Barranquitas entrepreneur takes over Canyon Hotel Boutique
Canyon Hotel Boutique, the only boutique hotel in Barranquitas and a landmark in Puerto Rico’s central mountain range, is beginning a new phase under the leadership of local entrepreneur Rosita Rivera.
Through an undisclosed private investment, Rivera acquired the 18-room, 35,000-square-foot property with plans to develop it into a site for tourism, cultural programming and small-scale hospitality.
“Since I was a child, I dreamed of giving back to Barranquitas a part of what it has given me. This purchase is not just an investment; it is an act of love and commitment to my town and to Puerto Rico,” Rivera said.
She described her vision for the hotel as “a meeting point where nature, history and hospitality converge — a place where every guest takes away a piece of the magic of our mountains.”
The acquisition was completed earlier this month after a process that began June 6, when the hotel’s founder, Barranquitas businessman José Luis Berríos — also founder of Mueblerías José José — identified Rivera as the “ideal candidate” to continue his work.
Located near the Cañón de San Cristóbal (San Cristóbal Canyon) and the town’s historic center, the property will expand offerings to include ecotourism, cultural events and collaborations with local artisans, farmers and artists. Early plans call for renovations, hiring local staff and developing partnerships to integrate the hotel into the community.
Rivera, a University of Puerto Rico graduate with experience in real estate and tourism, plans to host small events, wellness retreats and cultural programs that highlight Barranquitas’ heritage.
The project has been presented to the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and the Puerto Rico Economic Development Bank (BDE, in Spanish) for support in future development, hotel officials said.
