Mayagüez Overview

The self-proclaimed capital of the west coast has few attractions but ample spirit. With over 100,000 inhabitants, Mayagüez is one of the island’s major metropolitan areas, yet only in the last few years has it begun to develop a tourist infrastructure. Mayagüez’s deep port is currently used primarily for industrial purposes, but has cruise ship stops planned in the next few years. Like Ponce, the city has some beautiful turn-of-the-century houses, though many have fallen into a state of disrepair. Although Mayagüez is less of a tourist destination than a stopover on a tour of the west coast, the active university district’s bars do provide ample entertainment for an evening visit, and the city is home to the island’s only zoo. Construction in preparation for the Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe in 2010 indicates that Mayagüez does have potential to become a more attractive tourist destination.

• Flights: Aeropuerto Eugenio María de Hostos (☎832-3390), 4 mi. north of town. Take a right onto Rte. 342 off Hwy. 2; after 1 mi. on Rte. 342, turn left at the airport sign. The one airline, Cape Air (☎834-2870) sends flights to San Juan (1 per day, one-way $114). A taxi from Mayagüez costs about $7 (plus luggage. see Taxis).
• Públicos: The público terminal is located at the end of C. Pablo Maiz, near Parque de los Proceros. Call ahead and they’ll pick you up from your hotel. Públicos head to: Aguadilla (30-40min., $3); Añasco (10-15min., $2); Cabo Rojo (15-20min., $2); Ponce (1 $5-6); Rincón (20min., $2). Linea Sultana (☎832-1041 or 832-2502) sends vans to San Juan (3-3hr.; 5, 7, 9, 11am, 1, 3, 5pm; $12).
• Ferries: Ferries del Caribe (☎832-4800 or 832-4905, www.ferriesdelcaribe.com), north of town. From Hwy. 2 turn left at Km 152.2 on Rte. 102 and follow it until it ends. At the split, stay right on Rte. 3341 and the ferry will shortly appear on your left. A taxi costs about $6. An enormous 1000-passenger ferry travels between Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (12hr.; M, W, F 8pm) and Puerto Rico (Tu, Th, Sa 8pm). Prices vary depending on cabin size: general one-way ticket (no cabin) $182, round-trip $189; suites (shared 4-person rooms) round-trip $193 per person; single cabins round-trip $289; double cabins round-trip $213 per person. The boat has airplane-style seats for those who do not purchase a bed. To purchase a one-way ticket you must have an airplane ticket or some other proof of departure from the Dominican Republic. Cars round-trip $200; vans, minivans, and pickups $230; motorcycles $130; bikes $20. You must reserve at least 1 day in advance or pay a $10 fee. If bringing a car, you must arrive 6 hours before departure. The ferry terminal does not have parking. Arrive 2hr. early. Terminal office open M, W, F 8am-8pm; Tu, Th, Sa 8am-5pm; Su noon-4pm. AmEx/MC/V.
• Cars: The car rental companies below operate out of the airport. All prices are for the smallest compact cars available. Rates rise during Christmas, Easter, and summer.
• • Avis (☎833-7070). $44 per day. 25+. Open daily 7am-9:30pm. AmEx/D/MC/V.
  • Budget (☎832-4570). $44 per day, with insurance $53. 21+. Under 25 surcharge $10 per day. Open daily 8am-9pm. AmEx/D/MC/V.
  • Thrifty (☎834-1590). $52 per day. 21+. Under 25 surcharge $10 per day. Open daily 8am-noon and 1-5pm. AmEx/D/MC/V.
• Taxis: White Taxi Cab, C. de Diego 18 (☎832-1154), at C. Peral. Open daily 6:30am-midnight. City Taxi (☎265-1992) leaves from the público station. Open daily 6:30am-11pm. Western Taxi (☎832-0562), at C. del Río, up from C. Antonini. Open daily 6am-midnight.

Orientation And Practical Information

Mayagüez has a relatively small, walkable city center on the eastern side of Hwy 2. Calle Post, also called Hwy. 2R, is the main road and runs north-south, leading north from Plaza Colón to the university area. The main cross streets are C. Mendez Vigo and C. McKinley, both one-way. To reach the city center from Hwy. 2, take Rte. 2R and cross the canal by turning right at the small bridge (this is where Rte. 2R becomes C. Post), or exit Hwy. 2 toward C. McKinley. This is one of the few cities in Puerto Rico where most hotels and restaurants do congregate around the plaza. Mayagüez Town Center, located at the intersection of C. Post and Hwy. 2, just north of the center, holds some convenient services and a food court.

• Tours: AdvenTours (☎831-6447) offers walking tours of downtown Mayagüez (3hr., M-Tu, $22). min. 2 people. Cash only.
• Banks: There are several banks in Mayaguez and ATMs are plentiful. Banco Popular, C. Méndez Vigo 9 (☎832-0475). ATM. Open M-F 8am-4pm. Western Bank has buildings all over Mayagüez; the main office is on C. Méndez Vigo halfway down the block from C. Post. Open M-F 7:30am-6pm, Sa 8:30am-12:30pm. Banco Santander, C. Méndez Vigo 5, is open M-F 8:30am-4pm.
• Camping Permits: The Departmento de Recursos Naturales (DRNA; ☎833-3700 or 833-4703), north on Hwy. 2. Turn right at the Alturas de Mayaguez sign immediately after Rte. 104, before the split for C. Marginal. Take the first left; the office is at the end of Alturas de Mayagüez shopping center. Issues permits to camp ($4 per person) and visit Isla Mona ($10 per person), but you must call the San Juan office to check availability and make a reservation. Open M-F 7:30am-noon and 1-4pm.
• Internet Access: C. McKinley 14, The Biblioteca Municipal, between the Alcaldía and the Teatro Yaguez (☎834-8585, ext. 440), has free Internet, but no email allowed. Open during the summer M-F 8am-4pm, rest of the year 8am-6pm.
• Police: Policía de Puerto Rico, Av. Corazones 1059 (☎832-9699), about 2 mi. south of town. Turn left at Denny’s. Open 24hr.
• Pharmacies: Walgreens, Av. Hostos 2097 (☎805-4005), just north of town at Hwy. 2 Km 152.7, is open 24hr. AmEx/D/MC/V. Super Farmacia Hostos, corner of C. Post and C. Méndez Vigo, has a good selection of basic medicines. Open M-F 7:30am-4:30pm, Sa 7:30am-2pm.
• Hospital: Hospital San Antonio, C. Post 18 Norte (☎834-0056). 24hr. emergency room.
• Post Office: C. McKinley 60 Oeste (☎265-3133). General Delivery available. Open M-F 7am-5pm, Sa 7:30am-1pm. Postal Code: 00680.

Accommodations

Mayagüez is one of the most affordable places to stay in Puerto Rico, and though rooms tend to be small, you will still live and sleep comfortably. Hotels are frequently filled almost to capacity, so try to reserve at least two weeks in advance.

• Hotel Colonial, C. Iglesia 14 Sur (}/fax 833-2150, www.hotelcolonial.com). One of the best values on the island. The colonial building has most of the traditional amenities—A/C, TV, parking—and throws in tall ceilings and 24hr. reception. With clean and cozy rooms, this place is a real bargain. Continental breakfast 7-10:30am included. Parking. Check-in 1pm. Check-out noon. Singles $39; doubles $59; triples $89; quads $99. Extra person $10. MC/V.
• Western Bay Mayagüez, C. Santiago Palmer 9 Este (☎834-0303). This 5-story building is one of Mayagüez’s tallest, and has all the formality of a big-city hotel, including a conference room and a small pool tucked into the courtyard. The rooms are a little snug but still manage to fit in phone, A/C, cable TV, and a small fridge. Clean and well-maintained. Restaurant. Continental breakfast included. Limited parking. Singles $70; doubles $85; extra person $10. AmEx/MC/V.
• Hotel Embajador, C. Antonini 111 (☎833-3340), brings a cosmopolitan feel to Mayagüez with its modern art and slick nightclub, El Chapas. Rooms feature futuristic artwork as well as cable TV and A/C. Singles $60; doubles $80. AmEx/D/MC/V.
• Howard Johnson, C. Méndez Vigo 70 Este (☎832-9191). This HoJo is the nicest hotel downtown. Tropical bedspreads brighten clean, airy rooms with glistening bathrooms. Ideally located right behind the church. Cable TV, A/C, phone, and small swimming pool. Continental breakfast included. Parking $4 per night. Check-in 3pm. Check-out noon. 1 queen bed $96; 2 full beds $107; 2 queen beds $118. Tax included. MC/V.

Food

Mayagüez has a number of attractive dining options around the plaza, and fast food abounds in the malls surrounding town, but for authentic boriquen food, try one of the cafeterías. Quick supplies are available at Pueblo on the 1st floor of the Mayagüez town center. (☎833-1444. Open M-Sa 6am-midnight, Su 11am-5pm. AmEx/MC/V) or Todo a Peso, y Algo Mas, across from the library (Open M-Sa 8:30sm-5:30pm. AmEx/D/MC/V.)

• Ricomini Bakery/Brazo Gitano, C. Méndez Vigo 101 (☎833-1444), takes the cake (and the flan, and the quesito, and the arroz con dulce) for the best bakery/cafe/eatery in town. This clean, airy cafe swarms with activity during lunch hour, when it seems like everyone in Mayagüez stops by. Delicious food, efficient service, immaculate setting. Pastries $0.30-1.50. Breakfast $2.50-3. Sandwiches $4-6. Open daily 6am-midnight. Hot comida criolla $4.50 per lb. AmEx/MC/V.
• Restaurant Siglo XX, C. Peral 9 Norte (☎265-2094). A popular cafetería-style diner, with hot sandwiches ($3-6) and heavier fare available. Speedy service and upstairs seating with dark wood furniture. Entrees $8-13. Open M-Sa 6am-8:30pm.
• Restaurant El Estoril, C. Méndez Vigo 100 Este (☎834-2288). The owners claim this is “The Best in the West,” and they’re not far off. First-rate Portuguese food in a first-class setting, with fountains, porcelain plates decorating the walls, and a huge wine rack. Lunch buffet $10. Seafood, meat, and chicken entrees $17-30. Open June-July Tu-F 11:30-10pm, Sa 5-10pm; Aug.-May M-F 11am-10:30pm, Sa 5-11pm. AmEx/MC/V.
• Rex Cream, C. McKinley 17 (☎832-2121). The best way to beat the humidity is to enjoy some ice cream ($1.50-3) from Rex’s. This ice cream stand is so popular that there are 2 locations around the corner from each other, one on C. McKinley and one on C. Mendez Vigo. Open M-Th 10am-10pm, F-Sa 10am-11pm, Su 11am-11pm. MC/V.
• Restaurante Vegetariano La Familia, C. de Diego 151 Este (☎833-7571). Clean, spacious, and super friendly, not to mention one of the few vegetarian options in Puerto Rico. A full buffet serves a variety of vegetarian entrees, usually including veggie empanadas, several kinds of rice, a tofu dish, and fresh salad. Mix and match your favorites. $6 meal. Open M-F 11am-3pm. Cash only.
• Pizzeria Sancho Panza, C. McKinley 87 (☎833-0215). A bit of a trek from the town center, this Italian pizzeria offers a range of delicious pizzas ($1.50 per slice, $7-14 for pies), calzones ($3-5), and salads ($7-12). Enjoy sit-down service in the clean, air-conditioned shop, or grab takeout. Open M-Th 11am-8pm, Sa 11am-9pm. AmEx/MC/V.

Sights

Zoológico De Puerto Rico. If you’re still lamenting the fact that Puerto Rico is not home to any large mammals, you may enjoy a visit to Puerto Rico’s largest zoo. Managed by the Compañia de Parques Nacionales, the zoo contains a selection of animals including monkeys, zebras, lions, camels, caimans, and hippopotami. The newly developed aves section displays birds from all over the world. Visitors can enter the aviario, a giant fenced-in cage where parrots and other birds fly around. (Take Rte. 108 north past the university, then turn right at the sign for the zoo. Don’t attempt to walk, as the road is narrow and cars drive fast. Taxis about $4. ☎834-8110. Open W-Su 8:30am-4pm. Parking $3, vans $4. $6, ages 11-17 and 60-74 $4, ages 5-10 $2, under 5 and over 74 free. MC/V.)

Tropical Agriculture Research Station. Ecologists and botanists may drool over this 127-acre agricultural center where the US Department of Agriculture conducts research on over 2000 plant species suited to the South Atlantic. For less scientifically inclined visitors, the station provides a wonderful place to walk and the chance to encounter a wide range of tropical fauna. A self-guided tour leads past more than 70 labeled plant species native to the island and only takes 30min. to an hour. (Between Rte. 108 and Rte. 2R. Coming from Rte. 2R, make a left turn directly after the gate to the university. ☎831-3435. Open M-F 7am-noon and 1-4pm. Free.)

Recinto Universitario Mayagüez (Rum) . Any university with the acronym RUM has to be something interesting, and Mayagüez’s branch of the University of Puerto Rico does not disappoint. NASA and other government agencies have been known to recruit engineering students from this primarily science-focused division of UPR. The attractive, palm-filled campus is among the more picturesque in Puerto Rico. Enter the gate across from Mayagüez Town Center and follow the broad Av. Palmeras to reach the main university plaza, the general library, and the student center. (North of the city at the intersection of C. Post and Hwy. 2.)

Teatro Yaguez. Mayagüez has one of the most attractive public theaters in Puerto Rico. In 1976, the municipal government bought a historic church and converted it into the city’s grandiose theater, complete with enormous chandeliers and two balconies. Unfortunately, restoration keeps it under wraps: the 900-seat theater has been undergoing renovation since 2003 and should be ready in 2009. (Behind the Alcaldía between C. McKinley and C. Antonini.)

Nightlife

University students dominate Mayagüez’s nightlife, which heats up Wednesdays and Thursdays, then dies down over the weekend when everyone heads to the beach. If drinking with college kids is not your cup of tea, Sand’s and Galeria have more of a young professional feel, and several malls on Rte. 2 have movie theaters.

• El Garabato, C. Post 102 Norte (☎834-2524). A university pub with open windows and wooden stools where students gather throughout the day and night to grab a beer, play dominos, and chat. Daily Happy hour specials with various $1 beers. Regular beer $2-3 and mixed drinks $3. Open M-Sa 3pm-1:30am. AmEx/MC/V.
• Red Baron Pub, C. Post 102 Norte (☎805-1580), upstairs from El Garabato. Once they’ve gotten good and toasted downstairs, RUM students head up to this steamy pub to dance the night away. Beer $1-2. Particularly popular during Tu karaoke. A live DJ plays reggaeton, rock, and hip-hop W-Sa. Occasional live Spanish rock. Open Tu-Sa 6pm-last customer. Cash only.
• La Casita, C. de Diego 65 (☎805-1505). True to its name, located in a little house. Reggae, rock, and reggaeton give the cheerful 20-something crowd something to nod their heads to while drinking at the bar and watching the Yankees. Beer $2.25-2.50. Mixed drinks $3-5. Cover bands Th-Sa 11pm. $1 Medalla Happy hour W-Th. Open M-F 5pm-1:30am, Sa-Su 8pm-1:30am. MC/V.
• Bleu Bar and Tapas, C. de Diego 63 (☎831-1446). One of the largest dance floors in town, lit, of course, in blue. The polished metal doors and trimmings make it feel industrial and hip—so hip that the 2nd fl. is VIP-only, and a dress code of no shorts or flip-flops is strictly enforced. Beer $2.50. Mixed drinks $4. Tapas $3-8. W DJ. Live music Th-Sa. Cover Sa $4. Open W-F 6pm-1:30am, Sa 8pm-1:30am.
• Galería, adjoining the elegant El Estoril, has a changing display of local artwork. Warm yellow walls produce an intimate feel at this art-gallery-turned-dance-party which caters to an older, more sophisticated crowd. Mixed drinks $3-6. F live rock or jazz. No cover. Open W-Sa 10pm-last customer.
• Sand’s, C. Peral 36 (☎831-5587). Packed with mayagüezanos young enough to enjoy F night karaoke but old enough to afford the pricey drinks. Dance floor with mirrors and flashing colored lights. Appetizers $6-20. Beer $2.75-3.25. Mixed drinks $3.75-6. 21+. Cover W 7-11pm $10, includes limited open bar. Open M-Tu and Su 11am-11pm, W 11am-1am, Th 11am-2am, F-Sa 11am-3am. AmEx/MC/V.
• Mayagüez Beer Garden and Sports Bar, entrance on C. Mendez Vigo. If you’re looking for the party overlooking the plaza, climb up 2 flights of stairs to reach this converted rooftop pool hall. A younger crowd fills the many balconies while enjoying pool, cheap beer, loud music, and dancing. A large stage and plenty of floor space makes this bar one of the only big concert venues in the city. Sa live music. Pool $0.75. Beer $2-3. Open W-Sa 7pm-3am. Cash only.