Ponce is a city in Puerto Rico located on the southern coast.
Ponce is also known as La Perla del Sur and La Ciudad Señorial. It is the second-most populated city on the island, only after the capital San Juan.
I grew up in Peñuelas, a small city west of Ponce. Visiting Ponce’s colonial center, historical landmarks, and museums was part of my childhood.
In this article, I will cover the 25 best things to do in Ponce, Puerto Rico:
The Ponce Art Museum is a must-stop when visiting the city.
It is the most prestigious museum in Puerto Rico and one of the most recognized in the Caribbean.
It is home to the Flaming June, a famous Victorian painting, and a permanent collection of 4,500 pieces.
Check out Museo de Arte de Ponce in the following video:
Note: Check the Ponce Art Museum’s website when planning your trip as this destination is subject to closing for renovations.
Learn more by reading our article 12 Best Museums In Puerto Rico.
Visiting Ponce’s main square is one of the most fun things to do in Ponce.
Located in the middle of the historic center, you’ll find historic sites, museums, hotels, a casino, restaurants, and local shops.
Its beautiful colonial architecture, gardens, and fountains will captivate you.
At night, you can visit one of the many bars and nightclubs surrounding the square.
Check out Plaza Las Delicias in the following video:
This is one of the best areas to stay in Ponce, learn more in our article Where To Stay In Ponce – All You Need To Know.
Located in the historic city center, this was Puerto Rico’s first fire station and now it’s Ponce’s most visited and recognized landmark.
Painted with bold red and black stripes, the building makes for a great photo.
It is home to a firefighter-themed museum and the local tourist information center.
Learn more in our article Parque de Bombas – All You Need To Know.
Enjoy a panoramic view of Puerto Rico’s south coast at Cruceta El Vigía.
This 100 ft. tall cross has an observation deck overlooking the Caribbean Sea that can be accessed by a glass elevator.
It also offers aerial views of other nearby landmarks. There’s a new restaurant on the first level with impressive views.
Perched on a hill with impressive views, this historic Spanish Revival 1930s mansion is worth a visit.
The former estate of the Serrallés family, creators of the Don Q distillery, hosts a museum and beautiful gardens overlooking the city.
You might catch a bride or a quinceañera since the castle is frequently booked for events.
Check out Castillo Serrallés in the following video:
You can book a tour on Castillo Serrallés’ website.
Learn more about tours in the area in our article 6 Best Tours In Ponce.
La Guancha is a perfect spot for families.
It has multiple restaurants, bars, a beachfront boardwalk, beach access, several playgrounds for kids, and live entertainment.
You’ll catch beautiful sunsets from the boardwalk and don’t forget to feed the pelicans with sardines.
Note: Due to Hurricane María, the boardwalk was destroyed. La Guancha is partially operating.
For those with an adventurous spirit, a day trip to the island of Caja de Muertos will not disappoint.
Caja de Muertos got its name from its coffin shape.
It’s a natural reserve known for its pristine beaches, beautiful reefs, dry forest, and turtle nests.
Visits by tour operators have not been reactivated after the hurricanes and earthquakes, so renting a boat charter is the best option.
Check out Caja de Muertos Island in the following video:
Coffee lover?
Then you should visit Hacienda Buena Vista.
This 19th Century Plantation is one of the most important coffee plantations in Puerto Rico.
You’ll explore the impressive natural areas surrounding the Hacienda and learn about ancient methods of coffee production.
Check out Hacienda Buena Vista in the following video:
Dates and tours are limited, so you have to schedule your visit in advance.
With a history of more than 300 years, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe is an important part of Ponce’s culture.
The cathedral, which combines French neoclassical, colonial, and Gothic architecture, is part of the National Register of Historic Places.
Besides its magnificent architecture, you’ll also find stained glass art, statues, and a gorgeous pipe organ.
It’s located in the middle of Plaza Las Delicias just behind the Parque de Bombas.
For those craft beer fans, Papa Rupe Brewing is a must.
This brewery will take you to the late 1800s.
It’s located in a historic house that belonged to Thomas Armstrong Toro, one of the most important figures in the formation of Ponce’s Golden Age.
It also offers an innovative gastronomic experience with a beer-based food menu, 20 beers on tap, and a loving culture for history and arts.
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Photo Credit: @paparupebrewingco
Are you a rum aficionado?
Learn about the history of Don Q Rum and its elaboration process and participate in a mixology class where you’ll create your own cocktail.
The tour also offers a virtual reality experience while enjoying Ponce’s breathtaking views.
The tour is offered in English and Spanish and it lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes.
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Photo Credit: @donqrum
To book this tour, visit the Don Q Rum website.
Just 35 minutes away from Ponce you’ll find Guánica, a paradise with pristine beaches and ecological diversity.
You’ll be amazed by Guánica’s Dry Forest, the largest of its kind in the world.
You can also visit one of the beaches at La Jungla, Playa Santa, Caña Gorda, Tamarindo or Ballena.
If you’re in the mood for amazing pictures and selfies, you should visit Guánica’s Sunflowers plantation.
Check out Guánica in the following video:
Attention shopaholics!
Plaza del Caribe is the largest shopping center in the south region with a variety of local and international shops.
You’ll find more than 110 stores including Macy’s, Zara, and Victoria’s Secret, a variety of restaurants, and a 10-screen movie theater, among other establishments.
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Photo Credit: @plazadelcaribe
Ponce’s Parque Lineal offers athletes the space necessary to run their bikes, walk or jog while enjoying nature.
With a length of 12.7 km or 7.89 miles, the park offers beautiful views while connecting with other parks, the beach, and even the Ponce Hilton Hotel.
Check out Parque Lineal de Ponce in the following video:
The Japanese Garden is the perfect spot to sit back and relax.
Even though it’s small, you won’t want to miss it. It’s filled with koi ponds, pagodas, gardens, bonsais, and lotus flowers.
It’s located just across Castillo Serrallés and Cruceta El Vigia.
Check out Japanese Garden in the following video:
If you want to learn about Puerto Rico’s ancient history, you need to visit Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center.
This ancient Taino village is considered the oldest human settlement in Puerto Rico.
You’ll find a museum and open-air ceremonial sites that will take you back in time.
Check out Centro Ceremonial Indigena Tibes in the following video:
If you have a sweet tooth, then Kings Cream is a mandatory stop.
Located in Plaza Las Delicias, right across Parque de Bombas, this little shop has been serving delicious ice creams since 1964.
My favorite flavors are almond, chocolate, and passion fruit.
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Photo Credit: @kingscreamponce
Party lovers will fall in love with Ponce’s nightlife.
The city is full of nice pubs, bars, and nightclubs for all styles of partygoers and budgets.
If you want to have fun as a local, you should visit the bars at Plaza Las Delicias or Hostos Avenue.
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Photo Credit: @el69chinchorro
From state-of-the-art restaurants to delicious food kiosks, Ponce offers diverse culinary options that cater to all types of foodies.
If you’re in the mood for an upscale experience, Lola Eclectic Cuisine, Mesa — Cocina & Vinatería, Baleares, El Negocio de Panchi, and El Rastro are to die for.
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Photo Credit: @el.rastro.pr
Other great restaurants are Campioni Pizza Birra & Tapas, La Casa del Chef, and Rincón Argentino.
If you want to try authentic “ponceño” food, you should try the domplines at El Trigal or go to La Guancha’s food kiosks.
Between the colonial-style buildings in the historic center, you’ll find impressive street art from local artists.
Ponce was home to “Ponce es Ley”, a festival that aimed to convert Ponce’s streets into urban museums.
There are over four dozen pieces decorating the walls of the historic center.
Some of them are an expression of Puerto Rico’s political, social, and economic situation.
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Photo Credit: @antilleanroutes
Every Sunday, for over 125 years, the Ponce Municipal Band has been performing free open-air concerts.
The concerts mostly take place in Plaza Las Delicias and are part of Ponce’s popular culture.
The band usually delights the audience with classics of Puerto Rican music, as well as other international classics.
You’ll definitely have a blast.
Here is a video of a band playing at Parque de Bombas:
If you want to try your luck, you can visit one of Ponce’s casinos.
Ponce has three modern and large casinos with a range of table games and state-of-the-art slot machines.
Whether you go to Hilton Ponce Casino, Tropical Casino, or Casino de la Plaza, you’ll have a great time.
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Photo Credit: @poncehiltonpr
When you arrive in Ponce, you’ll be welcomed by five giant letters spelling the name of the city.
Even though they’re half the size of the Hollywood letters, those letters located near Ponce’s Mercedita Airport will make a great photo.
Stop the car, walk, and climb the letters — even locals do it.
Puerto Rico is home to three impressive bioluminescent bays.
Although these bio bays are not in Ponce, you’ll find La Parguera Bioluminescent Bay just 40 minutes away from the city.
This is the only bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico that allows tourists to swim with the glowing plankton.
Believe me, you’re not going to regret the visit.
You can learn more about Puerto Rico’s three bio bays by reading our article Bioluminescent Bays Puerto Rico – All You Need To Know.
Spend time enjoying nature in Ponce’s Urban Ecological Park.
It has various walking and cycling trails, outdoor exercise stations, and an amphitheater.
You’ll also find a variety of plants, trees, and lagoons.
The park links with Parque Lineal.
Check out Urban Ecological Park in the following video:
You can start the night by having a delicious dinner in one of Ponce's many restaurants and then go bar hopping at the historic center, which is full of nice bars and pubs. You can also try your luck at one of Ponce’s casinos, which are open until late at night.
Ponce has a lot of free things to do. I would recommend visiting Plaza Las Delicias, Parque de Bombas, and the Cathedral, enjoying the street art, and if you are lucky and visiting a Sunday, watching the Ponce’s Municipal Band free concert.
Ponce is the second largest city in Puerto Rico and is worth visiting.
The city is great for tourists and has lots of fun activities to experience.
My favorite things to do in Ponce are visiting the art museum and kayaking in the bioluminescent bay that is located just 40 minutes from the city.
If you are looking for other things to do, then check out our article 45 Best Things To Do in Puerto Rico.
Writer at PuertoRico.com. I am a full-time writer and public relations specialist with experience in tourism, gastronomy, and economics. I started my career as a lifestyle journalist for a publication with the highest readership in Puerto Rico. When I’m not writing, I am a part-time foodie, avid traveler, and coffee lover. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, meaning that I know how to live the Boricua experience!
