Once a Taíno Indian village, the area was named after Loíza, the female cacique (chief) who ruled over it.

Today Loíza is known for its African-influenced music, dance, art and food. For vacation accommodation in Loíza, visit FlipKey where you will find options to suit all budgets.

About Loiza, Puerto Rico

Located on Puerto Rico’s northeast coast, Loíza is a small town spread over five wards with a population of 30,000.

Following the arrival of Spanish conquistadors in 1508, led by Ponce de Leon, the indigenous Taino Indians were decimated either by disease and hard labor. This forced the Spanish to import slaves from Africa to work in the sugarcane fields.

Two hundred years later, the area had become a safe haven for escaped slaves, and in 1709 had a population large enough to be considered a town.

Today, Loíza is known throughout Puerto Rico for its high proportion of artists and dancers. The town is also the center of traditional Puerto Rican music called “La Bomba” that has dancers moving to the sound of drums.

Locals celebrate the Festival of St James by wearing brightly colored masks—called Máscaras de Vejigante—made from coconuts. See if you can catch this amazing spectacle during your stay!

What to do in Loiza, Puerto Rico

Only a 30-minute taxi ride from Puerto Rico’s capital San Juan, Loíza is a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's also a great spot to find authentic handcrafted souvenirs.

Nearby you can visit the Maria de la Cruz Cave, where archaeologists discovered pre-Columbian artifacts belonging to the Taino people. If you're interested in history, you'll see all of the findings from the cave on display in the museum of the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan.

For water sports and lazy days at the beach, head east out of town and make use of the resort facilities at either the Bahia Beach, Coco Beach or Gran Melia resorts.

In San Juan, visit the Museo de las Américas, Fuerte San Cristóbal and the star of the Old Town, El Morro, said to be oldest Spanish fort in the New World.

Top travel tips for Loiza

The best time to visit Loíza is during the dry months from mid-December through mid-April.

Despite being a U.S. territory, and using the American dollar as its currency, not everyone speaks English. Learning a few greetings and phrases will go a long way in helping you have a great time in Puerto Rico.

The island has a reputation of being dangerous for tourists, but it’s no worse than any American city. You won’t find public transportation very reliable, so we recommend either renting a car or using taxis.

For a touch of African inspired food and culture, Loíza is an interesting destination that's close to all the action of the El San Juan casino and the beauty and charm or the Old Town. For all your accommodation needs, visit FlipKey where you are sure to find the ideal rental property for your vacation.