Aguas Buenas

The village of Aguas Buenas was originally known as Aguas Claras and was part of the municipality of Caguas, Puerto Rico.  This territory had many crystal-pure springs.  In 1798 a group of neighbors began to establish their homes near the springs and decided to call the area Aguas Claras.
The number of residents grew over the years.  On July 25, 1832, neighbors held a meeting and commissioned Don Francisco de Salas Torres and Don Ramon Diaz to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that the region was named a municipality, to be called Aguas Claras.  Don Julian Lopez, one of the residents, donated ten strings of land for the establishment of the new town center, where they built the square, the church, the rectory, and the king’s house (now known as City Hall).
Two years later, in 1834, during the government of Miguel de la Torre, a decree was issued authorizing the creation of the new municipality.  However, it wasn’t until May 25, 1838, under the government of Don Miguel Lopez de Banos, that the region of Aguas Claras finally became a municipality.  It was named Aguas Buenas (its inhabitants are called aguasbonenses).  Don Francisco de Salas Torres was the first settler captain or mayor.
At its inception, the town had economic and administrative difficulties.  Gradually, the residents developed agriculture, and the city’s economy came to be based on the cultivation and trade of coffee.  Eventually the population of Aguas Buenas grew to 7,000 inhabitants in the late nineteenth century.

Flag
The flag of Aguas Buenas is a green rectangle with two triangles and a star. At its center, the blue triangle with the white star represents the national symbol of Puerto Rico.  The yellow triangle and the green rectangle represent flora and agriculture, and industrial and commercial development.  United, the colors represent all the qualities of hospitality, friendship, cooperation, faith, and honor.  The flag was designed by Francisco “Paco” Diaz.

Shield
The shield is crowned by a castle or fortress, which was repeated in the arms of Puerto Rico as a historic symbol. A cross, a symbol of Christianity, divides the shield into four sections. The first section bears the image of the Virgin of Monserrate, patron of the people, and in the second is the figure of a Taino Indian, the original inhabitants of the island.

The third shows the typical instruments of Puerto Rican culture and folklore and in the fourth, a horn of plenty with local fruit, represents the land and agriculture.  At the center, a circle enclosing the image of mountains and a river represents the municipality. It was designed by Francisco “Paco” Diaz and made by the artist Francis Edwin Rosario.

Geography
Aguas Buenas is located in the northern Sierra de Cayey, so its area is moderately hilly.

The average height of the town is about 250 m above sea level.  Its highest mountains include La Pena (552 m), La Marquesa (510 m) and Cerro Mula (490 m). The Cerro La Tiza (660 m) is part of the surrounding Comerio.  The city’s main rivers are: Bairoa, Caguitas (both tributaries of the Rio Grande de Loiza) and Bayamon.

Aguas Buenas is bordered to the north by the cities of Bayamon, Guaynabo, and San Juan, on the east by Caguas, on the south by Cidra, and on the west by Comerio.

Business
The main industries in the municipality of Aguas Buenas are manufacturing of garments (especially for ladies) and building materials.

Demographics
According to the 2000 Census of the United States, Aguas Buenas had a population of 29,032 inhabitants.  Of these, 14,273 (49.2%) are male and 14,759 (50.8%) female.  For 2004, it was estimated the city grew to 30,137 inhabitants.
The average age of the inhabitants of the municipality is 31.4 years old.  Eight percent (2,290 inhabitants) are less than five years old, 70.6% (20,511 inhabitants) are older than 18, and 9.9% (2,877 inhabitants) are more than 65 years old.

Culture
In early September a festival is held to honor the Virgin of Monserrate.   However, recently the Festival de Salsa, Bomba and Plena has come to replace the traditional celebration and festivities that honor the Virgin.
Many marathons had previously been held in the town.  Only a few are carried out at the present, including Marathon Guayabo.
Points of Interest
Aguas Buenas Caves is a cave system located between the barrios and Sink Caguitas, south of town.  These caves have been identified as very dangerous, as several people have died there, so a visit is only recommended for experts and scientists.  Anyone planning to visit the caves must first notify the municipal civil defense.

The town beach boasts the best margaritas on the eastern side of the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico.

The Recreation Center Charca is in the Mulas neighborhood, along the Rio Bayamon.