Caguas History  

       Caguas is located in the mountainous interior of eastern Puerto Rico, about 25 minutes from San Juan. Universidad del Turabo has its campus here. The city derives its name from an Indian chief, Caguax, who was an early convert to Christianity.
Caguas is part of the Caguas, Puerto Rico metro area.

An old Puerto Rican tradition, cigar making is an interesting and educational experience that you should enjoy. As you walk into the facilities of Tabacalera National in Caguas, a complete cigar workshop is revealed. Learn about the different kinds of tobacco and the cigar manufacturing process, including leaf selection, rolling techniques and packaging the finished product. Aficionados may buy their favorite cigars on site.

 Its community has enjoyed one of the best economies among Puerto Rican cities since at least the 1980s. During the early part of the 20th century, Caguas hosted one of Puerto Rico's most important sugar manufacturers, which gave employment to thousands of Cagüeños.

Numerous business and important buildings have opened up there since then, including the imposing 23 story apartment building Caguas Tower, its adjacent competitors Bonneville Apartments, the 10 floor San Juan Bautista Medical Center, the Plaza Del Carmen Mall, the Plaza Centro Mall, the Las Catalinas Mall and various other important structures.

Caguas is also an important sports town, hosting the Criollos de Caguas Baseball team in Puerto Rico's Liga Profesional De Beisbol, the Criollos de Caguas Basketball team in Puerto Rico's 'Superior National Basketball League' (or BSN), and the Criollas De Caguas Volleyball team in the Women's professional Volleyball league. The Baseball team is considered the greatest of all-time in all of Latin America, having won 13 national Puerto Rico titles and 11 Serie Del Caribe (Caribbean championship series) titles, both records. The basketball team has not enjoyed so much success, but in the last 2 years has shown a lot of progress, both times reaching the playoffs, and the women's Volleyball team is a back to back to back national champion. Caguas also counts with the Bairoa Gym, one of the most important boxing gyms in all of Puerto Rico and a place where many visiting champions have trained at.

Caguas has also been the birthplace of many celebrities, both local and international , such as Ricky Martin, most of the early members of Menudo, Edgardo Diaz, illustrious Educator Jose Gautier Benitez,former Criollos Basketball star Willie Quinones, boxing prospect Miguel Cotto, former world title challenger boxer Juan Carazo, former boxing contender Alberto Mercado and writer Abelardo Diaz Alfaro.

Former world bantamweight champion boxer Julian Solis and his brothers, former world title challengers Rafael Solis and Enrique Solis were born nearby.
 

Maps and Pictures

Caguas Barrios   Caguas Aerial   Caguas Mayor Office

La Catredral  Bellas Artes  Plaza Palmer  Museo de Caguas