Aibonito puerto rico: Aibonito | Central Mountains | Discover Puerto Rico

Aibonito, Puerto Rico

(ei-bo-NEE-to)

Aibonito is known as La Ciudad de las Flores (city of the flowers).
The town was founded in March 13, 1824 by Manuel Vélez.

Aibonito derives its name from a name given by the Indians,
“Jatibonucu” which literally means “Great People of the Sacred High Waters”.

The tribe or yucayeque living in the area was known as Jatibonicu and it was
lead by Cacique Orocobix (Indian chief). In fact,
the Jatibonicu region covered the same area as the current towns of
Aibonito, Orocovis, Barranquitas, Morovis and Corozal.

A legend also claims that one day a Spaniard wake up over the Asomante mountain and
overwhelm by the beauty of the place he exclaim “Ay, que bonito”
(Oh, how beautiful!).

Points of Interest

The Iglesia San José was built in 1825. The building was later replaced by the current church, which was started in 1887
and completed in 1897. This beautiful church is a fine example of Gothic architecture. Open Mon-Wed & Fri 8:30am-noon
1pm-3:30pm, Thu 8:30am-noon, Sat 9am-noon (tel. 787- 735-3741).

The Casa Degetau is the former home of Federico Degetau, who was Puerto Rico’s first Resident Commissioner in
Washington (tel. 787-735-3871).

The San Cristobal Canyon, one of the most notable topographic features of the island, it is the largest canyon
in Puerto Rico (and in the Caribbean). Three rivers cascade through its ravines, some of which are over 750 feet deep.
It is also home to the highest waterfall in Puerto Rico, right on the Rio Usabon.

Aibonito is known for its flowers, and since 1969, a two-weekend
event draws big crowds of locals and visitors.
The Festival de las Flores (Flowers Festival) is celebrated every
year from the last weekend of June up to the first weekend of July.
It’s considered the most important flower event on the island,
the festivities include flower shows, handcrafts displays, kid rides, music and food.

Additional Places and Sights

Other places worth exploring include:

• Casa Manresa
• La Piedra de Degetau
• La Trinchera de Asomante

Economy

Aibonito’s main industries are chicken, followed by flowers, some tobacco, coffee and cattle.

Geography

Aibonito is territory is mountainous, located in the Mountain Range of
Cayey, north of
Salinas; south of
Barranquitas and
Comerio;
east of
Coamo; and west of
Cidra and Cayey.
Aibonito reaches one of the highest elevation point in the island.
The town’s highest peaks are Verdún (760 m), Piedra
Degetau (730 m), El Indio (620 m), and Amoldadero (530 m).

Many rivers cross the town including Aibonito, La Plata, Usabón, and Cuyón.

Aibonito is made up of 9 barrios (wards/districts):

• Asomante
• Algarrobo
• Caonillas
• Cuyón
• Llanos

• Pasto
• Plata
• Pueblo
• Robles

Climate

The annual precipitation is approximately 90 inches and the
average temperature is 75F.

10-Day Forecast

Notable People

There are many well-known “aiboniteños”, among them:

• Rubén Berrios Martínez, politician
• Rafael Pont Flores, journalist
• Juan Martínez Capó, writer
• Manuel Alvarez Nazario, writer

Restaurants

• El Rincon Familiar (Puerto Rican), (787) 735-7425
• La Piedra (Puerto Rican), (787) 735-1034
• Tio Pepe Restaurant (Puerto Rican), (787) 735-9615

Accommodations

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Festivals and Events

• Aibonito Flower Festival – June/July
  Aibonito celebrates every year the famous “Festival de las Flores”, featuring exhibits and sale of the most popular and newest varieties of tropical flower and plants, as well as crafts. The annual flower festival features exhibits of lilies, anthuriums, carnations, roses, gardenias, begonias and other tropical plans as well as food, music, and merrymaking. The festivities also features music and food.
  (787) 735-3871
  (787) 735-4070
• Festival de la Montana – November
• Festival del Pollo – August
• Fiestas Patronales de Santiago Apostol – July/August
  Every year, Aibonito celebrates a patron saint festival. The festivities include dances, food, parades and religious processions.
  (787) 735-3871
• Maraton del Pavo – November

Symbols

Flag
Blue for the sky, white for air purity, red for love of theown motherland, and gold (yellow) for the traditional Hispanic values.

Coat of Arms
The shield is divided in four corners or quarters. The superior left corner represents the Asomante where last battles of the Hispano-American War took place, symbolized by the sword.
In the right corner we find: a white band symbolizing the fog that covers the Aiboniteos valleys and mountains in winter; on a blue field, a purple color flower typical of the region and declared official by the organizers of the First Festival of the Flowers in 1969; and in the inferior end a golden lily to remember San Jos, patron of the Parochial Church of the town and also symbolizing the Eminence Cardinal Luis Aponte Martinez, first Puerto Rican Cardinal of the Catholic Church. The bottom left corner on a blue background is placed the gold tower of the Manresa House to symbolize the spiritual value that such institution represents for all Puerto Rico. In the right corner a divided mountain of green color which represents the San Cristbal Canon with a seashell in the superior part that symbolizes Apostle Santiago.

The anthem of Aibonito was written by
Santa Guevara Marrero. The title is Aibonito

Education

There are 14 public schools in Aguadilla,
education is handled by the Puerto Rico Department of Education. Aguadilla is also home of 3 colleges and universities.

Demographics *

Population
24,637

Puerto Rico: 3,285,874

Land Area: 31.31 sq mi

Density: 720 per sq mi

Median Age: 43.6

Sex: 52% female

Economics **

Per capita income
$12,078

Puerto Rico: $21,058

Median household income: $20,631
Puerto Rico: $21,058

Persons below poverty line: 44. 8%

Housing, families and educational attainment *

Number of households
8,795
Housing units density:
332.4 (2013)

Persons per household: 2.56

High school grad or higher: 78.4%

Marital status: 40% married

* U.S. Census Bureau 2020 data, unless otherwise noted – Source: Quick Facts Puerto Rico.

** U.S. Census Bureau 2016-2020

Map References

Coordinates: 18.1400° N, 66.2661° W

Zip Code: 00705, 00786

Driving Distance from San Juan: 48.8 miles

Driving Time: 1 hour, 23 minutes

Aibonito – Travel guide at Wikivoyage

Aibonito is a small mountain town and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Cordillera Central, the central mountain range of the island. Aibonito is most famous for its relatively cold temperatures, its flower industry and yearly festival, its food and its beautiful nature.

Understand[edit]

Aibonito is located in the Sierra de Cayey, a subrange of the Cordillera Central. At 2,400 feet (731 m) in elevation, Aibonito’s main town square is the highest in Puerto Rico. The San Cristobal Canyon, one of the largest and deepest canyons in the Caribbean, separates Aibonito from Barranquitas in the north. The area was originally settled by the Taino people, and the town’s name comes from the Taino word “Jatibon” (from Jatibonicu, the name of the local tribe), meaning “black river” or “high river” (similar to Haiti’s name origin). A local legend says the name comes from a Spanish settler who exclaimed “ay que bonito!” (“oh, how pretty!”) at the natural scenery in the area.

• San Juan: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
• Aguadilla: Rafael Hernández Airport
• Ponce: Mercedita Airport

By car[edit]

Aibonito is connected to Cayey in the east through road PR-14, to Coamo in the west also through PR-14, and to Cidra in the east through PR-173. The Carretera Central and PR-1 also connect the municipality to Cayey in the east and Salinas in the south, although the road itself does not lead to the Pueblo (downtown).

Get around[edit]

Map of Aibonito

As with most towns in Puerto Rico, Aibonito is very car-centric and driving is the easiest way to get around.

A word of caution: if driving you are sharing the road with trucks, and locals. The mountain roads have steep descents and ascents, hairpin turns, and steep cliff drops are not always protected by railing. The roads may look like one-lane highways but are made to handle two-lane traffic.

Church of San Jose in downtown Aibonito

• 18.136321-66.2641751 Aibonito Pueblo (downtown Aibonito). 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. The historic downtown and administrative center of Aibonito is home to several historic buildings, such as the colonial-style Church San José, the city hall and the main town square. (updated Apr 2022) Some historic sites and tourist attractions in the downtown area are:

• • Church of San José of Aibonito (Parroquia San José), 55 Geronimo Martinez Street, ☏ +1 787-735-3741. The main church and Catholic parish in town. The current building dates to 1897 and it was listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1984. (updated Oct 2021)
  • Encanto Theater (Antiguo Teatro Encanto), Calle San José, ☏ +1 787-735-8181. Historic theater dating to the early 20th century. (updated Oct 2021)
  • Federico Degetau House and Museum (Casa Museo Federico Degetau), Cll Degetau, ☏ +1 787-991-7219. F Sa 10AM-3PM. Historic residence (now museum) of Federico Degetau, a German-Puerto Rican writer and lawyer who went on to become the first Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico in the US Capitol. (updated Oct 2021)
  • Moscoso Pharmacy (Farmacia Moscoso), 49 PR-14. Century-old historical pharmacy that still preserves its early 20th-century architecture and interiors. (updated Oct 2021)
• 18.1157-66.29482 Asomante Battlefield and Trench (Las Trincheras de Asomante), Carr. 14, Asomante. Site of one of the most important battles in the Puerto Rico campaign of the 1898 Spanish-American War. Although the site hasn’t been developed for tourism or visitors, the area is considered one of the most beautiful in Aibonito due to its views of the Caribbean and the southern coastal plains. A plaque in Aibonito’s main town square commemorates this battle and the 100th anniversary of the American occupation of Puerto Rico. (updated Oct 2021)
• Mirador La Plata (along PR-14). 24 hours. Scenic overview overlooking a high valley of the La Plata River, the longest in Puerto Rico. Free. (updated Oct 2021)
• Piedra Degetau (Mirador y Parque de la Piedra de Degetau), PR-7718 (Ruta Panorámica). Daily 11AM-11PM. Park and vista point located at one of the highest points in Aibonito. Piedra de Degetau is the name of the mountain summit located in the park where according to tradition Federico Degetau, famous author and the first representative of Puerto Rico in Washington D.C., often found inspiration to write. The park has a watchtower providing breathtaking views of Aibonito. A pizzeria, food kiosks, parking and bathrooms are also available. (updated Oct 2021)
• San Cristobal Canyon (Cañón de San Cristóbal). One of the largest and deepest canyons in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. The nine-kilometers-long gorge section found between Aibonito and Barranquitas is the most visited part of it due to its narrow gorges and beautiful waterfalls. (updated Oct 2021)

• Camping and hiking at San Cristobal Canyon. There other natural sites for outdoors activities such as: La Cuchilla and Finca Don Felix.

Aibonito is most famous in Puerto Rico for its floral industry. The constantly cool temperatures in the area allow for the growth of native and foreign flowers making Aibonito the flower capital of Puerto Rico. During the month of July the town hosts the yearly Festival of Flowers (Festival de las Flores de Aibonito) where visitors can learn about the floral industry and buy rare and exotic plants. A number of roads running through the municipality’s flower crop areas is popularly known as Ruta de Las Flores (“The Flower Route”). There are numerous plant nurseries and gardens open to the public where visitors can buy all kinds of flowers:

• El Coquí – Aibonito Garden (Jardín El Coquí), Carr. 723 KM 1.2 interior, ☏ +1 939-419-3235. M-Sa 8AM-4PM. (updated Oct 2021)
• Jardín Emanuelli, PR-723 (Ruta Panorámica), ☏ +1 787-991-1736. Daily 8AM-4PM. Wide variety of bromeliads, orchids, anturios, heliconias. (updated Oct 2021)
• Jardín Luriam, PR-162, ☏ +1 787-735-6817. M-Sa 7AM-4PM. (updated Oct 2021)
• Jardines Asomante (Asomante Gardens and Nursery), Rd 14 Km 46.5 (next to the Trincheras de Asomante battlefield area), ☏ +1 787-735-8961. (updated Oct 2021)
• Meyers Nursery, Bo. Pasto Carr. 718 km 2.5, ☏ +1 787-735-6177, [email protected]. Weekdays 8AM-4PM. Considered the largest orchid and bromeliad farm in the Caribbean. (updated Oct 2021)

• Aibonito Beer Garden and Restaurant, 5 Degetau Street (Esq. Geronimo Martinez), [email protected]. M W Th 10AM-11PM, F Sa noon-midnight, closed on Tuesdays. Beer garden also serving Puerto Rican and American meals. (updated Oct 2021)
• Claudio Pizza, Cll Federico Degetau, ☏ +1 787-215-1114. Daily 11AM-9PM. (updated Oct 2021)
• El Balconcíto Criollo, PR-7718, ☏ +1 787-735-2005. M-F 10AM-10PM, Sa Su 10AM-midnight. (updated Oct 2021)
• El Cantinflas, PR-722 Int 162 (Ruta Panorámica), ☏ +1 787-735-8870. M-F 11AM-9PM, Sa Su 11AM-10PM. (updated Oct 2021)
• El Italiano Xpress, 49 PR-14, ☏ +1 787-735-7002. M-F 11AM-9PM, Sa Su 11AM-10PM. Pizza, pasta and Puerto Rican fares. (updated Oct 2021)
• El Rincón Familiar, PR-162, Esq. Miguel Suarez Street, ☏ +1 787-735-7425. Daily 10AM-10PM. (updated Oct 2021)
• Fiore-Trattoria, 54 Rius Rivera Street, ☏ +1 787-705-1335. Sa Su noon-11PM. Italian cuisine. (updated Oct 2021)
• La Canasta Fried Chicken, Cll Geronimo Martinez (downtown Aibonito), ☏ +1 787-735-6594. Daily 7:30AM-4PM. BBQ, fried chicken and chicken meals such as milanesas. (updated Oct 2021)
• Picadera Fine Food (downtown Aibonito), ☏ +1 787-694-0914. W-Su 2-11:30PM. Typical Puerto Rican fare and cocktails. (updated Oct 2021)
• Rock & Birra, 51 Padial Street (downtown Aibonito), ☏ +1 939-334-1129. Th-Su 1-10PM. Tacos, Mexican and Puerto Rican fare. (updated Oct 2021)
• Sushibonito (downtown Aibonito), ☏ +1 787-715-7000. W 4-10PM, Th-Sa noon-10PM, Su noon-8:30PM. Sushi and Japanese cuisine. (updated Oct 2021)
• Tio Pepe, PR-723 (Ruta Panoramica), ☏ +1 787-735-9615. Th-Su 11AM-midnight. Popular spot serving traditional Puerto Rican fares and “antojitos”. (updated Oct 2021)

• Doble 3 Sport Bar, Cll Degetau (downtown Aibonito), ☏ +1 787-989-7241. M-F 1-10PM, Sa Su 12:30PM-12:30AM. (updated Oct 2021)
• La Finca Mojito Bar, Carr 162 km 12.8, ☏ +1 787-942-3624. Sa Su noon-9PM. (updated Oct 2021)
• Panoramic Liquor, PR-14 / PR-7718 (Ruta Panorámica), ☏ +1 787-366-7669. M-F 8AM-7PM, Sa Su 8AM-midnight. (updated Oct 2021)
• Veseo Lounge, 1 Degetau Street (downtown Aibonito), ☏ +1 787-642-0479, [email protected]. F Sa 6PM-1AM, Su 6PM-midnight. Gay bar in downtown close to the main town square. Often hosts special events such as drag shows and themed-nights. (updated Oct 2021)

• Aibonito Hotel, ☏ +1 787-475-0000. (updated Oct 2021)
• Casita de Campo Aibonito, off PR-14, ☏ +1 787-214-6328. Campground and cabins. (updated Oct 2021)
• Finca Bee Happy, PR-14 Km 42.7 (municipal boundary between Aibonito and Coamo), ☏ +1 939-281-5081. (updated Oct 2021)

Go next[edit]

• Barranquitas
• Cayey
• Cidra
• Coamo
• Comerío
• Salinas

Booking.com
:
Hotels in Aibonito
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Book your hotel right now!

Health and safety

Objects, which take measures to protect health and safety

10

Sustainable development

Housing for Conscious Travels

9000 9000

Stars and other stars and other stars and other stars and other stars ratings

3 stars / other ratings

9

4 stars / other ratings

1

without stars

12

AIBONITO: distance from the center

less than 5 km

Time

Fishing

3

Hiking

3

Happy Hour

3

0005

Golf Field (within 3 km)

2

Casino

2

Housing entirely

House and apartments entirely

9000

Apartments

9

Hotels

6

Vacation homes

3

0005

1

1

OBTOSSSIBLE on reviews

Excellent: 9+

Very good: 8+

9000 9000

well: 7++++++++++

16

is quite good: 6+

16

Convenities

Parking

Restaurant

5 9 9

you can with pets

12

Delivery of food and drinks to number

4

Current registration stand

1

9000

16

Private bathroom

15

Air conditioning

20

5 Work table

Bath

6

9000

Toilet with rails

2

High toilet

3

Low basin

1

9. 7 Туман +21.5 0 0 763 97 2.4 ССВ 07:00 +19.8 Туман +21.4 0 0 764 97 2.7 СВ 08:00 +20.7 Туман +22.5 1 0 0 763 94 2.7 СВ 21:00 +20.