Barranquitas
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Barranquitas is a small mountain town and municipality of Puerto Rico located on the Cordillera Central, the central mountain range of the island. The town, although small, has much to offer to its visitors and it is famous for its history, particularly for being the birthplace of Luis Muñoz Rivera, politician and father of Luis Muñoz Marín, the first democratically elected governor of Puerto Rico.
Understand
[edit]Barranquitas is located in the eastern highlands of the Cordillera Central and one of its most famous landmarks is the San Cristobal Canyon, one of the largest and deepest canyons in the Caribbean shaped by the Aibonito and Usabón rivers. The area used to be inhabited by the Jatibonicu tribe of Tainos, the native peoples of Puerto Rico before the arrival of the Spanish.
Get in
[edit]- San Juan: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
- Aguadilla: Rafael Hernández Airport
- Ponce: Mercedita Airport
By car
[edit]The best to get to Barranquitas is by car through routes PR-156, PR-152, PR-771 and PR-162.
Get around
[edit]As with most of Puerto Rico, Barranquitas is quite car-centric and driving is the best way to get around.
A word of caution: if driving you are sharing the road with trucks, and locals. The mountain roads have steep descents and ascents, hairpin turns, and steep cliff drops are not always protected by railing. The roads may look like one-lane highways but are made to handle two-lane traffic.
See
[edit]
- El Cortijo Castle (Castillo del Cortijo), Carr. 162 km 9.9 (just outside of downtown Barranquitas), ☏ +1 787-922-9325, josehiram@castilloelcortijo.com. Former residence full of legends and folklore. Call or contact by e-mail for visiting hours and arrangements.
- 1 Barranquitas Pueblo (downtown Barranquitas). 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. While small, the area contains lots of history and heritage. The town is associated with the Muñoz family, and Luis Muñoz Rivera was born here; the family mausoleum is also nearby. The area also hosts the city hall, historic parish church and main town square.
- Luis Muñoz Rivera House and Museum (Museo y Casa Natal de Luis Muñoz Rivera), 3-7 Manuel Torres Street (corner of Muñoz Rivera St. and Manuel Torres St.), ☏ +1 787-857-0230. W-Su 8AM-4:30PM. Birthplace of Luis Muñoz Rivera, one of the most important figures in Puerto Rico's struggle for autonomy, and father of Luis Muñoz Marín, first democratically-elected governor of Puerto Rico. The museum preserves artifacts from the time, memorabilia from the time, and many family heirlooms.
- Muñoz Rivera Family Museoleum (Mausoleo de la Familia Muñoz Rivera), 19 Padre Berrios Street. Tu-Su 8:30AM-4:20PM. Mausoleum and memorial to the Muñoz Rivera family.
- Plaza Bicentenaria (Plaza de Barranquitas) (center of downtown). Main town square of Barranquitas home to the town's parish church and city hall. The square also hosts artisanal fairs in summer, and the town's patron festival in June.
- 2 San Cristóbal Canyon (Cañón de San Cristóbal). One of the reasons why visitors come to Barranquitas is to visit this large and deep canyon. The most visited section is the gorge area that separates Barranquitas from Aibonito. Although the canyon and its nature are protected there are no formally-maintained hiking trails and guided hiking tours are the easiest way to explore the area.
Do
[edit]There are several private companies and professionals offering hiking tours to the San Cristobal Canyon. Many of these tours often include other outdoor activities such as rappelling, rock-climbing, swimming and diving into the natural pools formed by the numerous waterfalls of the canyon.
- . Hiking tour offered by private local guides including access to the canyon, rappeling and time for swimming in the numerous natural pools. Equipment included. Immediate level. from $200 per person.
- Para la Naturaleza, ☏ +1 787-722-5882, info@paralanaturaleza.org. Environmental organization offering tours.
Buy
[edit]The town is famous for its local arts and crafts. A yearly artisanal fair is held during the summer months at the main town square where artists and vendors come to sell their works of art.
Eat
[edit]- Chef’s Soul Kitchen and Wine, 79 Barcelo Street (downtown Barranquitas), ☏ +1 787-695-3201, chefsoulkitchenandwine@gmail.com. M-F 11AM-8PM, Sa Su 11AM-9:30PM. Puerto Rican, Latin and European fusion food.
- El Mofongo Restaurant (downtown Barranquitas), ☏ +1 787-857-0060. Daily 11AM-8:30PM.
- Hot Flash Pizza, Calle Barceló (downtown Barranquitas), ☏ +1 787-857-1330. M-Sa 7AM-8PM, closed Su.
- Kiki's Pizza, Calle Barceló (downtown Barranquitas), ☏ +1 787-857-2960. Tu-Su 8AM-9PM, closed M.
- La Jambergera 152 Beer & Food, PR-152R, ☏ +1 787-374-9413. W-Su 11AM-10PM, closed M Tu.
- Sol y Luna Bar & Restaurant, PR-719, KM 1.0, Hoya Honda, ☏ +1 787-222-3648. W-Su 11AM-11PM, closed M Tu.
Drink
[edit]- 2 Hangouts Sport Bar (downtown Barranquitas by the town square), ☏ +1 787-316-7917. Th-Sa 4PM-midnight, Su 24 hours, closed M-W.
- Pasa Tiempo, Carr. 156 KM 14.4, ☏ +1 787-481-4489. Daily 1PM-midnight.
- Sullivan Bar, ☏ +1 939-254-2829. W-Su 11AM-11PM, closed M Tu.
Sleep
[edit]- Hacienda Margarita, Km 1.7 Calle Hacienda Margarita PR-152, ☏ +1 939-484-2662. Popular parador (roadside inn) offering rooms with panoramic views, suites and a pool.