En Español

The original name of Cabo Rojo was Los Cabos Rojos, Tierras de Los Morillos. Cabo Rojo is known as "El Pueblo de Cofresí". Cabo Rojo was founded in 1771 by Nicolás Ramírez de Arellano who was also Cabo Rojo's first mayor.

LOCATION: Cabo Rojo is located at the tip of the south western coast (Porta del Sol) of the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. The town is approximately 74.2 square miles.
MAYOR OF CABO ROJO: Hon. Santos E. "San" Padilla Ferrer.
POPULATION: About 47,000 residents
LOCALS ARE CALLED: Caborrojeños
CURRENCY: U.S. Dollars.
LANGUAGE: Spanish is the preferred language by caborrojeños (locals) but many locals around tourist areas speak English.
TEMPERATURE: Average of 79-82 F.
ELECTRIC: Current is 110 volts AC, same as the United States.
TOURISM INFORMATION OFFICE: Muñoz Rivera Street, Ruiz Rivera #43, La Campana Building Tel. (787) 255-1560

What's in the name?

Just in case you are wondering:

• The word "Cabo" means (the corner or end part of land) Cabo Rojo is located at the southwest corner of the island of Puerto Rico.
• The word "Rojo" simply means the color red.

Why was this pueblo (town) called Cabo Rojo. Well, there are two theories (actually three, I (the editor) have my own).

• The first one is that it was named red for the red color of the "morrilos" the rocks in the area of the Lighthouse.

• The second theory is that it was named Rojo after the red color of the water in the salt flats.

• Editor's Theory: It was named Cabo Rojo because of the reddish tones of the breathtaking sunsets in Cabo Rojo.

Interesting Personalities in the History of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Important personalities in the history of Cabo Rojo includeRamon Emeterio Betances (photo on left) medical doctor and abolitionist; Salvador Brau Asencio historian, drama writer, journalist, sociologist, and essayist. Rebekah Colberg was a famous athlete and let's not forget the famous Pirate Roberto Cofresí.

Click here and see monuments dedicated to some of these important personalities that are found at the Recreation Plaza of Cabo Rojo.

Anthem of Cabo Rojo

English Translation

Hoy estoy triste
por la distancia
que me separa
de mi dulce patria,
y de un pueblito
donde mi padre y mi madre
me esperan

Mi Cabo Rojo
Pueblo Adorado,
Jardín de Flores
te quiero yo
y en la distancia
a tí te añoro,
por eso lloro
en mi cantar.
Son tus palmeras flores divinas
y son tus playas, un manantial.
Mi Cabo Rojo,
me siento sola
por eso lloro
en mi cantar
pero muy pronto
besaré tu suelo
o desde el cielo
te adoraré.

By: Mildred Arroyo

Sources: Photo of Betances: Library of Congress.
History: Miller, Paul Gerard. Historia de Puerto Rico. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1922