Plaza de las Delicias, Ponce /Dean
South April-2004, By:Janeth Valariño
Heading South - A World of Its Own
Ponce, Peñuelas, Guayanilla, Patillas
A journey through the countryside to southern Puerto Rico takes you to where the pace is slower and the climate is drier. The region’s natural beauty, history and culture combine to make southern Puerto Rico a world apart. The coastal towns of Guayanilla, Ponce, Santa Isabel, Salinas, Arroyo and Patillas stretch out along sandy white beaches where you can enjoy waterfront restaurants and stunningly beautiful coastal forests. The interior towns of Yauco, Peñuelas, Juana Díaz, Coamo and Guayama developed as agricultural communities based in large part on coffee and sugar production. Today, the towns’ architecture and museums give you insight into their historic development.
Whenever you mention the south, people think of Ponce, Puerto Rico’s second-largest city. Known as “La Perla del Sur” (Pearl of the South), Ponce is full of gems such as its restored colonial core, which includes the picturesque Plaza de las Delicias. Here stands the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Guadalupe and the Parque de Bombas (a century-old, red and black, wooden firehouse that today serves as a museum).
Just north of Ponce is the Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Tibes. The ceremonial center is considered one of the most significant archeological finds in the West Indies. The ancient site has seven bateyes (ball fields), ceremonial grounds, a pre-Columbian astronomical observatory and a reconstructed Taíno village.
Another gem is the Museo de Arte de Ponce, a world-class museum that houses one of the finest art collections in Latin America. La Cruz del Vigía is a 100-foot-tall observation tower that provides a spectacular view of the city. Nearby is the Museo Castillo Serrallés, a 1920’s Spanish Revival mansion once owned by the affluent rum-producing Serallés family.
A favorite place to be for all Ponceños is the Paseo Tablado La Guancha, a boardwalk on the Caribbean. During April, La Guancha is the setting for the 10th Tourism Fair of Puerto Rico. The cultural and educational fair promotes the wonders of the Island and includes the participation of major hotels and tourist attractions. The event features an impressive artisan’s fair and musical performances by top local artists.
To the west of Ponce is Peñuelas. It is said that its name is derived from the many peñascos (large rocks) found here. Peñuelas is also known as El Valle de los Flamboyanes due to the abundance of flamboyán trees with their fiery red-orange blossoms. The town’s sugarcane era lives on through two notable relics: La Chimenea, ruins of a 1940’s sugar plantation and brick chimney located in the Jaguas Barrio, and Locomotora La Negra Cocola, a historic locomotive used for transport found at the town’s plaza.
In May, Peñuelas celebrates La Fiesta Nacional del Güiro, honoring the tradition of a musical instrument of indigenous origin made from the higüera tree. The hollow banana-shaped instrument is fretted on the surface and stroked with a wire fork to create a rasping sound. The festivities include artisans, musical performances and a güiro competition.
Continuing west along the southern coast is Guayanilla, known as La Villa de los Pescadores (town of the fishermen). Sites of interest include the City Hall and Iglesia Católica Inmaculada Concepción, two historic structures that date back to the mid- 1800’s. In honor of the town’s youth, Guayanilla hosts the Festival de la Juventud in April. The event includes music, activities and food kiosks.
East of Guayanilla and Ponce is the municipality of Patillas, also known as Esmeralda del Sureste (Emerald of the Southeast). Its nickname stems from the town’s beautiful green mountains, while its official name is a result of the area’s abundance of the patilla fruit (watermelon). This agriculture-driven town exports grapes to the U.S. and produces sugarcane and oranges.
Patillas’ location provides for great water fun such as snorkeling, and is host to the challenging Inches surf spot. Also, the Carite Forest Reserve is nearby and boasts the Charco Azul, a natural pool formed by a small river. Back in town, the Parroquia Inmaculado Corazón de María is an interesting site. Initially built in 1845, this church was destroyed by a hurricane and rebuilt in 1930. If you happen to be near Patillas at the end of May, the municipality will host the 4th Carnaval La Esmeralda del Sureste. The event features a colorful parade, music and artisans.
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2007-04 Explore the South, Porta Caribe
2005-08 Ponce, Coamo, Salinas
2005-06 Guayama, Arroyo, Santa Isabel
2005-04 Ponce: Pearl of the South, Patillas, Peñuelas
2005-02 Ponce, Coamo, Yauco
2004-12 Ponce, Juana Díaz, Guayanilla
2004-08 Juana Díaz, Salinas
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