South region · Puerto Rico
Patillas
~33 mi from San JuanCoastal
Happening in Patillas
All eventsTomorrowCommunity
Feria de Amor por nuestros Animales, November 13
Centro de Usos Múltiples Néstor Vázquez Díaz (map, opens in a new tab)
Patillas is a beach town on Puerto Rico’s southeastern coast, about 33 miles from San Juan. It lies south of San Lorenzo, west of Yabucoa and Maunabo, and east of Guayama and Arroyo, and is organized into 15 barrios plus Patillas Pueblo, with a population of 15,563. It is part of the Guayama Metropolitan Statistical Area and belongs to the South region.
Founded in 1760, Patillas has a long history as a coastal community in the southeast. Its outdoor spots are grouped with nearby Guayama in regional guides, reflecting the area’s shared coastal character.
For visitors
- Hiking
- Beaches and water
- Fiestas patronales
For living hereResidents live in a coastal town of 15,563 people, organized across 15 barrios and the town center, within commuting reach of the Guayama metro area.Living in Patillas: rent, commute, schools & safety
At a glance
- Region
- South
- Setting
- Coastal
- Distance
- ~33 mi from San Juan
- Population
- 15,563 (Census estimate, 2020–2024)
- Founded
- 1760
- Median rent
- $543/mo
- Median income
- $24,396/yr
- Area
- 46.6 sq mi (120.7 km²)
- Fiestas patronales
- Saint Benedict · March 31
- Guide spots
- 2
- Stories, last 30 days
- 4
- Water & power
- Water by sector · Power outages
- Living here
- Rent, commute, schools & safety
Right now in Patillas
Road closures in Patillas
No closures reported in Patillas as of 1:08 PM AST on Thu, Nov 12.
Water rationing in Patillas
No rationing plan names Patillas. None of the plans the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (AAA) has published includes the town, as of Nov 12. Repairs and breaks cut service sector by sector: search your sector
Power outages in Patillas
Not among the 7 towns with the most interruptions on LUMA’s morning reading of Nov 12, when 0.5% of customers island-wide were without power. Patillas was on that list on none of the last 7 mornings. Outages right now, town by town
Beach water
Within limits: Balneario de Patillas. Last tested Nov 3.
Beach water qualityNews from Patillas
Latest stories
Sinkhole Threatens Family’s Access to Home in Patillas After 15 Years of Waiting
Woman Arrested in Patillas Murder Case for Allegedly Driving Suspect to Airport to Flee Puerto Rico
Man Accused of Killing Young Man in Patillas Extradited from Philadelphia, Held on $2 Million Bail
Man Survives Gunshot Wound to Cheek in Patillas
Options to Enjoy the Weekend with Markets, Festivals, and Tradition
Our analysis
- Where to Swim · Last weekWhere to Swim This Weekend: Six Beaches, from Lajas to Guánica
- Town of the Week · EarlierArroyo, Where Rent Runs 12% Below the Median Town
- Where to Swim · EarlierWhere to Swim This Weekend: Six Beaches, from Vega Baja to Luquillo
Things to do in Patillas
Beaches & Chill
Balneario de Patillas
Public beach resort
Balneario de Patillas, also called Playa de Patillas, is a public bathing beach on Puerto Rico's south coast, run by the Municipio de Patillas. Unlike many managed balnearios, it has no lifeguards on duty, so swimmers should keep that in mind. Nearby facilities include a playground, which makes it practical for families with children, and one place to eat or drink close to the sand.
On the Water
Patillas / Guayama
The southeast coast between Guayama and Patillas is a kitesurfing area where trade winds from the southeast blow across open water, typically 18–28 knots (21–32 mph). The bays hold flat water, which suits riders who want steady wind without chop. Launch points include Punta Pozuelo in Guayama and Punta Guilarte in Arroyo, which lies between the two towns. The season runs November to May, when the southeast trades are most reliable.
Outdoors and sports
On the water in Patillas
All conditionsTrails in and near Patillas
No trail we list starts in Patillas. The nearest four are within 17 mi of the town center, as the crow flies.
- In Humacao, 16 mi awayCamino hacia el Morro de HumacaoEasy 0.7 mi each way, 35 to 55 minPath to El Morro de HumacaoNot confirmed: ask firstCommunity-mapped
- In Salinas, 16 mi awayCaminata Albergue OlímpicoModerate 0.7 mi each way, 45 min to 1 h 10 minOlympic training center walkNot confirmed: ask firstCommunity-mapped
- In Salinas, 16 mi awayÁrbol Solitario (Cerro de los Cielos)Hard 1.4 mi each way, 1 h 40 min to 2 h 30 minThe lone tree on the Hill of the SkiesWalk in, no bookingCommunity-mapped
- Reserva Natural de Investigación Estuarina Bahía de Jobos, Salinas, 17 mi awayVereda Interpretativa Bosque de JagüeyesEasy 0.8 mi loop, 20 to 25 minJagüeyes forest nature trailWalk in, no bookingCommunity-mapped
Bills and recovery money
Recovery money in Patillas
$83.1 million committed by FEMA to 342 projects filed under Patillas since 2001: $5,339 per resident, 16th of 78 towns.
Every project located in Patillas, the island-wide agencies’ included
40% paid out: Puerto Rico's Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3), which pays out the federal disaster recovery money, has paid $37.9 million of the $94 million committed.
40%48.6% paid out on the town government’s own rebuilding: $31.7 million of $65.3 million, the projects it runs itself, as of Oct 14, 2026. Our FEMA story charts this figure for every town.
48.6%- Patilla's Double-A Baseball Stadium "Angelita Lind"Parks and other$6.2 million
- Not Compliant EHP - MPAT008 The Fisherman's Village and Docks of PatillasPublic buildings$3.4 million
- FIONA/MARIA/earthquake: La Mula - La sofia Ward 3 - RoadsRoads and bridges$3.3 million
The town government’s largest projects in implementation, and what has been paid
- Patilla's Double-A Baseball Stadium "Angelita Lind"$5.1M of $6.2M83%
- Road Egozcue # 4$2.1M of $2.7M79%
- Debris Removal$2.6M of $2.6M100%
- Debris Removal Townwide$2M of $2M100%
Every town and the island-wide agencies
FEMA Public Assistance data, as of Nov 11, 2026. Obligated by FEMA: committed to the project and drawn as the work is done. Paid out: COR3’s transparency portal, as of Nov 4, 2026.
Living in Patillas
Crime in Patillas
51 violent crimes and 3 homicides reported to the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPD) in Patillas, January 1 – September 30, 2026; in 2025, 25.1 violent crimes per 10,000 people, in the highest fifth of towns.
- Homicides
- 3 YTD
- Violent crimes
- 51 YTD
- All serious crimes
- 72 YTD
- Violent crimes per 10,000 people (2025)
- 25.1
Flood zones in Patillas
FEMA’s flood map sets who must carry flood insurance, street by street. Check an address in Patillas
Phone alerts for Patillas
Our weekly reads: Daily Water Watch · Grid Watch · Safety Watch
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