Mayagüez, Puerto Rico

City of the Pure Waters

General information
Founded in the year of 1760 under the name of "Our Lady of the Candelaria" but, by tradition it is still known by the Indian name of its river. Mayagüez (pronounced Mah-yah-goo-ehz) is located in the western part of the island of Puerto Rico. Its population is over 100,000.
It is a very progressive city with many attractions, like the interesting Dr. Juan Rivero Zoo, some beautiful parks with fountains, the University of Puerto Rico Campus (RUM) , the Plaza of Columbus, the Yagüez Theater, the Tropical Agricultural Research Station and, particularly, its streets where you can appreciate the interesting architecture of many beautiful historic buildings.
Its economy turns around its port and many industries like the well known and important India and Medalla beers brewery, and other manufacturing industries of different types. You'll also find many modern shopping centers with the most popular chains of fast foods and mega-stores of the main land. Local stores also offer a diverse variety of articles. Fine restaurants offer an excellent choice of foods of every kind, from simple local recipes to the most exquisite international gourmet food to please the most demanding connoisseur.

Anthem

In 1999 the city's Mayor, Hon. José Guillermo Rodríguez decided the city should have an Official Anthem. He proposed a contest where citizens presented their compositions. 25 composers participated. Yours truly, the creator of this page, had the priviledge and honor of having his composition selected as the Official Anthem. It was presented to the general public in an official act in commemoration of the 239th Aniversary of the Founding of the city, on September 18, 1999. The lyrics (in Spanish) are presented below. To listen to the MP3 version (2,012KB) professionally recorded and sung by Rafael José and Hilda Ramos, just press HERE

Himno a Mayagüez
Music and Lyrics by Luciano Quiñones

Mi patria es un oasis, un jardín de gran belleza,
donde artistas y poetas se llenan de inspiración;
y tiene en el Oeste, una fulgurante estrella,
un pedacito de cielo, parte del reino de Dios.
Hoy quiero regalarle a esta ciudad de hermosura,
La Sultana del Oeste, la del sabor a mangó;
mi más lírica alabanza, mi poesía más fina y pura,
y una melodía bordada con hilos del corazón.

¡Mayagüez! ¡Mayagüez!
Ciudad de las aguas puras,
valles y montes de ensoñación,
baja cantando tu río
a tu apacible bahía
donde al fin de cada día
se acuesta a dormir el Sol.

¡Mayagüez! ¡Mi Mayagüez!
Que orgullo para nosotros tu historia es,
desde el humilde Taíno
que bautizó al Río Yagüez,
a Eugenio María de Hostos
que inmenso fue.

Eres cuna de cultura,
crisol de sabiduría,
la Virgen de la Candelaria
dotó a tus damas de gran belleza y de simpatía.
Eres el lugar perfecto,
del Paraíso el Edén;
de orgullo se hinche mi pecho
para decirte: ¡Dios te bendiga,
mi Mayagüez!
¡Mayagüez!

Flag

For complete information (in Spanish) and a larger illustration of Mayagüez' official flag, please click on the illustration above.

Transportation

You can reach Mayagüez by car thru the modern #2 road. You can also fly to our local airport from the San Juan International Airport. A local trolley system provides free transportation within the city or you can use one of the many taxi services available.

Schools

The Public Board of Education has established several elementary and junior high schools throughout the city and the rural areas. There are three public high schools in the city, one of them with specialization in different trades. There is also a special high school (CROEM) for outstanding students from all around the island, located at Cerro Las Mesas. This one is a boarding school. In and around town there are also many private schools that cover all levels of education and there is also one whose curriculum is totally in English (SESO).

Universities

The University of Puerto Rico has an important campus in Mayagüez, specializing in Engineering and Agronomy. The Catholic University and the Antillian College also have campuses in Mayagüez. Inter-American University has one of its main campuses in the near town of San Germán, approximately 20 minutes from our city. At a traveling distance of about 30 minutes we have a Regional College of the University of PR and another I.A.U. campus in Aguadilla.

Churches

Puerto Ricans are mainly Catholic. Mayagüez has a cathedral and many Catholic churches. All main religious denominations also have churches in town, many of them very beautiful. There are private schools sponsored by the Catholic, Adventist, Episcopal, Presbyterian and other churches.

Medical Facilities

Mayagüez Medical Center is located on Road #2. In the heart of town is the San Antonio Municipal Hospital and very nearby is the Clínica Perea. In Cerro Las Mesas we have the Bella Vista Hospital (sponsored by the Adventist Church) and on road #106 we have the Clínica Española. We also have an outpatient hospital for minor surgery and a Medical Emergencies Hospital. An Outpatient V.A. facility is on road #2. The Hospital de la Concepción is also very nearby in San Germán, about 10 miles from us.

Entertainment and Culture

As we mentioned earlier, we have the Zoo, public parks, the Yagüez Theater, the Cultural Center, a Public Library and three important movie chains. The Holiday Inn hotel has a very nice night club and a casino, and another night club and casino just opened in the facilities of what was the Mayagüez Hilton, now remodeled and owned by local investors as Best Western's Mayaguez Resort. There are some pubs frequented mostly by university students. There also is a bowling alley, many video rental stores as well as cable facilities over the entire town.

A very popular celebration is the "Fiestas Patronales" which is a festivity in honor of the local patron saint. Its celebration is held in February as well as the Carnival festivities. There are also many other festivals and musical shows during the year.

Sports

Mayagüez has its own baseball team (Los Indios - The Indians), a basketball team (Los Taínos - name of the local indians), and a feminine volley ball team (The Taínas). Almost all public and private urbanizations have baseball parks and basketball courts for their residents' enjoyment. Most private condominiums have tennis courts. There are excellent golf fields very nearby: at Club Deportivo in Joyudas and at Ramey Field in Aguadilla.

As Mayagüez is located on the coast and very near the most beautiful beaches of the area, its residents enjoy most water sports throughout the year, like swimming, snorkeling or diving, surfing, jet-skiing, sailing, fishing, etc.

Housing

There are all kinds of houses for every taste and budget. You can see a complete listing of properties at Active Realty's site by clicking HERE. You can also view a simplified map of the city showing the general localization of the main private urbanizations and some points of interest HERE.

See Mayaguez Map

Photos of the city