San Germán, Puerto Rico

San Germán is a small town of around 37,100 inhabitants (2000 census). It is located some twenty to thirty minutes southeast of Mayagüez on PR Road 2. Other neighboring communities include Sábana Grande, Cabo Rojo and Lajas.

San Germán has a very hilly terrain, even in its urban sector. It is known as Ciudad de las lomas or the hilly city

San Germán is home to one of the oldest universities in Puerto Rico, originally known as Universidad Politécnica de Puerto Rico which was subsequently changed to Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico.

Porta Coeli is probably the best known attraction in San Germán. Porta Coeli, whose name means Gateway to Heaven, was built early in the seventeenth century, making it one of the oldest churches in the New World.

No longer used as a church, Porta Coeli is now a museum of religious art pieces.

Another museum in San Germán was inaugurated in May 2007. Casa-Museo Tió, at Calle Dr. Veve 13, honors two famous Puerto Ricans from San Germán: Lola Rodríguez de Tió (nee Dolores Rodríguez de Astudillo y Ponce de León) (1848-1924) poet and political activist for women's rights and the abolition of slavery; and Aurelio Tió, engineer.

Parador Oasis in San Germán is a good place to spend the night. Swimming pool, jacuzzi, restaurant. Rates are deemed reasonable. (787) 892-1175 or 1-877-453-2060

The patron saint for San Germán is "San Germán", celebrated on July 31st.