Arecibo, Puerto Rico

Arecibo is located on the Atlantic Coast, about one hour west of the San Juan Metropolitan Area on De Diego Expressway (PR 22). Its population of 100,000, according to the 2000 census, make this one of the most important cities in the area. However, neighboring towns such as Hatillo and Manatí have been growing perhaps more rapidly than Arecibo and pulling trade and residents away from the older city.

Still, Arecibo is the largest city in geographical size on the island, has an extensive coast line used for all types of water sports and commercial fishing and boasts hundreds of years of history since its foundation in 1515.

Arecibo is home to the world-famous Arecibo Observatory featuring the world's largest radio telescope. 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 city is popularly known as la villa del Capitán Correa in remembrance of a battle fought successfully on its shores by one Capitán Antonio Correa and a handful of soldiers to repel an invasion by sea in 1702.

The patron saint for Arecibo is "San Felipe Apóstol", celebrated on May 1.

Casa Protegida Luisa Capetillo
PO Box 390
Arecibo, PR 00613
Telˇfono: (787) 880-6944
Facs’mil: (787) 880-7861
is a not-for-profit organization located in Arecibo, P. R. It provides lodging, counseling, support, and referrals for legal services. Services are provided to women who are victims of domestic violence and their children.