Puerto Rico > Puerto Rico Destinations > Dorado Puerto Rico
Most Exclusive, Luxurious Beach Resort & Golf Destination
Dorado is located just 11 miles east from 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, there’s a friendly colorful town that you can leisurely explore in an afternoon. The municipality has done a nice job at maintaining a few museums worth visiting and one of the few plazas that still has the traditional Spanish community design.
Best Hotels & Resorts in Dorado, Puerto Rico
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is one of the few resorts in Puerto Rico that can rightfully claim to be a destination all on its own. Although we recommend you go outside the property to explore some of the wonders of Puerto Rico, we totally understand guests that may be tempted to never leave the premises. The Ritz-Carlton has redefined luxury in Puerto Rico, allowing Dorado & Puerto Rico to reclaim its spot as one of the most luxurious and exclusive destinations in the Caribbean while setting a higher standard for the island. Travelers seeking for the ultimate luxury, exclusivity, a private beach, water sports, and interesting places to visit outside the resort, ought to place Dorado at the top of their list. Dining is superb and the golf courses are magnificent.
There are a few other properties that are more budget friendly. See hotels and resorts in Dorado, Puerto Rico.
Top Attractions & Things to Do in Dorado & Nearby
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.
Next, we’ll send you to the capital city of San Juan, just a 45 minute drive away where you can enjoy some of the top attractions in Puerto Rico.
Dorado Town Square
We encourage visitors to head to the square, you can enjoy a walk around town and visit a few points of interest including a few small museums worth 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 one of the few, if not the only one left with the traditional Catholic Church, the Governmental office across the church and a school at the plaza. A few hours in the afternoon is all you need to see the highlights of the town.
Dorado has the warmest and closest community, this is a town where neighbours and people in the community know each other, where a celebration or a time of mourning brings the community together. 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 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.
+ Plaza Publica de Dorado
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, located at the Plaza in front of the church.
- Alcaldia (Mayor’s Building) located across the church.
Viaje al Paraiso
+ Viaje al Paraiso
Viaje al Paraiso, which translates “Trip to Paradise” is a sculpture on Road 165, welcoming visitors to the town of Dorado. Be sure to visit for a great vacation photo with the golden coastline of Dorado in the background.
El Cristo de la Reconciliacion
+ Sanctuary of Christ the Reconciler
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 1990 by Puerto Rican artist Sonny Rodriguez.
Location: 9 Calle Pedro J. Ridos, Dorado, PR 00646
Casa y Museo Marcos…
+ Marcos J. Alegria Museum
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 8am – 4pm
Casa del Rey…
+ Casa del Rey Monumento Nacional
Casa del Rey, is a museum where visitors can admire an elegant restored residence with period furnishings, art pieces and a small Taino artefacts 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
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
Art Murals
+ Art Murals in Dorado
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.
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
Casa del Artesano
+ Casa del Artesano
This building is a gathering place for local artists, they hold classes and exhibit artworks by locals. There’s a small office with tourist information.
- Address: 344 Calle Méndez Vigo, Dorado, PR 00646
- Phone: 787-485-9927
- Hours: Monday – Saturday 8am – 4pm
Nearby Points of Interest & Things to Do
Map of Dorado, Puerto Rico
Sources: National Register of Historic Places, El Nuevo Dia – Un paraíso turístico y cultural
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