Ponce Packages/Deals & Travel Agents Near Me

Overview

Introduction

Ponce, Puerto Rico's fourth-largest city, is the birthplace of a long roster of Puerto Rican writers, statesmen, singers and poets.

Known as the Ciudad Senorial (the Noble City) or La Perla del Sur (the Pearl of the South), Ponce has taken equal pride in its architecture. In the mid-1800s, Ponceno leaders used the profits from their vast sugarcane and coffee crops to construct ornate buildings for various civic, cultural and artistic institutions—turning the downtown into a showplace. When Ponce's city economy waned in the 1930s, however, the buildings slid into disrepair.

Ponce has undergone a revival in the past decade or so, receiving hundreds of millions of dollars to revitalize its wooden and plaster buildings (increasing the number of historically significant protected ones to more than 1,000), many of which are adorned with pillars, balconies and intricate latticework. The refurbishment campaign, known locally as Ponce en Marcha (Ponce on the Move), has had impressive results.

In addition to its architecture, Ponce also offers visitors a standout art museum and a picturesque boardwalk.

Ponce has made great strides in its recovery from Hurricane Maria in September 2017, especially in tourist areas. Central Ponce around Plaza Las Delicias appears fully restored, although some individual museums may still be undergoing renovations. Further from city center, expect to see rougher roads, downed utility lines and ongoing repairs.

Must See or Do

Sights—Parque de Bombas, arguably the most photographed building in Puerto Rico; the Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center for its significant archaeological site; Hacienda Buena Vista, a former coffee plantation.

Museums—Museo de Arte de Ponce, considered one of the best art museums in the Caribbean; Museo del Benemerito Cuerpo de Bomberos de Ponce, the firefighting museum in the old red and black firehouse in Plaza Las Delicias (The Plaza of Delights).

Memorable Meals—Lola Eclectic Cuisine for romantic ambience and Caribbean-fusion flavors; El Ancla for its dramatic ocean views and good, affordable seafood.

Late Night—Gambling at the casino; watching local acts perform at the Hollywood Cafe; visiting hotel bars and lounges.

Walks—Strolling the historic downtown by day or night along Plaza Las Delicias' two connected pedestrian areas; the wide-open green spaces of Bosque Estatal de Guanica for bird-watching and scenic vistas.

Especially for Kids—Feeding the tarpons off La Guancha; antique fire trucks at Parque de Bombas.

Geography

The southern city of Ponce is at the foothills of the Cordillera Central mountain range. You will definitely know when you're entering the city because five monumental letters spell out "Ponce" in alternating black and red colors, positioned at the highway entrance to the city.

Look out for the lions, too—concrete figures of lions representing Ponce's pride, history and tradition. The neoclassical architecture and European touches distinguish Ponce from other Puerto Rican cities.

History

Ponce was founded in 1692 by Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon's great-grandson Loiza Ponce de Leon. Ponce was Spain's capital city of the southern region until 1898, when Puerto Rico fell to the U.S.

In addition to being known as the Ciudad Senorial or La Perla del Sur, Ponce is also called the Ciudad de los Leones (City of the Lions), and there are many freestanding lion figures and sculptures throughout the city, especially in the downtown plaza and entrances to the city.

The firehouse in Ponce, known locally as the Parque de Bombas, holds much history for the southern city, as do the firefighters of the station. While on duty in 1883, the firefighters put out a fire that nearly destroyed much of the southern coast. Today, many tourists flock to visit the red- and black-striped (the city's colors) station, which is now a main visitor attraction in the central plaza of the city; the station operated until 1990 before becoming a public museum.

The Ponce Museum of Art, another historical gem, houses the largest art collection in the Caribbean and holds a sentimental place in the hearts of Puerto Ricans and Poncenos. It was founded by the island's late Gov. Luis A. Ferre, a highly regarded political figure and humanitarian. Ponce's history is also evidenced by the main plaza, which includes city hall, the oldest colonial building in the city, dating to the 1840s. Poncenos hold a great pride for their city.

Potpourri

Internationally known singer Ednita Nazario is a native of Ponce and considered by many to be a "Latin Diva."

The town of Lajas, about a half-hour from Ponce, attracts locals and UFO enthusiasts. The aerostat, a tethered blimp with a radar system operated by federal authorities, is said to inspire UFO lore in Lajas.

Quenepas, a seasonal tropical fruit that is popular among many locals, are abundant in Ponce. Once the green outside is peeled off, the fruit looks like a melon ball, only with a pit.

The late Sor Isolina Ferre (Sister Isolina Ferre), a Ponce native born into the affluent, well-known and respected Ferre family, known as the "Mother Teresa of Puerto Rico," was admired by citizens on the island and off. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999.

Vassallo Industries is a family-owned, Ponce-based worldwide leader in the production of PVC injection-molded and extruded goods—much of the plastic furniture and many of the household goods made by Vassallo Industries are sold in mega retail stores such as Walmart and Home Depot.

Mangoes grown in Ponce are one of Puerto Rico's juiciest exports. The tropical fruit is low in fat, high in vitamin A and calcium, is a great source of vitamins C and E, and is a sweet complement to many foods.

Location

San Juan dominates the island's cruise traffic, and Ponce's Puerto del Sur, which is south of the city in the midst of an industrial area, hosts a cruise ship on occasion (roughly four each year), but not regularly. It receives charters and has welcomed cruise lines such as Norwegian, Princess, Holland America and Royal Caribbean over the years; however, Ponce is not a port of call on cruise ship itineraries.

Downtown Ponce is about 5 mi/8 km north of the port, across an expressway. Transportation is needed to get to all of the city's attractions.

Shore Excursions

Delve into Ponce's rich history by starting your visit at the Plaza las Delicias, the hub of its grand neoclassical architecture. After you check out Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral, the fountains and monuments, head over for some lunch at La Casa del Chef for sumptuous Puerto Rican dishes.

Enjoy craft shopping at the pedestrian-only street Atocha where vendors line the thoroughfare with their wares.

For a glimpse into the rich colonial past, a trip to the Hacienda Buena Vista on the outskirts of town will show how this former coffee plantation prospered. Tour guides take you back in time to see the two-story manor house, the farm and other period buildings from the mid-19th century.