Isabela, Puerto Rico

Isabela is a city of 44,400 inhabitants (2000 census), located on the northwestern coast of the island.It is less than ten minutes east of Aguadilla on PR Road #2.

Playa de Jobos is one of its most popular beaches, which brings people from many other areas, especially to the many festivals celebrated there throughout the year.

Isabela has good seafood restaurants and several reasonably priced places to stay, including:
Parador Villas del Mar Hau - (787) 872-2627
Hotel Ocean Front - (787) 872-0444

Costa Dorada Beach Resort
Road #466, Km. 0.1
Emilio Gonz‡lez #900
Isabela, Puerto Rico 00662
(787) 872-7255

The patron saint for Isabela is "San Antonio de Padua", celebrated on June 13.

A free trolley ride offered by the municipal government takes you to major points of interest, including San Antonio de la Tuna. You can board the trolley at the Plaza de Recreo (main square) or call 787-872-6400 for more information.

In September 2006, Isabela is very much in the news. A local diver has reportedly spotted the remnants of a shipwrecked ancient Spanish galleon. Rumors about possible treasures in the ship have brought divers from all over the island to try their luck at finding the galleon. All this happens while the finder tries to negotiate with the Puerto Rican government a way to participate in the profits from any treasures to be found.