Dorado- The Golden City of Puerto Rico

Our exploration of Highway 165 continues..

I’ve covered Catano, Isla de Cabras, Balneario Punta Salinas and Toa Baja to date.

As the story goes, some folks from Toa Baja got tired of losing their homes to alluvial flood plains flooding, so they relocated to nearby higher ground, later naming it Dorado.

In fact, the plaza of Dorado rests on the top of a small steep hill.

About 34,000 folks call Dorado home.

Dorado is easy to find. The main exit for Hwy 693 is off Hwy 165 (after it leaves the coast and makes a long loop to the south). Highway 693 is also called Calle (street) Méndez Vigo.

It will take you straight up the hill to the main plaza, after crossing over the La Plata (Toa) River…

which by the way, is the longest river on the island.

There are good views, up and down the river from here.

Old Town, Dorado Central

The plaza of Dorado is very picturesque.

Sitting just off the plaza is a small, but beautiful catholic church with bell tower. It’s gaited so you cannot roam around the grounds except during services. There is also a statue dedicated to their patron saint just outside the gate. Dorado’s patron saint is Saint Anthony of Padua and a ‘feast day’ is celebrated on June 13th each year, in the plaza.

The plaza has many large trees providing shade for the benches below.

The site has a very restful feel to it.

The main feature of the plaza is a very large monument dedicated to the 3 races that contributed to Puerto Rico’s diverse heritage.. the indigenous Taino Indian, the African Negro and the Spanish settlers of the early period. It is a beautiful object of art in its own right. A large plaque is dedicated to each group.

Dorado has one of the cleanest plazas I’ve visited.

In fact, they spend a lot of effort at trying to keep the place clean and tidy. Something they are known for. It always bums me out to see folks tossing trash out the window of their car… especially in Puerto Rico.

Upscale Dorado

Dorado is most famous for its lavish hotels and private golf courses. It even had its own airport, back in the day.

The most famous of these hotels was the Dorado Beach Hotel & Golf Club originally built by Laurance Rockefeller on property owned by the family. It was eventually purchased by the Hyatt hotel chain. The facility is in the process of being updated and will reopen it 2012 as the Ritz Carlton Hotel and Casino.

Yes, there is legal gambling in Puerto Rico, but you would never know by Puerto Rico’s tourism advertising. Las Vegas turned their effort into an attraction the entire family could enjoy.

Why isn’t Puerto Rico doing the same? High rollers come and go, but families are forever.

OK… since my blog is about exploring PR on a budget, I did not bother with checking out the upscale digs. Nor do I give a ‘you-know-what’ about gambling, golf or health spas. If you do and you want your privacy then this place has it all.

Time to break out the American Express Gold card.

Last, But Not Least

There is a new ‘El Dorado’ agriculture, ecological and recreational park sponsored by the town of Dorado, now open to the public. It’s built on the grounds of an old sugarcane plantation. I was pressed for time so I did not stop in to check it out. The entrance looked quite grand. I do hope to get back to it for a review.