Plaza de Recreo Francisco M. Zeno, Cidra /Efra
Central October-2004, By:Travel and Sports Staff
Go to the Mountains
Cidra, Corozal, Orocovis, San Lorenzo
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.
Cidra
This “Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera” (city of eternal spring) is located in the eastern area of the Cordillera Central. Its name comes from the citron fruit. Even today you will find groves of these citrus fruit trees that help form a basis for the local economy. At one end of the plaza is the beautiful Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Carmen with its symmetrical and classic twin tower design. Just outside of town is the Lago de Cidra. This is a long, relatively narrow lake that runs north of Cidra along Rt 172 on the way to Caguas. There is also a thriving community of artisans. Many talented, accomplished and distinguished Puerto Ricans call the central mountain area their home.
Attractions & Sights
Cerro El Almirante: This mountain can be seen from the road. Rt 173, Rabanal Barrio.
Chimenea del Trapiche: This chimney is a remnant from the sugarcane era. Rt 787. By appointment only.
Chorros de Perico: Waterfall between the Barrios Montellano and Ceiba.
Lago de Cidra: Lake with bird-watching, climbing and fishing. Rt 172.
Plaza de Recreo Francisco M. Zeno
Treasure Island Hotel Ruins: First hotel outside the metropolitan area, built in 1930. Contact City Hall for a visit. El Jíbaro Ave.
Corozal
The town’s name comes from the word “Corozo” (Corozo Palm trees). Corozal, located south of Vega Alta, and north of Barranquitas, is well known as “La Ciudad Platanera” (green plantain city). On the tree-enveloped plaza are both the church and the Barbería Histórica. The historical barbershop may be seen by appointment and is the only remaining example of its kind in Puerto Rico. There is also a new recreation and tourism area at the Centro Histórico Turístico Cibuco. Here you will find a well-maintained historic home,
the Hacienda Aurora, as well as a playground and set of larger-than-life bronze statues celebrating the Spanish, Indian and African heritage of Puerto Rico.
Attractions & Sights
Barbería Histórica: Historic-style barber shop, the only one left in Puerto Rico. Plaza de Recreo de Corozal. By appointment.
Centro Histórico Turístico Cibuco: Hacienda Aurora shows furniture, the local sugar industry and Corozal’s history. Grounds include petroglyphs, an artificial lake, artisans walk, ecological path and a monument. Rt 818 Km 2.5, Bo. Cibuco. Thu-Sun & Hol 9am-5pm.
Centro Hostorico del Cibuco: The center includes the Hacienda Aurora, a sugarcane plantation with exhibits of the history of the town and of sugar processing. There is a boardwalk by the petroglyphs, a small lake with pedalboats, a park and a children’s playgound. Rt 818 Km 2.5. Thu-Sun & Hol. 9am-5pm.
El Puente de Mavilla: This 100-year-old bridge across the Mavilla river is located just out of town. Rt 159, toward Toa Alta Bo. Corozal.
Monumento de las Tres Cruces
Plaza de Recreo de Corozal
Río Mavilla
Área Recreativa El Rancho: Family recreation area with miniature golf, 6 pools, video arcade and meeting facilities for up to 2000 persons. Rt 164 Km 13.1. May-Jul Tue-Sun 10am-5pm, Aug-Apr Sat-Sun 10am-5pm.
Orocovis
The “Geographic Center of Puerto Rico.” Its name comes from the Cacique Indian Orocovix, who was a remarkable Indian leader in pre-Columbus time. The Río Orocovis, which runs through the center of the town, is a small river that comes from the north mountains of the Cordillera Central and ends in the Río Grande de Manatí. Lago Matrullas, one of the largest and longest lakes in Puerto Rico, is nearby. On Rt 143 just west of Rt 155 is the new Orocovis-Villalba lookout tower and recreational facility. From here you can see both the north and south coast of Puerto Rico. In the Toro Negro State Forest you will find an observatory tower constructed by the Spanish as a lookout tower to protect the south coast of the Island. Cerro Taita, Cerro El Bolo and Cerro Doña Juana are mountain peaks at the same forest reserve. Toward Morovis is the Museo Orocoveño, founded by Celestino Avilés, a famous Orocovan artisan. This museum exhibits antique artifacts, Taíno Indian articles and historical photos of Orocovis (reservations required). Another point of interest is the Island’s only natural water pool at the Doña Juana Recreational Center. Here you can see all the beauty of Toro Negro forest. The “Chorro de Doña Juana” is a crystalline waterfall on Rt 149 at Ala de La Piedra Sector, along the road.
Attractions & Sights
Doña Juana Recreation Center: Part of the Toro Negro Forest Reserve. Beautiful area with a large outdoor basin forming a natural pool with the waters from the Cordillera Central. Rd 143 Km 32.4. Daily 7:30am-4pm.
El Chorro de Doña Juana: Impressive waterfall. Rt 149 Km 41.3.
Geographic Center of Puerto Rico: A complete scene of the island and wonderful natural sights at an altitude of more than 900 meters. Rt 566 Interior, Barrio Pellejas.
La Guaira Recreational Area: Extraordinary park in the central mountains. Located in the urban area of town. Includes restrooms, scenic view sites of all the town. Many floral resources and a beautiful waterfall. Pedro Arroyo St. 24/7. Office: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm.
Mirador Orocovis-Villalba: Located over 2,000 feet above sea level. Impressive sights of the Island’s north and south coast. Children’s playgrounds, dining areas, parking and security personnel. Rt 143, between Orocovis and Villalba. Wed-Sun 9am-5pm.
Plaza de Recreo de Orocovis: Peaceful center in the urban area of the town, near the San Juan Bautista Catholic Church and City Hall. 4 de Julio Degetau St. at Luis Muñoz Rivera St.
Toro Negro Lookout Tower: Lookout tower built by the US National Forest Service. Extraordinary vista of the south coast of the Island. Doña Juana Recreation Center. Mon-Sun 9am-5pm.
San Lorenzo
The Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes was built in 1737 and is registered as a National Historic Site. The church was renovated in 1993 to coincide with the 500th anniversary of the Discovery of Puerto Rico. The Teatro Priscilla Flores, former Teatro Cervantes, was the social and artistic center of San Lorenzo. This theater, built more than a century ago, was destroyed by the hurricane San Felipe in 1928 and again destroyed by a fire in 1940. It was restored and operated until 1984. It was acquired by the city in 1986. The city now makes it available for both public and private activities. San Lorenzo is the home of the worldfamous Puerto Rican singer Chayanne. One of the main avenues has been named in his honor. San Lorenzo is also known as the “Samaritan City” because of the reported miracles made by Julia Vázquez, a young San Lorenzan girl. This girl gave miraculous treatments to ill people with a water source located near her house.
Attractions & Sights
Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Las Mercedes: One of the oldest churches in Puerto Rico and a historic national monument. Built in 1737 and renovated to its current form in 1887. Plaza de Recreo Luis Muñoz Rivera. Mon-Fri 8:30am-11:30am, 1pm-4pm.
Plaza de Recreo Luis Muñoz Rivera: In front of the Plaza you can find Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes Church. This is the third oldest Catholic church in Puerto Rico (1737). Colón St.
Santuario de La Virgen del Carmen: A religious site located at the Holy Mountain (Montaña Santa) that includes a chapel, an area in the middle of the forest dedicated for prayer and spiritual contemplation and the Three Crosses. Rt 181 at Rt 7740 (Panoramic Rt). Never closed.
Teatro Priscilla Flores: Local theater, reservations through City Hall. Sánchez López St. at Suárez St. Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.
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