Dorado – Location and History

Dorado is a small tourist town in the northern coast of Puerto Rico, 15 miles west of San Juan and is located in the northern region of the island, adjoining the Atlantic Ocean, north of Toa Alta, east of Vega Alta, and west of Toa Baja. Dorado is spread over five wards and Dorado Pueblo is the downtown area and the administrative center of the city. The town is probably best known as a tourist destination with world-class golf courses, hotels and a beautiful municipal beach. Dorado is known as “La Ciudad Ejemplar”. Dorado was founded in 1842 by Jacinto López Martínez. In 1831, Dorado existed as a barrio (or ward) of the town of Toa Baja. Over several years, the ward grew and established its own town center called the “new pueblo” to differentiate itself from Toa Baja. In the beginning of the 20th century, after the USA invasion, Dorado was again appended to Toa Baja, but that changed again after a few decades.

Dorado – The Places of Interest

Dorado has long been known as a golf haven. Apart from that, it has some of the beautiful beaches like Cerro Gordo Beach and Sardinera Beach. The Casa Alegria Museum, former residence of master painter Marco Juan Alegria, features an exhibit hall, an art school and memorabilia from past decades. Dorado Del Mar Golf Club was designed under the expertise of world renowned Puerto Rican golfer, Chi Chi Rodríguez in 1998. This 18-hole course is located just 20 miles west of San Juan. The course is characterized by its narrow fairways and marvelously shaped greens. It features 4 sets of tees, water on 12 holes and numerous bunkers.

Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort Golf Course is consistently rated as one of the world’s best golf resort destinations and past host of the World Cup of Golf and Senior Tournament of Champions. It features two courses designed by Robert Trent Jones back in 1958. Hyatt Regency Cerromar Beach Resort Golf course features 36 holes of championship golf spread over two courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. back in 1970. Some of its other landmarks include Bazar Park, Casa de Ray Museum, Juan Boria Theater and Ojo del Buey Regional Park.

Dorado - Lodging

The town is a tourist centre with many residential resort communities and prestigious hotels. Dorado is home of the most famous hotels in the metropolitan area, the Dorado del Mar Beach and Golf Resort Hotel, the Hyatt Dorado Beach Hotel and the Hyatt Hacienda del Mar Hotel. The Dorado del Mar Beach and Golf Resort Hotel is located 25 miles from San Juan and has easy access to popular tourist areas. The hotel features 174 two-room suites with balcony and 55 fully equipped two-bedroom condos and an 18-hole golf course.

Dorado – Travel

The chief mode of communication is public trolley. It also has a form of shuttle services for handicapped people.