Cataño, Puerto Rico

The Town that Refused to Die

Cataño (kah-TAH-no) is known as the “antechamber of the capital”, “the town that refused to die”, “the forgotten town”, “the crab catchers’ town”, and “the ferry-riders’ town”. It's the smallest town in Puerto Rico. The patron saint’s festival is held in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

Cataño is located on the north coast of Puerto Rico, on the shores of the San Juan harbor and is bordered on the north and east by the Atlantic Ocean; by Toa Baja on the north and west; and by Guaynabo and Bayamón on the south. The terrain is low-lying and flat as part of the northern coastal plains.

Its most important natural resources include the Las Cucharillas Marsh and part of the San Juan harbor. Cataño and Tocones points are located on the northern shore; Goat Island is close to the latter.

At present, principal economic activities include refineries, commerce, and rum manufacturing and distribution.

Foundation:

Cataño was founded in 1927. It covers only five square miles making it the smallest municipality of the island. Cataño was a district of the municipality of Bayamón until July 1, 1927, when by virtue of law No. 30 leaders approved that April 25 of that year it was to be constituted as a municipality.

The origin of the name comes in honor to a Spanish doctor called Hernando de Cataño who served in this town in 1569, when the Island of Puerto Rico was governed by the Spanish Francisco Bahamonde de Lugo. Cataño at the time was known as "El Hato de Las Palmas".

Location:

Located in the northern coast of the island, it is bordered by the San Juan Bay. It is also bordered by: Toa Baja and the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Guaynabo and Bayamón to the south, Toa Baja to the west, and by the Atlantic Ocean to the east.

Area:

13.0 sq km / 5.0 sq mi

Population:

30,071 (census 2000)

Population Density:

2,313.1 per sq km / 6,014.2 per sq mi

People are known as:

Catañeses

Nicknames

Cataño is known by several nicknames that reflect its history, culture, and resilient spirit:

• The Town That Refused to Die – for its people’s ability to overcome historical, economic, and environmental challenges.
• The Gateway to the Capital – due to its strategic location across from San Juan and direct connection via ferry service.
• The Forgotten Town – because of periods of economic stagnation despite its proximity to the capital.
• The Town of the Juicer Makers – for the abundance of crabs in the Ciénaga de las Cucharillas and nearby mangroves.
• The Town of the Ferry Operators – honoring those who historically connected Cataño with San Juan via ferries.

Neighborhoods (Barrios): Cataño, Puerto Rico

Originally divided into two barrios—Cataño Pueblo and Palmas—the municipality now has 10 barrios and sectors:

• Town of Cataño
• Palmas
• Juana Matos
• Cucharillas
• Las Vegas
• Puente Blanco
• Bahía
• Vista al Morro
• Marina Bahía
• Bay View

Additional Note: Some barrios, such as Juana Matos and Cucharillas, have been the focus of urban rehabilitation projects, public housing development, and community programs.

Demographics and Census

• 2000 Census: 30,071 residents
• 2010 Census: 28,093 residents
• 2020 Census: 22,254 residents

The population decline is due to migration to the United States and the overall trend of decreasing population in Puerto Rico.

Religious Pattern:

Approximately 4,780 residents per mi², making Cataño one of the most densely populated municipalities on the island.

Population Density (2020)

• Patron Saint: Our Lady of Carmen
• Parish: Nuestra Señora del Carmen
  Address: Calle Tren #42, Cataño, PR 00962
  Phone: 787-275-1309
  Mass Schedule:
  Monday to Friday: 6:30 am and 7:00 pm
  Saturday: 7:30 pm
  Sunday: 7:30 am and 10:30 am
• Patron Saint Festivals: Celebrated in July with maritime processions, cultural activities, craft fairs, and sports events.

Topography and Environment

• Flat, coastal terrain with low soils prone to flooding.
• Home to the Ciénaga de las Cucharillas, a protected wetland that serves as a refuge for migratory and endemic species and a natural flood barrier.
• The area includes mangroves and coastal vegetation essential to the ecology of San Juan Bay.

Hydrography

• Ciénaga de las Cucharillas – ecologically important wetland
• Bayamón River – forms part of the southern boundary of the municipality
• Caño de Cataño / San Fernando – connects to San Juan Bay
• San Juan Bay – main waterway connecting Cataño with San Juan

Economy and Industries

• Bacardí Rum: Operational since 1958, considered the largest rum distillery in the world and a major tourist attraction.
• Petrochemical and Refinery Industries: Historically the economic base, though many have scaled back operations in recent years.
• Commerce and Distribution: Proximity to the port and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport facilitates logistics and transport.
• Tourism: Cultural tours, visits to the Bacardí distillery, wetland observation, and recreational activities along the waterfront.
• Fishing and Boats: The Villa Pesquera and the tradition of ferry operators remain vital to local identity.

Culture and Tourism

• Paseo del Mar: Recreational area along San Juan Bay with walking paths, urban art, and cultural events.
• Monuments and Museums: Monument to the Taino Roots, Monument to Remembrance, Cataño Pyramid, among others.
• Notable Events: Cataño Carnival (April), Swimming Crossing (July), Chalk Festival (August), Domingo Apellaniz Marathon (September), and Americas Fair (October).

Average Income

• As of 2023, the median household income in Cataño is $24,307 annually, with a median family income of $20,356, ranking 53rd among Puerto Rico municipalities.
• In the labor sector, the average hourly wage in Cataño is $15.20, according to 2021 data.

Flag:

The flag of Cataño reflects the colors and stripes of its coat of arms. It consists of nine horizontal stripes: four blue and five white, where the silver color of the coat of arms is replaced with white. A diagonal green stripe crosses the flag from the upper left corner to the lower right, symbolizing the coconut palms surrounding the coat of arms and the municipality’s natural environment. This stripe also serves to distinguish Cataño’s flag from other similar international flags, such as those of Greece and Uruguay.

The flag was officially adopted on September 5, 1974, during the administration of Hon. José Álvarez Brunet, consolidating the municipality’s identity and highlighting the importance of its history and natural resources.

Coat of Arms:

The coat of arms of Cataño consists of nine horizontal stripes: four blue and five silver. The colors come from the heraldry of the family of Spanish physician and nobleman Hernando de Cataño, after whom the municipality is named. The silver symbolizes nobility, while the blue represents royalty, majesty, serenity, and the heritage of the hidalgos in Spanish heraldry.

At the top of the shield is a mural crown with three towers, a typical feature of municipal coats of arms. The shield is surrounded by green coconut palms, evoking the former “Hato de las Palmas,” the historical name of the territory before it became a municipality.

Places of Interest:

• Old City Hall
• City Hall and Municipal Government Center
• Horace Mann Elementary School
• Pedro Rodríguez Sálamo Stadium
• Bacardí Rum Factory, symbol of the local industry
• Waterfront and Port Walk
• Monument to the Taíno Roots
• Monument to Remembrance
• Recreational parks: Parque de los Niños (Palmas neighborhood), Parque de Juana Matos, Parque La Esperanza
• Parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
• Paseo del Mar (“The Star and the Ribbons of Time”)
• Paseo Miguel A. Rovira
• Cataño Pyramid
• Residence of Dr. Leopoldo Figueroa
• Ferry Terminal and Fishing Village

These sites reflect Cataño’s history, culture, and social life, combining historical heritage, cultural activities, and recreation for residents and visitors.

Events:

Cataño celebrates multiple festivities and events throughout the year, reinforcing its cultural identity:

• Three Kings’ Day Gift Delivery – January
• Cataño Carnival – April
• Mother’s Day Celebrations – May
• Father’s Day Celebrations – June
• Night of San Juan – June
• Patron Saint Festivities in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – July
• Swimming Cross – July
• Greased Pole Competition – July
• Fishermen Gathering – July
• Chalk Festival – August
• Domingo Apellaniz Marathon – September
• Americas Fair – October
• Christmas Lighting – November
• Bohemian Concert in the Town Square – Second Friday of every month

These events reflect cultural and religious traditions that strengthen community cohesion and promote local tourism.

Distinguished Citizens:

• María Luisa de Angelis – Essayist and journalist
• Ileana Colón Carlo – First female Comptroller of Puerto Rico (1987–1997)
• Rafael Ferrer – Physician
• Leopoldo Figueroa-Carreras – Physician, lawyer, and politician; member of the Puerto Rico Constitutional Convention (1951–1952)
• Salvador M. de Jesús – Short story writer
• Susana Matos – Poet
• Rafael Mournier – Poet and historian
• Dominguito Negrón – Bomba and plena dancer
• Félix Ochoteco – Lawyer and politician; president of the Bar Association and the International Congress of Lawyers
• Agustín Pérez – Lawyer and historian
• Baldomero Roig-Vélez – Lawyer and politician
• Julio Rosado del Valle – Painter
• Isaac del Rosario – First superintendent of schools in Cataño
• Pedro Juan Soto – Writer
• Plácido Torres – Physician

Outstanding Athletes

Lisa Boscarino, Rossano Boscarino, Pedro (Perucho) Cepeda, Anselmo Martínez, Guillermo Montañez, Manuel Muti, Pedro Rodríguez Gaya, Luis Sánchez, Gilberto Torres, and Guillermo Vaello.

Name	Level	Telephone	Address
Elementary
HORACE MANN	K-3	(787) 788-1966	Closed in 2023
ISAAC DEL ROSARIO	K-6	(787) 788-7210	PO Box 086, P.R. 00963-0086
JOSÉ A. NIEVES	K-6	(787) 788-7095	Closed in 2023
PUENTE BLANCO	K-6	(787) 788-1856	PO Box 5327, P.R. 00963-0096
RAFAEL CORDERO	PK-6	(787) 788-1557	PO Box 630217, P.R. 00963-0217
ROSENDO MATIENZO CINTRÓN	K-6	(787) 788-1612	PO Box 247, P.R. 00963-0000
TEODORO ROOSEVELT	K-6	(787) 788-8430	PO Box 247, P.R. 00963-0000
Intermediate
MERCEDES GARCÍA DE COLORADO	7-9	(787) 788-4025	PO Box 0125, P.R. 00963-0000
ONOFRE CARBALLEIRA	7-9	(787) 788-8975	PO Box 247, P.R. 00963-0000
High School
FRANCISCO OLLER (TOA BAJA)	10-12	(787) 788-1696	PO Box 51179, P.R. 00950-1179
All Levels
RAMÓN B. LÓPEZ	EE	(787) 788-1723	Closed in 2023

Hymn:

By Carmen I. Guzmán y Nick Jiménez Olmeda