Along the Southern coast of Puerto Rico lies a hidden gem waiting to be discovered – Ponce! Known as “The Jewel of the South” Ponce is full of history, culture, beauty – and of course some great food and drink! Whether you’re a history buff, a rum enthusiast, or just looking to experience a different side of Puerto Rico, Ponce has something for everyone. Keep reading to discover the best things to do in Ponce and how to take the perfect day trip in Ponce.
About Ponce
Located on the southern shores of Puerto Rico, Ponce became an important port city for the island of Puerto Rico. As sugar cane, coffee and rum ramped up production, the city became a more and more popular place for people looking to start a business.
This, along with the more arid climate, made Ponce a popular place to settle. Ponce Creole style mansions were erected en masse in the early 19th century. This unique architecture is now protected as part of the city’s Historic Zone. This unique style gives Ponce a look like no other city.
Additionally, this unique place in history has made Ponce a popular spot for world class museums. History lovers will really enjoy a visit!
When To Visit Ponce
Ponce has a tropical savanna climate, which is different from the climate of Northern Puerto Rico. The weather here is much drier than the rest of Puerto Rico. We made use of this on one of our rainy days in our Puerto Rico itinerary, and escaped to Ponce where it wasn’t raining.
However, like the rest of Puerto Rico, the weather is warm year round. So there isn’t a bad time to visit Ponce. But, if you are visiting as part of a flexible Puerto Rico itinerary, we’d recommend saving it for a day when rain is predicted in the north. Take advantage of that climate!
Daytime temperatures in Ponce are in the mid-high 80s most day. Lastly, in the summer months, temperatures can hit 100 F regularly, so again saving Ponce for a rainy day may also mean saving a trip for a cooler day as cloud cover in the summer will keep things cooler.
How To Get To Ponce
Ponce is 1.5 hours from San Juan. This quick drive is along major interstates.
Driving in Puerto Rico is easy and for a day trip to Ponce we’d recommend driving yourself. While downtown is compact and easy to walk, there are several places worth visiting outside of the city center and driving is the most time-effective way to see them. However, when visiting the historic downtown, the best option is to find a paid parking lot a few blocks away from the city center and park there for the day and walk around. Parking in Ponce on the streets seems to be a competitive game.
How to use this map: The map above has all of the attractions mentioned in this post. Click on each attraction to learn more about it. If you’d like to save this map, click on the square “View Larger Map” icon. This will open and save the map in your Google account (make sure you’re signed in). You can reference it in your account or you can create a copy to make your own edits.
Top Things To Do In Ponce
Visit The Museo Castillo Serrallés
This is one of the most popular things to do in Ponce. And that’s likely because it involves history AND rum. The Museo Castillo Serrallés is a mansion on a high hill overlooking Ponce. All of our aerial shots of the city come from the balcony here. Additionally, the mansion is the former estate of the owner of Don Q Rum. There are two types of tours here, one of the mansion and one that combines a short tour of the mansion with a rum tasting. We obviously opted for the later, which costs $60.00/person.
We were really happy we did this tour, which came with a large price tag. It was our favorite rum tour in Puerto Rico. We learned a lot AND had a ton of fun. Whichever tour you choose, don’t forget to book ahead, they often fill up days in advance.
Check Out the La Cruceta Del Vigía
The Cross of Vigia is located across the street from the Castillo Serrallés. This 100 foot cross is a staple of the Ponce skyline as it can be seen from throughout the city. A $15 admission ticket to the cross will allow you to climb up the interior of the cross for view of the city from within.
Relax In A Japanese Garden
Across the street from the cross is a small Japanese Garden. These small gardens only take a few minutes to visit and cost $15/person. So it wasn’t the best stop in Ponce but if you want to relax, you could definitely spend more time here.
Learn About Native Peoples
At the Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Tibes, you’ll learn about the Taíno people, Puerto Rico’s original inhabitants. The museum has several artifacts that have been discovered in addition to modern information about the traditions and customs of the Taíno people today.
Explore Downtown Ponce
Take a short walk around downtown Ponce where you’ll see several amazing sights of Ponce.
First, start at the Parque De Bombas. This is the most photographed building in Ponce and probably Puerto Rico. This black and red building was formerly a firehouse and the distinctive paint has been kept up for decades. However, the building is currently undergoing renovations. When the building is open, it is a free museum that is a brightly painted on the inside as it is on the outside.
Don’t forget to look across the street at the Ponce City Hall which is another great architectural delight.
Next, stroll across the Plaza Las Delicias to the Ponce Cathedral. This beautiful church is another great example of the colorful and unique architecture that Ponce is famous for. Visitor’s can enter for free, though they are encouraged to make a donation to the church so have some cash with you for the donation box.
Now that you’ve seen all of the must-visit places in downtown Ponce. Continue exploring town and enjoying the brightly colored, uniquely designed buildings of Ponce.
If you’d prefer to explore Ponce on a walking tour, check out some options here.
Visit The Museo De Arte De Ponce
Art lovers will enjoy a visit to Ponce’s Museum of Art. This is regarded by many as one of the best art museums in the Caribbean. Admittedly, we aren’t big art folks so we skipped this in favor of a coffee break. But for art lovers, this is a must visit. Admission is $6.
Visit A Coffee Plantation
Coffee has been an important part of Puerto Rican agriculture and industry for years. So what better place to learn about that history than at a coffee plantation.
Hacienda Bueno Vista is a popular spot to visit as it is a very historical coffee plantation with lots of trails around the plantation for you to explore nature. However, tours are limited and often book up early. And the plantation is no longer operational.
If you’d like to visit a working coffee plantation instead, check out other nearby Hacienda’s that offer tours. We’ve included a few in the map above.
Visit An Uninhabited Island
You can take a ferry from Ponce to Caja de Muertos or “box of the dead”. This coffin shaped island has some of the best beaches and snorkeling in Ponce and is a great spot for a relaxing day in nature.
Spot Street Art
Ponce has a strong street art culture. You’ll find official murals throughout the city. You’ll also find unofficial murals decorating people’s homes and businesses. Ponce is a colorful city and the street art keeps that color vibrant.
How Long To Spend In Ponce?
1-2 days in Ponce is the perfect amount of time to see the major sights of Ponce as well as visiting some of the natural sights outside of town, like a coffee plantation or a beach.
Where To Stay In Ponce?
Because parking in Ponce can be a challenge, it is best to stay somewhere where you can park your car AND walk into town.
However, remember that Ponce is only 1.5 hours from San Juan and less than that from the Luquillo area. So we visited on a day trip from our Luquillo accommodations, rather than staying just one night.
We hope we have provided you with plenty of options for things to do in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The city offers plenty of interesting things to do for visitors seeking history, culture, nature or a good meal. Whether you’re strolling through the historic streets, sipping the proudly produced Ponce rum or wandering through nature, Ponce is sure to secure a fond place in your heart. I know we loved it. So get your bags packed and head to Ponce, a true Jewel of Puerto Rico. If you have any questions before you depart, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
