Great Ponce Itineraries

If You Have 1 Day

Many residents of San Juan think nothing of a day trip to Ponce. If you head south on Route 52, you'll be there in less than two hours. There's plenty to do here, including a tour of the Museo de Arte de Ponce, one of the island's top art collections. The best way to spend an hour or two is to stroll around the lovely Plaza de las Delicias. Make sure to dine in one of the area’s outstanding restaurants and have ice cream at King's Cream, which features tropical flavors.

If You Have 3 Days

From San Juan, head south on Route 52 until you reach Ponce, the "Pearl of the South." Spend the afternoon strolling around the Plaza de las Delicias, peeking into the beautiful Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and the striking Parque de Bombas. On the following day, visit some of the other attractions in and around the city, perhaps the Museo de Arte de Ponce, the Castillo Serrallés, or Hacienda Buena Vista. Dedicate your final day to Guánica, where you'll find wonderful beaches and deserted cays; spend the night here before heading back to San Juan. If you are in the mood for hiking, check out Bosque Estatal de Guánica, a dry forest.

If You Have 5 Days

Make a leisurely trip south from San Juan on Route 52, stopping for a half or full day at Albergue Olímpico, a massive sports complex that features, among other installations, two family-friendly water parks and Puerto Rico's Olympic Museum. Spend the night in Coamo, a town whose hot springs were thought by some to be Ponce de León's Fountain of Youth. Soak in them, and feel the years melt away before continuing on your second day to Ponce for two days of exploring. Travel west along the coast and settle at a waterfront hotel in Guánica. In the evening, take a boat trip to the bioluminescent bay in La Parguera. On your last day, explore the beautifully preserved colonial city of San Germán; don't miss the lovely colonial-era chapel known as the Capilla de Porta Coeli.