Coamo, Puerto Rico
(ko-AH-mo)
Coamo is located in the southern region of Puerto Rico, about 90-minute car ride away from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). Coamo is known as "La Villa Añeja" (old villa) or "La Villa de San Blas de Illescas" (San Blas de Illescas villa) in honor of the San Blas Half Marathon celebrated every year in February.
Coamo, founded on July 15, 1570, by Cristobal y Blas de Illescas, is the third-oldest town in Puerto Rico, established by Spanish settlers. It served as the capital of the south until the 1880s, when political power shifted to Ponce. Originally named San Blas de Illescas, the town was later renamed Coamo, in honor of a local Indian chief known as Coamex or Coamey.
By 1582, there were twenty families living in Coamo, in the same area where the Tainos had had their village of Guayama. Coamo became officially a town in 1616, and given the title of "Villa" by Spanish Royal Decree in 1778.
Coamo is famous for its thermal springs, the
Highlights of the town's include the historical 18th-century Church of San Blas de Illescas located on the center plaza, considered one of the most important works of religious architecture in Puerto Rico. Open daily, 6:30am-12:00pm. Be sure to explore nearby buildings and sites like the City Hall, Efren Bernier residence (Casa Blanca), and Jose Ignacio Quinton residence.
Coamo is also home of Museo Historico de Coamo, an elegant masonry home converted into a museum with turn-of-the-century furnishings and local history displays. Open daily, 8:00am-noon 1:00pm-4:00pm, (787) 825-1150 Ext. 206.
Another attraction in Coamo is the Coamo Springs Golf and Tennis Club, located in Barrio Las Flores. Open Mon-Sun, 7:30am - 3:30pm, (787) 758-1212.
Every year in February Coamo hosts the San Blás de Illescas Marathon, inaugurated in 1963 by Phi Delta Fraternity in honor to the town's patron saint. The marathon has become a significant event in Coamo, drawing participants and spectators to celebrate and pay homage to San Blas. 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.
If you are looking for a place to stay during your next trip, Baños de Coamo offers air-conditioned rooms with a pleasing blend of contemporary and period furnishings. Located on Route 546, Km 1, (787) 825-2186.
Economy
The town is a trading center for machinery, aircraft radio components, machines, and clothing.
The surrounding areas produces corn, mangos, oranges and plantains.
Geography
Coamo is made up of 11 barrios (wards/districts):
- Coamo Arriba
- Cuyón
- Hayales
- Los Llanos
- Palmarejo
- Pasto
- Pedro Garcia
- Pueblo
- Pulgillas
- San Idelfonso
- Santa Catalin
Rivers
Coamo, Cuyón, Descalabrado, Lapa, Jueyes and Mina.
Climate
Annual precipitation is approximately 78 inches and the average temperature is 78 F. August is the warmest month of the year. January is the coldest month.
COAMO WEATHER
Notable People
There are many well-known "coameños", among them:
- Bobby Capo, singer, composer, television director, and government official
- Maria Teresa Babin, college professor, writer, and founder of the Puerto Rican Studies Department at Lehman College in Nueva York.
- Juan Rivera-Ortiz, teacher and political figure
- Jose Garriga Pico, former senator
- Alejandro Garcia Padilla, politician and attorney who served as the 11th governor of Puerto Rico from 2013 to 2017
Restaurants
- Banos de Coamo (Puerto Rican), (787) 825-2239
Festivals and Events
- Carnaval de la Yuca - August
- Carnaval del Juey - October
- Carnaval Flor de Mayo - May
- Festival de Bomba y Plena - November
- Fiestas Patronales de San Blas Illescas y La Virgen Candelaria - February
Every year, Coamo celebrates a festival to honor the two Patron Saints. The festivities include dances, food, parades and religious processions. (787) 825-1150 - San Blas de Illescas Marathon - February
Every year in February Coamo celebrates San Blas de Illescas Marathon, inaugurated in 1963 by Phi Delta Fraternity in honor to the founder of the town. 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. (787) 825-2775 or (787) 825-4077
Symbols
Both the flag and coat of arms were adopted on August 5, 1969.
Flag
The flag design consists of three equal horizontal stripes. The red, yellow, and black colors are derived from the municipal coat of arms. The red represents martyrs and refers to the fact that Saint Blas was decapitated. The gold yellow alludes to the excellent qualities of San Blas and the parched plains of Coamo. The black refers to the sorrows and tribulations endured by Coamo.
The flag should fly with the black stripe down.
Coat of Arms
The coat of arms is divided into four parts and characterized by the colors: red, black, yellow and white.
Symbolism of the coat of arms:
- The bells represent the three city's Catholic churches, Altagracia, Valvanera and San Blas.
- The bishops' hats represent the bishops that founded the city: Mercado and Salamanca.
- The flames represents the city's patron, Our Lady of the Fire.
- The crosses represent the cross of the Villa, property of Cristobal de Illescas.
- The horse and bull represent the cattle industry. The gold color that serves as background recalls the yellowish reddish tone of the fields of Coamo during the droughts.
- The circle whit blue lines represent the Thermal Baths of Coamo.
Anthem
The anthem of Coamo was written Manuel Torres Tapia. The title is Allá muy cerca del pueblo...
Education
There are 21 public schools in Coamo, education is handled by the Puerto Rico Department of Education.
Demographics *
Population
34,668
Land Area: 78.01 sq mi
Density: 494.8 per sq mi
Median Age: 43.1
Sex: 52% female
Economics **
$10,700
Median household income: $18,319
Puerto Rico: $21,058
Persons below poverty line: 48.5%
Housing, families and educational attainment *
Number of households
13,199
Housing units density:
214.3 (2013)
Persons per household: 2.92
High school grad or higher: 78.9%
Marital status: 36% married
* U.S. Census Bureau 2020 data, unless otherwise noted - Source: Quick Facts Puerto Rico.
** U.S. Census Bureau 2016-2020
Map References
Coordinates: 18.0800° N, 66.3581° W
Zip Code: 769
Driving Distance from San Juan: 62.6 miles
Driving Time: 1 hour, 36 minutes
Other Resources
