Arecibo, the beautiful Villa of Captain Correa, was known for its famous observatory since it was the world´s largest radio telescope, a place of important discoveries and investigations as well as a Hollywood movie set.
The observatory attracted thousands of visitors annually but since its collapse in December 2020, Arecibo lost what many believed was its only attraction. How wrong they were!
Today, Arecibo continues to be a favorite tourism destination for locals and tourists alike, due to its natural beauty like the Cueva del Indio situated in front of the grand sea or the Cueva Ventana, in the mountainous region. Visitors are also attracted to the important sports events held in the town and above all, for its outstanding culinary routes and chinchorreos by the beach.
The coast of Arecibo is home to the annual world surfing tournament. Last year, surfers from 55 countries participated and this upcoming November it is expected to surpass that number. Carlos Tito Ramirez, the mayor of Arecibo, convinced the Puerto Rico Surfing Federation to make it a municipal event. Ramirez understands that sports are fundamental in attracting visitors. Having said that, the municipality of Arecibo is moving towards repeating successful sports events like a beach tennis tournament and the International Championship of Paso Fino.
Also, the town will be hosting fishing tournaments such as the Blue Marlin (September 4-6) and the Sailfish (November 28-30). The Arecibo Nautical Club has been hosting the Blue Marlin tournament for the past 56 years and the Sailfish tournament for 46 years.
Another site with tradition in Arecibo is the iconic ice cream parlor Rex Cream situated on #113 Gonzalo Marin Street.
The record for catching the heaviest blue marlin exceeding 950 pounds in the Atlantic was established in Arecibo. Over 54 boats with more than 200 participants form part of this tournament that takes eight hours to trek the coast from Camuy to Barceloneta to try to land the largest fish to win a $25,000 prize. During the evenings, the Arecibo Nautical Club opens its doors to the public with music, food, and festive ambiance.
Another site with tradition in Arecibo is the iconic ice cream parlor Rex Cream situated on #113 Gonzalo Marin Street. This parlor opened its doors in April 1964 and was the first Chinese ice cream shop in Arecibo, that rapidly became a favorite spot for residents to enjoy sweet flavors. Today the daughter of the original owners of Rex Cream continues the tradition elaborating delicious ice creams from natural fruits that have delighted generations for years.
From its location at town square.
Visitors can opt for a cup, cone or shake and savor passionfruit, acerola, soursop, mango, guayaba, pineapple, pistachio or tamarind ice cream. Other flavors include the most solicitated coconut, nougat, and corn with cinnamon. And can’t be missed flavors are vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, coffee and during the holiday season Coquito, a Puerto Rican Christmas staple similar to eggnog. Obviously, a visit to Arecibo would not be complete without a taste of sweetness that you can only find at this specialty ice cream shop.
In the center of the town at #109 Gonzalo Marin Street is Arasibo Steakhouse, this elegant restaurant is known for its excellence and exceptional cuts of meat. It opens Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 9 p.m.
Neighboring is La Panzeria on #156 San Felipe Street, a new venue that opened early this year with an outstanding wine list, Serralles rums and a place where visitors can savor la Pancetta, a pizza on Ciabatta bread with veggies and filet mignon. The restaurant is decorated with local art that is on sale and opens from Tuesday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Whiskey lovers also have an intimate place at W Bar and Restaurant in Arecibo to relish this thirst-quencher with lots of history. It’s located at #307 De Diego Avenue and this warm and friendly venue houses over 300 labels from Ireland, Scotland, Japan, United States and other countries. Besides drinking whiskey and excellent cocktails, guests can enjoy Asian cuisine with Peruvian fusion. W Bar and Restaurant opens Mondays through Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Visitors can enjoy a culinary coastal journey full of flavor driving down from the town of Barceloneta on road PR 681 to Arecibo where there are infinite places to satisfy your palate from fresh fish to fried fritters such as pastellilos, corn fritters (sorullitos) or tapas.
One place is El Clandestino with its oceanfront terrace on Km. 13.8 and further down is Playa Brava on Km. 12.2 where guests can taste lionfish or other exquisite dishes. Following that same route, is the Colon statue on Km 9.8 and the Cueva del Indio.
In the area of the Arecibo Lighthouse is Islote Beach Restaurant, steps from the La Poza del Obispo beach and the Arecibo Lighthouse theme park.
The mood at night pulsates with the variety of establishments in La Puntilla sector, the oldest city in the area right next to the river mouth of Rio Grande in Arecibo. There are more than 10 venues to host visitors with live music, trendy concoctions, and great food with stimulating fusions from appetizers like cod fish fritters, alcapurrias and stuffed mofongo. The bars and restaurants in the area are La Distileria, El Callejon del Beso, Amapola, Limón y Sal and Romeo, which specializes in Italian cuisine and creative cocktails. On the same street is La Buena Vida and Frida´s Mexican restaurant.
Outside of the city of Arecibo on the way to the town of Lares there is a pleasant surprise called Arbore Gastrobar (road PR-129, Km. 6.3). This restaurant surrounded by greenery and mountains specializes in creative criollo cuisine with international fusion. Visitors can begin their meal with cod fish fritters and spicy crab as appetizers followed by rice and chicken in tempura batter of French toast with tomato chimichurri or possibly mofongo made from sweet bananas with skirt steak and shrimp in cream sauce.
At Arbore Gastrobar they prepare 12 varieties of mojitos (coconut, lavender, mango, melon among others). The restaurant opens Wednesday through Saturday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 8 p.m.
If you prefer a rooftop bar with ocean views then Black Mamba (#24 Maria Cadilla Street) is the place to go. With a 180 panoramic view, visitors can appreciate the Atlantic Ocean while enjoying Japanese-Peruvian-Criollo fusions. This restaurant is owned by local basketball player Jonathan Rodríguez and it opens Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
These places deserve a visit to fullfill your senses, not just with food and cocktails flavors, but ambiance and nature.
Arecibo:
- Located in the north coast, about a 50-minute car ride from San Juan.
- With 26 square kilometers, it´s the largest municipality in Puerto Rico.
- Founded in 1515. Became a city in 1616.
- The land was dominated by the Cacique Arasibo.
- Troops commanded by Captain Antonio Correa defended the city from a British attack in 1702.
- The cathedral San Felipe Apostol was constructed in 1787 and is the second largest in Puerto Rico, only overcome by the cathedral in San Juan.
- Oliver Theater, currently being remodeled, is an architectural jewel that was constructed in 1876. Antonio Paoli and Carlos Gardel performed there. It was one of the important hubs of theater along with Tapia
- Theater in San Juan and La Perla Theater in Ponce.
- The radio telescope of Arecibo was one of the largest in the world with the plate measuring 1,000 feet (305 m) in diameter.
- The Arecibo Captains men´s basketball team have won eight BSN championships: 1959, 2005, 2008 2010, 2011, 2016, 2018 and 2021.
- In Arecibo there´s the Autocine Santana, the only drive in Puerto Rico (Rd. PR-662, kilometer 0.5).
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