Canóvanas is a municipality of Puerto Rico and eastern suburb of San Juan located on the island's northeast coast close to El Yunque. The town is famous for its racehorse course, its historical agriculture and the legend of the Chupacabras.

Understand

Canóvanas City Hall

Canóvanas is named after Cayniabón, the native Taino name of the Río Grande de Loíza which flows through the municipality. The town extends from the Atlantic coast to the Sierra de Luquillo mountain range, part of El Yunque National Forest (El Toro Wilderness) is located within municipal boundaries of Canóvanas.

Get in

PR-3 between Carolina and Río Grande. PR-66 also crosses Canóvanas.

See

• 1 Canóvanas Pueblo (downtown Canóvanas). See the historic Roman Catholic church, Spanish-style recreational plaza, and the municipal buildings surrounded by streets and shops.
  You can drive around the pueblo or park your car and walk around the square and into the plaza. The Spanish law, which regulated life in Puerto Rico in the early 19th century, stated the plaza's purpose was for celebrations and festivities. (updated Apr 2022)
• Jesús T. Piñero House (Casa Jesús T. Piñero), PR-3 (just east of Canovanas Pueblo), ☏ +1 787-876-0562. W-Su 8:30AM-4:20PM. Former residence now houses a museum dedicated to the life of Jesús T. Piñero, first native-born Puerto Rican governor of the island. (updated Oct 2021)

Do

• Go to a horserace at Hipódromo Camarero (popularly known as El Nuevo Comandante), ☏ +1 787-876-0562. W-Su 8:30AM-4:20PM. The racehorse course is 15 minutes from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. The Clásico del Caribe is celebrated here yearly. (updated Oct 2021)

Buy

• The Outlet 66 Mall, 18400 Roberto Sánchez Vilella (PR-66 Exit 14), ☏ +1 787-256-7040. 9AM-8PM. (updated Oct 2021)
• 1 Walmart Supercenter, Plaza Canovanas Hwy 3 Int New Rt 66, ☏ +1 787-957-2700. 6AM-11PM. Department and grocery store. (updated Apr 2022)

Go next

• Carolina
• Juncos
• Las Piedras
• Loíza
• Río Grande