Añasco, Puerto Rico

Añasco is a small agricultural town of 28,300 inhabitants, according to the 2000 census. It is located a few minutes away from Mayagüez on PR Road 2. Although the town itself is located farther inland, Añasco's claim on fame comes from its beaches which, together with those of neighboring Rincón, attract sun and surf worshippers from all over the world. The patron saint for Añasco is "San Antonio Abad", celebrated on January 17.

Añasco's land area was widely populated by Taíno indian tribes long before the Spaniards settled the island in the sixteenth century. Since the arrival of the Spaniards, until the year 1511, the Taínos believed the Spaniards to be immortal gods. The gods, however, were very cruel toward the indians. It was here that a young Spaniard, Diego Salcedo, was intentionally drowned by the Taínos to verify that Spaniards were not, after all, immortal gods. The news spread among Taíno tribes throughout the whole island, and led to the Taíno insurgence against the Spaniards.

conceptualization of a Taíno village

Centro Vacacional Villas de Añasco, telephones (787) 826-1600 and (787) 826-1610, is located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean at PR Road #115, Km. 5.0, Barrio Caguabo, Añasco, Puerto Rico.

The resort includes 32 cottages sparsed around beautiful garden trails with mild, cool ocean breezes to make for a great tropical setting. The resort also includes a high-rise building with 120 villas with spectular views of the surroundings.

The apartments at both cottages and villas are equipped with refrigerator, stove, water heater and air conditioning in both bedrooms. Each apartment has a double bed in a bedroom and two double-decker bunker beds in another.

Facilities include a beach and two pools, one for kids andone for adults, which includes a ramp to allow handicapped access.There are basketball and beach volleyball courts. A passive park for children included slides and swings. There are lifeguards at the beach and pools throughout daytime hours. Security guards are on 24 /7.

For large gatherings, a gazebo holds around 60 people and a meeting room holds around 250. Parking is available , one car per cottage or villa.

The beaches around Añasco and neighboring Rincón are favorites for board surfers from all around the world who flock in this area for competitions or just to enjoy surfing . February is said to be the best month for board surfing in this area.

As an added bonus December guests may be able to witness the courting rituals of humpbacked whales from the Antarctic that have chosen these waters for mating.