Plaza de Recreo Cristóbal Colón, Guayama /Frazier Nivens
South June-2005, By:Travel and Sports Staff
Experience the Southern Style
Guayama, Arroyo, Santa Isabel
The southern experience offers mountains and beaches as well as major cultural and historic attractions. At the shoreline, the coastal towns of Guayanilla, Ponce, Santa Isabel, Salinas, Arroyo and Patillas stretch out along sandy white beaches where you can enjoy waterfront restaurants and stunningly beautiful coastal forests. The interior towns of Yauco, Peñuelas, Juana Díaz, Coamo and Guayama developed as agricultural communities based in large part on the old sugar industry. Of course the whole area is anchored by Ponce, the Pearl of the South.
Guayama
 (Photo: Centro de Bellas Artes de Guayama /Dean.)
A municipality since 1736, Guayama derives its name from the Taíno word "Guamaní," which means "Our Path." The beautiful Iglesia San Antonio de Padua on the plaza is the only one in Puerto Rico in the neoromantic style. You will notice a hand-painted clock on the tower that reads 11:30am, the exact time when the church was "baptized." The bells (donated by Doña Catalina Algarín) were cast in Germany in 1835 from bronze and gold. Museo Casa Cautiño, built in 1887 as the family home of Don Genaro Cautiño, is an important historical structure and museum. During the years that it belonged to the Cautiño family, they amassed an art collection that is now on display for the public. In 1987 the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña renovated the house and turned it into a museum. Other famous residents include the poet Luis Palés Matos and the composer Tite Curet Alonso.
Arroyo
 (Photo: Paseo las Américas /Dean.)
The name Arroyo comes from "boquita de arroyo" (small mouth stream) because people stopped in town to refresh themselves during their journey. Today Arroyo is called the "Pueblo Grato" (the pleasant town) because of its natural beauty. This includes the beaches and thermal waters in the area. One fun stop for the family is a ride on the Tren del Sur de Arroyo. The train follows an old sugarcane track that takes you through some of the countryside north and west of town. (THIS TRAIN IS NOT CURRENTLY OPERATING) In town you will find the Paseo Las Américas El Malecón, an ocean view drive where major town activities like the Fiestas Patronales are held.
In 1859 Samuel Morse installed in Arroyo the first telegraph line in Puerto Rico and Latin America. This line was installed at Hacienda La Enriqueta, a sugarcane plantation. The history and memorabilia of this communications milestone are at the Museo Antigua Aduana, a must-see attraction.
Santa Isabel
 (Photo: El Malecón Boardwalk /Dean.)
The town is named after Santa Isabel de Hungría. In fact, the town was established on November 19, the day commemora-ting Santa Isabel de Hungría. Santa Isabel is known as "La Tierra Fértil" (the fertile earth) because of the fruits cultivated in this area. The artisans in this area are particularly well known for the locally produced bomba drums. In the town, stop by the Iglesia Santiago Apóstol at the Plaza de Recreo. You might also want to stop at El Malecón, a small area with restaurants overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
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South Article Archive
2007-04 Explore the South, Porta Caribe
2005-08 Ponce, Coamo, Salinas
2005-06 Guayama, Arroyo, Santa Isabel
2005-04 Ponce: Pearl of the South, Patillas, Peñuelas
2005-02 Ponce, Coamo, Yauco
2004-12 Ponce, Juana Díaz, Guayanilla
2004-08 Juana Díaz, Salinas
2004-06 Santa Isabel, Guayama, Ponce
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