AM-3:30PM (closed from noon-1PM for lunch). Museum with exhibits on the indigenous people of Puerto Rico.
Do
- 🌍 Estación Globo Aeroestático de Jayuya (Hot Air Balloon), PR-530, km 0.2 (PR-141 to PR-530, then follow signs), ☏ +1 787-304-0813, emattajayuya@gmail.com. Th–Su 9AM–5PM. Tours on the hot air balloon are available only weather permitting. If winds are too strong, it is not possible to go up. The location is 3,200 feet above sea level. The ride to the location can be tricky as the final trek is on an unnamed road. Call ahead. A company called Ziplines of the Aerostatic Balloons can arrange a tour. They are at PR-141 Ramal #530 km 0.2 in Barrio Mameyes, +1 787-304-0813.