Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Centro Ceremonial Indígena de Tibes
This archaeological site in the hills on the northern outskirts of Ponce is the
most important pre-Columbian site in Puerto Rico. Remarkably, it was only
unearthed in 1975, when devastating floods exposed extensive Taíno ruins
that notably include
bateyes
(ball courts), burial grounds, and granite
boulders etched with petroglyphs. The ruins date back about 2,000 years
and form the only known site also occupied by the Igneris - a pre-Taíno
tribe about which little is known, except that they were overrun by the
Taíno
(see p30)
in around AD 1000. The site is still being excavated.
Top 10 Features
1 Cemí
2 Petroglyphs
3 Bateyes
4 Museum
5 Guided Tour
6 Ceramics
7 Replica Village
8 Botanical Garden
9 Star-Shaped Plaza
0 Cemetery
Main entrance of the park
Be sure to make a
reservation before
you visit the park,
as tours often sell
out and you cannot
explore the site
unaccompanied.
!
Cemí
These sacred effigies
of Taíno gods
(below)
, in
the form of wooden and
stone statuettes, were
believed to be empowered.
Cemí
were created and
worshipped by the Taíno to
bless the land with good
harvests, and its people
with fertility and health.
A small café here
serves snacks. There
are also picnic
benches by the river,
so consider bringing
your own lunch to
enjoy under the
shade trees.
@
Petroglyphs
• Map F5
• Carretera 503 Km 2.8
• 787 840 2255
• Open 9am-4pm
Tue-Sun
• Adm $3
• Visits are by guided
tour only; reservations
are recommended.
The Taíno etched
large rocks here with
depictions of spiritual
figures, including one of a
bat - the Taíno messenger
of death. Many of the rocks
are believed to have been
transported from far away.
Bateyes
These plazas of
paved stone
(right)
were used for
ball games and
ceremonial dances.
Tibes has 12
bateyes
- each is
about the size of a
basketball court
and is ringed by
large boulders.
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