Angeles Cave, Lares /Frazier Nivens
Central August-2004, By:Travel and Sports Staff
Summer in the Mountains
Cayey, Naranjito, Lares
As you can see from the events list, this is the events season in the Island’s mountainous central region. If you’re looking for a cooling break from the beach, you can take a day trip into the mountains for a mix of the culture and environment unique to this area. The 20 municipalities in the Central region can be thought of as being along two driving routes (with San Juan as the starting point). The Southern route begins in Caguas and travels through Aguas Buenas, Gurabo, San Lorenzo, Cidra, Cayey, Aibonito, Comerío, Barranquitas, Orocovis, and Villalba before ending in Adjuntas. The Northern route goes from Naranjito to Corozal, Morovis, Ciales, Florida, Lares, Utuado and Jayuya. The Southern route covers a good bit of the Luis Muñoz Marín Panoramic Route. In this issue we highlight the municipalities of Cayey, Naranjito and Lares which are hosting some of their main annual events.
Cayey
The home of the “coquí dorado” (golden coquí), Cayey means “Lugar de las Aguas” (the water place) in the Indian language. The town is located in a fertile valley in the south of the Cordillera Central in La Sierra de Cayey. A number of rivers descend from the mountains in this area. In the past, Cayey was an important coffee and tobacco center. There is a well-established artist community and a number of local sites and attractions. As always, you should start with the plaza. One end is dominated by the beautiful church.
Current Events:
Patron Saint Festival (La Señora de la Asuncion) and the VI Clásico Coquí Dorado Cayey.
Attractions & Sights
Caving in Cayey: There are lots of caving and nature/tour opportunities in Cayey, just check the directories under Tours - Nature/Adventure.
Museo Dr. Pío López Martínez, A collection including the works of the painter Ramón Frade (1875-1954). The exhibit includes some of his famous work from 1897 through 1953. Works of another well-known artist, Lorenzo Homar, are also exhibited. 205 Antonio R. Barceló Ave. Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm, Sat-Sun-Hol 11am-5pm.
Parroquia Ntra. Sra. de la Asunción, Of particular interest in this Parish, built in 1787, are a painting of angels by Ramón Frade and a sculpture by the architect Tomás Batista. In front of the plaza. Tue-Fri 8am-noon, 2pm-4pm, Sat 8am-11am.
Forests
Carite Forest, Southeast of Caguas. Pine plantations with camping at Charco Azul and Guavate. Daytime picnics are allowed along Rt 184 between Km 26 to 11.7. Cayey Region. Rt 184 Km 27.5. Mon-Fri 7am-3:30pm.
Naranjito
This town is located in the area of “Las Colinas del Norte,” (the north hills) in the central east of the Island. Naranjito is known as “the changos town” because of the abundance of these black birds in the area. Naranjito shares the Lago La Plata, a beautiful lake, with the towns of Bayamón and Toa Alta. The town plaza features the Iglesia San Miguel Arcángel. In front of this church is a beautiful sculpture of the Angel Gabriel (the patron saint of Naranjito), by Roberto Cintrón.
Current Event
Patron Saint Festival (San Miguel Arcángel)
Attractions & Sights
Las Cataratas, Waterfalls in a small river. Rt 152, about 2 miles toward Barranquitas.
Monumento de los Changos de Naranjito, Monument to honor the volleyball champions Changos de Naranjito. Rd 165, Exit to Bayamón.
Lares
In 1868, during the Spanish regime, a group of Puerto Ricans with help from people of other islands fought against the injustice of the Spanish government. They won the town of Lares, but when they moved to San Sebastián, the Spanish soldiers were waiting for them. That is why in Lares you will find monuments and places commemorating “El Grito de Lares.” In the Plaza de la Revolución stand Iglesia San José and the Ramón Emeterio Betances Monument. “El Poblado Castañer,” a beautiful area between Lares and Adjuntas, is another nearby area worth a visit.
Current Event
Certamen Cultural Mundial
Attractions & Sights
Heladería de Lares, This ice cream shop has had visitors from all over the world who come by to try one of more than 1000 flavors of ice cream. They are famous for their exotic flavors, such as bacalao and arroz con pollo (rice with chicken). Plaza de Recreo, Lecaroz St. Daily 9am-4pm.
Museo Mariana Bracetti, A small art and history museum presenting local crafts, painting, and historic photos of the town. San Pablo St. Mon-Fri 8am-noon, 1pm-4pm; Sat-Sun 11am-4pm.
Parque El Jíbaro, A park honoring the Puerto Rican “Jíbaro”. Los Patriotas Ave.
Plaza de la Revolución, This plaza has an obelisk that was erected to honor the heroes of the failed revolution against Spain, September 23, 1868.
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Central Article Archive
2007-04 Explore the Central Region
2005-08 Aguas Buenas, Cidra, Lares, Naranjito
2005-06 Caguas, Aibonito, Barranquitas
2005-04 Cayey, Comerío, Morovis
2005-02 Adjuntas, Ciales, Gurabo, Utuado
2004-12 Experience the Central Beauty
2004-10 Cidra, Corozal, Orocovis, San Lorenzo
2004-08 Cayey, Naranjito, Lares
2004-06 Caguas, Aguas Buenas, Aibonito, Comerío, Barranquitas, Adjuntas, Morovis
2004-04 Lares, Aibonito, Barranquitas, Utuado, Comerío
2004-02 Caguas, Gurabo, Ciales
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