South Region of Puerto Rico: Things To Do, Hotels & Dining

The vibrant Ponce cruise port: your first step to exploring Puerto Rico’s "Pearl of the South."

Ponce Port

This southern town is home to the Port of Ponce. With eight active piers, the Port of Ponce welcomes major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean—including the Icon of the Seas, Marella Discovery, and Utopia of the Seas—as well as ships from Regent, Holland America, and Silverseas. Best of all, it’s just a quick ten-minute ride from Ponce’s charming historic downtown—making it easy to step off your ship and straight into the heart of the city.

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Parque de Bombas, a former fire station, is one of Ponce's most iconic sights.

Things to Do

The South region offers notable historical and cultural attractions. In Ponce, you can visit museums like Museo de Arte de Ponce and Castillo Serrallés, and see colorful landmarks of colonial and European architecture, including el Parque de Bombas and la Cruceta del Vigía.

To cool off from the southern heat, visit Ponce’s famous Pelícano Beach, located on the small island of Caja de Muertos, which is a beautiful nature reserve a short boat trip from the city. Another point of interest in the southern region is the Hot Springs of Coamo. Legend has it that the hot springs are the fountain of youth that Juan Ponce de León, the first governor of the island, searched for during his exploration of the New World. Experience its rejuvenating powers for yourself!

A couple enjoys their cocktails at a restaurant in Ponce. — Lola Eclectic Cuisine offers excellent service and a menu that will suit everyone from carnivores to vegans.

Where to Eat

The southern region is well distinguished by its fresh seafood restaurants and mesones gastronómicos like El Roble in Salinas. The mesones are iconic restaurants outside the metropolitan area that offer specialties of local cuisine as well as other Caribbean and international dishes. These gastronomic destinations can be found around piers and fishing villages in the towns of Ponce, Arroyo, and Salinas.

Find restaurants in the south