What to do and see in Ponce, Puerto Rico: The Best Things to do Good for Kids

A fifteen minute boat ride will take you to one of the most pristine beaches of the Caribbean. Located on an uninhabited island off the southern coast of Puerto Rico you will find the perfect spot for snorkeling, sunbathing, hiking or spending the day with friends and family in beautiful surroundings. The small island has a lighthouse and a coral reef in crystal clear waters.

We offer cultural tours and experiences in Ponce and the south of Puerto Rico. “Ponce es Ponce” (Ponce is Ponce) is one of the most famous sayings about the city of Ponce, and no doubt the frase is well deserved thanks to Ponce history, culture and contributions to Puerto Rico. Gain a uniquely ponceño point of view and fall in love with our city’s vibrant culture and history with our cultural tours. We offer walking city tours, music tours, coffee tours, and art tours, as well as customized tours. Give us a call, book online or message us to reserve. Tours offered in English and/or Spanish, and can last from 2-4hours. Bring comfortable clothing, sunscreen and lots of energies, we will make sure you fall in love with Ponce!

This loudly-colored building in black, red, green and yellow, was built for a volunteer fire-fighter's brigade.

This elegant 17th-century cathedral rises majestically in the midst of Ponce.

Isla Caja de Muertos is an island located 8 miles off the coast, south of Ponce. It is a small island, just about 1.5 miles long and about a half-mile wide at its widest point. It is a nature reserve, with beautiful beaches, hiking trails, a light house and a cave. Enjoy a day in paradaise! Island Venture takes you to Caja de Muertos island aboard a comfortable ship equipped with refreshments and other amenities that will be available throughout your whole trip and stay.

Come up to the mountains and follow the trail to the waterfall that gave Hacienda Buena Vista its name. What used to be an important coffee plantation was also the scenario of a unique relationship between land, water and slavery. Today, at the heart of the former hacienda is a carefully restored historical site containing structures more than a century old and a hydraulic turbine that's the only one of its kind. Completely refurbished, the turbine is still powered by the water of Río Canas and serves as the main engine for other machines of the time. Spaces are limited, please reserve in advance online or by phone. More dates are available for groups by request.

Ponce's main square has enough to keep you busy, from historical sites to boutiques.

Cruceta del Vigia is a 100 feet tall cross located atop Vigia Hill in Ponce, across from Museo Castillo Serralles. It houses a tourist center at its base, a ten-story vertical tower, and a horizontal sky bridge that has panoramic views of the city and the Caribbean Sea. Visitors can reach the skybridge via glass elevators or a staircase. Made of reinforced concrete, the cross has withstood various natural disasters. The arms of the cross measure 70 feet. It was inaugurated in 1984. Owned by the Town of Ponce and is currently operated by the "Patronato de Ponce", a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and administrating several of the city's landmarks.

La Guancha is one of the hottest hang out spots in Ponce, literally, it's right next to the beach. Take a trip to this boardwalk facing the Caribbean Sea to find an array of fun things to do. Start by having a meal at some of the kiosks turned restaurants, and then have a drink at one of the bars. You can also buy some seeds and feed the birds, fish, and pelicans that are always around the boardwalk grounds. Finish the visit by going up the Guancha Lighthouse and enjoying the view.

Ponce is home to The Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center, an ancient Taino village. It was initially discovered by a charcoal maker from the area, when a large flood in 1975 uncovered the buried remains--which were later shown to be a group of ceremonial plazas and ball fields. Some researchers suggest that, because of their placements, the plazas might have also been used as astral observatories. The largest indigenous cemetery, containing 186 skeletons, was also found. This site is considered to be one of the most important historical and archeological sites in the Antilles.