Arecibo, Puerto Rico 

Arecibo, Puerto Rico is a municipality in the northern mid-west coast of Puerto Rico has the largest land mass and is located by the Atlantic Ocean. It is situated on the north coast of the island of Puerto Rico, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) west of San Juan, or approximately an hour trip by car. It is the largest city in area in Puerto Rico.

Arecibo, Puerto Rico is known as El Diamante Del Norte (North's Diamond) as well as La Ribera del Arecibo (The shore of Arecibo). It is also known as La Villa del Capitán Correa (Captain Correa's Villa) after the Puerto Rican hero Captain Antonio de los Reyes Correa, who as a member of the Spanish Army defended Arecibo from a British invasion led by Admiral Whelstone in August 5 1702.

The lighthouse is still in use and has been expanded to include a new recreational facility with a restaurant, museum, playground and beach.

The lighthouse in Arecibo, Puerto Rico has been restored and integrated into a new recreation facility featuring an expansive deck as well as a children's play area.

Replicas of Indian huts, African quaters, Christopher Columbus ships, Huge Pirate's ship & cave, cafeteria, museum & mini-zoo. A breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding area. Salt-water aquarium with Sharks, Stingray, Nemos, Seahorses and more!

You can visit Cueva del Indio cave, an archeological site, the cave is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, in Bo. Islote. It is called The Cave of the Indian, because drawings of the Indians that lived in this area in the Prehistoric Era were found in the walls of the cave.

But, without a doubt, the most famous point of interest in Arecibo, Puerto Rico is the world’s largest radio telescope. There is an observation deck right at the edge of the telescope and a hands-on exhibit covering some interstellar science.

The Arecibo Observatory is part of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC), a national research center operated by Cornell University under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The NSF is an independent federal agency whose aim is to promote scientific and engineering progress in the United States.

NSF funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. Additional support is provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The Observatory operates on a continuous basis, 24 hours a day every day, providing observing time, electronics, computer, travel and logistic support to scientists from all over the world. All results of research are published in the scientific literature which is publicly available.

As the site of the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, the Observatory is recognized as one of the most important national centers for research in radio astronomy, planetary radar and terrestrial aeronomy.

Use of the Arecibo Observatory is available on an equal, competitive basis to all scientists from throughout the world. Observing time is granted on the basis of the most promising research as ascertained by a panel of independent referees who review the proposals sent to the Observatory by interested scientists.

Every year about 200 scientists visit the Observatory facilities to pursue their research project, and numerous students perform observations that lead to their master and doctoral dissertations.

Many people like to go to Lago Dos Bocas. A great deal of rain falls at Lago Dos Bocas. There's splendid hiking along the Vereda Alcantarilla. Rio Caonillas flows through this vicinity.

This lake is so wonderful. Dos Bocas Dam is an out of the ordinary thing to check out. All through the warm days of summer, highs mostly are in the 80's at Lago Dos Bocas.

When the night sets in temperatures sink down into the 70's. Highs through the wintertime are typically in the 80's, and after the sun is down through the wintertime temperatures at Lago Dos Bocas dip into the 60's. If you come at the right time of year, Arecibo River offers some perfect whitewater.

Inside the city of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, the City Hall built in 1866, served as jail to "El Grito de Lares" (The Cry of Lares)—also referred as the Lares uprising, the Lares revolt, Lares rebellion or even Lares Revolution—was the revolt against Spanish rule in Puerto Rico on September 23, 1868, in the town of Lares, Puerto Rico.

In 1918, the frontal section of the building was destroyed by an earth tremor. Repairs were made and 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 shares one long balcony. Architectural detailing is modest but the building is graceful and charming.

The Oliver historic theater was built as a municipal theater in order to alleviate Arecibo's need for theatrical space as well as a place to hold town meetings and other types of gatherings.

The theater was built in the historic district of urban Arecibo in 1877. Many years after the theater opened its doors to Arecibo's inhabitants it was converted into a movie theater. The theaters owners decided to renovate the theater and give it a more modern look.

In 2001 the municipality of Arecibo realized that they needed space for the performing arts and ironically instead of building a performing arts center they opted to restore the Oliver to its beautiful original neoclassical facade. The Oliver remains open as Arecibo's municipal theater.

For those who long for a peaceful beach where the only sound other than the surf is your quickening heart caused by an amazing scene, head to Arecibo for an unbelievable display of wave energy - from a safe protected bay, of course.

Visit La Poza del Obispo (the Bishop's Pond) is a pool created inside some rocks and the breakers of the ocean waves on the rocks send up a spectacular jet of spray. Great area for surfers!

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