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Puerto Rico’s southern region is also known as Porta Caribe, or Gateway to the Caribbean.
Guayanilla, Ponce, Santa Isabel, Salinas, Guayama, Arroyo, and Patillas comprise the coastal towns of Porta Caribe, offering visitors often-isolated beaches facing the calm waters of the Caribbean and marinas for boating. Further inland, the towns of Yauco, Peñuelas, Villalba, Juana Diaz, Coamo, and Guayama are primarily agricultural communities, many of which retain charming vestiges of colonial life under Spanish rule.
Because of its diverse landscape, Porta Caribe is a natural destination for outdoor recreation. It is also a historical destination featuring cultural richness. The Toro Negro Forest, Coamo Springs, and many protected reserves offer a variety of eco-tourism adventures.
Attractions
Caja de Muertos
Caja de Muertos, or Coffin Island, is one of Ponce’s natural treasures. It’s a pristine environment with crystalline beaches a short ferry ride away from the coast of Ponce. It’s also a great place to hike and kayak. To secure your trip, reserve the ferry or tour in advance.
Town: Ponce
Phone #: (787) 999-2200
Castillo Serrallés
Built in the 1930s, the opulent Serrallés Castle was the home of the rum barons who created Don Q Rum. The mansion is now a museum with authentic furnishings from the era, lovely gardens and, across the street, a second attraction in the Vigía Cross.
Town: Ponce
Phone #: (787) 259-1774
Coamo Springs
These sulfur water springs have been open since the 19th century. The pools are surrounded with beautiful gardens and a small inn.
Town: Coamo
Phone #: (787) 825-6668
Hacienda Buena Vista
This unique 19th century landmark combines history and nature in a single tour. Guided tours will take you to the historic estate of the original owners, to walk through the natural protected areas, and will show you how coffee and other products were harvested and roasted using the latest technology in the 1800s. Hacienda Buena Vista is located north of Ponce. Guided tours are conducted daily, but tours in English are held only at 1:30 from Wednesday to Sunday by appointment.
Town: Ponce
Phone #: (787) 722-5882
La Guancha
A gateway to the Caribbean Sea, the port of La Guancha features a recreational part with an observation tower, a boardwalk, restaurants, food stands, and live music on weekends.
Town: Ponce
Phone #: (787) 284-4141
Luchetti Lake
This scenic mandmade lake features a visitor’s center, 10 gazebos, picnic area, camping grounds, and fishing facilities.
Town: Yauco
Phone #: (787) 856-4887
Museo de Arte de Ponce
Home to the finest collection of European art in the Caribbean, the Ponce Museum of Art boasts 4,500 pieces and includes works by Roy Lichtenstein, Lord Frederic Leighton, Peter Paul Rubens, El Greco and Velázquez, as well as works by Puerto Rico native José Campeche.
Town: Ponce
Phone #: (787) 848-0505 (787) 840-1510
Parque de Bombas Museum
The most whimsical building in Ponce is a red-and-black Moorish fire station located in Plaza Las Delicias. Built in 1882, the striking Parque de Bombas was the city’s primary fire station for over a century. In 1990, it was decommissioned and converted into a museum commemorating the history of Ponce’s firefighters.
Town: Ponce
Phone #: (787) 824-3338
Salinas Olympic City
This 1500-acre park is dedicated exclusively to sports. It hosts top-notch facilities for almost every Olympic sport, a museum of Puerto Rico’s Olympic history, and even a family water park.
Town: Salinas
Phone #: (787) 824-2200
Tibes Ceremonial Center
The original inhabitants of Tibes actually pre-date the native Taíno, who reached Puerto Rico around 1,000 AD. The center includes remains of several ball courts, ceremonial plazas and a museum with artifacts excavated at the site.
Town: Ponce
Phone #: (787) 840-5685 (787) 840-2255
Text from seepuertorico.com