Favorite Tour in Ponce

A day trip to the uninhabited paradise of Caja de Muertos offers opportunities for snorkeling and swimming in clear turquoise waters.  Ponce serves as an excellent base to explore the captivating beaches and attractions in the southwest, central mountains, and southeast, conveniently located about 1.5 hours from San Juan.

Ponce Travel Guide

Ponce Puerto Rico - Best Places to Stay Guide

Ponce, the second oldest city in Puerto Rico, is situated along the southern coast, gently sloping towards the Caribbean Sea and the hills of the central mountains.  Founded in 1692 by Ponce de Leon’s great-grandson, it is aptly known as 'La Perla del Sur' (The Pearl of the South), boasting one of the most elegant squares and buildings on the island.  In Ponce, visitors can immerse themselves in days filled with diverse activities – strolling through the historic city center, exploring coffee plantations, stepping back in time to where Taino Natives once danced, and visiting one of the finest art museums in the Caribbean.  

🏨 Best Hotels & Resorts in Ponce

Ponce offers one waterfront and golf resort, and a couple of hotels, and small inns.

Top Tours & Excursions from Ponce

Main Attractions in Ponce

Pros & Cons of Staying in Ponce

Pros

  • The Luis Muñoz Marin (SJU) airport is only 90 minutes from Ponce, and the drive is easy and direct.
  • With a car rental, you'll have easy highway access to San Juan, the central mountains, the offshore cays of La Parguera and bioluminescent bay, the Guanica Dry State Forest, the historic district of Ponce, charming quiet towns nearby, and the great beaches of the southwest.

Cons of staying on the south coast

If you're ok driving, there are no cons to staying on the South Coast.  There are no beaches in Ponce; you'll have to drive to Guanica, Lajas, and Cabo Rojo for the best beaches on the south coast.  From Ponce it is all highway driving to the best beaches, so you won't waste much time,

Getting Around Ponce

A car rental is really necessary to enjoy a great vacation on the south coast of Puerto Rico.  As we previously noted, Ponce is the best town to stay due to the hotel options and excellent central location.  You can be in San Juan in 1 hour, take a drive along the scenic southeast coast, enjoy swimming and snorkeling at the amazing beaches of the southwest, and head into the central mountains for the scenery and top attractions.

Best Things to Do in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Top Rated Tours in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Parque de Bombas

Parque de Bombas - Ponce Puerto Rico - Things to Do & Places to Visit

Plaza Las Delicias

Plaza Las Delicias - Ponce Puerto Rico - Places to Visit

Caja de Muertos Island

Ponce Puerto Rico - Best places to visit and things to do - Caja de Muertos Island

Museo de Arte de Ponce

Flaming June - Museo de Arte de Ponce - Art Museums in Puerto Rico

Castillo Serralles

Castillo Serrales - Ponce, Puerto Rico

Beach at Hilton Ponce Resort

Ponce Puerto Rico Beaches - Beach at Ponce Hilton Resort

Cruceta de La Vigia

Ponce Puerto Rico - Things to Do & Places to Visit

Hacienda Buena Vista

Hacienda Buena Vista - Coffee Plantation - Best places to visit in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Guadalupe

Ponce Puerto Rico - Best Places to Visit  / Things to Do

La Guancha

La Guancha - Ponce Puerto Rico - Places to Visit - South Coast

Centro Ceremonial Indígena Tibes

Centro Ceremonial Indigena Tibes - Ponce, Puerto Rico

Please visit our guide for Best Things to Do on the South Coast of Puerto Rico for more attractions and activities.

Photo Gallery of Ponce, Puerto Rico

Places of Interest to Locals & Events

Teatro La Perla

Teatro La Perla - Places to Visit in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Panteon Nacional Román Baldorioty de Castro

Panteon Nacional Roman Baldorioti de Castro - Historical Places in Ponce, Puerto Rico

Festival de Las Quenepas

One of Ponce’s slogans is “Ciudad de Las Quenepas” (The city of Quenepas – Spanish Lime).  From July – October, you’ll find these delicious treats sold around the plaza, highways, markets… everywhere.  Although quenepas grow around the whole island, Puerto Ricans consider quenepas in Ponce to be extra special.  There are four types of quenepas that grow in Puerto Rico and one of them is named Ponce.

Quenepas Cultural Event

If you’re in Ponce during the summer, don’t miss the Festival de las Quenepas, a cultural event held at Plaza de Las Delicias (center square) where you can enjoy live music, artisan crafts, great food, and of course as many quenepas as your heart desires.

Eating Quenepas

The fruit is best enjoyed and eaten naturally, but in Ponce, you’ll find juice and marmalades, artisan beers, and desserts.  In Vieques, an alcoholic drink is made from quenepas named Bili.
Safety Warning: If you’ve never eaten a quenepa, in the center there is a hard seed that can and most likely cause choking if swallowed accidentally.  Parents of small children should be very careful and teach them to simply eat the outside carefully but never put the entire fruit in their mouth.

Top Rated Tours in Ponce, Puerto Rico