Updated October 11, 2026. Facts come from the sculptor's own account (Primera Hora interview) and EnciclopediaPR, the Puerto Rico Endowment for the Humanities' encyclopedia.
La Cara del Indio is a huge stone face of the Taíno cacique Mabodamaca carved into a hillside at the entrance to Isabela, in northwest Puerto Rico. It's a free, quick roadside stop on the way to Isabela's beaches.
Quick facts
| What | Stone sculpture of cacique Mabodamaca |
| Sculptor | Isaac Laboy Moctezuma, master carver from Quebradillas |
| Commissioned by | Municipality of Isabela |
| Where | Hillside on Avenida Noel Estrada, beside PR-2, Isabela |
| Cost | Free, public roadside spot |
| Time needed | 15–20 minutes |
Two "Caras del Indio"
Isabela actually has two Indian faces, and EnciclopediaPR lists them as separate sights:
- The sculpture of cacique Mabodamaca on Avenida Noel Estrada by PR-2.
- The natural "Cara del Indio" at Playa Pastillo, a coastal rock formation that people see as a face.
Who was Mabodamaca?
EnciclopediaPR traces Isabela's origins to the cacicazgo (chiefdom) of Mabodomaca, the Taíno chief of this region. Spellings vary (Mabodamaca, Mabodomaca). EnciclopediaPR itself notes that historians can disagree on details, so treat the dramatic versions of his story you hear locally as legend.
The sculptor
The face was carved by Isaac Laboy Moctezuma, a master carver from neighboring Quebradillas, on a commission from the Municipality of Isabela. In a 2023 interview he said he carved it "about 20 years ago". He deliberately made it rough and Taíno-like, because a polished modern face would have looked wrong. He described the work as "a symbol of what we are". He also said some people still argue the face is ancient Taíno work and won't believe he made it. Laboy won the carving competition at the Ward Museum of Salisbury University in Maryland in 2021.
Visiting
- Where: a hillside on Avenida Noel Estrada next to PR-2 at the entrance to Isabela. It's a busy road junction, so take care crossing.
- Cost: free.
- Time: a short stop. Combine it with the rest of Isabela: Jobos and Montones beaches, the Guajataca Tunnel and the Guajataca State Forest's trail network.
Plan the day with our things to do in Isabela and Isabela beaches guides, the Guajataca Tunnel, and hiking in Puerto Rico. Browse local guides in the Isabela tours directory.
FAQ
What does "Cara del Indio" mean? "The Indian's face." The monument depicts the Taíno cacique Mabodamaca.
Who carved the Cara del Indio? Isaac Laboy Moctezuma, a carver from Quebradillas, commissioned by the Municipality of Isabela.
Is it an ancient Taíno carving? No. It's a modern sculpture made in a deliberately Taíno style. The natural "face" rock at Playa Pastillo is a separate formation.
Is there an entrance fee? No. It's a free roadside stop.
Originally published on PuertoRico.com (2022-12-13); last updated 2026-10-11.