Quebradillas, Puerto Rico

Quebradillas is a town of 21,425 inhabitants, according to the 1990 census. It is located on the North coast, about twenty minutes west of Arecibo and ten minutes east of Aguadilla, both on PR 2. Two of the country inns in the Puerto Rico paradores program, Parador Guajataca and Parador Vistamar are located within the town limits.

Quebradillas was founded in 1823. It was originally named San Rafael de las Quebradillas in honor of its patron saint, the Archangel Saint Raphael.

Although small in size, with just 23 square miles of land area, Quebradillas has a very varied landscape, from coastal plains to high elevations. One of the island's most important rivers, Río Guajataca, runs through the Western limits of town.

Among Quebradillas' points of interest is El Arca de Noé (Noah's Ark) on road PR 482, Km 1.0, barely a minute away from the main highway, an aviary featuring many exotic bird species, some primates and other miscellaneous species. Bird lovers will be particularly pleased with their collection and with the nice habitats provided for some of their species. Entrance fee is $3.00 per adult and $2.00 per child. Bring your own lunch; tables and seats are available inside the small park. Parking is free. A mini-golf course is right across the street from the park. Several small businesses have begun to thrive in the surroundings, including bird breeders, orchid growers and a small antiques shop.

The local media have described the town of Quebradillas as being at the edge of fiscal collapse as of early March 2005. The fiscal intervention of the commonwealth government has been requested to help prevent the fiscal debacle.

The patron saint for Quebradillas is "San Rafael Arcángel", celebrated on October 24.