Tourist Attraction Ideas for Visitors to Ponce
Ponce, Puerto Rico, located in the southern part of the island, was founded in 1692 by the great-grandson of Juan Ponce de Leon. It boasts some of the most beautiful Spanish colonial architecture on the island, including cobblestone streets lined with gaslight lamps. Ponce with its laid back style of living, has something for everyone, not just those who love architecture. It is home to several museums and historic sites offering insight into the culture of the Puerto Rican people. Here are a few attractions you won’t want to miss.
Ponce Museum of Art
The museum is considered to have the most extensive collection of European and Latin American paintings, sculpture and prints in the Caribbean. The building is a fine example of modern architecture and was designed by the same architect who designed the original Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Our Lady of the Guadeloupe Church
Although not the original church, the site has been a place of continuous worship since the 1600s. Destroyed by fire and earthquakes, the churches were always rebuilt on the original site. Our Lady of the Guadeloupe is still used today. The interior features an alter made of alabaster that was commissioned by a former governor of the island.
Serralles Castle
Originally the home of the Serralles family, owners of the distillery famous for its Don Q rum, this Spanish Revival historic house museum was built in the 1930s. In addition to the house, there are beautifully landscaped grounds with a series of terraces, fountains, and pools built into the side of the hill, which overlook the city of Ponce.
Teatro la Perla
The original theater was built in 1864, but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1918. It was rebuilt in 1940 using the original plans and is a magnificent example of the neo-classical style architecture common in mid-19th century Ponce. It is still used today for a variety of events and is famous for its acoustical sounds.
Parque de Bombas
This is one of the first buildings you see when approaching downtown Ponce and the unusual facade of red and black stripes is hard to miss. Built in 1882, it served as the headquarters for Ponce’s volunteer firefighters until 1989. It is now a museum.
Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center
Located on the outskirts of Ponce, this historic site contains the archaeological remains of an Indian village dating from A.D. 700, including a plaza, bateyes or ball courts, and what appears to be an astronomical observatory. The site now features a replica of a Taino Indian village, including the round huts with thatched roofs typical of that period.
Hacienda Buena Vista
This former coffee plantation is located just outside the city center. It was built in 1833 and continued to function as a farm until the 1950s. After falling into disrepair, it was restored and now eighty-six of the original acres are a working farm and museum. On the premises there are also slaves’ quarters and the main house is furnished with period antiques.
Wiechers- Villaronga House Museum
This historic house museum is a superb example of early 20th century architecture in Ponce. Built by the owner, an architect named Alfredo Wiechers, in 1911 it features all of its original furnishings, as well as interior and exterior architectural details.
Coffin Island
Take the ferry from Ponce and visit this uninhabited island, which is only five miles off the coast. Coffin Island has the best beach in Ponce for swimming and snorkeling. There is also a restored lighthouse with a lookout tower.
