Things to see and do Ponce

With its red and black striped façade, the building, built in 1882, is a must-see. To tell the truth, there is not much to see, but over the years it has become a symbol of the city because of its unusual appearance. The structure was built for an agricultural fair, before being preserved and becoming the headquarters of the city's fire department. The firehouse remained active until 1990. Since then, it has been transformed into a museum where old firefighting vehicles are displayed. Volunteer guides are available.

If you are really disappointed by the lack of beaches in Ponce, you should go to the Caja de Muertos island, a small piece of land of 1.45 km², bordered by beautiful beaches and turquoise water. It is officially a nature reserve; turtles come here to breed. History lovers will certainly find the visit of the lighthouse interesting. Still in use, it dates from 1887 and dominates the island from its highest hill. East Island Excursions (www.eastislandpr.com) can arrange a snorkeling trip on the island.

This small park bordered by a river east of the city centre is worth a visit to the Ceiba, a tree of at least 600 years old, also known as kapokier or cotton. For specialists, it is a tree species of the family Bombacaceae. Popular stories tell us that this is the tree around which the first families of Spanish settlers have settled.