Arroyo is picturesque and full of history and adventure
Arroyo
Beaches, museums, and one of the Island's most unique surfing spots make Arroyo the perfect family-friendly destination.
Known as both el Pueblo Ingrato (“The Ungrateful Town”) and el Pueblo Grato (“The Pleasant Town”), the name "Arroyo" simply refers to a stream of water. Full of history and adventure, the picturesque municipality overlooks the Caribbean Sea. It's nestled amid agricultural towns, since it was once an official port of entry to Puerto Rico when the Island was under the rule of the Spanish government. Now, it's a hub for history, culture, and art.
Catching a wave at Arroyo Surfing Park
Beaches and Surfing
The Arroyo Surfing Park offers a surfing simulator that is unique in the Caribbean. In fact, there are only three others worldwide (Brazil, Armenia, and Dubai). The WaveOz is a 187-foot-long pool, designed to provide participants with a simulated surfing experience where kids and adults can learn basics or show off their skills.
The Centro Vacacional Punta Guilarte is a complex of villas located in the coastal area of Arroyo. The National Park has 32 villas on a boardwalk and 28 cabins overlooking the sea. Nearby, you can access the scenic Las Palmas Beach, a sparkling stretch of Carribbean Sea.
Museo Antigua Aduana is one of several historic attractions in Arroyo.
History and Beyond
Among the places of interest in Arroyo are the Enrique Huyke Monument, dedicated to the Puerto Rican educator and athlete. You can also find the Samuel Morse Monument, which honors the American inventor of the telegraph who loved the Island and its weather. In 1858, he traveled to Puerto Rico to inaugurate a two-mile telegraph line connecting Hacienda Enriqueta Morse, where his daughter lived, and the town of Arroyo, which became the first town on the Island to have a wire.
The Museo Antigua Aduana used to be the market for product exchanges, imports, and exports for Arroyo’s port in the 19th century. In 1993, it became a museum and center for cultural activities. There is a performance space that hosts recitals, concerts, exhibitions, and other events. The museum also has two permanent exhibitions. One presents photos of the arrival of the Americans to the town of Arroyo in 1898, and another exhibits personal belongings owned by the Morse family.