The only hotel in Ponce with beach is the Ponce Hilton, and some times the water gets quite rough. This hotel is very beautifull. Ponce is the 2nd largest city in PR with lots of history and museums.

If the beach is really important in this trip, you can consider the nearby town of Guanica, with the Copamarina hotel and also Mary Lee by the Sea, a small place right at the beach. Ponce is about 20 minutes from Guanica.

http://www.maryleesbythesea.com/

http://www.copamarina.com/

It's very important that you have a car, since you can't rely on public transportation outside the Metro Area. PR is pretty safe for a solo traveler, just use common sense.

If I may suggest, go to Barnes & Nobles and buy Lonely Planet's Puerto Rico guide.

It's truly full of information. Great guide. You wont regret it.

It will tell you where to stay, what to do, places to see, etc. in Ponce, such as La Cruzeta/El Vigía, Castillo Serralés, the Fire Station, (visit the ice cream shop accross the street), the Cathedral, and if you get the chance, go to La Guancha for a nice stroll esp. on weekend afternoons.

Though it is Puerto Rico's 2nd largest city, it is quite laid back...and warm. It has a "big town" feel to it, but it's not that big a city.

Maybe an hour west is Guanica with quite a quiet, undeveloped beaches, but you'll need a car to get there. (There's a couple of hotels to stay there, one of them called Copamarina).

Hope you enjoy it!

Harold

Contact Cabanas El Rucio Visit www.cabanaselrucio.com

This place is located in Penuelas, PR, fifteen minutes away from downtown Ponce. Yo may swim there in the Tallaboa River which surrounds the property.

Armando Pacheco

I would recommend Hacienda Buena Vista ~ it's a restored coffee plantation, and you just need to make a reservation to get in, but the cost is only $7 for the tour. I would NOT recommend Castillo Serrales ~ it is a tourist trip and not worth the high admission price.

The Copamarina is wonderful.