Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Tibes /Frazier Nivens
South August-2005, By:Travel and Sports Staff
Experience the South
Ponce, Coamo, Salinas
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.
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). (Photo: Parque de Bombas /Frazier Nivens.)
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 Illescas, one of the most important marathons in Puerto Rico. (Photo: Baños de Coamo /Frazier Nivens.)
Salinas
 Hometown of the "Mojo Isleño" (a sauce prepared with spices, onions and tomatoes used with fish, seafood and fried plantains), Salinas is a great place to try the local fritters. There are a variety of small kiosks and restaurants along the coast or on Rt 701.
If you like fast cars, come see the races at the Puerto Rico International Speedway, one of the 25 best racetracks in North America. At the Albergue Olímpico Germán Rieckehoff Sampayo, you can visit the major sports training facility on the Island.
The “poblado” Aguirre, which is part of Salinas, is home to Central Aguirre, one of the most important sugarcane plantations on the Island (from 1899-1970). Aguirre also offers the Marine Estuary Reserve of Bahía de Jobos. The Reserve, sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), consists of 15 beautiful keys known as the Caribe Keys, and it serves as a research center and recreational area. There is also a visitors center and a museum. (Photo: Mojo Isleño Festival /Efra.)
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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
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