Ponce, also known as La Perla del Sur (literally, the pearl of South), is the second largest city in Puerto Rico, situated on the Southern coast of the country. This town is a major political and economic center in Puerto Rico and one of the most populated municipalities. With its extensive touristic activities and its beautiful beaches, Ponce is one of the most popular destinations for tourists and cruises who sail in the Caribbean Sea.
The region which is now known as the municipality of Ponce has been inhabited for centuries by indigenous tribes belonging to the pre-Columbian civilization. In the early years of the 16th century, the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León discovered this area and founded the first European settlement. In the following decades, more Spanish groups came to settle here, and the community started to develop. Since then, Ponce continued to grow and nowadays it is the second most prominent city of Puerto Rico.
Tourism plays an important role in the city’s prosperity: hundreds of travelers come to Ponce every year for the city’s rich cultural patrimony and exotic beaches where they can relax, dive, practice snorkeling or book a berth and sail.
The region’s complex relief varies from hills to rocky structures. Parque de la Ceiba is one of the most popular objectives where tourists can see the Ceiba tree, a symbol of the city which is 500 years old and is related to Ponce’s foundation. There are high peaks like Cerro de Punta, Cero Maravilla or Mount Jayuya which offer a great hiking experience, but also plenty sea sights that are worth visiting.
Some of the most popular beaches near Ponce are Caba Gorda Beach, Playita Rosada Beach, Playa de Ponce, located in the city of Ponce, a perfect destination for families and water sports lovers, and La Poza De Las Mujeres Beach. Some of the most beautiful islands in the surroundings are Isla Caja de Muerto Nature Reserve and Guillian Island. Berth booking makes these places quite accessible by boat and MarinaReservation.com provides many options tourist can check online.
Within the city of Ponce there are plenty historical and touristic objectives that delight visitors.The Ponce Historic Zone is a beautiful area with edifices that were built two centuries ago. Plaza Las Delicias, established in 1670, is one of the city’s landmarks, and the Museo de la Música Puertorriqueña is a unique music museum that celebrates the local traditions. The Teatro Fox Delicias is an architectural treasure built in the Art Deco style; the Art Museum is home to numerous masterpieces from different periods and the unique building Parque de Bombas is a symbol of the city.
There is a myriad of accommodation options and local diners and bars offer exquisite dishes. Ponce is a great location with rich culture and natural splendors that will stick to the visitor’s memory.
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