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WORLD ▫ NORTH AMERICA ▫ PUERTO RICO ▫ PONCE


Diveshops in Ponce:

 Ponce



Ponce is a city on the south coast of Puerto Rico.

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.

Get in

By car
Ponce is on Highway 1 from San Juan. The drive takes just over an hour on a good day.

By público
Ponce has a large público terminal at the intersection of Calle Union and Calle Vives, a few blocks north of Plaza las Delicias. Públicos to San Juan (1-2 hrs, $15) depart from pier 5A, mostly early in the morning. Call Chóferes Unidos de Ponce at 787-764-0540 to make a reservation; they can also pick you up for a small extra fee.

Get around

Public transportation in Ponce is pretty much non-existent, although there's a touristy choo-choo train that does a loop of the downtown.

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, south side.
  • Catedral de la Guadalupe, west side. Directly behind Parque de Bombas,

  • La Guancha Paseo Tablado
  • Castillo Serralles
  • Casa de la Masacre de Ponce


    • Do
  • The Museum of Puerto Rican Music 70 Christina St., 787-844-9722. Open Wednesday-Sunday 9 am - noon, 1-5:30 pm. Free
  • Ponce Museum of Art (787) 848-0511. Covers art from all over the Caribbean. Daily 10am - 5pm. Adults $4, children $2.
  • 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 the pier, weekends. $4.
  • El Tuque Beach


    • Buy
  • Centro Comercial Plaza del Caribe
  • Centro del Sur Shopping Center
  • Fox Delicias Mall


    • Eat
  • King's Cream, Calle Marina 9322 (opp Parque de Bombas), tel. 787-843-8520. A Ponce institution dishing out hand-made ice cream in a dozen flavors for two generations. Generously sized portions start from $1.10.
  • Classic Delights Calle Marina, Ssq Comercio Ste 3. If you've had your fill of heavy meat & fish dishes, head over to Classic Delights for some fresh baked breads, veggie wraps, pizzas and lasagna. They offer a full breakfast menu, fresh juices, and salads, soups and sandwhiches too.


    • 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
  • Fox Delicias Hotel 6963 Isabel St. (787) 290-5050. Eye catching art deco building set back from Plaza Degetau. Rooms start at $65 for an off-season single.
  • Belgica 122 Villa Street. (787) 844-3255 Small budget inn...

    • more travelguide information

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    El Yunque Rainforest and Luquillo Beach from San Juan 8 hours

    Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico

    Departing from San Juan you can combine a visit to the Rain Forest with an afternoon at one of the world's most beautiful beaches. On the Northeast coast of Puerto Rico, Luquillo Beach is the island's best and most popular public stretch of tranquil waters and golden sand. The beach is a huge crescent of white sand lined with coconut palms with the mountains and El Yunque as the backdrop. Offshore are coral formations and spectacular sea life and tropical fish. The water is calm and comfortable - the perfect place for families!

    From here, you will easily explore cool, mountainous and semi tropical El Yunque Rain Forest. The abundant rainfall is shed through rocky rivers creating many cascades of waterfalls and pools. El Yunque hosts a number of unique plant and animal species such as the endangered Puerto Rican Parrot and the tiny coquis, indigenous tree frogs.

    According to ancient Indian Legend, the good spirit 'Yuquiyu' reigned on his mighty mountain-top throne, protecting Puerto Rico and its people. The name Luquillo is derived from this god spirit's Indian name.

    Stops on the tour include:

    • La Coca Waterfall (no swimming, just taking photos)
    • Observation Tower
    • Bano Grande (no swimming)
    • 20 minute walk on Caimitillo Trail (easy walk)
    • 2.5 hours on Luquillo Beach

    Click here for more information and Booking Details

    Parque de Bombas

    Parque de Bombas (a red-and-black firehouse built in 1883)

    type:general

    Plaza las Delicias

    The main square Plaza las Delicias is one of the loveliest in Puerto Rico with its lighted Fountain of the Lions.

    type:general

    Ponce the Pearl City from San Juan 9.5 hours

    The City of Ponce, Puerto Rico

    The pace of life is slower and more graceful in Ponce, Puerto Rico's second city and because of its unique beauty is known as the 'Pearl of the South'.

    You arrive in about an hour on a scenic expressway through the central mountain range and will see lovingly restored mansions, each a unique criollo interpretation of the Neo-classical architecture, house museums and exhibits.

    Then visit the Ponce Art Museum, one of the finest in Latin America, Tribes Indian ceremonial Park, or Seralles Castle, the city's stately plazas and mansions and its famous red and black firehouse. A stop is made for lunch (not included) during this full day tour.

    Click here for more information and Booking Details





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