Things to Do

The Art Museum of Frame Masters
The museum features fine arts, paintings, sculptures, canvas reproductions, expert framings, and moldings.

Caja de Muertos Lighthouse
The Caja de Muerto Lighthouse is a 19th century lighthouse. Restored by the Department of Natural Resources and houses a lookout and a museum.

Caja de Muertos
Located 5 miles south of Ponce laid "Caja de Muertos". The island is approximately 2.75 km wide by 1.85 km long, with a total area of 202 hectares. The island has no permanent inhabitants. Ferries leave from La Guancha.

Casa Armstrong-Poventud
Casa Armstrong-Poventud building is a magnificent example of the neoclassical architectural heritage of the island, this white-domed building on the west side of the main square houses the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture and the Puerto Rican Tourism Company's regional offices. Guided tours are available. Located In front of the town square. Mon-Fri 8am-noon, 1-4:30pm.Closed, awaiting restoration.

Casa de la Masacre de Ponce
On March 21, 1937, one of the bloodiest events in Puerto Rico's political history, a group of Nationalists, who were denied a permit to hold a demonstration, dressed in black shirts and assembled before this building. As they marched to the tune of the Puerto Rican national anthem, a shot was fired--the origin of which was never determined. An exchange of gunfire ensued between the marchers and police. Twenty people were killed and hundreds injured. Today, the building is remembered as the "The House of the Ponce Massacre" in recognition of the tragic event.

Casa Paoli
Casa Paoli located in Ponce houses exhibits on the singer's life as well as a shop displaying colorful papier-mache masks used in Ponce's annual Carnival celebrations. Mon-Fri 10am-noon, 2-5pm.

Catedral de la Guadalupe
Built in 1883, this beautiful church stands in the center of the plaza, surrounded by lovely fountains, bench sitting denizens, and a century old wooden firehouse. Located on the Plaza Degetau.

Central Mercedita
Found in 1870 by Don Jose Ramón de Aponte. In 1938, the facilities packed about 60,000 tons of sugar.

Centro Ceremonial Indigena de Tibes
This ancient Indian site, dating from A.D. 700, includes seven bateyes (ball courts), some carved with petroglyphs, said to have been used for a soccer like game. The site also includes two dance grounds, stones line up with the sun during the equinox and solstice, making Tibes a pre-Columbian astronomical observatory. There is also a reconstructed Taíno village, with thatched roof bamboo huts, a museum, an exhibition hall that presents a documentary about Tibes, a cafeteria, and a souvenir shop. Tue-Sun 8:30am-4pm. Admission: Adults $2, children $1.

Centro Comercial Plaza del Caribe
Plaza del Caribe is the most elegant shopping mall in Ponce. You will find over 100 shops as well as six theaters and a restaurant area to satisfy their entertainment and gastronomic needs. Mon-Sat 9am-9pm; Sun 11am-5pm.

Centro del Sur Shopping Center
The mall houses about 50 shops. Mon-Thu 9am-6pm; Fri 9am-9pm; Sat 9am-6pm; Sun 10am-5pm.

El Tuque Beach

Escuela de Bellas Artes

Fox Delicias Mall
Located in front of the plaza in Ponce. Restaurants occupy the entire bottom floor, while the many shops and a cafe-theater are on the second story. Mon-Thu 8am-9pm; Fri-Sat 8am-11pm; Sun 8am-9pm.

Hacienda Buena Vista
The estate house, slave quarters and farm machinery of this coffee plantation, built in 1833 and in operation until the 1950s, allow visitors a unique insight into Puerto Rican history. The rooms of the hacienda have been furnished with authentic pieces from the 1850s. 2-hr. tours. Sat-Sun 8:30am, 10:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm. Reservations required. Admission: Adults $5, children $2.
How to get there: Take Road 52 to Ponce; exit on Road 10 north. Hacienda Buena Vista is at K 16.8, about 7 miles from Ponce on the road to Adjuntas.

Holiday Inn Ponce Casino

La Cruceta del Vigia
For a incredible view of how the mountains meet the sea at Ponce, drive to the summit of El Vigia Hill located in Ponce, where scouts once scanned for attacking ships. Visitors can ascend La Cruz del Vigia, a 100-foot observation tower. Serralles Museum located near to El Vigia Hill, is a lovely landscaped former residence of the Serralles family, producers of Don Q rum. Open Tue-Sun from 9am to 5:30pm.

La Guancha Paseo Tablado
The boardwalk is a fun stop where you can loiter with lively local Ponceños-the teen scene, elders and the toddler-mamma set. There are lots of food kiosks in this open-air venue. Located just across from the Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club.

Museo Casa Wiechers-Villaronga
Early 20th century house design by famous architect Alfredo Wiechers for his own family. It contains the original 1911 furniture and architectural details traditional in Ponce urban homes. Recently restored by the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 8:30am-4:30.

Museo Castillo Serralles
Built the '30s by rum baron Juan Eugenio Serralles. Considered one of the architectural gems of Puerto Rico, it is the best evidence of the wealth produced by the turn-of-the-20th-century sugar boom. Today stands as museum dedicated to the history of the sugar and rum industries. Tue-Thr 9:30am-5pm; Fri-Sun 9:30am-5:30pm. Close on Mondays. Free transportation from Plaza Las Delicias de Ponce via trolley. Admission $5 adults, $2.50 seniors, $2.50 children under 16. Call for group reservations.

Museo de Arte de Ponce
The Ponce Museum of Art holds works by Puerto Rican and other Latin American artists. It has one of the most important pre-Raphaelite collections in the Western Hemisphere, which include pieces by a respectable representation of European artists, like Van Dyck, Reubens, Rodin, Delacroix and Gainsborough. The building, was designed by Edward Durell Stone (Museum of Modern Art, NY). Open daily 10am-5pm. Admission: Adults $3, children $2.

Museo de Historia de Ponce
Museo de Historia de Ponce was built in 1911, lived in by the Salazar family. In 1992, became a museum, displaying documents, objects and relics related to the historical development of the city. Open Mon, Wed-Fri 9:00am - 5:00pm, Sat-Sun 10:00am - 6:00pm. Admission: Adults $3, seniors and children $1.

Museo de la Masacre

Museo de la Música Puertorriqueña
The Museum of Puerto Rican Music is dedicated to preserve the traditions of Puerto Rican music. traces the rich musical history of the island through memorabilia of famous musicians and displays of Indian, Spanish and African musical instruments. Open Wed-Sun 9am-noon, 1-5:30pm. Admission $1.

Museo de Pancho Coimbre

Parque de Bombas
Located in Ponce, this unique red and black, century old wooden firehouse is a landmark (and still in use). There are exhibits on the second floor, and the municipal band plays a free concert every Sunday night. Wed-Mon 9:30am-6pm. Admission is free.

Ponce Hilton Casino

Ponce School of Fine Arts
The Ponce School of Fine Arts, a 19th-century building, originally served as the Spanish military headquarters and known as El Castillo. It later became the Ponce Jail, but in 1992 it was inaugurated as the Ponce School of Fine Arts.

Teatro la Perla
Built in the neoclassical style in 1864, remains one of the most visible symbols of the economic prosperity of Ponce during the mid-19th century. Designed by Juan Bertoli, an Italian-born resident of Puerto Rico who studied in Europe, it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1918, and rebuilt in 1940 according to the original plans; it reopened to the public in 1941.

Toro Negro Forest Reserve
Its 7,000 acres include Puerto Rico's tallest peak. Spectacular views extending to the Atlantic and the Caribbean. Permits are required for campgrounds (7 campsites). Camping facilities include water, campfire, bathrooms, and showers. Mountain climbing for experienced climbers.

Costa Caribe Golf and Country Club
Designed by Bruce A. Besse, Jr. of Willowbend Golf & Land Design, this spectacular course features the first island green in Puerto Rico. Set on a former sugar cane filed, its physical setting provides breathtaking views of the Caribbean and the Central Mountains coupled with the natural beauty of its 14 man-made lakes and numerous species of birds. Total Holes: 18.

Estadio Francisco "Paquito" Montaner
The stadium has a seating capacity for 15,000 persons and features artificial turf.