21 Best Things to Do in Ponce, PR
👉 Jump to: Best Things to Do | History, Art, & Culture | Family-Friendly | Landmarks | Day Trips
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, as it’s known, offers the historical charm of a colonial city, combined with museums, street art, good food, and great beaches.
If you’re planning a trip, 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.
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21 Best Things to Do in Ponce
Parque de Bombas
Visit the first fire station in Puerto Rico.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 840-1045 | Hours: 9 am – 4:30 pm daily | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book a Tour to Parque de Bombas
Parque de Bombas is a historical landmark of Puerto Rico and one of Ponce’s main attractions.
This stunning black-and-red building was the first fire station on the island, founded in 1883. It is now a symbol representing Ponce and is part of Puerto Rico’s National Register of Historic Places.
At its interior, you’ll find a small museum with historical photographs, firefighting gear, and memorabilia.
Castillo Serrallés
Enter a real castle with hand-carved ceilings, an interior patio, and a vintage kitchen.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 259-1774 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Wed – Sun | Entrance: $18 | 👉 Book a Castillo Serrallés Tour
One of its kind in the country, Castillo Serralles was once the home of the Serrallés family, creators of the famous Don Q.
But this popular Puerto Rico activity is not only for rum connoisseurs. History and architecture enthusiasts will love touring through this beautiful 1930s Spanish Revival-style summer home.
You’ll learn about the history of Juan Eugenio Serrallés, the founder of Serrallés Distillery, the sugar cane, and the rum industry of Puerto Rico.
My fave parts of the tour are the carved roof in the dining room, the interior patio with a fountain that “breathes” into the house, and the kitchen.
Hacienda Buena Vista
Visit a 19th-century coffee plantation with a working turbine.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 722-5882 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm Wed-Sun, Closed Mon-Tues | Entrance: $12.50, adults, $9 minors
If you’re a history lover, you can’t miss a visit to Hacienda Buena Vista, one of the best preserved historical coffee plantations in Puerto Rico.
The 87-acre hacienda was founded in 1833 by Salvador Vives. A decade later, a system of water channels was built to harness the Cañas River and power the estate’s machinery, including a one-of-a-kind Barker turbine, the only known working example of its kind today.
Nowadays, the restored site is the best place to learn about how the coffee beans are processed in Puerto Rico. You need to make a reservation to visit via the website.
La Guancha
Swim, eat local food, and dance at this beachfront park.
La Guancha is one of Puerto Rico’s best spots to visit for local food. Located on Ponce’s coast, la Guancha is a recreational complex (once a beachfront boardwalk) with multiple food kiosks, a park, sports courtyards, and even a marina.
Visiting means jumping among kiosks to taste the best Puerto Rico foods and drinks. You can also shop for souvenirs at the kiosks and dance to the music blasting through the area. It’s one of my preferred destinations if you’re doing Puerto Rico on a budget. For more Ponce foodie experiences, check out my guide to the best places to eat in Ponce.
👉 Local Tip: As of May 2025, there is a project to create the largest food truck park in Puerto Rico’s south coast right in La Guancha. It’s expected to open by the end of the year!
Best History, Art, & Culture
Ponce’s Carnival
Party at the oldest carnivals in Puerto Rico.
Ponce is home to Puerto Rico’s oldest carnival, known as Ponce Carnival. The Carnival dates back to the 1700s, and takes place a week before Ash Wednesday.
The one-week-long festivity is full of Puerto Rican music, local artists, food, parades, vejigantes, and costumes with colorful masks.
You’ll also find carnival classic characters like King Momo, the Carnival Queen, and the Sardine.
Centro Ceremonial Indígena Tibes
Learn About the Igneris at this ceremonial park in Ponce’s countryside.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 840-5685 | Hours: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm Tue, 8:30 am – 3 pm Wed-Sun, Closed Mon | Entrance: Free
Many people ignore that Puerto Rico’s history dates back thousands of years before the Spaniards arrived on the archipelago.
One of the places where you can learn about them and see the artifacts they left behind is at the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center in Ponce’s countryside. The ceremonial park has multiple plazas, known as bateyes.
This is one of the sites where you can learn about the Igneri, the ancestors of the Taino, the civilization that lived in Puerto Rico during the Spanish arrival.
Besides touring the bateyes with petroglyphs, visit the on-site museum, where you get to see burial sites, vases, tools, and carvings found in this archeological site.
Check out my article on Puerto Rico’s indigenous inhabitants to learn more.
The Ponce Art Museum
Soak in one of the largest collections of European art in Puerto Rico.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 840-1510 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Fri | Entrance: $6, adults, $3 under 12
Without doubt one of Ponce’s top attractions, the Ponce Art Museum is one of the best art museums in Puerto Rico.
The museum hosts 4,500 artworks of both European Art and Puerto Rican art from the 17th century to contemporary times.
The museum’s collection includes Baroque, Pre-Raphaelite, and Victorian paintings, as well as Latin American and Puerto Rican art. Prominent local artists represented in the collection include Francisco Oller and José Campeche.
Among its most iconic works is Flaming June by Frederic Leighton, a celebrated piece of the Victorian era.
👉 Local Tip: Ponce is a great destination to stay in Puerto Rico if you’re a history and art lover. Read my top places to stay in Puerto Rico guide, so you can find the one that fits you best.
Via Arte
Hunt down street art in Ponce’s downtown.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Walking Tour through Ponce
Besides its historic landmarks, Ponce has an amazing display of urban street art you shouldn’t miss during your visit. Project Via Arte started back in 2022, aiming to impact the El Vigía neighborhood through an art and mural route, revitalizing community spaces. You can find many of these murals at Calle Bertoly and Callejón del Amor.
Find the mural about Pedro Albizú Campos in Calle Aurora, and another in Callejón Comercio.
Best Family-Friendly
Jardín Japonés
Stroll through this colorful Japanese garden with torii and garden pavilions.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 259-1775 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Thu-Sun | Entrance: $10
One of the unique things to do in Ponce is strolling through a Japanese Garden. The garden is part of the Castillo Serrallés’ complex and is ideal for unwinding and relaxing.
This Japanese Garden is filled with pagodas, koi ponds, bonsais, and lotus flowers. You’ll also find pavilions, torii gates, and bridges across it.
Make sure to bring along your camera to snap some great and unique pictures.
👉 Local Tip: Buying the ticket for the three attractions, the garden, the cruceta, and Castillo Serallés saves you money.
Parque Luis A. “Wito” Morales Crespo
Unwind at a local park with water jets, gazebos, lakes, and playgrounds.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 812-0076 | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Wed-Mon, Closed Tues | Entrance: $1 parking
If you’re looking to relax with your kids in a safe environment and without breaking the bank, Luis A. “Wito” Morales Park in the north of Ponce is a great option. This park has a playground, water jets, hiking trails, and areas for cycling and skateboarding. Close by you’ll find Cerrillos Lake.
La Guancha Beach
Enjoy a family-friendly outing in Ponce beach.
📍 Google Maps | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free
Even if you visit Ponce for its history, you’ll be happy to discover you can also enjoy a beach day in the city. Sunbathe at La Guancha’s Beach and dip your feet in the water.
A reef on the coast creates a shallow and natural pool safe for the whole family. This beach is wheelchair friendly!
Keep in mind that the winter season could drastically change the conditions of the water and make the beach unsafe for swimming. The best season to visit the beach is usually late spring and summer.
👉 Local Tip: Before visiting any beach in Ponce, Puerto Rico, check the local weather to learn about the ocean conditions.
King’s Cream
Taste local ice cream with refreshing fruity flavors.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 843-8520 | Hours: 9 am – 11:30 pm 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.
Bahia’s Restaurant
Enjoy local food in the best sunset spot in Ponce.
Ponce restaurants are without a doubt some of the best in Puerto Rico, raging from fine-dining to on-the-patio options.
But one that combines both great food and atmosphere is Bahia’s Restaurant. This restaurant specializes in seafood, creole, and Puerto Rican food.
Besides its great food, this restaurant offers a VIP view of Ponce’s coast where you can admire the sunset while sipping on a Piña Colada. You’ll also find live entertainment in this restaurant on weekends.
Best Landmarks
Cruceta del Vigia
See the view from this 100-foot-tall concrete cross.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 259-1774 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm Thurs-Sat, 9:30 am – 12:30 am Sun, Closed Mon-Wed | Entrance: $10
If you love looking at things from a different perspective, then you should see the view from La Cruceta del Vigia.
Located on a hill overlooking the Caribbean Sea, this concrete cross was a watch-out point to look at the boats that entered the bay. Visitors can reach the platform on top through the elevator or the stairs.
If you get hungry while visiting, stop at Panorama 180, a restaurant in the cruceta.
👉 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.
Ponce’s Letters Sculpture
Snap a picture at this popular landmark on the highway.
If you take Expreso Luis A Ferre to get to Ponce, you’ll notice giant sculpture letters with the name of Ponce at the entrance of the city.
Park on the sideroad and walk to these giant sculptures to snap a picture posing with them. This is something even locals do all the time when they visit the city.
🚗 How to Get There: Public transportation doesn’t cover Puerto Rico entirely. If you want to visit Ponce, it’s best to rent a car and self drive. Use Discover Cars Puerto Rico to find cheap fares.
Catedral Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Reflect at a cathedral with over 100 years of history.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (787) 507-0134 | Hours: 9 am – 1 pm Tue-Thurs, 12 – 1 pm Fri, 7 am – 5 pm Sun, Closed Sat and Mon | 👉 Book a Ponce Walking Tour
The Catedral Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, or the Ponce Cathedral, dates back to 1670, although the original parish was demolished and rebuilt in 1839.
The cathedral combines both neoclassical architecture in its exterior and colonial and Gothic styles on the interior. It also has an impressive pipe organ on its second floor. The current facade is from 1937.
Plaza Las Delicias
Stroll through this iconic plaza with more than one photo-worthy sight.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Tours to Plaza Las Delicias
During your visit to Ponce, make a stop in the historical Plaza de Las Delicias, in the town center.
Playing an important role in Ponce’s identity, the plaza dates back to 1670, although it looked different back then. It’s divided into two parts: the north, known as Luis Muñoz Rivera, and the south, known as Plaza Federico Degetau.
The iconic plaza has numerous monuments to some of Ponce’s and Puerto Rico’s most important figures, and a fountain with lions. But, perhaps its two most photo-worthy attractions are Parque de Bombas and Ponce’s Cathedral.
Best Day Trips
Caja de Muertos
Sail to an offshore island with unique beaches.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Tour to Caja de Muertos
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.
Although there used to be a ferry to the island, now you can only visit through private (and pricier) tour operators. Still, your trip to Caja de Muertos promises one of the best beach experiences in Puerto Rico, so you’ll get your money’s worth.
Once there, make sure to hike to the island’s lighthouse and snorkel on the beach.
Isla Cardona
Snorkel in the turquoise waters of this offshore island.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Book a Tour to Isla Cardona
Isla Cardona is a small island located just off Ponce’s coast. Visitors can reach the island through private tours with Waterland Adventures. The trip only takes five minutes from La Guancha.
Isla Cardona has clear waters that are great for a beach day with your family. The island also houses a neoclassic-style lighthouse from 1889 with an automated lantern that is still operating.
Check out my guide to the best boat tours in Puerto Rico to find other amazing offshore adventures.
Punta Cucharas Nature Reserve
Hike through multiple ecosystems in this coastal nature reserve.
📍 Google Maps | Entrance: Free
The Punta Cucharas Nature Reserve is hidden away on Ponce’s coast. The reserve has multiple ecosystems including mangroves, dunes, and a saline lagoon.
Outdoor enthusiasts can do birdwatching and easily spot any of the 56 species that inhabit the reserve. Fishing, diving, hiking, and kayaking are also popular activities on the reserve.
Visit during the golden hour to catch mesmerizing sunset photos. Keep in mind there aren’t any facilities in the area.
Guanica
Take a day trip to a neighboring town with lots of outdoor adventures.
While staying in Ponce, hop on your rental car and drive to Guánica, where you’ll find lots of outdoorsy things to do.
One of my favorite things to do in Guánica is hiking in Guánica’s dry forest, which has even more biodiversity than El Yunque! But if you want to escape the heat instead, head over to one of the many beaches in Guánica. Some of them even rank among the best beaches in Puerto Rico, like Playa Caña Gorda.
👉 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.
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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.
If we have a rental car and stay in Ponce, this article indicates that’s not too far to drive and see the
Bioluminescent bay, La Parguera. Since taking a boat ride for that experience would be at night, would it be difficult to drive back to Ponce afterwards in the dark?
Hi Betsy! It’s not a difficult ride after dark. It takes about 45 minutes and you’ll be mostly in the PR-2, one of Puerto Rico’s main roads.
Whats the nightlife like in Ponce? Any salsa clubs?