Interesting Facts

Guanica State Forest, located 30 minutes west of Ponce, is a United Nations Biosphere Reserve and is one of the best "dry forests" in the sub-tropical Western Hemisphere. Blanched trees and cacti dot the scrubby landscape and many endangered birds can be spotted here.
The Tibes Indian Ceremonial Park is the oldest cemetery in the Antilles. Some of the dance grounds date from 700 A.D.
Ponce is Puerto Rico's second largest city. Citizens are proud of its nickname "The Pearl of the South."
Parque de Bombas is one of the oldest volunteer firehouses on American soil. This building is the most photographed in Puerto Rico, perhaps due to its unique black- and red-striped paint job.
Ponce's pre-Lenten carnival is the largest and most popular carnival in Puerto Rico. It has been celebrated continuously for the past 145 years.
Guadeloupe is the patron saint of the city of Ponce as well as being the patron saint of Mexico. The Poncenos lovingly refer to her as "Lupita."
Ponce gets its name not from Ponce de Leon, but his great-grandson Loiza Ponce de Leon who was an early civic leader of the city.
Ponce en Marcha or "Ponce on the Move" is the name of the refurbishment movement that has helped restore more than 600 of the city's 1,000 historical buildings.
Ponce's Teatro La Perla is the largest historical theater in the Spanish speaking Caribbean.
Ponce is one of the driest areas in Puerto Rico. The mountains to the city's north block the tropical rains providing the city with almost daily sunshine.