Yabucoa is a town and municipality in Puerto Rico located in the eastern region, north of Maunabo; south of San Lorenzo, Las Piedras and Humacao; and east of Patillas. Yabucoa is spread over 9 barrios and Yabucoa Pueblo (the downtown area and the administrative center of the city). It is part of the San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The name Yabucoa is said to come from the Taíno name Guaroca, both a toponymic and personal name meaning "where water [is found]". However this is considered a folk etymology and other linguists suggest the name is most likely a Spanish interpretation of the Taíno word yaucoa (similar to the name Yauco) which means "cassava plantation".
Some nicknames of the city are "Sugar City", after the numerous sugarcane plantations of the Yabucoa Valley, and Pueblo de Yuca ("Yuca Town") which references the Taíno origin of the name of the town. The locals are also known as the Bebe Leches ("milk drinkers") after the numerous dairy farms located in the region.
