Top Attractions in Ponce

Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Guadalupe

Located inside Ponce's grand Plaza Las Delicias, this is the seat of the local diocese. It was constructed during the 1920s and has a style that is strongly neo-Gothic. The main attraction at this church is its huge pipe organ, installed about six decades ago. The Virgen de la Guadalupe or Virgin of the Guadalupe, the patron saint of Puerto Rico and Mexico is honored here. This is a must-see during any walking or motor tour of the city of Ponce. Regularly scheduled Catholic services are held here.

Tibes Ceremonial Park

Located in Ponce, the "Bateyes" or ceremonial ballpark of the Taino culture dates back to 700A.D. It has nine ball fields and three plazas. Containing the largest burial ground, 186 human remains dating back to the 4th century have been located. The park offers archaeological and botanical displays. It is a sanctuary of pre-historic trees, native flora, and birds that existed during the Indian culture. The Museum has many interesting artifacts on display. There is a conference room and a documentary on different Indian cultures.

Parque de Bombas

One of the most photographed buildings in all of Puerto Rico, the Parque' Las Bambas is an Arabian-styled red and black striped building located in downtown Ponce. Constructed in 1882 as an industrial and agricultural fair pavilion, the fire house was restored as a museum in 1990 to commemorate the firemen that risked their lives to save the community from the many fires that plagued the city during the 1900s.

Ponce

Ponce, located on the southern coast of Puerto Rico has more historic buildings and plazas than the capital of Old San Juan. With over 1000 buildings, the architecture is mainly 19th-century criollo, which is a blend of rococo and neoclassical. Similar to New Orleans and Mardi Gras, the Carnival in February looks very much like the Big Easy. Parades and masked revelers fill the streets. With lots of local color, cafes and live salsa on the weekends, Ponce is great place to visit for those that want to capture a snapshot of the day-to-day life in an urban center outside of San Juan. Call the Tourism Office for more information.