Ponce Carnival, Ponce /Efra
South February-2005, By:Travel and Sports Staff
Experience the Southern Style
Ponce, Coamo, Yauco
The southern experience offers mountains and beaches as well as major cultural and historic attractions. At the shoreline, 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 the old sugar industry. Of course the whole area is anchored by Ponce, the Pearl of the South.
Ponce
"Ponce is Ponce" is a famous saying that involves pride, history and tradition. Named after Juan Ponce de León, the Island’s first governor, the city was founded in 1692 by Ponce de León’s great-grandson. Today Ponce is the second largest city on the Island and a major contributor to the political, social, economic, and cultural development of Puerto Rico. Ponce is known as "La Perla del Sur" (the Pearl of the South) and the "Ciudad Señorial" (the Noble City) because of its beautiful facades, neoclassical architecture and European touch.
Ponce is strategically located in the Cordillera Central foothills, to the west of the Llano Costanero del Sur (South Plain Coast), facing the Caribbean Sea and approximately in the center of the south coast. In its early days, this strategic location acted as a magnet for immigrants. People from England, France, Italy, Germany and Spain came to develop an international city that to this day maintains its rich African heritage. The African personality, beliefs and music add colorful flavor and rhythm to Ponce's culture. Part of this is the "bomba" and "plena" rhythms, a combination of African and Caribbean musical influence.
The historic, beautiful downtown Plaza is a must-see, with lovely fountains and the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Guadalupe. Behind the cathedral is the red and black, century-old wooden firehouse, Parque de Bombas. This unique firehouse is open to the public, with exhibits on the second floor.
Free transportation operating out of the historic plaza includes trolley tours through the historic zone (daily), horse & carriage rides (weekends only) and the Chu-Chu Train with tours to Paseo Tablado La Guancha (the boardwalk across from the Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club).
For an incredible vista of how the mountains meet the sea at Ponce, drive to the summit of El Vigía Hill, where scouts once scanned for attacking ships. Visitors can ascend La Cruz del Vigía, a 100-foot observation tower. Nearby is the Castillo Serrallés, which is a magnificent example of the Spanish revival architecture popular in the 1920’s.
You might also investigate the world-class Museo de Arte de Ponce, with the finest collection of European art in the Caribbean as well as important Puerto Rican works.
Just out of Ponce, the Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Tibes is the site of the oldest cemetery uncovered to date in the Antilles. This ancient Indian site includes seven “bateyes” (ball fields), dance grounds, a pre-Columbian astronomical observatory and a reconstructed Taíno village.
On route 123 from Ponce to Adjuntas is the Hacienda Buena Vista (by reservation only). This coffee plantation was built in 1833 and restored to its original condition by the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico.
Coamo
Founded in 1579, Coamo is well known because of the healthful hot springs discovered in 1571. The legends say that this was the fountain of youth sought by Juan Ponce de León (first Spanish governor of the Island). While in town, stop by the Museo Histórico de Coamo, located in front of the plaza. This museum displays a wide variety of exhibits from archeological artifacts to memorabilia of the composers José Ignacio Quintón and Bobby Capó. For the sports-lovers Coamo offers the Maratón San Blás de Illesca, one of the most important marathons in Puerto Rico.
Yauco
Yauco was the home of Cacique Agüeybaná, a famous Taíno Indian. It was here that the Taíno Indians and the Spaniards signed the Friendship Treaty. Yauco, founded in 1758, is famous for its coffee. Near the Plaza de Recreo Fernando Pacheco you will find historic buildings such as the Iglesia Católica Nuestra Señora del Rosario, City Hall, and the Centro de Arte Alejandro Franceschi museum. In the Refugio de Vida Silvestre at the Lago Luchetti there is bird-watching, camping and fishing.
| Latest Island-Wide Feature Articles:
Attractions & Sights Kid's Stuff
Beaches Destination Beach
Business Center AAAction - Making Movies in Paradise
Casinos Blackjack 101
Diving & Snorkeling Down Under
Events Gallery Nights in Old San Juan
Fishing Fishing in Paradise
Forests Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata) Recovery Program
Golf Legendary Courses
Information Masthead
Nature/Adventure Nature Adventure Caribbean Style
Restaurants & Clubs Kiosk Cooking
Sailing & Watersports Sailing, Snorkeling and Kayaking
Shopping The Coffee Craze
Spas Spa-tacular
South Article Archive
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
2004-06 Santa Isabel, Guayama, Ponce
2004-04 Ponce, Peñuelas, Guayanilla, Patillas
2004-02 Ponce, Arroyo, Guayama, Coamo, Yauco
All Archives
 SOUTH - Sponsors & Marketplace
Accommodations
Ponce
Hotel Bélgica 787-844-3255
Car Rental
Ponce
First Truck & Car - Ponce 787-257-8452
Diving & Snorkeling
Ponce
Aquatica Dive, Bike & Surf Adventures 787-890-6071
Nature/Adventure
Adjuntas
Acampa Nature Adventure 787-706-0695
Jayuya
Acampa Nature Adventure 787-706-0695
Juana Díaz
Acampa Nature Adventure 787-706-0695
Ponce
Acampa Nature Adventure 787-706-0695
Villalba
Acampa Nature Adventure 787-706-0695
Yauco
Acampa Nature Adventure 787-706-0695
Sailing & Watersports
Ponce
Castillo Tours & Watersports 787-791-6195
Sightseeing
Ponce
Castillo Tours & Travel Services 787-791-6195
|
About/Advertise/Contact Us
Copyright 2008-1986 Travel and Sports, Inc.
puertoricoguest.com
