Ponce

Travel Guide

La Guancha
El Museo Castillo Serralles
Parque de Bombas featuring night scenes and street scenes
Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
El Museo Castillo Serralles which includes animals and wildflowers

Walk through the labyrinthine streets of Puerto Rico’s second-largest city and you’ll find richly decorated colonial architecture, museums and pretty fountains.

Ponce has a captivatingly distinctive character that sets it apart from the island country’s biggest city, San Juan. Founded by Juan Ponce de León y Loayza in 1692, the city’s aristocratic pride lives on in its exquisite architecture and historic landmarks. Check out this snapshot of old-world Puerto Rico as you explore the city center’s museums and narrow streets and discover a waterfront district with a lively dining scene.

A good place to begin your exploration of Ponce is the city’s main square, Plaza of DelightsOpens in a new window (Plaza Las Delicias). From here, you can stroll to most of the sights in the compact downtown area. Visit the tourist office in the striking Parque de Bombas, the red-and-black striped façade of the former fire station. Admire the exquisite architecture of the Casa Aldacía (City Hall), the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and El Museo Castillo SerrallésOpens in a new window, which is a Spanish Revival treasure.

Learn about the local history at the Casa de la Masacres de Ponce and enjoy the cultural insights at the Museum of Puerto Rican Music. Find out about pre-Columbian cultures at the Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center. The modern Museo de Arte de PonceOpens in a new window is one of Latin America’s most impressive art museums and hosts a series of touring exhibitions.

Make your way south of downtown to find the waterfront district of La Guancha Paseo TobladoOpens in a new window. This harborside area can be explored via a boardwalk and features some of the city’s top restaurants.

Go on a tour of some of the city’s outlying destinations, such as Caja de Muertos (Coffin Island) or the coffee plantations on the northern edge of the city. Visit El Tuque Beach or join snorkeling and Jet Ski tours of the nearby cays and islands.

Ponce is located on Puerto Rico’s Southern Coastal Plain. Reach Ponce by air to Mercedita International Airport, which is a 10-minute taxi ride from downtown. You can reach the city via car from San JuanOpens in a new window in a little over an hour, while public bus trips take approximately 2 hours. Book accommodations near Ponce’s main square to enjoy having some of the city’s main attractions on your doorstep.

Where to stay in Ponce

Ponce

Ponce Centro

4.5/5(111 area reviews)

While visiting Ponce Centro, you might make a stop by sights like Plaza of Delights and Parque de Bombas.

Ponce Centro
Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
4.5 out of 5
1150 Caribe Avenue, Ponce
$229 nightly
The price is $254 total per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
$254 total
Aug 11 - Aug 12
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Ponce. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,015 reviews)
"everything is right there, refreshing environment and the employees are very nice and respectable"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
Caribe Hotel Ponce
Caribe Hotel Ponce
3.5 out of 5
103 Turpo Industrial Park, Ponce
$140 nightly
The price is $153 total per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
$153 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Ponce. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,526 reviews)
"Very friendly people and service"

Reviewed on Jul 9, 2025

Caribe Hotel Ponce
Holiday Inn Ponce & Tropical Casino by IHG
Holiday Inn Ponce & Tropical Casino by IHG
3.5 out of 5
3315 Ponce By Pass, Ponce
$143 nightly
The price is $159 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$159 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Ponce. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a casino. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions Carribbean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"From the beginning to the end. The staff very friendly. The room very clean and smelling amazing from the hall way to the room. A guest laundry for your convenience. The pool very clean and beautiful. If you’re missing toothpaste or razors personal toiletries you can ask at the desk and they give ..."

Reviewed on Jul 7, 2025

Holiday Inn Ponce & Tropical Casino by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Place at the Sea
The Place at the Sea
2 out of 5
3499 Av. Los Meros, Ponce, Ponce
Stay at this aparthotel in Ponce. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Carribbean Cinemas Ponce Towne and Vicens Coliseum are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (143 reviews)
"I loved it very much! Well secured and peaceful location. Cleanliness 10/10. The pet there is very friendly also. Would definitely recommend! Thank you!"

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

The Place at the Sea
Gladiolas 1103
Gladiolas 1103
3 out of 5
Calle Villa #119, Apt 1103, Ponce, Puerto Rico
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Ponce. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and furnished patios. Popular attractions Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (13 reviews)
"Very antique looking, it looked historical. Pool table was cool also"

Reviewed on Apr 23, 2025

Gladiolas 1103
Gladiolas 2201
Gladiolas 2201
3 out of 5
Calle Villa #121, Apt 2101, Ponce, Puerto Rico
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Ponce. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (17 reviews)
"It was an amazing experience"

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Gladiolas 2201
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

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Reviews of Ponce

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
187
5 - Excellent 46%
4 - Good
154
4 - Good 38%
3 - Okay
52
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
10
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
3
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Everything and everyone seem nice We couldn't go to any of the fun places due to the coronavirus everything was close So we drove around and explored

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Everything was close so we could not go anywhere .

5/5 - Excellent

Benjamin

Given the current situation of the country, the city and the property are taking the necessary measures to ensure a healthy and safe environment.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

We need BETTER ROADS!!!!!!

5/5 - Excellent

Catalina

Loved the city of Ponce, so many historical places to visit.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

The Colonial City Style

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