Things to do in Portugués Urbano

Activities, attractions and tours

El Museo Castillo Serralles
El Museo Castillo Serralles
El Vigia Hill
El Vigia Observation Tower
El Museo Castillo Serralles
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Top places to visit

1. La Guancha

Paseo Tablado La Guancha is a boardwalk that hugs the shoreline of Ponce’s dazzling waterfront district, Playa Barrio. Experience life like the Ponceños and revel in the live salsa music, tasty street food and exciting beachside atmosphere. Visit the marina and rent a paddleboat or take advantage of the sweeping sea views from the observation tower.
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La Guancha

2. Hacienda Buena Vista

Sample locally grown coffee and learn about coffee production, both today and in the past at the Hacienda Buena Vista. This traditional coffee farm in southern Puerto Rico is one of the best illustrations of a centuries old industry. When Don Salvador de Vives formed the farm in 1833, he grew fruit. It wasn’t until later in the 1800's that coffee was first planted. The Hacienda Buena Vista hit its stride during the coffee boom of the 1880s. For the next fifty years the farm was considered one of the finest producers of coffee in the world, exporting to the United States, Europe and even the Vatican. Today visitors to the Hacienda will find 87 acres (35 Hectares) of fertile farmland, a series of restored historic buildings and a museum in the Hacienda itself.
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Hacienda Buena Vista featuring street scenes and a house as well as a small group of people

3. Parque de Bombas

This historic firehouse is named for the traditional hand-pumped water units once used on the island. Situated in Ponce’s town center, the Parque de Bombas is hard to miss. Considered by many to be one of the most iconic building in Puerto Rico, the small wooden structure is painted in vibrant reds and blacks, the traditional colors of Ponce. The former fire station houses a museum that unveils the history of southern Puerto Rico, and includes fascinating information about Ponce, the firefighters and the great fire of 1899. A visit to the Parque is a great excursion for history buffs and families with young children, who will enjoy the traditional fire trucks.
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Parque de Bombas featuring street scenes

4. El Museo Castillo Serralles

El Museo Castillo Serrallés is a magnificent mansion that symbolizes the prosperity of Puerto Rico’s rum-distilling industry. Established in the 1930s as the home of one of Ponce’s wealthy magnates, the Castillo Serrallés overlooks the entire city from the El Vigía hilltop. Peruse the exhibits housed within the sumptuous villa and learn about the sugar boom that fueled the immense success of rum distilleries such as Juan Serrallés’ Don Q Rum. Stroll around the symmetrical gardens and appreciate the timeless elegance of the terraces and courtyards.
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El Museo Castillo Serralles

5. El Vigia Hill

El Vigía Hill seems to loom around every corner in the jumble of narrow streets in Ponce’s historic center. Topped with the enormous Cruceta del Vigía and the exquisite mansion Castillo Serrallés, the northern Ponce border of El Vigia Hill is visible from all over the city. Make your way to its summit to find a vantage point that is entwined with Ponce’s colonial heritage.
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El Vigia Hill

6. El Vigia Observation Tower

Look out across the city of Ponce and the Caribbean Sea from El Vigía Observation Tower, a soaring skybridge situated within the extended wings of la Cruceta del Vigía, a Christian cross. Established in 1984 on the site of a former garrison, the observation tower combines stunning views of the modern city with Ponce’s intriguing colonial history. Gaze into the deep blue waters of the Caribbean Sea or admire the pretty lights of the city after dusk. Use this vantage point to take bird’s-eye view photos of Ponce’s landmarks amid the careening streets of the city’s historic center.
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El Vigia Observation Tower

What to do in Portugués Urbano

Popular places to visit

La Guancha

La Guancha

Take a stroll down Ponce’s waterfront boardwalk and experience its lively dining scene, local music, playgrounds, boat rides and views out to Isla Caja de Muertos.

La Guancha
Hacienda Buena Vista featuring street scenes and a house as well as a small group of people

Hacienda Buena Vista

Visit this historic coffee plantation to learn about one of Puerto Rico’s most enduring industries.

Hacienda Buena Vista
Parque de Bombas featuring street scenes

Parque de Bombas

This small, wooden fire station in the heart of Ponce is a historical and architectural monument.

Parque de Bombas
El Museo Castillo Serralles

El Museo Castillo Serralles

Discover an empire built on sugar and rum as you explore the intriguing galleries and luxurious refurbished rooms in this 1930s Spanish Revival mansion.

El Museo Castillo Serralles
Plaza of Delights

Plaza of Delights

Ponce’s plaza of delights is true to its name, with heritage architecture, glinting fountains, tree-lined arcades and the scent of freshly baked pastries in the air.

Plaza of Delights
El Vigia Hill

El Vigia Hill

Climb up Ponce’s highest hill, crowned with an immense concrete cross, to relax in a tranquil garden and see a panorama of the city’s architecturally diverse streetscape.

El Vigia Hill
Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe

The delicately embellished cathedral crowning Ponce’s Plaza Las Delicias is a cherished landmark in the city and has a history stretching back over 300 years.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center

Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center

You can learn about the history of Portugués with a visit to Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center. While in this romantic area, find time to visit its shops.

Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center
El Vigia Observation Tower

El Vigia Observation Tower

Marauding pirates and seafaring merchants were once spied from this hilltop vantage point, which now features a monumental cross with a viewing deck.

El Vigia Observation Tower
La Guancha

Ponce

Frequently asked questions

Is Portugués Urbano worth visiting?
From retail therapy to outdoor activities and history, there are plenty of fun things to do in Portugués Urbano. Remember to discover the area's mix of unmissable attractions, culture and local charm.
How do I spend a day in Portugués Urbano?
After you've checked off leading attractions like El Vigia Observation Tower, spend the rest of your day discovering the shopping and dining scene in Portugués Urbano.
What is the top tourist attraction in Portugués Urbano?
Teatro la Perla is ranked the top tourist attraction near Portugués Urbano, so don't leave without exploring it.
Is three days enough to stay in Portugués Urbano?
You'll have more than enough time to experience Teatro la Perla, Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe and other leading attractions around the area when you plan a three-day stay in Portugués Urbano.
Is Portugués Urbano a walkable neighborhood?
If you love walking, Portugués Urbano is ideal. You can get to top attractions like Teatro la Perla and Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe on foot. At 2 kilometers from the center, the popular neighborhood of Ponce Centro is also close enough for a pleasant stroll. So too is Segundo, roughly 2 kilometers away.
What are some activities to do in Portugués Urbano with kids?
Planning what to do in Portugués Urbano with kids has never been simpler. Whether you're vacationing with teenagers or toddlers, there are many family-friendly tours and activities to keep them entertained here.

What to do in Portugués Urbano for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or fan of nature, there are plenty of things to do in Portugués Urbano for adults including Vicens Coliseum.
Are there free things to do in Portugués Urbano?
Near Portugués Urbano, Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe is an excellent spot for anyone looking to experience this area without reaching for their wallet. Also, wander around local parks and other nearby neighborhoods, and don't hesitate to ask a local tour guide for recommendations. It's a great way to find the most popular free things to do in Portugués Urbano.