Located in a privileged place in nature, Natural Escape allows interaction with the passages of the most beautiful area of southern Puerto Rico enabling an experience of peace and relaxation. Our mission as a lover of nature is to enable everyone to expand their horizons and strengthen their ties to our Mother Earth.

General Information

Juana Díaz is located in southern Puerto Rico. The municipality measures 156.3 square kilometers (60.64 square miles). It is known as "the mabee town" "the city of the Jacaguas River," the "city of the Three Kings," and the "Bethlehem of Puerto Rico." According to the 2000 census, there are 50,531 juanadinos, living in Amuelas, Callabo, Capitanejo, Cintrona, Collores, Emajagual, Guayabal, Jacaguas, Juana Díaz Pueblo, Lomas, Río Cañas Abajo, Río Cañas Arriba, Sabana Llana, and Tijeras wards.

Geography

Juana Díaz is located on the south coast of the island, and is bordered by Ponce to the west; Jayuya, Villalba to the north; Coamo and Santa Isabel to the east; and the Caribbean sea to the south. The geographical region is part of the southern coastal plains and semi-arid southern hills, situated on a geological fault. There is very little rain. Topographical features include valleys, plains, and coasts.

Founding and History

Juana Díaz, has been a topic for debate among historians. Some say that the town was named for a woman, Juana Díaz, who decided to stay in the area after her husband was killed by Caribs. She acquired a ranch, which she called Jacaguas, in honor of the Cacique Jacaguax, about whom almost nothing is known. Eventually, the town was founded on part of this land. A second version is given by the historian Roberto Monclava, a Juana Diaz native, who argues that the settlement existed by 1582, close to the current riverbank of the Jacaguas River. Other historians, such as Lucas Mattei Rodríguez, disagree, and assert that the town was named for a black slave woman who was murdered in Capitanejo ward. After the crime, the area became known as Juana Díaz. According to Mattei Rodríguez the name was adopted by oral tradition. The researcher adds that in 1798, during the process in which the town was foundd, parish priest Nazario Vicente García opposed naming the town after here.

Read more about Juana Díaz >>