Ponce, Puerto Rico, is the island’s second largest city after San Juan. Ponce is often referred to as The Pearl of the South, and is just two hours by car from San Juan. Life moves at a slower pace in Ponce than it does in San Juan. Visitors come to Ponce, not for its beaches, but for a glimpse into the Puerto Rico of the past. Listed below are the top 10 things to do when visiting this beautiful city.
1. Marvel at the Spanish Colonial Style Architecture.
Take a stroll around the city center. More than half of the city’s historic structures have been restored to their former splendor. The wonderful pastel colors of the Neo-classical facades of the buildings and houses with their ornate wrought iron balconies and fences reflect Ponce’s status as a once wealthy and cultural center at the turn of the 20th century.
2. Visit the Most Famous Landmark in Ponce - Parque de Bombas
Formerly home to Ponce’s volunteer fire fighters, it has been a museum since 1989. Its distinctive red and black striped facade stands out among the pastel neo-classical colors that dominate most of Ponce’s architecture.
3. Take in Some Art at the Ponce Museum of Art
The Ponce Museum of Art contains an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, and prints by Italian, Spanish and Latin American artists. The museum also exhibits of contemporary Puerto Rican artists.
4. Take the Ferry to Caja de Muertos (Coffin Island)
Coffin Island is a small, uninhabited island approximately five miles off the coast of Ponce. The island features a restored 19th century lighthouse with a lookout and small museum. There is also a beach that is excellent for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling.
5. Spend the Afternoon at the Castillo Seralles (Serralles Castle Museum)
Serralles Castle was once the home of the Serralles family, who ran one of Puerto Rico’s most famous rum distilleries. Built in the 1930s, the Spanish Revival house features an open interior courtyard surrounded by balconies that open up into the living quarters. Beautifully landscaped, it sits high above the city of Ponce on Vigia Hill.
6. Immerse Yourself in the Past at the Ponce History Museum
Historic photos, documents, artifacts, and interactive displays relating to Ponce’s history from the Taino Indians to the present, are on display at this museum, a former residence built in 1911.
7. Learn About the Music of Puerto Rico at the Museum for Puerto Rican Music
Puerto Rican music has been influenced by the African, Spanish, and Taino Indian cultures that have been a part of Puerto Rico’s past. The museum houses a collection of African, Spanish, and Taino Indian instruments and traces the development of the present day music of Puerto Rico.
8. Relax at Plaza las Delicias
Plaza las Delicias is a typical example of a Spanish colonial plaza in the new world. At one end of the plaza is the church. Surrounding the plaza are commercial and government buildings, and in the center of the plaza is a large fountain. Benches line the perimeter of the plaza, making it a great place to people watch.
9. Hang Out With the Locals on the Paseo (Boardwalk)
The boardwalk or Paseo Tablado La Guancha (Paseo for short), is located across from the Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club. This is where you will see the citizens of Ponce, known as Poncenos, from all walks of life strolling by or stopping to eat at one of the food kiosks that line the boardwalk.
10. Enjoy the View from the Observation Tower at La Cruz del Vigia
Located on Vigia Hill, the panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea and surrounding mountains from this 100-foot high observation tower at the top of the Cross of the Virgin is spectacular. The Serralles Castle Museum is nearby.
