Coamo(ko-AH-mo) Show
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 is the third-oldest town in Puerto Rico, established by Spanish settlers and founded on July 15, 1570 by Cristobal y Blas de Illescas. Coamo was the capital of the south until the 1880's, when political power moved to Ponce. The town original name was San Blas de Illescas, later changed to Coamo, named after a local Indian chief 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 Coamo Thermal Baths. Long before the Europeans arrived, Indians bathed in a thermal spring at Coamo; according to one legend, this was the fountain of youth the Indians described to Ponce de León. Today, a parador -Los Baños de Coamo- surrounds the famous spring. It was considered the islands most fashionable resort from 1847 to 1958. 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 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. 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. Street in Coamo EconomyThe town is a trading center for machinery, aircraft radio components, machines, and clothing. The surrounding areas produces corn, mangos, oranges and plantains. GeographyCoamo is made up of 11 barrios (wards/districts):
Rivers ClimateAnnual 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. 10 Day Forecast Notable PeopleThere are many well-known "coameños", among them:
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SymbolsBoth 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:
Anthem The anthem of Coamo was written Manuel Torres Tapia. The title is Allá muy cerca del pueblo... EducationThere are 21 public schools in Coamo, education is handled by the Puerto Rico Department of Education. Demographics *Population Puerto Rico: 3,285,874 Land Area: 78.01 sq mi Density: 494.8 per sq mi Median Age: 43.1 Sex: 52% female Economics ** Per capita income
Puerto Rico: $21,058 Median household income: $18,319 Persons below poverty line: 48.5% Housing, families and educational attainment *Number of households 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. Map ReferencesCoordinates: 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
What is Coamo Puerto Rico known for?Coamo is famous for its thermal springs, the Coamo Thermal Baths. Long before the Europeans arrived, Indians bathed in a thermal spring at Coamo; according to one legend, this was the fountain of youth the Indians described to Ponce de León. Today, a parador -Los Baños de Coamo- surrounds the famous spring.
How old is Coamo?Founded on July 15, 1579, Coamo is the third-oldest settlement of the island's post-Columbian period. Coamo officially became a town in 1616. Hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017, triggered numerous landslides in Coamo with a significant amount of rainfall. In the U.S. Census, the population was listed as 40,512.
Which country is Coamo?Coamo is a municipality and the third oldest city of Puerto Rico, famous for its small historic downtown and its warm springs known as the Baños de Coamo. The city is located on the island's southern Caribbean coast in the Porta Caribe tourism region.
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