Yauco, the beautiful Puerto Rican town you’ll love

Yauco, Puerto Rico, might be a town that you have never heard of but in terms of Puerto Rican history it has quite the sleepy legacy. Presently, known as the “El Pueblo del Café“, or the town of coffee, Yauco was once the Taíno capital of the island prior to the arrival of the Spanish. Led by chief Agüeybana, and later his nephew Agüeybana II, the Yaucan Taínos were instrumental in the local resistance against the Spaniards until they ultimately succumbed to Spanish rule. Ironically, the later European settlers revolted against the Spanish as well. Known for its rich architecture, flavorful coffee and kindhearted people, Yauco offers a myriad of landscapes from rolling mountain peaks to Caribbean beaches.

When visiting, Puerto Rico many visitors tend to stick to San Juan and stay in places like Condado or Old San Juan. In my opinion this is quite unfortunate because Puerto Rico has so much more to offer. There are plenty of interesting towns and cities around the island which are worth a visit. Yauco is definitely one of them.

Yauco is located in the south western corridor of the island. If you plan to drive to Boquerón, Cabo Rojo or potentially even Mayagüez, then it might actually be shorter for you to drive through Yauco then drive through the north. Yauco is also a great jumping off point to see the Bio Bay of Lajas, visit La Parguera, Guánica including Gilligan’s Island. All of those locations are within about 20-30 minutes’ driving.

In this guide to Yauco, you’ll find an idea of what you can do in Yauco, what to eat, drink, shop and some suggestions for accommodation in Yauco.

What to do in Yauco

Although, Yauco is a small town of 40,000 or so residents but it does have a few things to do. Here is a list of the top things to do in Yauco Puerto Rico.

Coffee Festival

As Yauco is known as the city of coffee, a visit to the city during it’s annual coffee festival in February is a must. The Festival of Coffee, or Festival Naciónal Del Café de Yauco as it is known in Spanish, takes place during late February each year to honor the city’s deep connection with the fruit. Complete with live music performances, coffee tasting, dancing and lots of caffeinated energy! Keep up with the festival’s latest on their Facebook page.

Yaucromatic

The street art scene in Puerto Rico is definitely some of the best I’ve seen traveling the world. In terms of artwork, Yauco does not disappoint. There’s a local movement in the town called Yacromatic, which has brought in urban artists from around the world to paint buildings, walls, stairs and even sidewalks in some cases. It not only makes the city picturesque but offers many photo opportunities for you. Let’s just say it is a really grammable city. This movement is one of my favorite examples of how art can really transform a city, not only aesthetically but also mentality of the people. When I first visited the city over 12 years ago, there were parts which were somewhat dangerous. Now, proud locals welcome you on every corner and are more than happy to show off their Yaucono pride.

Chinchorreo

If you are visiting Yauco on the weekend, then a good chinchorreo is a must. Unfamiliar with term? You wouldn’t be the only visit! A chinchorreo is basically when groups of friends visit various bars and restaurants to eat, drink and enjoy good company. Usually the act of doing a chinchorreo, or chinchorrear as it is known locally, is a weekend thing and often takes people to more remote areas of the island. In Yauco, there are several bars of this nature around the Lake Luchetti Reserve and on the mountain routes. Brissa’s del Lago, La Hacienda, the legendary Viña La Gran Pastelera and others are all examples, but literally any bar/restaurant is fair game. Driving around through the mountains you’ll come across these places naturally, on the weekends of course.

Architecture walk

Admirers of architecture will love the Pueblo of Yauco. Yauco has several beautiful buildings at least one of which is registered with National Register of Historic Places. For inspiration, check out the House of 12 Doors, Casa Filardi, Casa Felipe Pieraldi and others.

Hiking & Nature

Yauco is surrounded by mountains to the north and forests to the south until you arrive at the sea. Although much of the land is farm or private, there are a few nice hiking trails or sights worth a look. Further, there are a few small waterfalls, rivers and lakes. El Cerro Rodadero, the Rodadero peak is the second highest point in Yauco. Lake Luchetti not only offers an interesting opportunity to learn about the flora and fauna of Yauco (or Puerto Rico in general), but has hiking and freshwater fishing as well. In the south of Yauco, the Guánica State Forest, has a few trails areas to explore though they are not well marked as trailheads. Though technically in the municipality of Guánica, there’s a very old Guayacán tree. If you are a water-child, Santa Clara Falls in the north might be worth a visit while cruising through the hills.

With all of its forests and nature, Yauco is also a bird watchers haven. Over 130 species of birds have been spotted in Yauco!

Beach

Yauco does have a beach! It’s secluded and shared with neighboring regions Guánica and Guayanilla, but it’s there. The Playa of Yauco is not the easiest to get to as you cannot access it through Yauco by car. You must drive around through Guánica. The good news is that there won’t likely be that many people since the beaches are not close. You can catch some food in the mountains and hit the beach in the same day!

Other things to do in Yauco

• Plaza del Mercado
• Teatro Ideal
• Letters of Yauco
• Historic Cemetery – if you like the dark, it’s a great spot for photography

What to eat in Yauco

If you are a seasoned traveler in Puerto Rico, then you’ll know that the food options are fairly consistent around the island. Between either Puerto Rican street food or some of the more gourmet style cooking options, Puerto Rican food is loosely the same as you traverse the island. All that being said, here are a few eats that stand out in Yauco. Attention foodies! (Note: Not in a particular order, just food suggestions in Yauco)

Admittedly, there are not that many vegetarian or vegan options in Yauco; however, here are a few that can provide suitable choices. In addition to the breakfast spots already mentioned which would have eggs or fish options (for vegetarians and pescatarians), here’s a list of vegetarian-friendly options in Yauco to check out:

• Koppo | Google Maps | Instagram
• Dolche Salao
• Pausa Bistro | Google Maps
• Acai Express

Best coffee in Yauco

Yauco is widely known for its quality of coffee. As mentioned, it’s even known as the coffee city! At the height of its production, coffee from Yauco was world renowned for its quality. It was widely consumed as far as Europe and other locations. The highest quality beans often remain on the island for local consumption as the production is not great enough to export. That’s good news for you as a visitor! Here are some of the best coffee spots in Yauco to enjoy the delicious flavors and get your caffeine fix in. (Note: they are not in any particular order, but they all serve coffee from the Yauco region)

Pro tip: In Yauco and some select regions of Puerto Rico, the barista might ask you if you want whipped cream, vanilla and cinnamon added to your coffee. Not necessary of course but it makes for a delicious addition if you are adventurous.

Café Don Luis Coffee Bar

Conveniently located in the town center next to Antonio Lluberas Park, Don Luis Coffee Bar serves delicious local coffee. One benefit of stopping here is that it also happens to be where the Yauco tourism office is based. Therefore it is a great place to get both a coffee and information about what to see in Yauco. Here’s the Google Maps location.

Carajillo Coffee House

A coffee house and breakfast spot in Yauco on the main highway through town. There is a lot of space and they have good WiFi connection. It’s a great coffee shop for anyone looking to get a little work done. Here’s the Google Maps location.

El 368 Cafe

This artsy and trendy cafe also has an AirBnB above its location. It is centrally located. If you are a lover of street art this place has some cool artwork inside but also in the parking lot next door. Here’s the Google Maps location.

Tinta Coffee House – Willer’s Plaza

Although it is a little outside of walking distance, Tinta Coffee House is a spacious and has parking. It’s a good location if just driving through as it is just off the main highway. Here’s the Google Maps location.

El Café de Marta

Tucked away next to the local bus station, El Café de Marta offers a more bustling and diner style of coffee experience. Here’s the Google Maps location.

PRÓCERES

Another interesting spot is PRÓCERES. Located on Calle Comercio, or “la ruta del cafe” as it is informally known, PRÓCERES offers delicious Yaucan coffee, food and drinks. On select nights, they even have live music. Here’s the Google Maps location.

Where to go out in Yauco

Yauco is not known for its nightlife but there are a few places to go out. It depends on what your style is whether drinking in the street with some friends or a slightly more upscale experience, Yauco has some options for you! Here is a list of bars and places to go out in Yauco, best on the weekends of course!

• La Resaca
• Lolita’s Bar and Tapas
• Sky Lounge
• Callehong
• Mamina’s
• El Sastre Bar & Co.
• La Funeraria Sports Bar (for a more local experience)

Where to stay in Yauco

In terms of accommodation, Yauco is relatively short on places to stay. Fortunately, there are several interesting options if you know where to look.

Hotel Vista Verde

Hostel Vista Verde’s name is reflective of what really interesting ‘all inclusive’ style hotel in the hills surrounding Yauco. It’s about a 7-10 minute drive from the center of town. They have a coffee bar, infinity pool, bar and live music on the weekends! You can find it on Google Maps here.

El Encanto Motel

If you know much about ‘motels‘ in Puerto Rico then you might laugh that I am suggesting this for you. Let’s just say that motels in Puerto Rico are rented by the hour. You usually only have 6 or 8 hour options. There’s occasionally a chance to extend but it obviously involves more payment. Just drive up and look for an open garage. El Encanto is clean, affordable and conveniently located. It is a sister property and budget friendlier option of Hotel Vista Verde.

AirBnB’s

I’m not the biggest fan of AirBnB’s these days, but I recognize that it has a place. On their website, you can find several AirBnB’s in the Yauco area.

Camping

There are not too many places to camp currently in Yauco but you have basically two options. One is the Yauco Beach and Guánica area. And another is the Lake Luchetti Recreational Area, though it is a bit far from the city. For the Lake Luchetti Recreation Area, you might want to check with them to see if they have availability. It is important to check if you need a permit.

Glamping

If you’d like to get out of the city in style, the mountains of Yauco are home to a few glamping spots. They aren’t the easiest to spot but they exist. One is called Casa Ambar, but there are other ones around. Check sites like AirBnB for a more holistic view at glamping options in the Yauco region.

Hostels

At this time there are no hostels in Yauco, unfortunately. We hope in the future that there will be as it is a great place for backpackers and digital nomads to chill out for a few days or weeks, especially given its strength in the coffee game!

Where to shop

Yauco is great for those looking to snap up some souvenirs for their friends and family. The main street called Calle Commercio is loaded with souvenir shops carrying everything from magnets, coffee mugs, t-shirts, hammocks and just about everything you might desire. Additionally, on the weekends near the Yacromatic exhibit, there are other street vendors selling souvenirs.

If you desire other things you might try your hand at Yauco plaza or other areas in the newer regions of Yauco.

Conclusion

Yauco may not have been on your list of places to visit in Puerto Rico, but if you have some time while heading south, I can highly recommend it. I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed the vibe there. It’s a refreshing change from larger cities like San Juan and Ponce.

If you do decide to go, please drop me a comment, email or message as I’d love to hear about your experience. I enjoy connecting with other travelers.

P.S. NONE of the links in this article are affiliate links, just trying to help out fellow travelers to discover more of La Isla del Encanto! One love fam 🫶🏻