Ponce
Discover Ponce
Ponce is a city in the Porta Caribe region of Puerto Rico. Ponce's draw is its rich history and unique architecture. 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. The atmosphere is charmingly laid-back, a stark contrast to the bustling economic and nightlife districts of San Juan. Even as the island's second largest city, tourists may be shocked or refreshed to find that Ponce's downtown is a single quaint city square with no steady nightlife. The beauty and variety of Art Deco buildings in central Ponce is impressive and architecture buffs will not be disappointed.
What to Experience in Ponce
Taste of Ponce...
Central Ponce has a number of bars around the main square. Note that many are closed Monday nights and holidays. 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. Guests at the Hilton Ponce usually enjoy day trips to Caja de Muertos (Coffin) Island for a snorkel or Scuba Diving adventure, visit "La Guancha" nearby boardwalk for a friendly interaction with Ponce's people, and explore the museums and Spanish revival architectural jewels in downtown.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsPonce is reachable via the main island expressway. It's about 64 mi (103 km) from San Juan. The drive takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The road (highway #52) is modern and convenient and restaurants and shops are readily available throughout the trip. Ponce has a large público terminal (787-842-1222) at the intersection of Calle Union and Calle Vives, a few blocks north of Plaza las Delicias. Públicos to San Juan (2 hr, $20) depart from pier 5A, mostly early in the morning. Call Chóferes Unidos de Ponce at +1 787-764-0540 to make a reservation; they can also pick you up for a small extra fee. The downtown area is compact and very attractive to explore on foot. Cabs are cheap and plentiful, should you need one, although many museums and restaurants are within a very short distance of the central plaza. The historic center has quality sidewalks. Public transportation in Ponce is pretty much non-existent, although there's a touristy "train" that does a loop of the downtown....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The downtown area is compact and very attractive to explore on foot. Cabs are cheap and plentiful, should you need one, although many museums and restaurants are within a very short distance of the central plaza. The historic center has quality sidewalks. Public transportation in Ponce is pretty much non-existent, although there's a touristy "train" that does a loop of the downtown. Parking can be quite a challenge at times. Most of Ponce's sights are tightly packed around the main square of Plaza las Delicias. Central Ponce has a number of bars around the main square. Note that many are closed Monday nights and holidays. 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.
Where to Stay
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. Guests at the Hilton Ponce usually enjoy day trips to Caja de Muertos (Coffin) Island for a snorkel or Scuba Diving adventure, visit "La Guancha" nearby boardwalk for a friendly interaction with Ponce's people, and explore the museums and Spanish revival architectural jewels in downtown.
Money & Budget
Central Ponce has a number of bars around the main square. Note that many are closed Monday nights and holidays. 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. Guests at the Hilton Ponce usually enjoy day trips to Caja de Muertos (Coffin) Island for a snorkel or Scuba Diving adventure, visit "La Guancha" nearby boardwalk for a friendly interaction with Ponce's people, and explore the museums and Spanish revival architectural jewels in downtown.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Ponce
a pink building with a balcony and a balcony
A spanish-style building sits behind palm trees.
Don Q in front of PR flag
A "no exiting" sign overlooks a beautiful landscape.
an aerial view of a pool surrounded by landscaping
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse view from the beach.
La Guancha, Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Heron perches on rocks at the beach.
a body of water that has some rocks in it
a sailboat on the water
a pink building with a balcony and a balcony
A spanish-style building sits behind palm trees.
Don Q in front of PR flag