Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The church dates from 1646 and took its name from the patron saint of Ireland to honor
Puerto Rico's famous Irish mercenaries, who designed many of the fortifications of Old
San Juan.
Festivals & Events
Puerto Rico's African soul is unveiled for nine days every July and August in the
Fiestade
Santiago
, a cultural extravaganza of drums, masks and hybrid religious iconology relating
to the Catholic Saint James the Moor Slayer.
Shopping
Handmade
vejigantes
(Puerto Rican masks) carved by local artisans are available in many
places in Loíza (and are generally of higher quality for less money than what you'll find
in San Juan). Wander the streets around the town center and you'll see plenty of colorful
creations quite literally staring out at you.
Estudio de Arte Samuel Lind
ART GALLERY
( 787-876-1494;
www.samuellind.com
;
Rte187Km6.6)
This is the most famous shop
in town. The studio, which is open to visitors when someone is at home, is 2 miles south
of town on Rte 187 and sells the artist's paintings, sculptures and serigraph prints. To drive
there, head toward Río Grande until you see a sign for the studio. Turn left and stop at the
third house on the left. Públicos from San Juan to Rio Grande will stop at the studio on
request. About 20 other mask makers work in the area.
Information
The center of the town is called the Plaza de Recreo, known as La Plaza, and is just east of
the bridge over the Río Grande de Loíza.
Getting There & Away
You can catch a público to Loíza's plaza from Río Piedras in San Juan for a few dollars,
which is not a bad way to go during the Fiesta de Santiago, when traffic into Loíza on Hwy
187 and Hwy 188 can be more frightening than a
vejigante.
Públicos return to Río Piedras
