Barceloneta (Puerto Rico)

Barceloneta is a town of about 23,000 residents (2020) on the Atlantic coast of Puerto Rico, between the municipalities of Arecibo in the west, Manatí in the east and Florida in the south. == Understand == The town was founded in 1881 by Don Bonocio Llenza Feliú, a Catalan immigrant who named the settlement after his hometown, Barcelona. == Get in == San Juan: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport Aguadilla: Rafael Hernández Airport Ponce: Mercedita Airport === By car === Barceloneta is located about 60 km (33 miles) or about an hour from San Juan and about 20 km (12 miles) from Arecibo, along highway PR-22. == Get around == The best way to get around town is by car, as public transportation is limited. There is however trolley cars, free of charge, for local transport within the town itself. == See == 1 Barceloneta Pueblo (downtown Barceloneta). 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. (updated Apr 2022) Antiguo Hospital Municipal de Barceloneta is an abandoned hospital now popular for its colorful murals, the most famous one being a giant flag of Puerto Rico. Barceloneta Cultural Center, located by the main plaza, is a small museum and visitors center showcasing information about the town and several Taíno artifacts found by archaeologists nearby. Paseo de las Alas is a popular spot for selfies due to the mural portraying a lineup of wings where people take pictures in. Paseo de los Veteranos is a pedestrian street and it hosts several stores and restaurants. Plaza de Barceloneta is the main town square where the city hall and the main church. Barceloneta is one of the only towns in Puerto Rico where the main church located in the central plaza is Catholic but Protestant, in this case Pentecostal. The plaza is home to various restaurants, cafes and a visitors center with information about the town. Plaza El Ancón is an esplanade and small plaza located at the riverside of the Manatí River. Sixto Escobar Museum (+1 787-846-5011) is a small museum dedicated to the famous boxing champion who hailed from Barceloneta. Cambalache Forest Reserve, although the main entrance is located in Arecibo, this state forest is also within Barceloneta's municipal boundaries. The forest located among mogotes and it offers opportunities for birdwatching, hiking and mountain biking. Caño Tiburones, also shared between Arecibo and Barceloneta, is Puerto Rico's largest swamp and home to numerous bird species both native and migratory, making it a great spot for birdwatching. Muelle Taíno, at the end of Boca Avenue in barrio Palmas Altas. This is a public park at the mouth of the Manatí River, next to a beach that is famous for its black sands. The area also hosts numerous seafood restaurants worth checking out, especially if you enjoy octopus. == Do == Go to one of the many beaches located in this municipality: Barceloneta Beach - the town's main beach with infrastructure such as bathrooms, food kiosks, nearby restaurants and bars. Due to its location on the Atlantic coast the beach can be dangerous for swimming during rough weather. The beach is located along road PR-681. Las Criollas Beach - small and secluded rocky beach with coral reefs located at the eastern end of Barceloneta Beach. Palmas Altas Beach and La Palma Beach - a set of beaches located respectively to the east and the west of the Manatí River delta. These beaches are famous for the black sand and its waves which often attract surfers. Urban exploring at the ruins of the local sugarcane plantations and refineries, such as Marqués de la Esperanza Hacienda Ruins and La Monserrate Refinery Ruins, locally known as Central La Mosarrate. Please exercise caution as there is no established infrastructure to cater for visitors. Fiestas patronales - the local patronal festival celebrating the town's patron saint, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, is celebrated yearly during the month of July. This festival hosts live music, arts and crafts vendors, a fair and games for children. == Buy == 1 Walmart Supercenter, Carr #2 Km 56.6, ☏ +1 787-970-8100. 6AM-11PM. Department store and grocery store. (updated Apr 2022) Premium Outlets Barceloneta, 1 Premium Outlets Bvd, ☏ +1 787-846-5300. Daily 9AM-9PM. Popular outdoor outlets mall hosting the usual American and international brands, in addition to a movie theater, a food court and several chain restaurants. (updated Oct 2021) == Eat == Borizolanos, ☏ +1 787-204-9191. Daily 9AM-8PM. Venezuelan restaurant located in the Premium Outlets. $5-15. (updated Oct 2021) Chili's Grill & Bar, 1 Prime Outlets Boulevard #6, ☏ +1 787-846-1000. Daily 11AM-11PM. (updated Oct 2021) IHOP, Premium Outlets 1 Premium Outlets Blvd, ☏ +1 787-970-3434. Daily 6AM-9PM. (updated Oct 2021) El Bohio del Gran Pescador (El Bohio), Carr. 684 Km 3.1, ☏ +1 787-413-9931, rest_bohio@yahoo.com. F 9AM-6PM, Sa Su 9AM-10PM. Traditional Puerto Rican seafood popular with locals. $10-30. (updated Oct 2021) El Sazón De "Tío", Parcelas Palenque 27 C. 2, ☏ +1 321-314-2727. Sa Su 10AM-5PM. Puerto Rican restaurant specializing in lechón. $10-30. (updated Oct 2021) Kapi-Kapi Beach Restaurant, ☏ +1 787-654-8223. Sa Su 10AM-8PM. Popular seafood spot. (updated Oct 2021) La Llave del Mar, Carr. 684 Km. 3.1, ☏ +1 787-444-3659. F-Tu 9AM-6PM. Famous seafood spot. Try the seafood empanadillas and fritters. $10-30. (updated Oct 2021) Lechonera El Carajo, Sector Verdun Carr 681 km 13.7, ☏ +1 787-965-0033. Th-Su 10AM-11PM. Lechonera with a funny name. (updated Oct 2021) Metropol, Premium Outlets 1 Premium Outlets Bvd, ☏ +1 787-970-1000. The popular Cuban-Puerto Rican chain of restaurants. (updated Oct 2021) Old West Town, 17-23 Georgetti Street, ☏ +1 787-369-3809. Sa Su noon-8PM. Wild west-themed restaurant serving typical Puerto Rican meals and fun desserts. The restaurant sometimes hosts live music. (updated Oct 2021) Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, 1 Premium Outlets Blvd, ☏ +1 787-970-8747. Daily 11AM-10PM. (updated Oct 2021) Pura Besca, Km. 3 Carr. 684, ☏ +1 787-672-7790, purapescaa@gmail.com. W-Su 10AM-6PM. Popular seafood spot famous for its alcapurrias, seafood empanadillas, crab rice, mofongo and cheap beers. $10-50. (updated Oct 2021) Tsunami Beach Burgers N Fish (Tsunami Restaurant), ☏ +1 787-484-6036, tsunamirestaurant@hotmail.com. W Th Su 11AM-7PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM. Restaurant serfing burgers, traditional Puerto Rican fare and local seafood. $10-30. (updated Oct 2021) == Drink == Most of the seafood establishments also have bars serving cheap beers and fun cocktails. Pa' Picar, ☏ +1 787-846-4806, papicarcc@gmail.com. Sa Su 3PM-9PM. Self-identified chinchorro serving beers, cocktails and Puerto Rican snack food. (updated Oct 2021) == Sleep == Other than AirBnBs, there are no hotels in Barceloneta. The closest hotels are in Manatí to the east of Barceloneta. == Go next == Arecibo Florida Manatí