The Most Colorful City on the Planet
- Gouda Rivas
- Aug 11, 2022
- 3 min read
Welcome to Puerto Rico! Also known as the Enchanted Island, this island hosts some of the most magical and beautiful scenic locations nature has to offer. However, there are also some amazing urban works of art that are, unfortunately, lesser known.
In this post, we'll get to know the small town of Yauco, located in the southwestern part of the island. More specifically, we're going to cover the amazing Yaucromatic.
But first, it's important to know the region's history so we can understand a part of the culture. Let's take a step back in time to September 20th, 2017. This was the day Hurricane Maria hit the island of Puerto Rico.
photo by NBC News
According to Mercy Corps, the hurricane caused up to $94.4 billion in damages. This is a staggering amount that the island, understandably so, is still struggling to bounce back from. Despair filled the inhabitants of the island, and many lost motivation as they struggled to recover from this natural disaster.
In times like this where emotions and running free and many are pained, sometimes art can help us heal, or at least bring us together. This was the goal of the non-profit organization Arte Para Unir. In addition to this, the art project was founded to bring in more tourism and awareness to the economic situation in Puerto Rico. Increased tourism spurs economic growth, and gets money flowing in the local area. This would primarily benefit the Puerto Rican locals, but also helps the island's overall economic infrastructure.
This organization founded a project in the city of Yauco. The goal was to inspire people to stay strong and united after the natural disaster. The project is made up of over 62 works of art, all of which are painted on the walls of the local buildings.
On the hills that Yaucromatic is located on, you'll find plenty of young kittens and puppies to play with running around and coming up to greet you. The kittens might take a little convincing, but the puppies will definitely come say hi!
To see more of Yaucromatic, make sure you check out my vlog where I walk through it all and more!
As you can see, this is the perfect spot for a photoshoot with crazy shapes as a backdrop. The view from the top of the steps is pretty amazing as well, and the climb up the steps is nowhere near is difficult as the climb to Puerto Rico's hidden tropical oasis.
Something to be on the lookout for when you first get to Yaucromatic is the drinks and music at the bottom. I went on a weekday so it wasn't particularly crowded, but there was live music and a stand serving piña coladas. I'm sure that on a weekend it would be a lot more lively and entertaining.
What to Bring
Make sure to wear comfortable clothing when you visit. The steps up the mountain are very unevenly spaced, and the ground is a bit uneven at parts. There are also railings and some sharp edges that may catch on your clothing, so be cautious of that as well. When you get to the top, there are railings all around, so you really only have to make sure you don't fall backwards down the steps.
If you are a travel photographer, make sure to bring your camera. I would also highly advise bringing a drone if you have one. The views and the colors are phenomenal.
Finally, bring a couple of extra bucks in cash. There are local vendors selling piña coladas at the bottom of the hill, and there are other places to shop and buy locally as well. Any contribution you can give to the economy of Puerto Rico is sure to be a help.
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Thanks,
Jerome
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