The 7 Best Sights & Landmarks in Loiza, Puerto Rico

The Loiza City Hall is a simple and small building. The lack of opulent works in the external architecture is what makes this city hall so interesting. This city hall may as well represent the humble people of Loiza. But the history of the city hall, the complexity of the culture from Loiza. Everyone that enjoys the historical architecture should visit this city hall. Get to know a simple city hall from a complex town.

A wood trail, a diversity of trees and animals, and breeze of fresh air is the combination that would perfectly describe the Bosque Estatal of Pinones. This forest is a showcase of a whole ecosystem of its own, from huge trees, to bodies of water and small interesting crabs. Whether in feet or in bicycle, you can enjoy the day watching the secrets of the Puerto Rican nature. In the State Forest of Pinones, you will be able to find the most extensive natural system of mangroves in Puerto Rico. Additionally, while enjoying the trail in the forest you'll be able to find bays, reefs, seagrass meadows, salt flats, islets, luminescent lagoon and sand dunes. This natural wonderland is the house to animals like small crabs, sea turtles - like tinglares- and some birds - like the pelicano pardo-. This forest will surely give a beautiful experience to those who enjoy the outdoor life. But, hey! Watch your steps, there may be some loose planks from the trail.

Julia de Burgos is probably the most well know poetess from Puerto Rico. Her activism for the Afro-Caribbean culture and her beautiful poem about the Rio Grande de Loiza, makes her the perfect person to build a memorial in front of the magical river of Loiza.The Paseo de Julia de Burgos is the perfect place to go sit next to the river and read a book or write. The chill environment will help you get your muse going and connect with your inner writer. Get excited reading the poem "Rio Grande de Loiza" at the monument and feel how Julia de Burgos is there, helping you get inspired.

In 1948, historical and archaeological evidence was found in the cave, as artifacts in rustic pottery, remains of archaic human bones that predate the time of Christ, animal remains, fruit seeds and marine fossils. Currently, the area serves as the recreational center of the municipality of Loiza. You can get to the highway on the PR-187 and PR-188, in the La Cueva sector. Nowadays, this historic park offers a tour of the cave and three different workshops (Bomba dance, beekeeping, and turban-making) when you pay the $6 entrance fee. Fun fact: The Cueva Maria de la Cruz fosters one of the largest bee sanctuaries in all the Caribbean, harboring thousands upon thousands of bees. Moreover, the park sells the honey it collects from the cave's bees.

In a corner of the public plaza of Loiza, there is a building that stands proud, fighting against time; the Parroquia del Espiritu Santo y San Patricio. The old church of Loiza was built in 1645, making it one of the oldest Puerto Rican Catholic parish churches. Interesting enough, it's the oldest church in Puerto Rico that still offer regular services. Standing in front of this place, mysticism and reality turn into one. Beside the church, there is a monument to the Afro-Caribbean culture. To some people, this may seem like nothing, but for those who are interested in the Afro-Caribbean story, this will showcase the core of a beautiful culture. These two monuments could represent the long story of how the black slaves worked to keep their religion alive through the syncretism. The syncretism is the amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought. The African slaves of Puerto Rico mixed their religion to the Catholic Christianism of the Spaniards in order to successfully practice their Yoruba religion, fooling their owners and keeping their culture alive. This is how Afro-Caribbean religions, like Santeria, where born. This church is the perfect spot to start a long day of cultural appreciation. Living Loiza is understanding the how's of this culture and place.