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North AmericaPuerto RicoDorado

Dorado

Dorado, Puerto Rico · North America

About Dorado

Dorado is worth a stop: 5 minutes from San Antonio, 47km from Ruta Panorámica.

Dorado is a town located in Dorado, Puerto Rico. With a population of 13,117, it is an important destination in North America.

On a road trip, Dorado sits in Puerto Rico. It's in the America/Puerto Rico time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Dorado to your route.

About Dorado

Dorado (Spanish pronunciation: [doˈɾaðo]) is a town and municipality on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, 15 miles (24 km) west of San Juan and is located in the northern region of the island, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Toa Alta, east of Vega Alta, and west of Toa Baja. Dorado is subdivided into five

Read more barrios and Dorado Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area. During the early 18th century, there were already mentions of a "Sitio de Dorado" (meaning a golden place) in some San Juan registers. Since the beginning of the Spanish colonial period and until 1831, Dorado existed as a barrio (or ward) of the town of Toa Baja. Over several years, the ward grew and established its own town center called the "new pueblo" to differentiate itself from Toa Baja, which became known as the "old pueblo." Over several years, the barrios that currently make up Dorado grew and the people of the "new pueblo" wanted to separate themselves from Toa Baja. On November 22, 1842, Jacinto López Martínez, the Sergeant at Arms for the ward of Dorado, petitioned the Spanish Governor of Puerto Rico, Santiago Méndez Vigo, to establish the municipality of Dorado. The governor authorized the founding of the town pending the construction of public works, including an administrative building and a church near the town square. In 1848, the construction of the public works were completed and López Martínez became the first mayor of Dorado. Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish–American War under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 and became a territory of the United States. In 1902, four years after the Spanish–American War, Dorado was again appended to Toa Baja. But in 1905 it regained its status as a separate town. Nowadays, Dorado has upscale neighborhoods and a small downtown area with a plaza (main town square), as other Puerto Rican municipalities. The town's patron saint is Anthony of Padua, and patron saint celebrations are held at the plaza every year on June 13.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Dorado

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Dorado?

Dorado offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Dorado?

Plan your road trip to Dorado with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Dorado as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Dorado located?

Dorado is located in Dorado, Puerto Rico, North America. The coordinates are 18.4588 latitude, -66.2677 longitude.

What is the population of Dorado?

Dorado has a population of approximately 13,117 people, making it a town in Puerto Rico.

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Quick Information

Population
13,117
Continent
North America
Country
Puerto Rico
Region
Dorado
Timezone
America/Puerto_Rico
Coordinates
18.4588, -66.2677

Tags

North AmericaPuerto RicoDoradoTown

Worth the detour from Dorado

4 notable places within an hour's drive.

landmark

Old San Juan

A vibrant walled colonial city with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, two massive Spanish fortresses, and 500 years of history.

16 km · about 30 min drive

photogenic

Cueva Ventana

A limestone cave in Arecibo whose far opening frames the Río Grande de Arecibo valley like a window: a short guided walk from the road to one of Puerto Rico's most photographed viewpoints.

46 km · about 55 min drive

famous road

Ruta Panorámica

A 269 km chain of about 40 narrow secondary roads running the length of Puerto Rico's Cordillera Central from Mayagüez to Maunabo, built in the early 1970s purely for the mountain views and lechoneras along it.

47 km · about 55 min drive

national park

El Yunque National Forest

The only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System, featuring cascading waterfalls, misty peaks, and the endangered Puerto Rican parrot.

54 km · about 60 min drive

Driving roads near Dorado

  • 47 kmRuta PanorámicaA 269 km chain of about 40 narrow secondary roads running the length of Puerto Rico's Cordillera Central from Mayagüez to Maunabo, built in the early 1970s purely for the mountain views and lechoneras along it.
  • 73 kmGuajataca TunnelA 1904 railroad tunnel cut through the coastal cliff between Isabela and Quebradillas, now a walkable public monument opening onto a wild Atlantic cove and the mouth of the Guajataca canyon.

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Dorado.

Toa Baja

🇵🇷 Puerto Rico

2 km awayPop. 1,889

San Antonio

🇵🇷 Puerto Rico

4 km awayPop. 6,456

Ingenio

🇵🇷 Puerto Rico

5 km awayPop. 5,664

Campanilla

🇵🇷 Puerto Rico

5 km awayPop. 7,757

San José

🇵🇷 Puerto Rico

7 km awayPop. 3,278

Candelaria Arenas

🇵🇷 Puerto Rico

7 km awayPop. 5,854

Río Lajas

🇵🇷 Puerto Rico

7 km awayPop. 2,349

Brenas

🇵🇷 Puerto Rico

8 km awayPop. 2,104

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence