[5] Guaraguao is a mountainous rural barrio located in the northwestern section of the municipality, northwest of the city of Ponce.

Its location makes it susceptible to heavy rains, landslides, and road closings.

[6] The toponymy, or origin of the name, is related to the guaraguao tree, Guarea trichilioides, in the Guarea ramiflora family, a tree that grows to heights between 20 and 70 feet with a maximum 3-foot wide trunk at the foot of mountains in the humid central zone of Puerto Rico.

[10][11] Guaraguao is the seventh least densely populated barrio in the municipality of Ponce.

[8] The communities of Las Lomas and Santas Pascuas[13] are located in Guaraguao.