Ponce puerto rico la guancha: La Guancha de Ponce | Discover Puerto Rico

Costa la Guancha linear walk Trail – Ponce, Puerto Rico

Ponce, Puerto Rico

Quiet place

Beach

Overgrown

Off trail

No shade

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Introduction

Costa la Guancha linear walk is a 3.1 mile (7,000-step) route located near Ponce, Puerto Rico. This route has an elevation gain of about 52.5 ft and is rated as easy. Find the best walking trails near you in Pacer App.

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Paseo Tablado La Guancha

Place

The Paseo Tablado La Guancha (English: La Guancha Boardwalk) is a boardwalk in the La Guancha sector of the Playa barrio in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, facing the Caribbean Sea. It was built under the mayoral administration of Rafael Cordero Santiago, Mayor of Ponce from 1989 to 2004, at a cost of 2.6 million dollars, and inaugurated on 23 June 1998.

Héctor Lavoe (statue)

Place

Héctor Lavoe is a 6-foot tall bronze statue to the memory of salsa singer Héctor Lavoe who reached his professional height during the 1970s. The bronze statue is located at the sea-front recreational complex Complejo Recreativo y Cultural La Guancha in Barrio Playa, Ponce, Puerto Rico. The statue is the work of by Puerto Rican artist Severo Romero and was unveiled in 2014.

Complejo Recreativo y Cultural La Guancha

Place

The Complejo Recreativo y Cultural La Guancha (English: La Guancha Recreational and Cultural Complex) is a recreational complex in barrio Playa in Ponce, Puerto Rico, with family recreational and cultural facilities that opened on 23 June 1998. The highlight of the complex is the Paseo Tablado La Guancha, which is flanked by a beach, an observation tower, an amphitheater, and 24 open-air kiosks.

Bucaná

Place

Bucaná is one of the 31 barrios of the municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Together with Canas, Playa, Vayas, and Capitanejo, Bucaná is one of the municipality’s five coastal barrios. The name of this barrio is of native Indian origin. It was founded in 1831.

Bucaná River

Place

Bucaná River (Spanish: Río Bucaná) is a river in the municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Río Bucaná has its origin in barrio Machuelo Arriba where it forms at an altitude of 115 feet (35 m). It forms from the confluence of Río Cerrillos and Río Bayagán.[note a] It is also fed by Río Portugues during its southernly run.

Playa Hilton Ponce

Water

Rio Portugues

Water

Ponce Hilton

Tourist Attraction

Río Bucana

Water

Edgar

Tourist Attraction

19 Best Things to Do in Ponce, PR (Fun Activity Ideas)

Ponce is one of the most visited cities in Puerto Rico, both by locals and international tourists, so if you weren’t already planning to do so, you should definitely be adding Ponce to your list of places to visit on the island.  

La Perla del Sur offers the historical charm of a colonial city, combined with museums, street art, good food, and great beaches.

If you’re planning a trip to Ponce, here are some of my favorite fun ideas for what to do in Ponce. If you need a hotel, see my guide to where to stay in Ponce.

Table of Contents

• 19 Best Things to Do in Ponce
  • Visit Parque de Bombas
  • See the View from Cruceta del Vigia
  • Stroll through a Japanese Garden
  • Enter a Real Castle
  • Look for Street Art
  • Learn About the Taino
  • Walk Plaza de Las Delicias
  • Eat Local Food in La Guancha
  • The Ponce Art Museum
  • Take a Walking Tour
  • Explore Caja de Muertos
  • Unwind at A Local Park
  • Visit a Coffee Plantation
  • Enjoy a Beach Day
  • Admire the Ponce Cathedral
  • Taste Local Ice Cream 
  • Go on a Day Trip to Guanica 
  • Climb Over the Letters of Ponce
  • Party at the Carnival
• FAQ’s About Ponce
  • Is Ponce or San Juan better?
  • Does Ponce have nice beaches?

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19 Best Things to Do in Ponce

Visit Parque de Bombas

📍 Map It: Plaza las Delicias, Ponce, 00731 | Phone: (787) 840-1045 | Hours: 8 am – 5 pm Tues-Fri, 9 am – 5:00 pm Sat-Sun, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Mon| Entrance: free | 👉 Browse Tours to Parque de Bombas

Parque de Bombas is a historical landmark of Puerto Rico and one of Ponce’s main attractions. This stunning building was the first fire station on the island, founded in 1883, the station is now a symbol of Ponce’s city and is part of Puerto Rico’s National Register of Historic Places.

👉 Looking for more exciting things to do? Check out the other 49 activities you can do around Puerto Rico!

See the View from Cruceta del Vigia

📍 Map It: Sec El Vigia, Ponce, 00730 | Phone: (787) 259-1774 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Thurs- Sat, 9:30 – 12:00 pm Sun, Closed Mon-Wed | Entrance: $15, free under 3 

If you love looking at things from a different perspective, then you see the view from La Cruceta del Vigia. Located on a hill overlooking the Caribbean Sea, this cross was a watch-out point to look at the boats that entered the bay. Visitors can reach the bridge on top through the elevator or stairs.

👉 Did you know? Ponce is also called The Pearl of the South and La Ciudad Señorial, but the city’s name actually came from Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, grandson of the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León.

Stroll through a Japanese Garden

📍 Map It: Ponce, 00730 | Phone: (787) 259-1774 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Thurs- Sat, 9:30 – 12:00 pm Sun, Closed Mon-Wed | Entrance: $15, free under 3 

One of the unique things to do in Ponce is strolling through a Japanese Garden. The garden forms part of Castillo Serrallés and it’s ideal to unwind and relax. This Japanese Garden is filled with pagodas, koi ponds, bonsais, and lotus flowers.

Enter a Real Castle

📍 Map It: Sector El Vigia, P.º De La Cruceta, Ponce, 00730 | Phone: (787) 259-1775 | Website | Hours: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm Thurs- Mon | Entrance: $15, free under 3 

One of its kind in the country, Castillo Serralles was once the home of the Serrallés family, creators of the famous Don Q. Visitors now can take a tour through this beautiful 1930s Spanish Revival-style structure to learn more about the history of Juan Eugenio Serrallés, the founder of Serrallés Distillery, and about the sugar cane and the rum industry of Puerto Rico.

Look for Street Art

Besides its historic landmarks, Ponce sports an amazing display of urban street art you shouldn’t miss during your visit. The countless murals around the city come from the festival Ponce Es Ley, which started in 2017, following the same concept as San Juan is Ley. During this festival, muralists from around the world use buildings around the city center as their canvas.

Learn About the Taino

📍 Map It: PR-503, Ponce, 00730 | Phone: (787) 840-5685 | Hours: 9:00 am – 3 pm Wed – Sat, Closed Sun-Tues | Entrance: $3, $2 under 12, $1.50 seniors 

Few people know that Tainos lived in Puerto Rico before the Spaniards arrived on the island. One of the places where you can learn about them and see the artifacts they left behind is at the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center, where you get to see burial sites and ruins from the Taino. The place also sports a museum and a shop.

Walk Plaza de Las Delicias

📍 Map It: Ponce, 00717 | 👉 Browse Tours to Plaza Las Delicias

During your visit to Ponce, make a stop in the historical Plaza de Las Delicias, in the historical town center. This plaza plays an important role in Ponce history and it’s nationally known for the iconic fountain with lions. You will also find Parque de Bombas and Ponce’s Cathedral on it.

Eat Local Food in La Guancha

📍 Map It: Calle B, Ponce, 00716 

La Guancha is one of Puerto Rico’s most popular spots. Although the beachfront boardwalk was partially destroyed after Hurricane Maria in 2017, the food kiosks in La Guancha still operate today and it’s a great place to enjoy local food while feeling the ocean breeze.

📚 Read Next: How to Do Puerto Rico on a Budget

The Ponce Art Museum

📍 Map It: 2325 Av. Las Américas, Ponce, 00717 | Phone: (787) 840-1510 | Website | Entrance: $6. 69, adults, $3 under 12 | 👉 Book a Tour to Ponce Museum of Art

Visiting the Ponce Art Museum is one of the top things to do in Ponce since it’s one of the best art museums in Puerto Rico. This museum is better known for displaying the painting Flaming June, an important classic of Victorian art. It also hosts 4,500 artworks of both European Art and Puerto Rican art.

👉 Local Tip: As of October 2021 Ponce Art Museum is temporarily closed for renovations, so before adding this stop to your Puerto Rico trip itinerary, check their social media to know if they’re open again yet. If not, you can still visit Ponce’s History Museum instead.

Take a Walking Tour

👉 Browse Viator´s Top Walking Tours on Ponce

Besides the famous Plaza Las Delicias and the fire station, Ponce is home to beautiful historical buildings with exquisite architecture and history. If you’re visiting Ponce for a day, make sure to take a walking tour around the Historic Zone of Ponce, to discover the best-hidden gems of this historical site.

👉 Local Tip: Ponce is a great destination to stay in Puerto Rico if you’re a history and art lover. It also sports a prime location to visit other surrounding attractions like La Parguera and Guanica’s Dry Forest. Read my complete guide about the top places to stay in Puerto Rico, so you find the one that fits you best.

Explore Caja de Muertos

📍 Map It: Calle C Paseo Tablado La Guancha, Street #12 Paseo de los Caballeros Final | off, Ponce, 00716 | Phone: (787) 842-8546 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily 

Isla Caja de Muertos is a small island to the south of Ponce famous for its bright turquoise waters and its virgin nature. Playa Pelicano in Caja de Muertos sports a Blue Flag and it’s one of the top beaches in Puerto Rico.

Unwind at A Local Park

Take in the view in Lake Cerrillos

📍 Map It: PR-139, Ponce, 00730 | Phone: (787) 812-0076 | Hours: 9:00 am – 5 pm Wed-Sun, Closed Mon-Tues | Entrance: $1 parking 

If you’re looking to relax with your kids in a safe environment, Luis A. “Wito” Morales Park in the north of Ponce is a great option. This park sports a playground, hiking trails, and areas for running bicycles and skateboards. Close by you’ll also find Cerrillos Lake.

Visit a Coffee Plantation

📍 Map It: Km 17.3, PR-123, Ponce, 00728 | Phone: (787) 722-58882 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 4 pm Wed-Sun, Closed Mon-Tues | Entrance: $12, adults, $9 minors

If you’re a history lover, you can’t miss a visit to Hacienda Buena Vista. This site was a coffee plantation on the island that functioned through a slavery system. Nowadays the restored site is the best place to learn about how the coffee beans got processed in Puerto Rico. You need to make a reservation to visit via the website.

Enjoy a Beach Day

Even if you visit Ponce for its history, you’ll be happy to discover you can also enjoy a beach day in the city. Ponce sports a main public beach known as Balneario El Tuque. La Guancha is also a place where you can enjoy the sun and dip your feet in the water, and Playa Pelicano in Caja de Muertos is the top beach in Ponce.

👉 Local Tip: Before visiting any beach in Ponce, Puerto Rico, check the local weather to learn about the ocean conditions. Not all beaches in Puerto Rico are for swimming and even those that are could sport rip tide currents. Check out my complete guide to the best season to visit Puerto Rico for nice beaches and weather.

Admire the Ponce Cathedral

📍 Map It: Ponce, 00733 | Phone: (787) 507-0134 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily | 👉 Browse Viator´s  Ponce Tours

The Catedral Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, or the Ponce Cathedral, dates back to 1670 and is one of the best stops to do in the city center. The cathedral combines both French neoclassical architecture in its exterior and colonial and Gothic on the interior. It also sports an impressive pipe organ on its second floor.

Taste Local Ice Cream 

📍 Map It: 9223 Marina, Ponce, 00730 | Phone: (787) 842-3821 | Hours: 9 am – 12 am daily 

Cool down from the south coast’s heat with ice cream from King’s Cream right next to Plaza Las Delicias. This ice cream shop is famous among the locals for offering refreshing local flavors like pineapple, passion fruit, and soursop. Many locals enjoy ice cream while visiting the plaza and Parque de Bombas.

Go on a Day Trip to Guanica 

Admire the Coast from Guanica Dry Forest

Ponce’s location is ideal to visit many of the attractions on the south coast on a day trip. If you’re staying in the south city, hop on your rental car and drive to Guanica, where you’ll find a dry forest, a sunflower field, breathtaking beaches, and even a boathouse on a hill.

Check out my guide to the best things to do in Guanica for more activity ideas.

👉 Did you know? Puerto Rico sports three different bioluminescent bays and you can find one of them close to Ponce. La Parguera is a fishing town in Lajas that sports a bioluminescent bay, only 45 minutes away from Ponce. Check out the top tours on Viator so you don’t miss the experience.

Climb Over the Letters of Ponce

📍 Map It: Expreso Luis A. Ferré, Ponce, 00716 

If you take Expreso Luis A Ferre to get to Ponce, you’ll notice giant letters with the name of Ponce on the entrance of the city. Make a stop and walk to those letters to take a picture in them. This is something even locals do all the time when they visit the city.

🚗 How to Get There: In Puerto Rico, public transportation doesn’t run around the island. If you want to visit Ponce, Puerto Rico, it’s best to rent a car and self drive. You can find cheap and affordable prices on rental cars using Discover Cars Puerto Rico. 

Party at the Carnival

(photo: Roberto Galan / Shutterstock)

Ponce is home to Puerto Rico’s oldest carnival, known as Ponce Carnival. The Carnival that dates back to the 1700s, takes place a week before Ash Wednesday. The one-week-long festivity is full of Puerto Rico music, local artists, food, parades and vejigantes, costumes with colorful masks representing the evil that fight King Momo, representing the good.

FAQ’s About Ponce

Is Ponce or San Juan better?

Ponce and San Juan are both Spanish colonial cities with a historical town center, museums, and beaches. While both cities have similarities, San Juan offers a better location, public transportation, and nightlife, but Ponce is home to the most important museum of Puerto Rico,  and it’s also cheaper to stay in than San Juan.

Does Ponce have nice beaches?

Ponce has one of the top beaches in Puerto Rico, Playa Pelicano, but visitors need to travel on a boat to reach it. Beaches in the mainland are average, but they’re good enough for a beach day.

***

You’ve reached the end of the top things to do in Ponce! 

As you see, Ponce has a lot to offer and it’s a great destination for a memorable vacation.

If you’re looking for more adventures in Puerto Rico, check out my complete guide to the top activities on this Caribbean paradise.

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Complejo Recreativo y Cultural La Guancha

Protected from the city, which is part of the complex, in Paseo Tablado La Guancha.

The Complejo Recreativo y Cultural La Guancha (English: La Guancha Recreational and Cultural Complex ) The Complejo Recreativo y Cultural La Guancha The Complejo Recreativo y Cultural La Guancha The Complejo Recreativo y Cultural La Guancha The Complejo Recreativo y Cultural La Guancha The Complejo Recreativo y Cultural La Guancha The Complejo Recreativo y Cultural La Guancha The Complejo Recreativo y Cultural Complex La Guancha ) ^[1] Emphasis in the Paseo Tablado La Guancha complex, which is fenced off from the beach, observation deck, amphitheater and 24 open pavilions. ^[2] Toi e designed by time for the administration of the kmet Rafael Cordero Santiago. ^[3] Before October 2017, it was more closed to the public, for yes, put it in for repairs, but as of January 2020, some districts have undergone serious brushwork due to the Puerto Rico Earthquake since 2020, not since the repair km June 17, 2020, the remains are closed. ^[4]

Holding

• 1 History
• 2 Holding
• 3 Financing
• 4 Estrus from Zemetrevto in Poerto Rico Present 2020.
• 5 Galeria
• 6 VITESCHEC
• 7 Rerotics
• 8 VRISKY
• 9 Doptable The pavement along the edge of a diga was built close to the bottom of the ridges on Bario Playa, at the crossroads of the Ponce Yacht Club. The romantic area is visited by families and sweethearts alike, especially for rest days, for relaxation and dating. By the time of the administration of the Cordero area in La Guancha Byaha, there is a price increase of over 18 million dollars, which is converted into a new holiday complex. ^[5] New word of design investigation by engineer Axel Bonil Cortés. ^[6]

  Surge

  Km to passionate the zone for pedestrian byach added to the gray-haired novelty: ^[7]

  • The Drisen Coco Center for Stshodh and Culture y Cultural Enrique “Coco” Vicéns), which has opened the amphitheater for concert performances and accommodates about 30,000 spectators. ^[8] Negoviyat is known as “Tarima Hector Lavoe”. ^[9]
  • Riding and amusement park, destination for celebrating Patronen festivities Festivals, panairis and similar celebrations
  • Children’s park Jose Colon Zayas Colon, with over 40 mach per child, plus parka (Julio and Geraldo) Chamorro-Franceschini Brothers, fee for the disabled
  • A few parking spaces with parking for about 900 hrs.0026
  • Multifunctional fence, guarding the Ponce Community Police, medical rushes and lines and other communications agencies , reach the ramp to the Caribbean Sea and connect with tyah clarification.

  Tozi project will soon open a tourist cay in the vicinity of Ponce Haven, and sometime seeing an investment of 4 million dollars. ^[10]

  Funded

  The complex was developed by the Department of Community and Economic Development for the Autonomous Community of Ponce at a cost of $18.6 million. Breakdown of dispersal includes 3.6 million dollars in addition to the Paseo Tablado La Guancha, 6.5 million when purchased on over 27 decares (110,000 m ² ) land, $ 8.0 million when awarded for the project, $ 0, 2 million for the processes on the tax and $ 0.3 million for the fees on the PR-12 (Avenida Santiago de los Caballeros) some of the infrastructure is leading to the new complex. ^[11]

  Entraculation from Zemetrevo in Poerto RICO Present 2020.

  Complexed bristles, please the earthquake in Poerto Rico Present 2020 [12] ^[13] 9000

  Galeria

• 000

  ,0004000400040004,0004 Excited to see the complex (the half of it is clear)

• Hector Lavoe Rides and Amusement Plaza (Western Region)

• 0005

• Jose Angel Kilon Park Park Sign

• Children’s site in the children’s park Jose Angel Zayas Colon

• sign, designated Children’s PLAST

• Children for disabled CHAMORRO-FRANCESCHI.

• Public parking for over 900 cars in La Guancha

• Majestic fountain and lion at the entrance to La Guancha

• Sign marking the barrier for repeated use 9 Cierre indefinido en La Guancha en Ponce. Michel Estrada Tores. Voices del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. January 8, 2020 Access until January 11, 2020

Exteriors

• Complejo Recreativo La Guancha in Explore Puerto Rico
• La Historia Olvidada de La Guancha. Sandra Tores Guzman. La Perla del Sur. May 27, 2015 Available until Nov 26, 2020

More info

• Fay Foley de Flores. Ponce, Perla del Sur: Una Bibliográfica Anotada. Second edition. 1997. Ponce, Puerto Rico: University of Puerto Rico in Ponce. p. 13. Point 65. LCCN 92-75480
• Nelsyn Garcia. Origen del Nombre de La Guancha. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 23-30 enero 1996. Pp. 37.

Coordinates: 17°57′55. 3674″N 66°36′52.128″W / 17.965379833°S 66.61448000°W / 17.965379833; -66.61448000

Isla del Encanto in Puerto Rico is known for its Latin cuisine. These incredible dishes are exquisitely complemented by local drinks that will remind you every sip and keep you searching for recipes when you get home. This list of traditional Puerto Rican drinks and some chinchorros where to find them will help you plan your drinking and dining experience.

Piña Colada

Named the national drink of Puerto Rico on July 10, 1978, the inventor of this refreshing rum-based drink is still controversial to this day. The tropical climate of Puerto Rico can be cooled off with this delicious treat. Mixology Strain ( colada) juicy local pineapple ( piña). Coconut water or coconut cream are added along with crushed ice and then mixed with your choice of rum; maybe Don Q or Bacardi, just a couple of famous Puerto Rican rums. Most often with a dash of whipped cream and garnished with a slice of pineapple and maraschino cherries, this is a wonderful drink anytime. The non-alcoholic version is also loved by children. Make a day out of it at La Guancha in Ponce, where you can sample piña colada from a variety of stalls while you listen to live music and feed the tarpons and pelicans.

Pitorro

Puerto Rico’s holiday celebrations begin with Thanksgiving and continue with the biggest celebration on Three Kings Day on January 6th, and these joyous times would not be complete without the local pirro. While you can find different flavors of pitorro at your local grocery store, to get a true taste of pitorro, you should try what the locals produce. Often infused with fruit or coffee, or mixed with chocolate or hazelnuts, this Puerto Rican moonshine is sure to make you feel the warmth of the holidays to your very fingertips.

Coquito

Another drink enjoyed on holidays, coquito is often referred to as Puerto Rican eggnog. Recipes vary from family to family, but the main ingredients include condensed milk, condensed milk, coconut milk, coconut cream, white rum, and spices like vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Beautiful holiday bottles are sold in almost every store this time of year, and coquitos are prepared in batches and shared with friends and family. Served chilled or with ice. For a special holiday treat, try Coquito Tres Leche at Salitre Meson Costero.

Mojitos

The best mojitos are those made from homemade brown sugar syrup mixed with fresh mint. Add rum and any fruit or herb you can think of. The lime original is great, but also try passionfruit, strawberry, pineapple, watermelon, apple, basil, and coconut. Try a great original mojito at Club Nautico de Boquerón or buy one at Playa Sucia if you’re lucky. If you want to try different flavors, The Copy in Boquerón is the place for you.

Medalla

Puerto Rico has some of the most beautiful beaches, and there’s nothing better than an ice-cold beer to enjoy on the waves of Playa Sucia or Culebra. Medalla is a local favorite, a light beer that is made in Mayagüez.

Coco Frio

Coconut water has many health benefits and as you drive along the roads of Puerto Rico you will find many stalls for sale. coconut frio or cold coconut water. Whole coconuts are stored in the refrigerator, and covered with a machete when purchased. Most stands can also add rum, vodka or whiskey. At most if you finish Coco Frio Then they will open it for you to eat the sweet meat inside. It has a pleasant taste and is useful.

Cuba Libre

Literally meaning “Free Cuba”, sometimes when ordered, the bartender still says “ no existe tal cosa ,” “There is none.” While many people think that Cuba Libre is just rum and cola, it’s actually not Cuba Libre until lime juice, preferably a fresh lime, is added. Try it with Don Q Añejo, a superb amber rum aged in American white oak barrels for 3-10 years.

Frappe

Also a mixed drink very similar to piña colada, frappe is a frozen drink made with fresh fruit and ice cream. With Puerto Rico’s year-round lush environment, fresh fruit choices are almost limitless. Frappes can be found at roadside stalls, kiosks, grocery stores, malls, and just about everywhere in between.

Mavi

Mavi is made from the boiled bark of the mawi tree, sometimes with spices such as ginger and cinnamon, or with fruit added for different flavors. The alcoholic version is made by fermenting the mixture with sugar. It is best to pick up mavi from local roadside stalls.

Café con queso

Cheese in coffee may seem odd, but Cafe Con Queso is a must. From coffee grown in the mountains of Puerto Rico, coffee beans are ground and served strong, often with milk and white or brown sugar. For a unique taste experience, try Cafe Con Queso which starts with a strong espresso, then adds some hot chocolate mixture, boiled milk, cinnamon and a thin slice of hard cheese like Asiago or Pecorino Romano . The cheese imparts a nutty, creamy flavor, and the salty sweetness of the cheese and the chocolatey fullness of the hot chocolate are amazing.