Salinas, Puerto Rico

(sah-LEE-nahs)

Salinas is known as La Cuna del Mojito Isleño (the cradle of the islander dip). Salinas was founded in 1841 by Agustín Colón Pacheco.

Salinas is home of the Albergue Olímpico, an Olympic training center. The facilities includes: the Puerto Rican Museum of Sports, a botanical garden, several shops, and a Water Park. Open daily: 8:00am-10:00pm, (787) 824-2607.

The Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve was established in 1987. The reserve is located between the coasts of Salinas and Guayama, approximately 2,883 acres of mangrove forest and freshwater wetlands. The two main components: Mar Negro mangrove forest, which consists of a mangrove forest and a complex system of lagoons and channels interspersed with salt and mud flats; and Cayos Caribe Islets, which are surrounded by coral reefs and seagrass beds, with small beach deposits and upland areas. Open Daily: 8:00am-4:00pm, (787) 864-0105. Guided tours are offered upon request andreservation.

Salinas is located in the southern coast of the island, south of Aibonito and Cayey; southeast of Coamo, east of Santa Isabel; and west of Guayama.

The town is a fishing center and known for its seafood restaurants. The surrounding areas produces sugar cane and salt.

There are many well-known salinenses, among them: Antonio Ferre, and Agustin Colon Pacheco.

Salinas is made up of 8 barrios (wards/districts):

• Aguirre
• Coquí
• Lapa
• Palmas
• Pueblo
• Quebrada Yeguas
• Río Jueyes
• San Felipe

Restaurants

• Costa Marina (Sea Food), (787) 824-6647
• Ladis (Puerto Rican/Sea Food), (787) 824-2035
• Puerta La Bahia Restaurant and Resort (Sea Food), (787) 824-7117

Accommodations

• Marina de Salinas (Small Inn), (787) 752-8484
  
• Puerta La Bahia Hotel and Restaurant (Hotel), (787) 824-7117
  
• Caribbean View Villa (Rental), (518) 320-6152
  
• Casa Buena Vista del Mar Caribe (Rental), (787) 557-6011
  

Festivals and Events

• Carnaval Abey - February
  
• Festival del Pescao - June
  
• Fiestas Patronales Nuestra Senora de la Monserrate - September
  Every year, Salinas celebrates a patron saint festival. The festivities include dances, food, parades and religious processions. (787) 824-3060

Symbols

Anthem: Salinas, Salinas...

Education

There are 20 public schools in Salinas, education is handled by the Puerto Rico Department of Education.

Climate

10 Day Forecast from weather.com

Map References

Coordinates: 18.1144° N, 66.1681° W

ZIP Code: 751

Driving Distance from San Juan: 53.4 miles

Driving Time: 1 hour, 16 minutes