Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(78ReinaIsabel; 7:30am-6pmMon-Sat,from11amSun)
Selling colorful
vejigantes
(Puerto Rican masks),
santos
(small carved figurines representing saints) souvenirs and
Puerto Rican trinkets, Utopia is the nicest souvenir shop on the square. The bonus? The
little bar up front will sell six-packs of beer to go, the only such place on the plaza.
Nueva Plaza del Mercado
MARKET
(between Mayor & Estrella; 6am-6pm Mon-Sat)
Winding through crowds of shop-
pers on Paseo Atocha will lead you to the city's most exciting indoor market, four blocks
north of the plaza. The selection of produce - freshly hacked off the vine - is marvelous,
and can be complemented by less healthful options such as cheapie sweets and fried snacks,
as well as lottery tickets. Just up the block, the slightly more crowded
Mercade Juan
PoncedeLeón
has stalls hocking pan-religious voodoo charms and salsa tunes on vintage
vinyl platters, reconditioned boots and hand-rolled cigars.
Information
Internet Access
Many hotels have internet service for guests and the Plaza Las Delicias has wireless con-
nectivity, a terrific convenience for travelers with a laptop.
Mariana Suarez of Longo Biblioteca (Villa; 9am-9pm Mon-Sun)
A short walk
from the plaza, this bright facility is part of Archivo Municipal de Ponce and contains an
impressive $114-million digital-computing and education center. Puerto Rico Telephone
footed the bill and did it right, with 50 new computers, laptop stations and wireless access.
Medical Services
Emergency( 911)
HospitalManuelComunitarioDrPila( 787-848-5600;AvLasAméricas,eastofAv
Hostos)
24-hour emergency room. Recommended.
Walgreens (Rte 2 Km 225; 24hr)
The only pharmacy that can accommodate a late-
night need for aloe.
Money
Banks line the perimeter of Plaza Las Delicias, so finding a cash machine is no problem.
Most of the banks are open from 9am to 4pm weekdays, plus Saturday mornings.
