municipality in Puerto Rico
Toa Alta is a municipality and town of 67,000 residents located in the Toa Valley region of San Juan's metropolitan area in Puerto Rico along the island's Atlantic coast.
The town of Toa Alta is located west of the capital city of San Juan. Founded in 1751, it makes it one of the oldest towns of Puerto Rico. The construction of the San Fernando Rey Church in the main town square began in 1752 and is popularly said that the name Toa Alta comes from the Taíno word for mother or fertility, Thoa. Most likely the word toa comes from the Taino word for valley or mountain; the region is also known as Valle del Toa (Toa Valley)
As time passed, agriculture became an important economic factor for the area. During the peak of the agricultural economy, the town was also known as the "Granja de los Reyes Católicos" (the Farm of the Catholic Monarchs) and hence why the town is also called Ciudad del Josco. The town is commonly known by its nickname La Cuna de los Poetas, or "Cradle of Poets", due to the numerous Spanish-language poets born there, such as Abelardo Díaz Alfaro and the musician Tomás "Masso" Rivera.
The best way to get around is by car.
Toa Alta celebrates its patron saint festival in May. The Fiestas Patronales de San Fernando is a religious and cultural celebration that generally features parades, games, artisans, amusement rides, regional food, and live entertainment.
Festival El Josco or the Festival of the Mechanical Bull is held in October.
Other festivals and events celebrated in Toa Alta include La Chopa Marathon, held in March, and Folk Music Festival, held in November.