What to do in Ponce

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El Museo Castillo Serralles

Ponce Attractions

There's something endearing about smaller cities. Whether you're traveling to Ponce for a weekend or you're planning on staying a little longer, you'll easily fall in love with this place. In fact, with so many fun things to do and awesome attractions to see, you mightn't want to go home!

Discover what makes Ponce tick with the most popular tours & day trips. Scroll through our {11 fun activities in Ponce fun activities in Ponce}, and rest easy knowing that we offer free cancellation and no added fees.

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Ponce must see attractions

1. La Guancha

Paseo Tablado La Guancha is a boardwalk that hugs the shoreline of Ponce’s dazzling waterfront district, Playa Barrio. Experience life like the Ponceños and revel in the live salsa music, tasty street food and exciting beachside atmosphere. Visit the marina and rent a paddleboat or take advantage of the sweeping sea views from the observation tower.
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La Guancha

2. Hacienda Buena Vista

Sample locally grown coffee and learn about coffee production, both today and in the past at the Hacienda Buena Vista. This traditional coffee farm in southern Puerto Rico is one of the best illustrations of a centuries old industry. When Don Salvador de Vives formed the farm in 1833, he grew fruit. It wasn’t until later in the 1800's that coffee was first planted. The Hacienda Buena Vista hit its stride during the coffee boom of the 1880s. For the next fifty years the farm was considered one of the finest producers of coffee in the world, exporting to the United States, Europe and even the Vatican. Today visitors to the Hacienda will find 87 acres (35 Hectares) of fertile farmland, a series of restored historic buildings and a museum in the Hacienda itself.
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Hacienda Buena Vista which includes a house and street scenes as well as a small group of people

3. Parque de Bombas

This historic firehouse is named for the traditional hand-pumped water units once used on the island. Situated in Ponce’s town center, the Parque de Bombas is hard to miss. Considered by many to be one of the most iconic building in Puerto Rico, the small wooden structure is painted in vibrant reds and blacks, the traditional colors of Ponce. The former fire station houses a museum that unveils the history of southern Puerto Rico, and includes fascinating information about Ponce, the firefighters and the great fire of 1899. A visit to the Parque is a great excursion for history buffs and families with young children, who will enjoy the traditional fire trucks.
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Parque de Bombas featuring street scenes

4. Plaza of Delights

Spend some time in Ponce’s Plaza of Delights (Plaza las Delicias) and the city will show you its heart. Landmark colonial architecture dominates the city’s main square, while leafy Indian laurel trees and pretty gardens provide a feeling of serenity. Take a break from the bustle of downtown Ponce and enjoy people-watching in the city’s favorite meeting place. The plaza is split into two halves, Luis Muñoz Rivera Plaza to the north and Frederico Degetau Plaza to the south.
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Plaza of Delights

5. El Museo Castillo Serralles

El Museo Castillo Serrallés is a magnificent mansion that symbolizes the prosperity of Puerto Rico’s rum-distilling industry. Established in the 1930s as the home of one of Ponce’s wealthy magnates, the Castillo Serrallés overlooks the entire city from the El Vigía hilltop. Peruse the exhibits housed within the sumptuous villa and learn about the sugar boom that fueled the immense success of rum distilleries such as Juan Serrallés’ Don Q Rum. Stroll around the symmetrical gardens and appreciate the timeless elegance of the terraces and courtyards.
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El Museo Castillo Serralles

6. Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Admire the updated neoclassical façade of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe) from its prominent position overlooking Ponce’s historic central square. Since its establishment in 1670, fire and earthquakes have repeatedly razed Ponce’s main Catholic landmark. Each time the building was nearly destroyed, it was rebuilt and remodeled until it reached the magnificence you see today.
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Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe

7. Museo de Arte de Ponce

The Museo de Arte de Ponce is Puerto Rico’s most prestigious art institution, housing an awe-inspiring collection of artworks, ancient relics and artifacts. See 3,000-year-old pottery fragments then fast-forward through the ages and check out modern masterpieces. Explore the galleries dedicated to classical European painters and reflect in the sculpture-studded gardens.
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Museo de Arte de Ponce

What to do in Ponce

Free Things to Do in Ponce

There's no need to dig deep into your pockets in Ponce. The following won't even cost a dollar.

Museum of Puerto Rico Music

- Talk to the friendly staff or curator and find out about the interesting collections exhibited here.

Parque de Bombas

- If you're curious about bygone times, this is one stop you ought not to miss.

Plaza of Delights

- This vibrant spot is a favorite of both locals and tourists.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe

- Get in touch with your spiritual side or just take in the peaceful ambiance at this site of worship.

Parque de la Ceiba

- Grab your blanket, pack some nibbles and find a shady area to be with nature.

Things to Do in Ponce with Kids

Traveling with the young ones? You'll find plenty of tours and activities in Ponce that'll put big grins on little faces. Try out these family friendly experiences:

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Ponce? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Frequently asked questions

What to do in Ponce on a sunny day?
When the weather’s fine, these outdoor experiences are hard to resist:


What should I not miss in Ponce?
To truly experience this destination’s flavor, be sure to stop by these must-see attractions:

  • Parque de Bombas
  • El Museo Castillo Serralles
  • La Guancha

Are there cheap things to do in Ponce?
Let the good times roll without spending a packet with a Cueva Ventana Ecotour or a Guided Walking Tour in Ponce.
What can you do in Ponce for free?
You’ll hardly have time to grab your wallet out of your bag with so many incredible free attractions:

  • Parque de Bombas
  • La Guancha
  • Museo de Arte de Ponce
  • Toro Negro Reserve

Popular places to visit

Image for La Guancha

La Guancha

4/5(152 reviews)

Take a stroll down Ponce’s waterfront boardwalk and experience its lively dining scene, local music, playgrounds, boat rides and views out to Isla Caja de Muertos.

La Guancha
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Hacienda Buena Vista

4.5/5(18 reviews)

Visit this historic coffee plantation to learn about one of Puerto Rico’s most enduring industries.

Hacienda Buena Vista
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Parque de Bombas

4.5/5(176 reviews)

This small, wooden fire station in the heart of Ponce is a historical and architectural monument.

Parque de Bombas
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Plaza of Delights

4.5/5(25 reviews)

Ponce’s plaza of delights is true to its name, with heritage architecture, glinting fountains, tree-lined arcades and the scent of freshly baked pastries in the air.

Plaza of Delights
Image for El Museo Castillo Serralles

El Museo Castillo Serralles

4.5/5(79 reviews)

Discover an empire built on sugar and rum as you explore the intriguing galleries and luxurious refurbished rooms in this 1930s Spanish Revival mansion.

El Museo Castillo Serralles
Image for Playa Hilton Ponce

Playa Hilton Ponce

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Playa Hilton Ponce during your trip to Ponce? Stroll along the beautiful beaches or visit the shops in this romantic area.

Playa Hilton Ponce
Image for Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center

Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center

4.5/5(19 reviews)

You can learn about the history of Portugués with a visit to Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center. While in this romantic area, find time to visit its shops.

Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center
Image for Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe

4.5/5(31 reviews)

The delicately embellished cathedral crowning Ponce’s Plaza Las Delicias is a cherished landmark in the city and has a history stretching back over 300 years.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Image for Museo de Arte de Ponce

Museo de Arte de Ponce

4.5/5(58 reviews)

Peruse Pre-Raphaelite treasures, European artworks and Puerto Rican masterpieces in the light-filled galleries in one of the largest art museums in the Caribbean.

Museo de Arte de Ponce

Areas of Ponce

Ponce

Ponce Centro

4.5/5(111 area reviews)

While visiting Ponce Centro, you might make a stop by sights like Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Plaza of Delights.

Ponce Centro
See our Where To Stay guide

Day trip destinations from Ponce

Photo by Shannon Willitts

Utuado

Orocovis

Orocovis

Photo by Eddie Melendez

Saltillo