Arecibo (/ˌærəˈsiːboʊ/; Spanish pronunciation: [aɾeˈsiβo]) is a city and municipality on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, located north of Utuado and Ciales; east of Hatillo; and west of Barceloneta and Florida.

[6] When the Spanish arrived, they found the area occupied by the indigenous Taíno, led by Xamaica Arasibo, Cacique (chief) of the yucayeque (town) then named Abacoa.

[9] Arecibo was officially founded as a town[10] by the Spanish crown on May 1, 1616, under the governorship of Captain Felipe de Beaumont y Navarra, when the King of Spain granted the land (and the Taino living there) to Lope Conchillos.

On August 5, 1702, Captain Antonio de los Reyes Correa, commanding 30 militiamen, successfully defended Arecibo from an attack by two Royal Navy warships under William Whetstone.

Whetstone's ships landed 40 marines and sailors on two rowboats, but Correa's troops ambushed the invaders, killing 22 and forcing the remainder to retreat.

These include Manati, Barceloneta, Florida, Utuado, Jayuya, Hatillo, Camuy, Quebradillas and Isabela.

Hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017, triggered extensive flooding, and damage to infrastructure with over 3,000 people losing their homes.

It lies on the Atlantic Ocean; north of Utuado; east of Hatillo; and west of Barceloneta and Florida.

South of the municipality, in the karst region, it forms the Dos Bocas Lake, a primary source of water for Northern Puerto Rico.

Caño Santiago is an artificial canal created in the 19th century by partially diverting the Tanama River's waters tobarrios a small temporary stream, to supply water to poor neighborhoods in Arecibo, discharging into the Arecibo River near its own mouth.

East of the river lies Caño Tiburones, an important marshland area that provides habitat for many kinds of birds and wildlife.

Among its historic buildings is the Cathedral of Saint Philip the Apostle, built beginning in the late 18th century.

Neoclassic ornamentation is used in an academic fashion on the lowest stage, but the other two show a less traditional use of bands and pilasters.

The Renaissance-style windows are uncommon in Puerto Rican churches, but the central tower over the entrance is a common motif used throughout the island.

The City Hall, built in 1866, served as jail to revolutionaries of El Grito de Lares in 1868.

It is relatively modest in size, of stuccoed masonry, with an academically correct composition, having a pedimented center pavilion which projects slightly.

The lower story is rusticated, with arched openings; the three doorways in the center giving the effect of a loggia.

The "Birth of the New World" is a statue depicting Christopher Columbus and is located in Islote, Arecibo.

The Fiestas Patronales de San Felipe Apostol is a religious and cultural celebration that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment.

In 2005, the Capitanes won the BSN national championship by defeating the Vaqueros de Bayamón in a four-game sweep.

In 2010, they won their fourth BSN national title in six seasons, this time against the Vaqueros de Bayamón.

[14] Vaqueria Ceiba Del Mar is located in Arecibo and is one of the largest on the island of Puerto Rico.

Other important companies are Thermo King Corporation, Eaton, Los Cidrines, Expressway Eco Printing, Arecibo Tropical Flag and ABB.

Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain in the aftermath of the Spanish–American War under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 and became a territory of the United States.

In 1899, the United States conducted its first census of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Arecibo was 36,910.

The current mayor of Arecibo is Carlos (Tito) Ramírez Irizarry, of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD).

In 2024, Brenda Pérez Soto and Gabriel González, both from the New Progressive Party (PNP), were elected as District Senators.

The left side is blue having a belt that stands for "Captain Correa", a local military hero from Spanish times.

The right side is made up of blue and yellow diamonds alternating in a checkerboard pattern referring to the coat of arms of Felipe de Beaumont y Navarra, governor of Puerto Rico (1614–1620) and founder of the city.

[55] Despite it being an important bridge leading into the urban downtown center of Arecibo, it was closed again in early 2017 due to damage caused by the sea and reopened in 2021 after repairs.