Ponce
The most populated city outside San Juan and an important trading and distribution location, Ponce is definitely "La Perla del Sur," full of history and culture. Many intellectuals have risen from this special town, such as Juan Morel Campos and Pedro Abizu Campos. Ponce is also the city of music. In the beginning of the great Puerto Rican migration to the United States, many Ponceño musicians traveled to New York for a chance to live their dream, one being Hector Perez aka Hector Lavoe.
Places to Sleep
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Like I have mentioned before, it is extremely difficult to find cheap accommodation in Puerto Rico, especially in the South. This is my attempt to find the best places.
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Hotel Meliá: Located in the heart of Ponce, overlooking Plaza Las Delicias and the Firehouse Museum, Melia offers a great location, swimming pool and history dating back to 1895. Hotel Melia is the oldest standing hotel in all of Puerto Rico. Starting at $110/night for 2 people, continental breakfast included
Plaza Degetau y Calle Cristina
Email: melia@coqui.net
Tel: 787-842-0260
Website
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Ramada Ponce: Ramada, a Spanish word for "a shaded resting place," is an old-style, cute boutique hotel that is located right across from Parque de Bombas. The beautiful yellow exterior gives Historic Ponce a vibrant, warm feeling. Oh, the rooms are great too! The hotel offers special packages. Prices start at $67/night for two.
​Reina Street, Historic Ponce
Email: info@ramadaponce.com
Tel: 787-813-5050
Website
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Hotel Bélgica: Air-conditioned and traditional Spanish balcony in the middle of historic Ponce starting at $75/night for 2 people!
​122 Calle Villa
Email: hotelbelgica@yahoo.com
Tel: 787- 844-3255
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Howard Johnson Hotel Ponce: A very typical American hotel chain, but at $109 a night, fitting up to 4 people in a room, it could be the one of the more affordable stays in Ponce. The hotel has a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, pool bar and exercise room. They also offer honeymoon and family packages!
103 Turpo Industrial Park
Route #1, Km. 123.5
Tel: 787-841-1000

Things to do
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Take the trolley: Because the historical sites in Ponce can be somewhat spread out, take the trolley next to Plaza Las Delicias to give you an idea where they're located and to just let someone drive you around. You have the choice to take a 1-hr tour that make no stops for $2 or a 2-hr tour for $5 that make three stops.
1) Museo Francisco "Pancho" Coimbre - boxing museum
2) Shopping area - Plaza Juan Ponce de León
3) Old cemetery - Panteón Nacional Román Baldorioty de Castro

The trolley also passes the Ponce Museum of Art (which is a must to see, especially the museum's shop full of very artistic pieces). You can hop off to go inside the museum and then catch the next trolley.
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Eat at Utopia and shop around: T​his huge shop has everything you can possibly buy that is "Puerto Rican." The back of the shop held some hidden treasures. I found a corner full of Che Guevara and Bob Marley mini-leather notebooks! In the front, there is a café that make delicious wraps, sandwiches and coffee.
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Visit all the sites in Historico Ponce: Just like in Santo Domingo and El Viejo San Juan, Ponce has many historical sites you can visit. They are mostly museums that offer free or inexpensive admission. Note: Most museums are closed Mondays.
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Visit La Isla Caja de Muertos: The intensely beautiful small island, 8 miles south of Ponce, is the perfect day-trip. There is a cave, serene beaches, hiking trails and a lighthouse.​ The ferry departs from La Guancha Marina at 8:30am and leaves the island at 3:30pm. Make sure to take everything that you would need for a day because there are no stores on the island. $19 + tax per person, for info: 787-842-8546
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Café Café Cocina Criolla Espresso Bar: There are so many little gems in Ponce. (Well, Ponce is a gem itself.) Café Café is one of them. Come here for the delicious desayuno (breakfast) which they serve everyday from 8am-10:30am and lunch daily from 11am-2:45pm. 2638 Calle Aurora
Nightlife
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Bembele Art Lounge: ​A local bar whose concept is all about supporting local artists. An art gallery and a lounge bar combined has a touch of urban chic. ​124 Calle Villa
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Drinks at La Bodeguita: Grab a few drinks and mingle with the young socialites of Ponce. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays would be best. ​63 Calle Cristina
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La Guancha Boardwalk: An area filled with local eateries overlooking the Caribbean Sea. This is the perfect place to meet Ponceños. There is also a lighthouse and a public beach. Live salsa music performances usually take place here. DO NOT go to the restaurant in the center. Always go to the food stall where English is not spoken, because usually that is where the best local food is made. It's best to go any day of the week except Monday and Tuesday. You can get there by train or car. Route 52 to Route 14
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Evening at Teatro La Perla: One of the most active theaters in Latin America and the first art institution in Ponce dating back to 1864, La Perla always has something going on from live music performances to plays. ​Calle Mayor and Calle Cristina, 787-843-4080
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Kenepas Cafe Bar: Right in the middle of the old town, this simple oasis has a serene atmosphere where you can grab a cheap beer and sing and dance along to old school salsa blasting from the jukebox. Edificio Cafe Plaza, Ponce Mercedita​
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Las Tias: Have you ever been to a place just for the experience and how it makes you feel? Well, if you are looking for an EXPERIENCE, go to Las Tias for an evening or two for the bookcases full of books on wine and food, for the passionate way they make their food and for the delectable wine. ​46 Calle Isabel
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El Turpial Boricua: Yet again, another gem of Ponce. Experience the fine dining side of the town with its wonderful Latin American cuisine and top-notch service. Wear your best outfit and spend an evening being catered to. ​318 José de Diego, Int. Carr. 14 in Coto Laurel
NOTE: Dulce Fruta Bistro & Café is no longer open.