Puerto Rico Things to Do ⎮ Puerto Rico Places to Go – Destinations ⎮ Dorado – Best Things to Do
Don’t Miss a Tour of Casa Bacardi near Dorado
Dorado is located just 11 miles east of the capital city of San Juan, offering visitors easy access to some of the best attractions and entertainment in Puerto Rico. Beyond the beachfront resorts and golf courses of Dorado, there’s a friendly colorful district that you can leisurely explore in the afternoon. While Dorado is a tourist destination, it has managed to maintain a small-town feel with traditional Spanish Colonial charm. The municipality has done a nice job at maintaining a few museums worth visiting and one of the few plazas that still have the traditional Spanish community design.
Best Things to Do & Places to Visit in Dorado
Puerto RicoGo Golfing in Dorado, Puerto Rico
Dorado Beach has hosted PGA tournaments and other world-class golf events, you may find yourself sharing one of the courses with celebrities and political figures. Dorado Beach, the most luxurious and exclusive golf resort offers guests and visitors four courses, 2 of them voted among the best in Puerto Rico by Golf Digest.
Visit Dorado’s Historic District
We encourage visitors to take an afternoon to visit the historic district of Dorado, you can enjoy a walk around town and visit a few points of interest including a few small museums worth visiting. A few hours in the afternoon is sufficient to see the highlights of the town. Dorado has a warm and close-knit community, this is a town where neighbors and people in the community know each other, and a celebration or a time of mourning brings the community together.
While touring the town, we invite you to visit the following two places of interest in Dorado and support local businesses while you’re visiting.
Tradition is very important to the residents of Dorado, it is quite evident at the plaza. While many municipalities have changed their original Spanish layout, Dorado is the only plaza in Puerto Rico with the traditional Spanish design; the Catholic Church, the Governmental office across the church, and a school.
Monuments and Points of Interest at the Plaza (Square)
The Plaza (Square) hold a few points of interest:
- Parish of Saint Anthony of Padua
- The Monumento a las Raices Puertorriqueñas (Puerto Rican Roots Monument), located at the center of the Plaza.
- The San Antonio de Padua Sculpture is located at the Plaza in front of the church.
- Alcaldia (Mayor’s Building) is located across from the church.
We invite you to attend a monthly community event sure to be one of the highlights of your visit or stay in Dorado; Noche de Paraiso (Paradise Night), held on the first Friday of each month. Locals and visitors gather around the plaza to enjoy live music and good food with family, friends, and visitors. This event is sure to give you an authentic warm cultural experience.
Visit House of Dorado’s Artists Marcos J. Alegria
La Casa de los Artistas Doradeños Marcos J. Alegria
Facing the church, to the left there’s a small museum we think the entire family will enjoy visiting, La Casa de los Artistas Doradeños Marcos J. Alegria (House of Dorado’s Artists Marcos J. Alegria). The house was restored close to its original design and visitors can see part of the original residence, and an exhibit of local artists.
- Hours: Tuesday – Saturday from 8 am – 4 pm
Visit Casa del Rey Museum
Casa del Rey, is a museum where visitors can admire an elegant restored residence with period furnishings, art pieces, and a small Taino artifacts gallery.
A little history: Casa del Rey is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Casa del Rey “The King’s House”, is the oldest building in Dorado, originally built as a small inn in 1823. Spanish government officials and military were housed at Casa del Rey. In 1848, Jacinto Lopez purchased the building and turned it into his private residence. In 1871, Manuel Alonso y Pacheco, a Puerto Rican writer resided there.
- Hours: Monday – Friday 8am – 4:30pm
- Tel: 787-796-1030
- Location: Calle Méndez Vigo #292, Dorado, PR
Places of Interest to Locals in Dorado
If you wish to see more of the town of Dorado, we think you will enjoy visiting the following landmarks, galleries and museums, all within walking distance from the main square / plaza in center town.
Drive Around to See The Art Murals of Dorado
Art Lovers will enjoy driving around the town to observe art murals that capture the history and vibrant culture of Doreños. Dorado is one great example of how art can transform a community. Be sure to take a walk around town to take a few photos with colorful backgrounds sure to add some color to your vacation gallery. The most popular murals are on Road 396, done by the talented Rogelio, a local artist that you can visit at his gallery shop Tropi Art.
Tropi Arte Galeria
+ Tropi Arte Galeria by Rogelio
Be sure to stop at Tropi Arte, Rogelio is a talented artist, his gallery is full of color. You can take the warmth and color of the island with you, one of his pieces will surely spark great conversation with your guests.
- Address: 315 Mendez Vigo, Dorado, Puerto Rico 00646
- Tel: 787-460-0088
Museo Historico del…
+ Museo Historico del Dorado
Learn about the history of Dorado, see art exhibits and pieces of archeological importance. The building dates back to the 1840’s.
- Address: Calle Méndez Vigo #292, Dorado, Puerto Rico
- Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 8am – 4pm
- Phone: 787-796-5912
Constitution Monument
+ Constitution Monument
For the patriotic visitor, take a quick stop by the Constitution Monument.
“We erected this monument to perpetuate in the collective memory of our people the inaugural act of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, by raising the flag of our country for the first time on July 25, 1952, at the same height and with the same dignity as the flag of the United States of America, with this feat the first elected governor of all Puerto Ricans, Hon. Luis Muñoz Marin, was the basis for the development and economic, cultural, and political growth of our people.”
Today July 25, 2006, in Dorado, Paradise of Puerto Rico.
– Hon. Carlos A. Lopez Rivera
Mayor Hon. Anibal Acevedo Vila – Governo
“Erigimos este monumento para perpetuar en la memoria colectiva de nuestro pueblo el acto inaugural de la Constitucion del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, al izar la bandera de nuestra patria por vez primera el 25 de Julio de 1952, al la misma altura y con la misma dignidad que la bandera de Estados Unidos de Norte America, con esta gesta el primer gobernador electo de todos los puertorriqueños, Hon. Luis Muñoz Marin, sento la base para el desarrollo y crecimiento economico, cultural, y politico de nuestra gente.”
Hoy 25 de Julio de 2006, en Dorado, Paraiso de Puerto Rico.
Hon. Carlos A. Lopez Rivera – Alcalde
Hon. Anibal Acevedo Vila – Gobernador
See El Cristo de la Reconciliacion
+ El Cristo de La Reconciliacion
The biggest sculpture of a Resurrected Christ in the world measuring 25 feet, pictures don’t do it justice, it is truly impressive. The sculpture was created in 1990 by Puerto Rican artist Sonny Rodriguez.
Location: 9 Calle Pedro J. Ridos, Dorado, PR 00646
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Dorado, Puerto RicoSee Full Screen Map of Dorado, Puerto Rico
Sources: National Register of Historic Places, El Nuevo Dia – Un paraíso turístico y cultural
Puerto Rico Things to Do ⎮ Puerto Rico Places to Go – Destinations ⎮ Dorado – Best Things to Do