Las Marías

Las Marías is located on the western side of Puerto Rico, nestled against the Cordillera Central mountain range.

There are a handful of reasons to visit this area, including old coffee plantations, agricultural offerings, and natural beauty. Here are a few ideas for things to see and do during your visit.  

Nature

For those seeking a breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of city life, this area’s rural charms are sure to please. Tranquility is ample when you find a spot to relax alongside one of the municipality’s rivers (options include Grande Añasco River or the Guacio River). Other nearby bodies of water include the Guaba, Bucabarabones, Quebradas Fría, and the Mayagüecilla, if you’re looking to take a quick dip or just enjoy a bit of time in natural environs. 

Coffee

For travelers with a jones for java, there are a handful of options for haciendas where you can sample locally grown and roasted coffee. At La Casona de Artemio there is an agritourism experience that will show you the complete process to transform little red berries on a tree into a cup of joe.

For a historic journey, check out Hacienda Palma Escrita, one of the Island’s oldest haciendas which dates back more than a century, and has survived since the coffee industry was one of Puerto Rico's major agricultural products. There’s also a restaurant on site that serves traditional Puerto Rican cuisine. 

At Hacienda Frontera, you’ll find a taste of local history, at the site of a former coffee plantation, but there is no longer production there.

Agro-tourism and Community

In the Buena Vista neighborhood, the Casa Múcaro is an artists’ community built from recyclable materials to help realize the community’s vision of self-sufficiency. Public events include workshops, conferences, performances, and other cultural activities. Beyond the artistic programming, visitors can also see their farm, as well as tunnels and caves around the property.

Orange Love

Las Marías is an area that has preserved its agricultural traditions, and one of its main crops is known to Puerto Ricans as “china,” a.k.a oranges. Finca Enseñat has 38 acres of coffee and citrus trees. They also offer guided tours of the property.

The love for oranges runs so deep that the marieños created a traditional celebration in its honor. The Festival de la China takes place every March, where artisans, exhibitors of products made from oranges, family-friendly fun, and music are plentiful.