Patillas

Patillas commonly refers to sideburns: the hair that grows on the sides of the face, from the temples toward the jaw. The term is used across Spanish-speaking countries to describe this facial hair. Sideburns have appeared in various fashions and cultural contexts, with styles ranging from short and neat to long or pointed, and sometimes connecting to a mustache or beard in some forms.

Patillas is also the name of a municipality in Puerto Rico. Located on the southeastern coast of the island, Patillas is one of Puerto Rico’s 78 municipios. The area comprises urban and rural communities, with the town center referred to as Patillas barrio-pueblo. The municipality includes coastal zones and inland hills and has an economy historically based on agriculture and fishing, with services and tourism contributing to local development.