View of Plaza Las Delicias from the Ponce Plaza Hotel & Casino.
South
Immerse yourself in the colorful architecture, historic art, and stunning natural beauty of this hub of culture and history.
Puerto Rico's southern region is comprised of 11 towns that offer visitors remote beaches nestled up to the calm waters of the Caribbean and marinas for boating excursions. This area is a natural destination for outdoor recreation such as water sports and sightseeing.
REGION FACTS:
Fly directly to Puerto Rico’s southern coast via Aeropuerto Internacional Mercedita in Ponce, the only airport in the region.
Driving distance from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU): 1.5–2 hours
Driving distance from Rafael Hernández International Airport (BQN): 2.5–3 hours
Explore the South Region
The colorful architecture of Ponce, located on the south side of the Island.
Nicknamed the “Pearl of the South,” Ponce is known for its historical and cultural riches.
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Colonial buildings in Coamo.
Puerto Rico’s third-oldest town is known as the "City of Thermal Waters" — and is also home to the San Blas Half Marathon.
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Puerto Rico is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise.
Eat traditional Puerto Rican food in Salinas, a town with authentic criollo cuisine, rock climbing, and the Albergue Olímpico.
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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!
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.
More Places to Explore
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Arroyo is picturesque and full of history and adventure
Arroyo
Beaches, museums, hiking trails, and surf spots make this the perfect family-friendly destination.
Guayama
Guayama offers an intricate mix of culture, nature, and gastronomy.
From waterfalls to the Caribbean Sea, natural beauty abounds in Guayanilla.
Guayanilla
A piece of paradise adorned with beautiful coasts and luscious mountains.
A statue commemorating the Three Kings in Juana Díaz.
Juana Díaz
Join Puerto Rico's largest Three Kings Day celebration, or explore caves and waterfalls year-round.
The journey to Charco Azul is as stunning as the destination.
Patillas
Journey to the place where the mountains and coast meet.
Peñuelas is home to a historic train that once transported sugarcane.
Peñuelas
“The Valley of the Flamboyant Trees" offers waterfalls, history, and more.
Stroll along El Malecón and enjoy excellent seafood restaurants, bars and photo opps.
Santa Isabel
Santa Isabel, known as “The Land of Champions,” offers an abundance of natural beauty and baseball.
Gorgeous mountain view from Miradero Villalba-Orocovis.
Villalba
In Villalba, enjoy epic views amid Puerto Rico’s Central Mountains.
No passport needed for U.S. travelers
Since Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, American citizens and permanent residents don't need a passport to travel to the Island. However, they must always travel with a valid form of identification, such as a REAL ID driver's license.
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