Guayama is not only the City of Witches and the Guamaní; it also has attractions around its historic downtown and coastal area waiting to be discovered.
Guayama barber Jorge Enrique Rigual Torres spoke with Platea about local restaurants, craft cocktail bars and historic sites to visit during a trip to his hometown.
Considered one of the most beautiful plazas on the Island, according to the Platea community, its center is presided over by an elegant fountain brought from France and donated in 1918 by Mayor Don Genaro Cautiño Insúa.
Among its 16 gardens grow the imposing Laureles de la India, planted around 1895, whose distinctive mushroom-shaped trim, a tradition dating to 1944, is the plaza's most recognizable feature.
It also holds three monuments honoring Guayama soldiers who fell in World War I and World War II, in Korea and in the Ohio Fourth, as well as a bust of Luis Palés Matos. If you visit in December, don't miss "Guayama Iluminada."
Built between 1882 and 1887, Casa Cautiño was home to several generations of one of the most prominent families in the "Witch City." Its permanent art collection offers a window into the life of Guayama's upper class in the 19th century.
Restaurants in Guayama's historic downtown:
A 2025 James Beard Award finalist, El Gallo Pinto is a standout restaurant that highlights Creole and gourmet culinary creations.
You can also opt for the Chef's Blind Menu Tasting experience, where chef Ángel David Moreno Zayas curates a nine-course culinary experience.
For fans of quality coffee and dishes with personality, this corner spot on Guayama's plaza is a required stop.
Enjoy breakfast or lunch with a privileged view of the cathedral, on one of the most beautiful plazas on the Island.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Friday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
This craft cocktail bar is located just across the street from Plaza Cristóbal Colón. The atmosphere is ideal for having a drink while catching up with friends and enjoying any of its 18 tapas.
There is also a speakeasy lounge for more intimate moments or impromptu karaoke parties.
Hours: Monday, 4:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | Thursday, 4:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. | Friday and Saturday, 4:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. | Sunday, 3:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Dining options around Guayama:
A restaurant and, at the same time, a fresh-produce market. At Prime Market you will find prime-quality meats, fresh fish and dishes inspired by European and American cuisine.
Recommendation: The Guava Cheese Burger highlights salty and sweet flavors with well-seasoned beef on mallorca bread, cilantro oil and black pepper aioli. Rigual Torres recommends pairing it with the truffle fries.
With its floral, romantic décor, Anna Bar & Tapas is ideal for special occasions, romantic dates or a girls' night out. They offer more than 30 tapas to share and more than 20 cocktails to choose from, including some coffee-based options.
They also offer entrées such as prime rib eye steak, salmon in coconut sauce and lobster cream.
Hours: Monday and Thursday, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. | Friday, 5:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. | Saturday, 2:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. | Sunday, 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
This restaurant has a Creole menu featuring meats, poultry, fish, seafood, burgers and more. They also handle catering and have a modern event hall suited for special occasions such as intimate weddings, family gatherings, corporate events and the like.
Keep an eye on their Facebook profile for special lunch menus starting at $9.99.
For more than three decades, this chinchorro (a casual roadside food and drink spot) and restaurant has celebrated the authentic flavors of this coastal municipality. They specialize in fresh seafood, mofongo and fried snacks like conch empanadas, Rigual Torres's favorites.
You can also try house desserts, drinks and music while taking in the view of the Caribbean.
Other places to eat and drink in Guayama:
El Balcón de Gerald: A criollo restaurant on the Pozuelo barrio peninsula with a family-friendly, lively atmosphere
Toro o Nada: They specialize in dishes featuring high-quality meats and seafood, including their tomahawk steak, Wagyu burgers and lobster mac n' cheeses. They also have $2 margarita Mondays, which you can pair with sliders or fish tacos.
Pandora Gastro Bar: Located in the interior courtyard of the century-old Gran Hotel, it offers cocktails, cuts, seafood, tapas and wines, with brunch on Sundays.
Archivo Cocktail Bar: For a night of creative drinks while catching up with friends or on a romantic date
Hostos Beer Garden: A hangout spot where the party gets going and the music doesn't stop.
Vegan Délice: This plant-based restaurant has private and shared tables, plus a monthly delivery service to Guayama, Caguas and San Juan.
La Eskina Sports Bar: A casual sports bar with food, sports, karaoke and cocktails, good for a celebration or a night out.
El Rancho RT: Spacious surroundings with a menu that evokes Puerto Rican farms, from lamb fricassee to cuerito stuffed with rice.
Tazza D'Oro Caffé: A hidden gem with a history going back to 1938, known for its award-winning coffee, Puerto Rican cuisine and a pleasant open-air patio.
When visiting Guayama, don't miss:
Bosque Estatal de Aguirre: With 2,464 cuerdas of mangroves stretching to Santa Isabel, this natural area borders the Bahía de Jobos Estuarine Research Reserve, the second-largest estuarine area in Puerto Rico. Its visitor center offers interactive exhibits on ecosystems, flora, fauna, history and the Central Azucarera de Aguirre.
El Legado Golf Club: This golf course is one of the most recognized in the area, with 18 holes and 7,200 yards designed by Chi Chi Rodríguez. Afterward, the club's restaurant makes for a fitting end to the day.
Bahía de Jobos: This former sugarcane farm turned marine reserve is now one of the most important spots on the Island for recreational and commercial fishing, and a refuge for endangered species such as the brown pelican and the peregrine falcon.
Platea Tip: Nearby is the Columpio Pozuelo, a piece of street art that has become a tourist attraction.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
