Jayuya

Jayuya sits in the Cordillera Central below Cerro de Punta, the island's highest peak, and it identifies strongly with Taino heritage: the Cemí Museum, built in the shape of the three-pointed stone objects the Taino made, holds artefacts from the region, and La Piedra Escrita, a boulder in a river nearby covered in petroglyphs, is one of the best rock-art sites on the island. The Taino festival in November is the town's main event.

Background

The town takes its name from Hayuya, a Taíno tribal leader, and is known for its skilled wood carvers. Non-indigenous settlers were living in the area by 1878, and toward the end of the 19th century coffee growing gave the local economy a strong lift. Jayuya was declared a municipality in 1911, when more than 9,000 people lived there. Besides Cerro Punta, at 4389 feet, the surrounding peaks include Monte Jayuya, Cerro Rosa and Tres Picachos. The sculptor Tomás Batista made both the bust of Hayuya and the statue of Nemesio Canales that stand among the town's monuments. The 2020 census counted 14,779 people.

Source: Wikipedia, "Jayuya, Puerto Rico"

What you'll find

• The Cemí Museum - artefacts in a building shaped like a Taino three-pointed stone.
• La Piedra Escrita - a river boulder covered in petroglyphs nearby.
• The mountain setting - the town below Cerro de Punta in the central range.
• The Taino festival - the November event centred on the heritage.

When to go

December to April is the drier season and the most comfortable. The Taino festival in November is the busiest time. Mountain roads are difficult in heavy rain.

Practical notes

The museum is small and keeps limited hours. Mountain roads to the town are narrow, winding and slow. Some Taino heritage presentation is more romantic than the archaeology supports.

Nearby

Cerro de Punta is above the town, and Utuado is north.

Key facts