Ponce

Travel Guide
El Museo Castillo Serralles
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 Delights (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 Serrallés, 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 Ponce 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 Toblado. 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 Juan 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

Caribe Hotel Ponce
Caribe Hotel Ponce
3.5 out of 5
103 Turpo Industrial Park, Ponce
The price is $166 per night from Oct 6 to Oct 7
$166
per night
Oct 6 - Oct 7
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Ponce. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,106 reviews)
"Some ammenities in the rooms need to be updated. TV are old and not many options to view. Safe box does not work. Showers need to be updated. Hotel is located at a very accesible location where almost everything is pretty close."

Reviewed on Oct 1, 2023

Caribe Hotel Ponce
Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
4.5 out of 5
1150 Caribe Avenue, Ponce
The price is $203 per night from Oct 16 to Oct 17
$203
per night
Oct 16 - Oct 17
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Ponce. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Everything was A , except the pool time, they closed too early and the casino as well besides that everything was sweet 👌🔥"

Reviewed on Oct 1, 2023

Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
Solace by the Sea
Solace by the Sea
3 out of 5
Highway 2 at km 220.1, Ponce
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Ponce. Enjoy a children's pool, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Playa Cayo Cardona ...
6.4/10 (737 reviews)
Condition of the hotel
"There was just one other couple staying there. The entrance does not have a sign to indicate where the hotel is located. The place felt abandoned. The staff lady was very polite and helpful."

Reviewed on Sep 13, 2023

Solace by the Sea
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.
Mavs Boutique Hotel
Mavs Boutique Hotel
3 out of 5
Calle Ramon Power, Ponce, Ponce
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Ponce. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a TV. Popular attractions Museo de Arte de Ponce and Museum of the Ponce Massacre ...
6/10 (5 reviews)
"hard to find by gps, if you call caretaker he is helpful, only complaint was no hot water."

Reviewed on Dec 15, 2022

Mavs Boutique Hotel
The Place at the Sea
The Place at the Sea
4.5 out of 5
3499 Av. Los Meros, Ponce, Ponce
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Ponce. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Popular attractions Vicens Coliseum and Montaner Stadium are ...
8/10 Very Good! (1 review)
"La propiedad estaba limpia, accesible y en excelentes condiciones. Tenía todo lo que se pudiera necesitar para una buena estadía. Verificar si va a llevar mascotas porque tiene un cargo de $20.00 la noche mas IVU."

Reviewed on Oct 1, 2023

The Place at the Sea
Chandelier 302
Chandelier 302
3 out of 5
Calle Sol #26, Apt 302, Ponce, Puerto Rico
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Ponce. Enjoy free WiFi, a balcony, and a Smart TV. Popular attractions Museo de la Musica Puertorriquena and Ponce History Museum ...
7.6/10 Good! (4 reviews)
Great location!
"Great safe location and walking distance to night life. Super comfortable for 2 or 3 people. The only issue that I had was that none of the keys worked to open the gate so that I could park my rental car inside versus leaving it outside on the street and that there was absolutely no cold water. It ..."

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2021

Chandelier 302
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

Reviews of Ponce

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
187
" "5 - Excellent 46.05911330049261%
4 - Good
154
" "4 - Good 37.93103448275862%
3 - Okay
52
" "3 - Okay 12.807881773399014%
2 - Disappointing
10
" "2 - Disappointing 2.4630541871921183%
1 - Terrible
3
" "1 - Terrible 0.7389162561576355%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 7, 2020

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
Apr 21, 2020

Everything was close so we could not go anywhere .

5/5 - Excellent

Benjamin
Mar 25, 2020

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
Dec 27, 2019

We need BETTER ROADS!!!!!!

5/5 - Excellent

Catalina
Dec 24, 2019

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Dec 17, 2019

The Colonial City Style

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