Camuy, Puerto Rico

(kahm-WEE)

Camuy is known as "La Ciudad Romántica" (romantic city) and "La Ciudad del Sol Taíno" (city of the Taino sun). The town was founded in 1807, when it was disassociated from Arecibo by Petrolina Matos.

It is said that Camuy derives its name from a word used by the Indians "camuy", which means sun, at the same time others think that it was the name that the Indians gave to the river that crossed this region.

If you take only one sightseeing trip from San Juan, this should be it. From Arecibo, on the north shore, go southwest along Route 129 to the Río Camuy Cave Park. This incredible 268-acre park is the site of the great subterranean caverns carved out by the Camuy River over one million years ago. The impeccably maintained trails gently descend 200 feet through a fern filled ravine to the yawning, cathedral-like caverns. The caves are home to a unique species of fish that is totally blind. To visit this pristine site is to be transported to another, hidden world. Rio Camuy Cave Park is the third-largest cave system in the world. Sixteen entranced have been found and 11 kilometers (7 miles) of passages explored so far. One special attraction is the Cueva Clara, which measures 695 feet (210m) in length.

The park is equipped with picnic areas, walking trails, food facilities, and exhibition hall and a souvenir shop, making it the perfect place to spend a day. Reservations are essential, as this place is understandably popular. Open Wednesdays through Sundays and holidays; 8am to 4pm. For information call: (787) 898-3100 or (787) 763-0568.

If you are looking for an architecture delight, Iglesia La Piedra, also known as the Stone Church was built in 1912 by locals with unworked limestone rocks. This unique small church was declared a historic monument by the Puerto Rican Culture Institute in 1990.

Another place worth to mention is the Guajataca Lake, a reservoir created by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority in 1929. It supplies water San Sebastian, Camuy, Isabela and Quebradillas. The dam lies across the Guajataca River to form the reservoir that can hold roughly 11 billion gallons of water. Located on Route 119, (787) 280-0430.

Additional Places and Sights

Other places worth exploring include:

• Hacienda Morell
• Paseo Tablado del Río Camuy (Boardwalk)
• Camuy History Museum
• Peñon Brussi Beach

Geography

Camuy territory is mostly flat because the city it is located on the Valley of Quebradillas, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Lares; east of Quebradillas; and west of Hatillo. Its rivers are: Cibao and Camuy.

Camuy is made up of 12 barrios (wards/districts):

Climate

Camuy annual precipitation is 51 inches, and its average temperature is 78°F. Precipitation is the lowest in March, with an average of 2.83 inches. Most precipitation falls in November, with an average of 5.9 inches. July is the hottest month of the year, and February the coolest.

10-Day Forecast

Restaurants

• Chilangos Mexican Grill (Mexican), (787) 262-4774
• El Fogon de Abuela (Puerto Rican), (787) 262-0781
• Palace China (Chinese), (787) 262-1392
• Sandwichera El Boricua (Deli/Sandwich), (787) 262-0576

Festivals and Events

• Carnaval Camuyano - February
  
• Feria de la Cultura - September
  
• Festival Playero Pena Brusi - July
  
• Fiestas Patronales de San Jose - May
  Every year, Camuy celebrates a patron saint festival. The festivities include dances, food, parades and religious processions. (787) 898-2160
• Velorio de los Reyes - January
  

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