Lying a few miles inland, in the centre of Puerto
Rico's south coast, the attractive city of Ponce is rich in Spanish
colonial heritage and architecture, with a well-preserved 17th
century historic heart. Pretty colonial homes and majestic churches
surround the lovely city plazas where fountains dance in radiant
sunshine.
The preservation of its neo-classical architectural
heritage and several interesting attractions makes Ponce a worthy
port of call for Caribbean cruisers and holidaymakers. The nearby
Playa de Ponce Port is Puerto Rico's principal and busiest trade
port. Tobacco, coffee, rum and sugar cane from all over the
Caribbean are loaded aboard vessels here, and floods of sightseers
disembark regularly from an increasing number of cruise liners that
have added Ponce to their itineraries.
The city, dubbed 'the pearl of the south', also
offers some interesting excursions, and a short drive out of town
will take you to the lovely white sandy Playa de Ponce, where the
clear waters are ideal for snorkelling.
The city's built-up beachfront promenade area, a few
miles south of the centre, is called La Guancha. The boardwalks,
bars, souvenir shops, restaurants, and eateries surround hundreds
of yachts and small boats moored in a saltwater estuary, and the
area becomes very crowded with locals and visitors at weekends and
holiday periods. Despite this, Ponce is laidback and fairly quiet
in the evenings, making it a great Caribbean holiday destination
for visitors of all ages.