👉 Jump to:Best Places to Stay in Ponce | Neighborhoods & Areas | Tips | FAQ
Deciding where to stay in Ponce isn’t an easy task without a local’s insight.
You already know Ponce is one of the best places to stay in Puerto Rico, and that there are so many fun things to do in Ponce.
But which area of Ponce is the best? Which Ponce hotels have beach access?
As a Puerto Rico local who loves visiting Ponce, I’ll tell you all about where to stay.
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Table of Contents
Best Places to Stay in Ponce
Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Ponce? Here are my top picks:
- 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
- ✨ Best Luxury Hotel – Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
- 👪 Best for Families – Aloft Ponce
- 👔 Best for Business – Aloft Ponce
- 🛎️ Best Boutique – Boutique Hotel Belgica
- 🏙️ Best Near Downtown – Aloft Ponce
- 💵 Best Budget – The Fox Hotel
- 🏖️ Best by Beach – Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
Ok, let’s do a deep dive into the best areas and neighborhoods in Ponce:
3 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Ponce
Ponce is located in the south of Puerto Rico with a beach and a mountainous side. There are a lot of things to do in Ponce distributed between 31 neighborhoods. And to enjoy the best of them, below are the 3 best neighborhoods you should stay at.
Barrio Playa
👉 Best Area For Easy Beach Access | ✨ Best Barrio Playa Hotels: Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
Barrio Playa is a great area to stay in Ponce for families and beach lovers. It’s home to La Guancha, a beachfront area where foodies can enjoy the top Puerto Rico dishes. It also houses the Hilton Ponce Golf and Casino Resort, which has easy beach access and it’s a short ride from the Ponce Airport.
Pros of Staying in Playa Neighborhood:
- Oceanfront location
- Lots of food options in La Guancha
- Close to a golf course
Con of Staying in Playa Neighborhood:
- The area is not entirely walkable
- You’ll need a rental car
- Farther from downtown attractions
📚 Playa Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Easy Beach Access
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Playa
🍽️ Where to Eat – Bahias Restaurant ($$), La Boya Ponce ($$), Viktor Pollo ($)
🍸 Where to Drink – La Huida Barra y Picadera, El chicharron de Chiva
🎟️ Top Attractions – La Guancha, El Tuque Beach, Caja de Muertos
Barrio Segundo
👉 Best Area For Walking | ✨ Best Barrio Segundo Hotels: Boutique Hotel Belgica • Ponce Plaza Hotel and Casino • Aloft Ponce
Barrio Segundo is located right at Ponce’s city center and it’s ideal for vacationers that rather stay in a walkable area. You’ll have nearby landmarks like Parque de Bombas, and several restaurants, and bars.
You’ll also find some of the popular Ponce hotels including the Meliá Century Hotel Ponce,The Fox Hotel, and the Ponce Plaza Hotel and Casino.
Pros of Staying in Segundo Neighborhood:
- Walkable area in central Ponce
- Popular hotels and accommodations
- Restaurants and bars
- Close to famous landmarks
Con of Staying in Segundo Neighborhood:
- Farther from the beach
- More crowded than other neighborhoods
📚 Barrio Segundo Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Walking
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Hotel Belgica • Ponce Plaza Hotel and Casino • Aloft Ponce
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Barrio Segundo
🍽️ Where to Eat – El Rastro ($$), Panadería y Repostería La Comercio ($), La Potoroca ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Liches Places, Asturias Lounge Bar
🎟️ Top Attractions – Parque de Bombas, Nuestra Señora de la Guadalupe Cathedral, Plaza Las Delicias
Barrio Canas
👉 Best Area For Road Tripping | ✨ Best Barrio Canas Hotels: Holiday Inn Ponce & Tropical Casino, an IHG Hotel
Ponce is a central city on the south coast of Puerto Rico, and if you’re eager to road trip around, staying in Barrio Canas is ideal. Barrios Canas is bordering with the town of Peñuelas, where you can enjoy waterfalls, and one of the top Puerto Rico caves.
You’ll also find the Holiday Inn Ponce & Tropical Casino, an IHG Hotel in Canas, a favorite to stay in Ponce.
Pros of Staying in Canas Neighborhood:
- Remote uncrowded area
- Close to the beach
- Easy to explore other cities
Con of Staying in Canas Neighborhood:
- Farther from downtown
- Not many restaurant options
📚 Barrio Canas Mini Guide 📚
Best Area to Stay for Road Tripping
Google Map
✨ Best Hotels – Holiday Inn Ponce & Tropical Casino, an IHG Hotel
🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Canas
🍽️ Where to Eat – La Monserrate Sea Port ($$), Sun Borincano ($$), Santorini Ocean Lounge Restaurant ($$)
🍸 Where to Drink – Club de Pesca, La Monserrate Sea Port
🎟️ Top Attractions – Reserva Natural Punta Cucharas, La Guancha, Museo Castillo Serralles
Tips for Staying in Ponce
Rent a Car
Although the city center is walkable, you’ll need a rental car if you want to explore Ponce and the nearby cities, so it’s best to rent a car.
Use Discover Cars to find the best deals in the area.
Visit During the Low Season
If you’re doing Puerto Rico on a budget, visit during the Fall and Spring seasons when the average nightly price for hotels in Ponce drops.
You will enjoy amenities like a golf course, free wifi, an outdoor pool, and free parking for less than the average price.
Explore the Mountains
Ponce has a beautiful mountainous side with many sites like Hacienda Buena Vista, Centro Ceremonial Indigena de Tibes, and Cerillos Lake.
From Ponce mountains, you can also connect to other Puerto Rico towns like Jayuya and Utuado.
Choose the Right Hotel
There is a great variety of Ponce hotels to choose from for your stay, including some of the top hotels in Puerto Rico.
The Aloft Ponce,Caribe Hotel Ponce,Hilton Ponce Golf Casino Resort, and the Ponce Plaza Hotel & Casino are among the top-rated hotels in the city.
If you’re not renting a car, or you just want to stay by the beach, make sure to pick the right hotel to improve your vacation experience.
Check Out the Local Festivals
If you’re staying in Ponce make sure to check the local festivals in the city to enjoy the best of Puerto Rico’s culture. Ponce is home to one of the largest Puerto Rico festivals, the Ponce Carnival.
FAQs About Where to Stay in Ponce
Is it worth staying in Ponce Puerto Rico?
Staying in Ponce is worth it for travelers that are interested in exploring the south coast of Puerto Rico. Ponce boasts some of Puerto Rico’s top attractions including Parque de Bombas and La Guancha. It’s also budget-friendly, has a walkable downtown, and it’s uncrowded.
Is it better to stay in Ponce or San Juan?
Overall, it’s best to stay in San Juan when visiting Puerto Rico. San Juan has multiple transportation options, many things to do, and it’s close to the main Puerto Rico airport. But, passengers looking for cheap hotels, a slower-paced vacation, and uncrowded places should stay in Ponce instead. For a more detailed comparison, see our guide to San Juan vs Ponce.
What is Ponce PR known for?
Ponce is known for having famous Puerto Rico landmarks such as Parque de Bombas, Cruceta del Vigia, Museo Serralles, and La Guancha. It’s also a famous destination because it has a historical downtown like Old San Juan.
Are the beaches nice in Ponce Puerto Rico?
The beaches in Ponce are nice for swimming, walking, and snorkeling in the Caribbean sea waters. Ponce boasts one of the top beaches in Puerto Rico, Pelicano Beach in Caja de Muerto. La Guancha Beach has facilities so visitors in wheelchairs can reach the water.
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Now you know where to stay in Ponce! Next up, check out my guide to the best Ponce restaurants.
