page_title: Arecibo, Puerto Rico
section_title: Landmarks and places of interest
hierarchical_section_title: Arecibo, Puerto Rico / Tourism / Landmarks and places of interest
caption_attribution_description: English: Puerto Rico. Cueva del Indio, a sea cave eroded in eolianite, just east of Punta Las Tunas on the Atlantic coast, 8 kilometers east-northeast of Arecibo. The name derived from petroglyphs on the cave walls. Image file: /htmllib/btch219/btch219j/btch219z/mwh00054.jpg
context_page_description: Arecibo is a municipality on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, located north of Utuado and Ciales; east of Hatillo; and west of Barceloneta and Florida. It is about 50 miles west of San Juan, the capital city. Arecibo is the largest municipality in Puerto Rico by area, and is part of the San Juan, Caguas and Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is spread over 18 wards and Arecibo Pueblo. Its population in 2010 was 96,440.
  The Arecibo Observatory, which until July 2016 was the world's largest radio telescope, is located here. Arecibo is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Arecibo.
context_section_description: Arecibo Harbor
  The Arecibo Harbor is managed by the Puerto Rico Ports Authority.
  Cathedral of Saint Philip the Apostle
  Arecibo is one of the oldest colonial towns in Puerto Rico (1616). Among its historic buildings is the Cathedral of Saint Phillip Apostle, built beginning in the late 18th century. The first church, built in the middle of the 17th century, was destroyed by an earthquake in 1787. Construction of its replacement began soon after, although it was not completed until 1846. Four days after its dedication, an earthquake seriously damaged it. Repairs were not completed until 1882. The 1918 earthquake damaged the vault so badly that it was replaced by a flat concrete roof; a vaulted ceiling of composition board was placed inside.
  The cathedral of Arecibo is Puerto Rico's second-largest church after the Cathedral of San Juan. The plan is rectangular with three naves; the side naves are cut short to allow large flanking chapels, which occupy almost half the length of the church. The apse is semicircular, and has an unusual half-dome covering it. The facade is a triangular composition of three stages. The top stage, a short central tower, is a later addition, according to local architects and historians. Neoclassic ornamentation is used in an academic fashion on the lowest stage, but the other two show a less traditional use of bands and pilasters. The Renaissance-style windows are uncommon in Puerto Rican churches, but the central tower over the entrance is a common motif used throughout the island.
  City Hall
  The City Hall, built in 1866, served as jail to revolutionaries of El Grito de Lares in 1868. In the 1918 earthquake, the frontal section of the building was destroyed. When repairs were made, a tower and clock were added to the building. In 1978, the building was restored to its original form.
  The City Hall of Arecibo is typical of these regional seats of government. It is relatively modest in size, of stuccoed masonry, with an academically correct composition, having a pedimented center pavilion which projects slightly. The lower story is rusticated, with arched openings; the three doorways in the center giving the effect of a loggia. The upper windows all have segmental pediments and balconies; the central trio share one long balcony. Architectural detailing is modest, but the building is graceful and charming.
  Punta Los Morrillos Lighthouse
  In 1898 the Spaniards built the Arecibo Lighthouse. It was automated in 1964 and is still in use. A small park, Arecibo Lighthouse and Historical Park, has been established around it.
  Arecibo Observatory
  The Arecibo Observatory is the largest single-unit radio telescope ever constructed and one of the world's most powerful radar-radio telescopes. The observatory's purpose is to support scientific studies. It has attracted several Hollywood directors who have filmed there; most recently GoldenEye and Contact. The radio telescope was used in 1974 to send the Arecibo message to space.
  Cambalache Forest Reserve
  Forest between Arecibo and Barceloneta.
  Casa Ulanga
  Originally a residence built by Spanish immigrant Francisco Ulanga, it has served multiple uses. It was later used as a bank, store, city hall of Arecibo, hospital, jail, tribunal, and is now operated as the Arecibo Cultural Center.
  Cueva del Indio
  Archeological site where Taíno drawings can be found.
  Christopher Columbus statue
  The "Birth of the New World" statue depicts Christopher Columbus is located in Arecibo. 295 ft (90 m). The statue is the work of Russian sculptor Zurab Tsereteli, and it is the tallest statue in the Americas.
  Dos Bocas Lake
  Reservoir located between the municipalities of Arecibo and Utuado.
  Paseo Victor Rojas (Victor Rojas Walk)
  Also known as Paseo de Damas or simply El Fuerte, it was built in 1881 where Fort San Miguel's ruins once were.
  Manuel "Petaca" Iguina Coliseum
  Home of the Arecibo Captains basketball team.
  Museum of Art and History of Arecibo
  Shows art from local artists and shows the city's history.
  Beaches
  Nearby beaches include Los Morillos, Los Negritos, Poza del Obispo, and La
caption: Cueva del Indio from the air, 1967
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