Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo, Mayagüez /Dean
Mayagüez June-2008, By:Travel and Sports Staff
Mayagüez
The cultural center of the west coast.
Mayagüez is the Island’s third largest city. Its elegant plaza has a stone walk, fountain, benches and a statue of Christopher Columbus on a globe pedestal. On the west side of the plaza is the impressive City Hall; on the east side is the historic church.
Walk west on McKinley St. one block from the plaza to view the Teatro Yagüez. This historic theater has been restored to its status as a cultural center of the community and the west coast.
The newly renovated Dr. Juan A. Rivero Zoo, the only zoo in Puerto Rico, is a great place for the kids. The zoo follows a modern savanna-style design with large animals in open areas protected by moats and walls designed to imitate naturally occurring geology (rock walls and the like).
Close to the zoo is the Experimental Agricultural Station. The grounds are well maintained, starting with the historic administration building. On the western boundary of the Agricultural Station is the Mayagüez campus of the University of Puerto Rico, a major educational center.
Mayagüez is also a good jumping-off spot if you want to take a trip to Mona Island.
How to go: The north route is west from San Juan on Rt 22 and then west on Rt 2 from Arecibo (this is the quickest); the south route is south on Rt 52 from San Juan, then west on Rt 2 from Ponce.
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