Porta Caribe Main Attractions

Best known as the “Pearl of the South,” Ponce (founded in 1692) is a major cosmopolitan and cultural hub in Puerto Rico. This architecturally rich city houses several museums worth exploring. The Museo de Arte de Ponce has one of the most comprehensive and impressive collections of European art on the island. In fact, the museum holds over 3,000 important works by Velazquez, Rubens and other major European artists. Nearby, the Museo de la Música Puertorriqueña strives to educate visitors on all aspects of the history, culture and influence of Puerto Rican music around the world. Finally, a historical tour of Ponce could not be complete without a visit to the city’s dazzling main plaza, where fountains and an architecturally designed landscape flank the historic Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Church.

Beyond Ponce, a quick trip can be made to Hacienda Buena Vista, a coffee plantation built in 1833 where visitors can explore the history of the coffee industry in Puerto Rico. Right outside Ponce the Serrallés Castle, a mansion built in 1930 for Ponce’s wealthiest family, the Serrallés, owners of the Don Q rum distillery, is another museum worth exploring. Visitors take a step back in time as they stroll through the museum, which is filled with furnishings and antiques from long gone eras.

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