Top 10 Loíza Puerto Rico Must Do’s

Loíza is a town on the northeastern coast of Puerto Rico, north of Canóvanas, east of Carolina and west of Río Grande. Some say that its name comes from that of a female cacique, called Yuíza, who governed the region formerly called Jaymanío, in the shores of the Río Grande de Loíza. It is said that this cacique might have married a “mulatto” conquistador called Pedro Mejías, but there is no evidence of this. Other sources point to a Spanish landlord called Iñigo López de Cervantes y Loayza, who owned a lot of the territory, and was renowned among governors and colonists from the time.

Each year there is a celebration in Loíza where people parade around wearing Máscaras de Vejigante, which is a type of mask, made in Loíza. They are made from coconuts and are painted in multiple colors. Loíza is known as “La Capital de la Tradición” (The Capital of Traditions), for its “bomba” music, traditional Taíno and African dishes, folk art, and distinct culture.

Here is a list of the top 10 must do’s and attractions in Loíza: