Hatillo, Puerto Rico

Hatillo was founded in 1823. It is located ten to fifteen minutes west of Arecibo on either PR State Road # 2 or the newer toll expressway, PR State Road #22. Camuy is a few minutes due west of Hatillo, on the same two roads mentioned above.

Hatillo has a population of 38,900 (2000 census). Plaza del Norte, the largest regional shopping center in the area, has helped boost Hatillo's economy. The shopping center draws visitors from all nearby towns and has strengthened the local economy considerably.

Prior to the establishement of the shopping center, Hatillo was a small, sleepy town with around 32,000 inhabitants and a local economy based mainly on dairy farming and agriculture. Hatillo's name translates into Area of green fields. Dairy farming in the area is responsible for about one-third of the fresh milk sold in Puerto Rico. Hatillo is said to be the largest producer of milk per square mile in the whole world.

The patron saint for Hatillo is "Virgen del Carmen", celebrated on July 16.

Hatillo's claim to fame comes from its annual Masquerade, festival de las máscaras, celebrated on December 28th each year. People from all over the island attend the day-long festivities, which are centered around colorful and imaginative disguises worn by the townspeople, some in groups of several persons, in colors relative to the Christmas season.

Hatillo also features some well-visited beaches, including Sardinera and Marina beaches.

The Municipality of Hatillo operates the Luis Muñoz Marín vacation center, featuring cabañas, a boardwalk, camping area, swimming pools with water slides, all within a frequently patrolled area. For information on the Hatillo facilities, call (787) 820-0274.

The municipal government also operates Punta Maracayo, the first hotel developed by a municipality in Puerto Rico.