Ponce

Getting Here and Around

The fastest route through the region is the Luis A. Ferré Expressway (Route 52), a toll road that runs from San Juan to Ponce, crossing the island's central mountain range. The trip from Condado or Old San Juan takes about 1½ hours. Route 2, also a toll road, connects to San German, Mayagüez, and the western part of the island.

Ponce offers a light tour to its major attractions on its "chu chu" train and trolleys for $2. They run daily from 9:00 am to about 5:00 pm and leave from Plaza de las Delicias. On Sunday, Guayama has a free trolley that runs to many sights. A trolley tour of San Germán is available by appointment. On weekends there are free horse-and-carriage rides around the plaza, or you could just walk. All the downtown sites are within a few blocks of the main square.

Car rental is typical for most visitors to Ponce and makes exploring the surrounding region considerably easier. Most hotels have parking lots, while metered parking is easy to come by in the center.

Car Rental

Avis (Aeropuerto Mercedita, Rte. 506, off Rte. 52, Ponce, 00716. 787/842-6154. www.avis.com.)

Budget (Aeropuerto Mercedita, Rte. 506, off Rte. 52, Ponce, 00716. 787/848-0907. www.budget.com.)

Dollar (Calle Marginal Solar 4, Km 263.2, Ponce, 00730. 787/843-6940. www.dollar.com.)

Enterprise. 1141 Av. Hostos, Ponce Centro, Ponce, 00717. 787/812-3722.

Taxi and Trolley

Borinquen Taxi. 787/843-6000.

Ponce Trolley and Chu Chu Tren. Plaza de las Delicias, Ponce Centro, Ponce, 00730. 787/284-3338.