Ponce



Ponce is a city in the Porta Caribe region of Puerto Rico. Ponce's draw is its rich history and unique architecture.

Understand
Ponce is the second largest city in Puerto Rico. The city was founded by Ponce de Leon's grandson Juan Ponce de León y Loayza in 1692, but not much seems to have happened since then, and it's far less touristy in character than San Juan. The atmosphere is charmingly laid-back, a stark contrast to the bustling economic and nightlife districts of San Juan. Even as the island's second largest city, tourists may be shocked or refreshed to find that Ponce's downtown is a single quaint city square with no steady nightlife. The beauty and variety of Art Deco buildings in central Ponce is impressive and architecture buffs will not be disappointed.

Get in

 * San Juan: Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
 * Aguadilla: Rafael Hernández Airport
 * Ponce: Mercedita Airport

By car
Ponce is reachable via the main island expressway. It's about from San Juan. The drive takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The road (highway #52) is modern and convenient and restaurants and shops are readily available throughout the trip.

By público
Ponce has a large público terminal (787-842-1222) at the intersection of Calle Union and Calle Vives, a few blocks north of Plaza las Delicias. Públicos to San Juan (2 hr, $20) depart from pier 5A, mostly early in the morning. Call Chóferes Unidos de Ponce at +1 787-764-0540 to make a reservation; they can also pick you up for a small extra fee.

Get around
The downtown area is compact and very attractive to explore on foot. Cabs are cheap and plentiful, should you need one, although many museums and restaurants are within a very short distance of the central plaza. The historic center has quality sidewalks. Public transportation in Ponce is pretty much non-existent, although there's a touristy "train" that does a loop of the downtown. Parking can be quite a challenge at times.

See


Most of Ponce's sights are tightly packed around the main square of Plaza las Delicias.


 * Parque de Bombas, east side. The former fire station, painted with highly distinctive red and black stripes, and the symbol of the city.  The building now houses the tourist office and a free exhibition of the history of fire fighters in Ponce, and is the departure point for the sightseeing train around the city.
 * Casa Alcaldía (City Hall), south side.
 * Catedral de la Guadalupe, west side. Directly behind Parque de Bombas.
 * Casa de la Masacre de Ponce, 2 blocks south of Plaza Las Delicias on Calle Marina (the boardwalk is temporarily closed as of Jan 2020, due to significant earthquake damage.)
 * Museo de Arte de Ponce (+1 787-840-1510) is quite impressive. A modern building that is arguably one of the finest museums in Latin America. Covers European art -- most notably "Flaming June", the pride of the museum -- as well as some Puerto Rican art. The museum hosts many visiting exhibits, as well. Daily 10AM - 6PM. Closed on Tuesdays. Adults $6, children $3, students $3.
 * La Cruceta El Vigía. A scenic overlook of the city from a hill north of the city. Open Th-Su.
 * Castillo Serralles. Open Tu-Su. Adults $6. Seniors and students $3. Children under 5 - free.
 * Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Tibes - Indigenous Park about the Taínos (the native inhabitants at the time of Columbus' arrival on the island in 1493). Open Tu-Su. Adults $3
 * La Guancha Paseo Tablado. A boardwalk 2 miles south of downtown, near the harbor. (The boardwalk is temporarily closed as of Jan 2020, due to significant earthquake damage.)
 * La Guancha Paseo Tablado. A boardwalk 2 miles south of downtown, near the harbor. (The boardwalk is temporarily closed as of Jan 2020, due to significant earthquake damage.)

Do

 * Caja de Muertos (Coffin Island) is an uninhabited island just off the coast where you can visit an abandoned lighthouse, empty stretches of beach and a marked underwater snorkel trail. Ferries leave from the pier, weekends. $4. +1 787-842-8546
 * Hacienda Buena Vista Plantation, is a historic coffee plantation turned into a museum about growing and processing coffee. It's north of the city of Ponce, along Carretera 123 in the Corral Viejo neighborhood.
 * El Tuque Beach
 * El Tuque Beach
 * El Tuque Beach
 * El Tuque Beach

Buy

 * Centro Comercial Plaza del Caribe
 * Centro del Sur Shopping Center
 * Centro Comercial Plaza del Caribe
 * Centro del Sur Shopping Center

Drink
Central Ponce has a number of bars around the main square. Note that many are closed Monday nights and holidays.

Sleep
Most hotels are clustered around Plaza Degetau, easy walking distance to the downtown sites and museums but far from the water and beach. Most have private parking.

Budget

 * Hotel Las Colinas Carr. 505 Km. 2.2 La Yuca, +1 787-843-5668. Rooms with AC, TV, garage. $33/12 hours or $65 per night.
 * Hotel Las Colinas Carr. 505 Km. 2.2 La Yuca, +1 787-843-5668. Rooms with AC, TV, garage. $33/12 hours or $65 per night.

Mid-range

 * Holiday Inn Ponce and Tropical Casino
 * Caribe Hotel (former Howard Johnson's Ponce)
 * Caribe Hotel (former Howard Johnson's Ponce)

Splurge
Guests at the Hilton Ponce usually enjoy day trips to Caja de Muertos (Coffin) Island for a snorkel or Scuba Diving adventure, visit "La Guancha" nearby boardwalk for a friendly interaction with Ponce's people, and explore the museums and spanish revival architectural jewels in downtown.

Go next

 * Arecibo - about 2 hours of winding mountain roads.
 * Guánica - has several popular beaches on the south coast
 * San Germán - Inland colonial town.