It is believed that the name of Arroyo (which means "creek" or "brook" in English) is derived from a small water stream where travelers stopped to freshen up before continuing on their way.

[5] Still, in 1868, a local newspaper called La Gaceta de Puerto Rico stated that Arroyo was founded in 1852.

In 1858, Samuel Morse introduced wired communication to Latin America when he established a telegraph system in Puerto Rico, then a Spanish Colony.

During one of her visits she met and later married Edward Lind, a Danish merchant who worked in the Hacienda La Henriqueta in Arroyo.

When you are linked with the other jewels of the Antilles in the necklace of the world's telegraph, yours will not shine less brilliantly in the crown of your Queen!

"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 Department of War conducted a census of Puerto Rico finding that the population of Arroyo was 4,867.

[9] In 1902, Puerto Rico's Legislative Assembly approved a law to consolidate certain municipalities.

[13] Arroyo belongs to the alluvial plains sub-region of Ponce-Patillas known as the Southern Coastal Valley.

The Voy Turisteando Arroyo passport page lists Malecón Paseo Las Américas, Centro Vacacional Punta Guilarte, Faro Punta Figuras, and the Arroyo Surfing Park, as places of interest.

del Carmen is a religious and cultural celebration in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment.

The Museo Antigua Aduana is a historic building that now showcases art by local artists, such as Angel Cora.

Stryker Corporation, a developer of medical implants and other surgical equipment, has a production plant in the town.

The city belongs to the Puerto Rico Senatorial district VI, which is represented by two Senators.

In 2024, Rafael Santos Ortiz and Wilmer Reyes Berríos were elected as District Senators.

A small portion of that train remained in use until recently for tourism purposes, under the name of Tren del Sur.