Arroyo Overview

When the sugar boom came to an end and Guayama developed as an industrial town, little Arroyo lagged behind. The result is a much smaller, and much more charming, oceanside town where the main attraction is walking down the boardwalk and watching the boats dock. Nonetheless, the city also has several worthwhile cultural attractions. Arroyo’s Tren del Sur, Rte. 3 Km 130.9, rekindles the atmosphere of the sugar era on a 1hr. ride through sugar fields and past plantation ruins. However, the train is currently under renovation until further notice. Consult the tourist office, in the same parking lot as Tren del Sur, for updates (☎271-1574). Arroyo’s colorful and beautifully carved old customs house has been converted into the Museo de la Antigua Aduana, C. Morse 65, which was under construction at the time of publication. (South of the plaza. ☎839-8096. Open daily 9am-noon and 1pm-4pm.) The charming malecón or boardwalk at the end of C. Morse is lined with palm trees on one side and seafood restaurants on the other; you can find locals strolling here in the evenings and on weekends. The most popular part of Arroyo is not the town itself, but rather Centro Vacacional Punta Guilarte, the most popular swimming beach between Yabucoa and Guánica. This enormous government-run vacation center doesn’t have too much sand, but makes up for that with scattered palm trees, lush vegetation, and incredible sunsets. Here, families picnic in the grass and children play in the shallow water. Facilities include outdoor showers, bathrooms, trash cans, picnic tables, and lifeguards during daylight hours. A few kiosks sell empanadillas and beer.

The accommodations options at this large complex fit any budget. An enormous grassy camping area called Balneario Punta Guilarte provide a roof and two cramped bedrooms that hold up to six people. The rooms are less than comfortable, but cabaña guests also have access to the large, clean pool, as well as beach volleyball courts. For a more relaxed sleeping experience, head straight to the villas , which are similar to the cabañas but have been newly renovated and include A/C and hot water. (Rte. 3 Km 128.4 to 129.6, east of Arroyo. The western entrance leads to the villas; the eastern entrance leads to the cabañas, the camping area, the public beach, and the office. ☎839-3565 or 839-3565; www.parquesnacionalespr.com. Office open daily 8am-4:30pm. Entrance to complex $3 per car. Camping $10 per tent. Cabañas $66; villas $109. Tax included. AmEx/D/MC/V.) Arroyo’s best restaurants line the boardwalk, where guests enjoy seafood on patios overlooking the water. For a cheap option, Panadería and Repostería La Familia , on C. Morse, two blocks south of the plaza, serves pizza (slices $1.25-1.75), sandwiches ($1.25-4.50), a daily lunch special ($4), and of course, pastries. (☎271-5162. Open daily 6:30am-9pm. MC/V.)

Públicos between Patillas and Guayama stop in Arroyo along C. Morse; flag down a van and ask which direction it’s going (15min., $0.50). If you’re going to Centro Vacacional Guilarte, ask the driver to drop you off at the intersection, then walk 1 mi. down to the beach. It’s about a 2 mi. walk back into town.