Radiotelescopio de Arecibo, Arecibo /Dean
North October-2004, By:Travel and Sports Staff
Experience the North Shore
Arecibo, Vega Baja
In the North, just outside of San Juan, are the towns of Dorado (a golfer’s mecca), Toa Alta (home of the musician Tomás “Masso” Rivera), Toa Baja (Balneario Punta Salinas), Vega Alta (Vega Alta Forest), Vega Baja (Reserva Natural Laguna Tortuguero), Manatí (the Athens of Puerto Rico) and Barceloneta (with the Cambalache Forest mountain bike trails). Farther away, the northwestern towns of Quebradillas, Camuy, Hatillo and Arecibo offer prime tourist attractions, such as the family-friendly Parque de las Cavernas del Río Camuy, the largest radio telescope in the world in Arecibo and Hatillo (the masks festival).
Arecibo
Founded in 1515, Arecibo has the largest land mass of any municipality in Puerto Rico. The Río Grande de Arecibo is the major river that runs into the sea just east of the town and west of the lighthouse. Arecibo also goes by the name “Villa del Capitán Correa” in honor of the captain that repelled a 1702 British invasion.
Points of historical interest include the City Hall building (constructed in 1866 - restored in 1978) and the lighthouse (built by the Spanish in 1898). The lighthouse is still in use and has been expanded to include a new recreational facility with a restaurant, museum, playground and beach. But, without a doubt, the most famous point of interest in Arecibo is the world’s largest radio telescope. There is an observation deck right at the edge of the telescope and a new hands-on exhibit covering some interstellar science.
Attractions & Sights
Arecibo Lighthouse & Historical Park: Just east of town in a beautiful beach area, the lighthouse has just been restored and integrated into a new recreation facility featuring an expansive deck as well as a children’s play area with replicas of ancient sailing ships and a pirate’s island & cave. Restaurant, museum, water and land sports facilities. A breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding area. Rt 655, Bo. Islote, Arecibo Harbour. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat -Sun 10am-7pm.
Biblioteca Electrónica Municipal
Casa Ulanga: Children’s programs in art, drawing and painting (Tue-Thu 6pm-9pm).
7 Gonzalo Marín. Mon-Fri 8am-noon, 1pm-4:30pm.
Catedral San Felipe Apóstol: This church features the original 1846 design. Its stained glass and religious statues were imported from Spain in 1845. 60 De Diego Ave.
Centro de Usos Múltiples: Children’s programs include cuatro & guitar lessons. Mon, Wed, Fri 6pm-9pm.
Fun Valley Park: The only amusement theme park in Puerto Rico. Rides for kids & adults: scenic train, bumper boats, go-karts and more. Puerto Rican Birds Museum, cafeteria. Rt 10 Km 83.0, Exit 75-B. Wed-Mon 10am-10pm.
Museo de Arte e Historia de Arecibo
Parque García: Fun park with children’s attractions. Víctor Rojas North Paseo. Daily 6am-10pm.
Plaza de Recreo Luis Muñoz Rivera: A lovely plaza built in 1776 and a meeting place for many years. Gonzalo Marín St.
Radiotelescopio de Arecibo: The world’s largest radio telescope with a 1000-ft diameter spherical reflector. Operated by Cornell University under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation. The new visitor center hosts interactive exhibits for all ages and a 20-min. movie about the observatory. End of Rt 625. Wed-Fri noon-4pm, Sat-Sun & Hol 9am-4pm.
Teatro Oliver: For decades, the theater has served as a place for cultural and social gatherings. It was built in 1877 and restored to its original state in 2001. José de Diego Ave.
Forests
Arecibo Region Forest Reserves: Central information for Cambalache & Río Abajo Forests. Mon-Fri 9am-4pm.
Vega Baja
On the Plaza de Recreo José F. Náter you will find a beautiful church with a domed ceiling, the City Hall with its unique architecture, the Teatro Fénix and a massive historical plaque with representations of the figures and industry behind Vega Baja. In town you will also find the Museo de Arte Casa Alonso and the Casa de Cultura y Turismo Carmen González Santiago. The Museo is a National Historic Site and the Casa Cultura y Turismo is a good place to arrange a tour of Vega Baja (by reservation). One of the routes to the beach area takes you right by the Reserva Natural Laguna Tortuguero. This reserve is a must-stop for any naturalist. The lagoon features a full-time Ecotourism Office that provides information about this unique area and tours (by appointment).
Attractions & Sights
Complejo Recreativo Tortuguer: Recreational area with tennis courts, playgrounds, running track, Olympic-size pool, and the Rodrigo Otero Suro Gymnasium. Rt 687. Office: Mon-Fri 7am-noon, 1pm-4:30pm.
Museo de Arte Casa Alonso: A beautiful National Monument in the middle of town. The area around Museo Casa Alonso has been extensively studied by the Sociedad de Investigaciones Arqueológicas e Historicas Sebuco and many tiles, ceramics, coins and pottery were found. 34 Betances St. Tue-Fri 9am-noon, 1pm-4pm, Sat 10am-noon, 1pm-4pm.
Plaza de Recreo José F. Náter: Originally built in 1910 and reconstructed in 1984 in colonial style. Betances St.
Teatro América: This theater was constructed in an unmistakable Art-Deco design in 1940 by the Basque emigrant Pablo Eguía Maguregi. It was operated as a movie theater until 1985, when it was closed. It reopened in 2000. José Julián Acosta St. Mon-Fri 8am-noon, 1pm-4:30pm.
Teatro Fénix: Constructed in 1917 in the neoclassic style. It was renovated in 1991 to its original state. Luis Muñoz Rivera St & J.J. Acosta St. Mon-Fri 8am-noon, 1pm-4:30pm.
Área Recreativa El Trece: A natural recreation area with a balcony and access to the Indio River. Rt 160 Km 13, Almirante Sur District. Mon-Fri 8am-noon, 1pm-4:30pm, Sat-Sun 6am-6pm.
Beaches
Playa Puerto Nuevo: This beach with its beautiful alcoves was the inspiration for a song by famous Fernandito Alvarez. Rt 686 Km 12 & Rt 692.
Forests
Reserva Natural Laguna Tortuguero: The Tortuguero Lagoon reserve is formed by bodies of water, swamps, marshland and several mogotes (loaf-shaped mountains of limestone worn away by seeping water). It is home to exotic flowers and several endangered species. The Ecotourism Office offers information as well as tours by appointment. Rt 687 Km 1.2. Reserve: Wed-Sun 6am-5pm. Office: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm.
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