Every municipality in Puerto Rico has a plaza, Cabo Rojo remains an active, integral part of our community. The Plaza in Cabo Rojo is like an outdoor living room where good friends and families meet. If you are visiting Cabo Rojo from another town, or you’re a tourist on vacation, we invite you to come to the Plaza. Many events take place throughout the year, featuring live music, hand-made crafts from local artisans, great food, and more.
Things to Do at the Plaza
- Eat a piragua
- Watch abuelitos (granpas) play dominos and play your own game – During the day and each night of the week you’ll find friends playing an enthusiastic game of dominoes. The cafeteria has tables you can use, so just bring your set of dominoes, get a cup of coffee and join the tradition that lives on in Cabo Rojo.
- Visit the outdoor Cafe – Have a cup of coffee and taste our traditional sweets.
- Visit the historic catholic church.
- Have lunch at one of the surrounding restaurants and cafes.
- Go shopping – Our local businesses are the backbone of the town of Cabo Rojo. Around the plaza, you can shop for clothes, souvenirs, natural stores, pharmacies, and shops you won’t find at malls.
And say hello to Don Chiri…the happiest personality in all of Cabo Rojo. He sells the most delicious sugar donuts on the weekends near the entrance to Rebecca Colberg Park in his old green jeep. During the week you’ll find him selling lottery tickets and traditional candies around the plaza. He didn’t work a day in his life, because he has been doing what he loves, does it with joy, laughter, and chanting. He looks serious because he says he doesn’t like to smile in pictures. Everyone in town knows who he is, he loves to make everyone laugh.
Iglesia San Miguel Arcángel
Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
Iglesia San Miguel Arcángel, a Paris Church of Neoclassical design, stands at the corner of square (plaza) in the center town of Cabo Rojo. Since the Spanish brought Catholicism to the island, you’ll find a catholic church at the plaza of every municipality of Puerto Rico. This church took about 10 years to be constructed, it was finished by 1783. In front of this church, Ramon Emeterio Betances gave liberty to children enslaved. The church was recently renovated, a great religious attraction to visit while on the west coast of Puerto Rico. Feel free to walk in for mass, prayer, and admire the architecture.
- Address: Calle Muñoz Rivera, Cabo Rojo, PR 00623
- Official website (Spanish)
Monuments of Important Figures in Cabo Rojo
Puerto RicoTo pay tribute to important people that made great contributions to the community of Cabo Rojo, various monuments are front and center around the plaza. Take a walk around, stop to read the plaques, and learn about the history of Cabo Rojo.
Ramon Emeterio Betances Monument
Un pequeño pero importante monumento para el Caborrojeño, se encuentra en el centro de la plaza Ramón Emeterio Betances. Betances fue un médico reconocido por su lucha en la abolición de la esclavitud en Puerto Rico. Ramón Emeterio Betances otorgó la libertad a los niños esclavizados llevados a la iglesia para ser bautizados. Las cenizas de Betances están en este monumento, la plaza fue nombrada en su honor.
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A small but very important monument to Cabo Rojo locals, sits at the center of the plaza Ramon Emeterio Betances. Betances was a medical doctor recognized for the fight in abolishing slavery in Puerto Rico. Ramon Emeterio Betances gave liberty to enslaved children brought to church to be baptized. The ashes of Betances are in this monument, the plaza was named after him.
Salvador Brau Monument
Salvador Brau (1842-1912) fue nombrado el Cronista de Puerto Rico. Fue poeta, historiador, sociólogo y periodista. Publicó “La Historia de Puerto Rico” en 1904. Salvador Brau nació en Cabo Rojo en 1842. Este monumento es uno de los más altos de Puerto Rico.
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Salvador Brau (1842 – 1912), was named the Chronologist of Puerto Rico. He was a poet, historian, sociologist, and journalist. He published “La Historia de Puerto Rico” (The History of Puerto Rico in 1904. Salvador Brau was born in Cabo Rojo in 1842. This monument is one of the tallest in Puerto Rico.
Obelisco
This monument is dedicated to the founders of Cabo Rojo, one of the first obelisks to be constructed in the major Antilles.