Peñuelas, Puerto Rico

Peñuelas is a small town of 26,700 inhabitants (2000 census), located about fifteen minutes west of Ponce on PR Road # 132.

Peñuelas is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the south. Several ecologically important cays are located offshore. The urban area, however, is located on much higher grounds ten to fifteen minutes away from the coast.

There are relics all over Peñuelas of the time when the area was inhabited by Taíno indians. Cueva Mapancha, the best known of several subterranean caves, has been declared a National Reserve area due to its historical and ecologic resources.

The patron saint for Peñuelas is "San José", celebrated on March 19th.