At first sight, Mayagüez seems as dull as a cracker-compered to other major cities of the island. But hear me out! The west side has a lot to offer but only those who explore find this out.As a neewbie in the city, stay a weekend or two and go out. Take advantage of the rare free time you have as a freshman. It is in our best interest that you make the best out of your college experience so we have compiled a list of A+ places you can start with.
Lunch Places
Mana’s Café may be small but it is big on taste. Their lunch specials are perfect for any college student budget. You can eat in or call to pick up on those hectic days. Mana’s is just a 15 minute walk from campus- perfect if you have more than an hour on your lunch break.
El Café de Tite may be further than Mana’s but it is definitely worth the trip. Its a cafeteria so you better get there early,it’s a perfect remedy if your missing your grandmas cooking. It’s a local favorite so the food runs out early in the afternoon!
Coffee Places
Mari Kao Coffee Shop is a hidden jewel. Since the coffee shop is located at the “Plaza del Mercado” it is a great place to meet Mayagüez’s locals. The shop has its own trademark coffee and the owner is a fellow colegial.
Friends Café is located in the heart of the city and it is very frequented my students. It is a great spot to take a study break and enjoy the scenery. You’d be surprised of the stories you will gain on an afternoon at Plaza Colón.
Work Out Spaces
Although we count with great fitness facilities on campus, we’ll need a change of scenery from time to time. “El Parque Paseo Litoral” is best enjoyed with a buddy, where you can take a stroll while the sea breeze refreshes. Also you could get a group of friends and play a match of beach volleyball or soccer.
We are fortunate enough to have right next to our campus “El Parque de los Proceres”. The park counts with numerous trees that offer us a delightful breeze. Locals often go for their afternoon walks and is a perfect place to go for a relaxing workout or arrange a picnic.
Restaurants
Mayagüez counts with quite a few restaurants, perfect for those days where you crave a memorable dinner.
Ode to the Elephants in Rincón is a great spot to go with friends or a hot date. They specialize on thai food, the unusual flavors are amazing. The prices are reasonable and the food is definitely worth the 30-minute ride.
Gonzalez Seafood is on the other side of town. Although it is a bit pricey for students, it offers top quality seafood, the kind you can only find at Joyuda.
Beach Spots
Sandy Beach is one of the most known beaches at Rincón. Mostly because it’s house the so-known hangout spot, Tamboo. The water is beautiful and overall the beach is perfect for soaking up the sun and relaxing for a bit.
“Playa Buyé” is located in Cabo Rojo. Don’t be scared, because it’s just a 30-minute drive away. If you want to enjoy a considerate amount of sun, the trees by the sand will do the work. During the semester, “Buyé” tends to be perfectly calm and the water turns crystal blue. If you’re lucky enough you may even find the Cofresí pirate cave.
Hangout Spots outside La Bosque
Café Betances 100 Sur is the bohemian type of hangout, perfect for getting out of the hectic, sticky crowds. The live music and performances sure make of your Thursday hangout worthy of remembering.
For those nights that the only thing you want to do is dance, “La naza” is the place to be. This is a very local place; salsa is played some weekdays, so get your dancing shoes on and get down to “Bo. Dulces Labios”.