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Is this common, that a lot of smaller towns in Puerto Rico have this look? Love the density and walkability....not sure how good or bad that is, due to the perception of crime. But, the Island of Puerto Rico, certainly creates some cool-looking walkable-looking cities and towns!
The Porta Coeli Church in San Germán was on my 'to see' list when I visited Puerto Rico first time in 1997.
The Southern/Western parts of the Island have always been a favorite.
Is this common, that a lot of smaller towns in Puerto Rico have this look? Love the density and walkability....not sure how good or bad that is, due to the perception of crime. But, the Island of Puerto Rico, certainly creates some cool-looking walkable-looking cities and towns!
San German was the other Spanish government center so it has the same look as old san juan though it's a bit forgotten and off the beaten path. Ponce was also densely built but a very different look, more 19th through early 20th century. It's history is one as a port for coffee and sugar often evading the Spanish crown
I think it is pretty common. I know in Cayey, the downtown has a plaza and a Catholic Church with a city hall nearby. I think all Puerto Rican towns are designed this way. The downtown is kind of like Old San Juan (although much less touristy). In Caguas it is kind of the same too except in Caguas they have this promenade that goes into the plaza area which I think is cool. However there is also a lot of sprawl in Puerto Rico. Cayey may have a walkable downtown but then on the outskirts you have strip malls, highways, and in Caguas you have shopping malls, pretty similar to the United States.
I think it is pretty common. I know in Cayey, the downtown has a plaza and a Catholic Church with a city hall nearby. I think all Puerto Rican towns are designed this way. The downtown is kind of like Old San Juan (although much less touristy). In Caguas it is kind of the same too except in Caguas they have this promenade that goes into the plaza area which I think is cool. However there is also a lot of sprawl in Puerto Rico. Cayey may have a walkable downtown but then on the outskirts you have strip malls, highways, and in Caguas you have shopping malls, pretty similar to the United States.
Just curious...are these plazas used much like they might be used in Latin America or Spain (i.e. families socializing late into the night, kids playing, teens skateboarding, adults talking away, way past sunset)? Or are they more deserted and more like the U.S. Mainland (avoid after dark, drug-dealing oriented, a bit sketchy)...? Or just neither, not really used at all...?
Just curious...are these plazas used much like they might be used in Latin America or Spain (i.e. families socializing late into the night, kids playing, teens skateboarding, adults talking away, way past sunset)? Or are they more deserted and more like the U.S. Mainland (avoid after dark, drug-dealing oriented, a bit sketchy)...? Or just neither, not really used at all...?
The plaza in Caguas has a lot of people in it, there are vendors, and it is a place where your family can relax and get a snack. The plaza in Cayey is not as bustling but people still go to the area. The plaza in Cayey might not be as busy probably because Cayey is a smaller town than Caguas. Caguas is the fifth largest city in PR.
I don't know if these plazas are active during the day or if they are dangerous after dark but people still go to these areas during the day.
The plaza in Caguas has a lot of people in it, there are vendors, and it is a place where your family can relax and get a snack. The plaza in Cayey is not as bustling but people still go to the area. The plaza in Cayey might not be as busy probably because Cayey is a smaller town than Caguas. Caguas is the fifth largest city in PR.
I don't know if these plazas are active during the day or if they are dangerous after dark but people still go to these areas during the day.
There was a time, before the malls, highways, fast food joints and cable TV, when plazas were full of people, specially on the weekends. As people abandoned the public places, to stay home to watch Brazilian sex novelas and now Turkish ones, life outside the home has come to a standstill and taken over by graffiti, drugs and dangerous individuals. Puerto Rico is like a small version of New York city in the 70's, when folks were terrified by the 24 hour news cycle.
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