Ponce

Known as “Museum City,” Ponce is home to the candy-pink Museum of Architecture—a Spanish colonial revival mansion that houses a museum delving into the island’s sugar and rum industries—and the highly recommended Ponce Museum of Art, as well as the lemon-yellow Teatro La Perla. Once a fire station, the Parque de Bombas is now a museum dedicated to the history of fire fighting, and is painted with scarlet and black stripes, the predominant colors of the city’s coat of arms and flag. Guided historical tours of the city from San Juan are available.

• Climb La Cruz del Vigia (an observation tower) to catch views of the surrounding mountains and the Caribbean Sea.
• Try Mallorca bread, a fluffy egg roll that can be topped with powdered sugar or stuffed with ham, egg, and cheese.
• Stroll down La Guancha boardwalk to take in the local culture and listen to live music.

Ponce is on Puerto Rico’s southern coast, over 1 hour by car from San Juan. Many of the city’s sights are in the compact Old Town, centered around Plaza Las Delicias, making it easy to explore on foot. Round-trip transportation from San Juan is typically included with guided tours.

A special time to visit Ponce is during Carnival—which coincides with New Orleans' Mardi Gras and Rio de Janeiro's Carnival—an annual 1-week celebration that ends the day before Ash Wednesday. It’s typically held in February or March, and features floats, music, and elaborate costumes, similar to the other Carnival festivities.

Back in San Juan, visit La Calle Loiza in the revitalized neighborhood of Santurce to see another side of Puerto Rican culture, and to taste emerging local cuisine. Considered the “hipster” neighborhood of San Juan, this area boasts boutiques, street art, and plenty of restaurants serving new and traditional eats. It’s located between Condado and Isla Verde.

Ponce is known as Puerto Rico’s cultural capital. Despite being the island’s second-largest city after San Juan, Ponce has a laid-back, small-town feel and is renowned for its architecture. Highlights include the 17th-century square Plaza Las Delicias, famous for its red-and-black Parque de Bombas fire station, and the colorful Cathedral Our Lady of Guadeloupe.

On top of its historical landmarks, Ponce boasts an abundance of museums and cultural institutions. Check out the Museo de Arte de Ponce (MAP), lauded for its Puerto Rican folk art collection, and the Spanish Revival mansion Castillo Serrallés Museum, which houses a permanent exhibit on the history of rum-making on the island.

That depends. Ideally, you should spend time in both. But if you plan on renting a car and are looking for a base, most travelers recommend San Juan over Ponce because of its proximity to other attractions. Ponce is perfect for art and Art Deco architecture aficionados intent on slowing down. Note that there is virtually no nightlife.

Ponce is considered very safe for tourists, including solo female travelers—although you’ll want to avoid venturing out alone at night. Ponce locals tend to be friendly and proud of their beautiful city. As in any metropolitan area, pickpocketing and petty theft can be a nuisance, so keep an eye on valuables.

Yes, Playa Ponce is free and open to the public. Top beaches for swimming include El Tuque, which has calm waves and is considered a favorite among families with children, and Caja De Muertos, which can only be reached by kayak or boat. La Guancha boardwalk is best for grabbing food or enjoying a stroll.

Don’t leave Ponce without trying a few Puerto Rican staples, including mofongo, a popular side dish made from fried plantains and crispy pork skin, and local catches like creole-style lobster and red snapper. Rum is an institution around here, so grab a Don Q or indulge in a fruit daiquiri.

Car is king in Puerto Rico, and Ponce is no exception. You’ll find virtually no public transportation options besides the público station or collective minibusses. They’re tricky to navigate, and Spanish is a must. While downtown Ponce is walkable, you’ll probably want to rent a car to go further afield.