Vega Alta is a town and municipality on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, positioned west of San Juan between the neighboring municipalities of Dorado and Vega Baja. It covers about 28 square miles, subdivided into seven barrios, and had a population of roughly 35,000 at the 2020 census. Its residents are known as vegalteños. The municipality was founded in 1775 by Francisco de los Olivos, who originally named the settlement La Vega de Espinosa for the fertile plains that suited agriculture. The name later settled into Vega Alta, meaning "high meadow" or "upper meadow." The town center still centers on the Inmaculada Concepción Church, established in 1813, around which the traditional plaza and municipal life revolve. Vega Alta's defining feature is its coastline, anchored by Cerro Gordo Beach, one of Puerto Rico's most popular white-sand balnearios. The beach offers calm, clear water, camping facilities, water sports, and green space, drawing visitors from across the island. Inland, the Vega Alta Forest and areas such as Golondrinas Cave add natural diversity to a municipality that also claims golf courses and a rich cultural heritage. Transportation ties the municipality firmly to the San Juan metro. PR-22, the island's northern toll expressway, runs through Vega Alta and reaches the capital in about 45 minutes, while PR-2 serves as the coastal local route. Public schools are operated by the Puerto Rico Department of Education, with private options in the region. Vega Alta suits commuters, families, and retirees who want northern-coast beaches, a traditional town center, and expressway access to San Juan — coastal living on the edge of the island's largest metropolitan area.