It is the capital of Miskito nation in the North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region.

Hurricane Felix hit Puerto Cabezas on September 4, 2007, killing about 100 people.

[2] Hurricane Eta hit the city on November 3, 2020, causing extensive damage.

[3] On November 16, 2020, Hurricane Iota hit the city as a strong Category 4.

The University of the Autonomous Regions of the Nicaraguan Caribbean Coast (URACCAN) has a campus in Puerto Cabezas, as well as in several other locations in the RACCN and the RACCS.