Ponce Travel Guide

  From the outside, Utopia in Ponce
by melinanatalie
  • From the outside, Utopia in Ponce
      From the outside, Utopia in Ponce
    by melinanatalie
  • Coffee inside
      Coffee inside
    by melinanatalie
  •   Shopping
    by melinanatalie
  • the store entrance
      the store entrance
    by melinanatalie
  • Ponce Cathedral
      Ponce Cathedral
    by gdilieto

Pro

XanderDone profile photo

 Atmosphere, People, Beauty 


Con

gdilieto profile photo

 Nothing going on in Ponce 


In a nutshell

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 Come and see it, otherwise, you have not seen Puerto Rico 

 

Explore Ponce

Things to Do  

Stop by at La Cruz del Vigia

Stop by at La Cruz del Vigia, Ponce

 risse73 Says:  La Cruz del Vigia (Cross of Vigia) is situated in El Vigia hill, thus the name. It is a 100 foot observation tower from where it gives you a wonderful vantage point of Ponce and its surroundings. The views of nearby rolling hills descending into the coast and ending in the... 

Visit La Guancha

Visit La Guancha, Ponce

 risse73 Says:  La Guancha is the famous beachfront boardwalk of Ponce filled with eateries/restaurants and shops. It is a place to see & be seen in Ponce. The boardwalk is full of life at night with lots of people-watching and mingling going on. It gives off a carnival-like atmosphere with... 

Visit Castillo de Serrallés

Visit Castillo de Serrallés, Ponce

 risse73 Says:  Located in El Vigia hill, the Serrallés mansion is a must-see destination in Ponce for its history, its distinctive Spanish Moroccan architecture, and its significance in the area. It was previously owned by a wealthy Puerto Rican sugar cane baron, which was later bought by... 

See the fountain & take a picture!

See the fountain & take a picture!, Ponce

 risse73 Says:  There is something mesmerizing and relaxing about fountains. I, for one, find them to be a relaxing way to reflect on life & the day's activities, engage in deep profound thought, and/or to plainly disengage from the mentally arduous task of thinking about "what to do next"... 

Visit the Cathedral in Ponce

Visit the Cathedral in Ponce, Ponce

 risse73 Says:  The cathedral is an ornate and grand structure located in the heart of Ponce. The area around it is abuzz with activities typical of city environments, and filled with local color and flavor. There are shops and eateries around, and people passing by. The cathedral is in a... 

Visit Parque de Bombas

Visit Parque de Bombas, Ponce

 risse73 Says:  The historical Parque de Bombas of Ponce served as its official firehouse for many years. It was later transformed as a museum in dedication to the city's firemen. The building is visually captivating with its unique architectural design, and its brightly colored painting of... 

Visit the Japanese Garden

Visit the Japanese Garden, Ponce

 risse73 Says:  The Japanese Garden is close to the Castillo Seralles and located in El Vigia hill where you get sweeping views of Ponce. It is a lush and tranquil place in a fantastic location. There are some tourists, but it hardly appears crowded. Not only do you get wonderful views from... 

Visit El Vigia hill

Visit El Vigia hill, Ponce

 risse73 Says:  A visit to El Vigia hill is a must when in Ponce. This is one of the highest hills around, so the views of Ponce from here are stunning! Not only is it just a hill with picturesque views, but it is also home to famous points of interest: the Castillo de Seralles, the Cruz... 

Must-see: The Town Square

Must-see: The Town Square, Ponce

 gdilieto Says:  Like traditional Spanish-colonial towns, the Town Square is the center of the city life. In Plaza Las Delicias you will find the Cathedral and some of the most remarkable colonial and historical buildings.As far as architecture is concerned, Plaza Las Delicias is a terrific... 

Nice-to-do: The Beaches near Guánica

Nice-to-do: The Beaches near Guánica, Ponce

 gdilieto Says:  The friendly concierge of my hotel in Ponce recommended me the beaches near the town of Guánica for spending few hours at the beach. With exception of Playa Caña Gorda, a developed public beach with lifeguards and few basic facilities (do not expect too much), all other... 

Must-see: The Old Fire Station

Must-see: The Old Fire Station, Ponce

 gdilieto Says:  I have read it is one of the most-photographed buildings in Puerto Rico and I have no hard time in believing it. In the town square, no way you can miss the red-and-black wooden building with Moorish architectural elements that for over a century has housed Ponce's... 

Hotels  

Melia Hotel Ponce

 3 Reviews and 144 Opinions  Friendly and comfortable midrange hotel located right in Town Square. Some (premiums) rooms overlook... 

Restaurants  

King's Cream: Ponce's Ice Cream Shop

King's Cream: Ponce's Ice Cream Shop, Ponce

 risse73 Says:  King's Cream is a beloved ice cream institution in Ponce that is right across Parque de Bombas. It sells sherbet-like ice cream with several tropical flavors to choose from on the menu. I happen to like this tropical-oriented ice cream. It serves its purpose and hits the... 

El Rincon Aregentino: Great meal, great atmosphere.

El Rincon Aregentino: Great meal, great atmosphere., Ponce

 amrx03 Says:  We never even made it inside, the weather was beautiful so we ate on the patio. This Argentinian steakhouse in Ponce is the restaurant to go to if you want to really enjoy yourself for the night. Truly delicious Aregntinian food: the seafood is fresh, the wine and beer is... 

Nightlife  

La Guancha: Ponce's Boardwalk at Nights

La Guancha: Ponce's Boardwalk at Nights, Ponce

 risse73 Says:  La Guancha is a lively area to spend the evenings/nights while you're in Ponce. It is a great place to people watch, to stroll around, breathe some fresh sea air, and enjoy some drinks/food or snacks with friends. The atmosphere is festive at nights with music playing in the... 

This is where you should be: THE BLACK LIST

This is where you should be: THE BLACK LIST, Ponce

 HAROLD_PR Says:  NOTE THAT SOME OF THE SPOTS ARE OUTSIDE PONCE BUT IN THE AREA (THE ISLAND IS SMALL!) I AM NOT COUNTING ANY OF THE SPOTS IN THE METRO AREA.1- Monday - ummm, very little. If desperate, go to the Bowling Alley in Mayaguez (college town), it is packed, you won't regret.2-... 

Shopping  

UTOPIA: Best Souvenir and Coffee Shop in Ponce!

UTOPIA: Best Souvenir and Coffee Shop in Ponce!, Ponce

 melinanatalie Says:  The store is beautiful inside and out! It offers a variety of affordable souvenirs, gifts, local crafts, jewelry, clothing, and Coffee shop that sells local sandwiches and a variety of iced and local coffees. It has much to offer in terms of clothing, jewelry and Puerto... 

Shops around Parque de Bombas & downtown Ponce

Shops around Parque de Bombas & downtown Ponce, Ponce

 risse73 Says:  If you want to purchase souvenirs, postcards and the like, go to one of the shops around Parque de Bombas and downtown Ponce, and buy what you see/like. If you don't buy it as you see it, chances are you may never see the merchandise again in another area unless it is a... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Centro Ceremonial Indigena in Tibes

Centro Ceremonial Indigena in Tibes, Ponce

 risse73 Says:  The Centro Ceremonial Indigena is close to Ponce and one of the most important indigenous sites in Puerto Rico. This site is believed to have been last inhabited by the Tainos who are PR's indigenous peoples. The Tibes site offers visitors a glimpse of the past through these... 

La Guancha Beach

La Guancha Beach, Ponce

 Tom_Fields Says:  A short distance outside Ponce lies La Guancha Beach. This beach stays warm year-round. From the city center, take Highway 14 south to the beach. 

Favorites  

Cheap Parking Lot
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

XanderDone 113 reviews
Parking

Favorite thing: Well, I thought that parking was miserable if you're trying to see the Historical Center of Ponce. But there's a parking lot that's very inexpensive off Calle de Comercio. It's a one-way street that goes towards the outer streets, Route 14, etc. It's about three blocks from Plaza las Delicias, and is really not a long walk. The rates are $1.00 an hour, I believe, and when you come from a bigger city like New York or Miami, that's pretty cheap; less expensive than a parking meter!

Fondest memory: Watching tourists circle the place, looking for a place to park on the streets that are filled to the brim with cars, knowing that we have a great place to park, and have known about it for a long time. It's a great place to see. You can see the Historical City in an hour or two, and still have time to go on to another town, like we did this time. You could also go shopping in the malls off Calle las Américas. From Ponce we went to San Germán to see my grandfather's grave.

Written Jun 10, 2005

Related to:
 Road Trip
 Study Abroad
 Family Travel

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Map of Ponce