San Blas Illescas de Coamo

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Coamo

Coamo is a municipality in Puerto Rico located in the southern region, north of Santa Isabel; south of Orocovis and Barranquitas; east of Villalba and Juana Díaz; and west of Aibonito and Salinas.

Coamo is spread over 10 wards and Coamo Pueblo (The downtown area and the administrative center of the city).

Coamo is a small town nestled in a valley about 10 miles east of Ponce (about 30 minutes by car). It was named San Blas Illescas de Coamo by its first settlers. San Blas was the Catholic saint who remains the town's patron. Illescas is the Spanish town the original founders came from (nowadays in Toledo province, Castile-La Mancha, Spain). There are a couple of theories regarding the origin of the word Coamo. Some think it comes from an indigenous word that means "valley" but it's also plausible that Coamo derives its name from Coamex (or Coamey), who was a celebrated local cacique (or "chieftain" in the Taino language). Archeological digs near the region have produced some of the best examples of the island's pre-Columbian cultural artifacts.

Geo/Topography

Cerro Pulguitas, Cuchillas de Coamo, Presidio and Santa Ana.
Rivers are: Río Coamo, Río Descalabrado, Río Lapa, Río Jueyes and Río de la Mina.
Coamo Thermal Baths, nourished by the Coamo river.

Tourism

Landmarks and places of interest

Coamo Thermal Baths - near the Santa Isabel border.
Historic Museum
Church of San Blas de Illescas

Festivals and events

Coamo is famous for being the host of the San Blas Half-Marathon, a yearly world-class professional marathon that attracts the best competitive runners in the world. It was inaugurated in 1963 by Delta Phi Delta Fraternity in honor to the founder of the town. World-class international and local runners compete in a 13.1-mile half marathon. It's Puerto Rico's biggest race, and the crowds are always large.

Patron Festivities - February
San Blas Half Marathon - February
Flower Carnival - May
Yuca (cassava) Carnival - August
Juey (crab) Carnival - October
Bomba & Plena Festival - November

Comments

Luis Orlando Zayas

I am looking for Las Cuevas de Coamo. my My family was homeless and lived in one possibly around 1947 or 48 . My brother was born in it. When it rained the water went under the "bed" and out the "door". My mother used a small lottery winnings to buy some cement to lay in front of the cave. She used brown potato or brown flower sacks to cover the entrance. I am trying to see them via satellite but would appreciate pictures also. Gracias Luis en Lancaster Ca.

Saturday 01 August 2009, 05:04

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