Exploring La Guancha, Ponce, Puerto Rico

On this wonderful Saturday morning I checked out of the hotel in the Ponce Plaza and headed to La Guancha. La Guancha is one of the hottest hang out spots in Ponce, and it's right next to the beach. It has a beautiful Paseo Tablado, but it is now closed due to the damages from Hurricane Maria. There are many things to do as you can see in the video. However, I went early in the morning and this place packs up after hours. Doesn't matter what time you visit, you will surely find something to do here. Take your time, relax and enjoy. I recommend it.
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[@marisolalequin4166]

I love this video. Thanks for creating such delightful content. I'm a Puertorrican who lives on the main land. These videos bring me great joy. God bless you and your loved ones.

[@gamalielcollazo2770]

Most of my family still lives in Ponce. Many good memories there. Your images of down town (plaza) appreciated. Keep up your trip views.

[@joseortiz-fh6su]

I'll be be in my P.R. in a couple days. Can't wait!!🇵🇷🇵🇷

[@zeebee9356]

jose ortiz; It's such a beautiful island though fragile in many ways. Needs to be nurtured and loved for all it's been through and given to so many. I love when Marc Anthony sings "Preciosa."

[@yamiletteg.rodriguez7159]

Tremendo video. Bien hecho ,completo. Así es Puerto Rico.sin exagerar .👍👏🏻🇵🇷🙏

[@MISABORLATINO_100]

Parke de Bomba 1883 y mi tio R.I.P nacio en 1890 y fallecio a los 90 años...y que bueno que el Parke de Bomba sigue de pies me Trae. muchos recuerdos yo soy de ponce..que bella mi Isla gracias por enseñarnos nuestra Isla tan bella d.l.bendiga

[@victoriasalvant5629]

Loved the video; awesome drone views. I was born in ponce; I wish there were more videos from ponce, surprisingly, not to many. Thank you! Blessings.🙂Victoria 🇵🇷🇺🇸

[@oviduran]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@robertobeltran6116]

Thanks for sharing all this great footage from the Guancha Ponce 🇵🇷 thanks Ovi ☝ 🇵🇷🌴🐟✌🙏🥘🥗

[@oviduran]

This is a must place to visit if you are on the island. A must.

[@sindylefebre7536]

I still have does pictures from Ponce. All what you show including La Guancha. You're awesome. Thanks for the ride.

[@oviduran]

Thanks Sindy.

[@diannycruz149]

Saludos al sr ovi y su linda hermana gracias por su fabuloso video gracias soy de ponce pero ahora vivo 35 años en boston massachusetts gracias and god blessed ❤

[@sindylefebre7536]

My uncle used to take us to La Cruz and also the ride up to the rum building. Plus there is a beautiful river inside all those trees. Go swimming. Spent the day out there. I remember also there was a balneareo en Ponce. Unfortunately they closed it. I remember those fish. I'm about to 😢. You made my day. Good work.

[@bigmodaco]

RIP La Guancha, Loved that place , feeding the pelicans and large fish was always enjoyable, and I was able to climb that light tower before they closed it down for good.

[@MASCARIOCO]

Very good video. That drone is worth every penny spent. It makes a big difference.

[@oviduran]

Yes it does!

[@jameslopez7875]

thank you so much I haven't seen Puerto Rico that's where I was born you gave me that feeling of home it's been a long time thanks

[@oviduran]

Thanks James. Glad you like them. Many more are coming. Even though I live in the U. S. I visit the island often and record all I can.

[@zeezee1963]

Omg !! Poncena soy one of my favorite places I visit and it becomes my playground. Thank you so much for this video 🇵🇷👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏❤

[@stevenjosephstover3754]

I started my family in Ponce PR . My two sons were born there.🙏🇵🇷 La guancha was a first date with their mom 🕊️ Forever Stover Melendez 🇵🇷🇵🇷

[@carmentorres3803]

Waoo.Ovi este video esta brutal.muy hermos.Ponce me encanta. Tuve el privilegio de visitarlo ha se más de 20 años y esta más bello.y muchas quenepas q comi.grasias Ovi .Y esas banderas flotando al ritmo del aire fenomenal

[@oviduran]

Carmen, 5 minutos despues de terminar este video pare en la autopista a comprar quenepas para la familia en Las Marias. Este es el tiempor de ellas.

[@sandramelendez1888]

Thank you for your info. I love My Puerto Rico.🙏❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️

[@harrysantana6967]

Home run video knocked out of the park. Ovi Duran Thanks 4 sharing.

[@mercadojmj]

is always great to watch your videos, wish i was there again! ONE DAY.

[@noeliagonzalez8227]

I went there with my family Guancha in Ponce.Great experience.Loved it thank you for reminding me.

[@mecher2912]

Hola Ovi buenos días. Este es mi pueblo hermoso Ponce y claro no podía faltar ....la Guancha donde todos pasamos en familia.Gracias Ovi por mostrarlo al mundo.👋

[@diannycruz149]

SR, OVI gracias siempre tremendo le quedó su video ,usted puede ser un buen coresponsar wow weepa porque ponce es ponce lo demas parking ,GOD BLESS

[@oviduran]

Gracias Dianny. Voy tener que regresar con la familia la proxima vez.

[@diannycruz149]

@@oviduran es bueno tener esa aventura con la family se la pasa bonito

[@mayram-haspil4897]

Yaaayyy, La Wuancha!! I was dying to see what it looks like after Hurricaine Maria. It was destroyed!! Thank you SO much Ovi. 🌞🌞🌞

[@oviduran]

They still need to fix the boardwalk but overall it looks nice.

[@Lilymomable]

I was born in Ponce, but grew up Brooklyn, NY. I've been to PR And of course to Ponce. But I haven't stayed long enough to go to La Guancha. Heard a lot about it. It's a eatary, listen to loud music kind of place, fun place to visit with family and friends. -God Bless! Thank you for showing me How beautiful is my Little island with a big heart. (La Isla del Encanto)!

[@oviduran]

Lily, I always heard of it too, until now. I was glad I made the trip. Going back some day but in the evening and on a weekend to listen to the music everyone is talking about. Saludos.

[@gentlegto]

Hi Ovi, of course, another great video. In January of 1974, I went to an interview in that very same bank in Ponce El Banco Popular, For a mortgage position. I wasn't hired. No regrets, later that year in May 17,1974, I joined the U.S Army. I retired 22 years later in May 0f 1996. thanks for that great video. Always brings very good memories

[@oviduran]

I am sure those years in the Army were awesome. I am still waiting for my retirement check from the US Navy. But I start collecting in two years, at 57. I retired as a reservist. Saludos.

[@gentlegto]

@@oviduran Sweet.

[@Spindablok]

Great video. In the seventies my mom worked at the fish factory that was in that area. Last time I was there in 1987 they had this huge music festival. Me and my brother LUIS-(RIP).Used to walk from EL TUQUE tu Las cucharas, a lil past El balnario which is closed now to take dips in the ocean right before you make the turn on the main road that takes you to peñuelas.

[@mayram-haspil4897]

Never stopped by the town square, How #beautiful... 😍😍 that fountain, flags, of course, the firehouse. Met my Dad there once!! 👍👍🇵🇷🌴❤🐸💪

[@nickys1234]

Hey Ovi, this was a very nice video. Thanks for sharing the local spots to go too

[@mayram-haspil4897]

Thank you for transporting me to La Wancha! Great memories of better days w/my step-son n my dad. They were younger n stronger!! Makes me choke!! 😢

[@vanillasky1726]

Hermano, You inspire me :) Your vids are the BEST! My 97 year old grandmother is from Aquadilla/moca and lives in chicago and she LOVES when I play these videos for her.

[@oviduran]

Gracias Vanilla Sky. Give your grandmother a hug for me and tell her I said hello. She now inspires me.

[@mayram-haspil4897]

Love ❤❤❤ those #gorgeous puertorican hotels. Such #beautiful architecture/design/classic furniture!!

[@oviduran]

That hotel is a locally owned. I will surely visit again.

[@normaluiza1117]

Hermoso video de mi Isla dedito ariva...👍👌

[@anthonyquinones4782]

Este vídeo me hizo llorar, extraño a mi isla, gracias mi gente por esta motivación positiva, me motivo a sacar un pasaje para vicitar mi isla que tanto amo, nos veremos pronto mi isla del encanto.

[@oviduran]

Gracias Anthony. Le deseo mucha paz cuando viaje a la isla.

[@josemaltor]

Thanks for filming my home town. I will be there in a few weeks with my spark. You take very excellent videos. 👌

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Wow! Another great video! Just beautiful! Ponce got that gothic vintage look that i always loved! Awesome!😎👍

[@alexanderramos9492]

Excelente 👍🏼🇵🇷 Me gustaría que hicieras un vídeo de Dorado, Caguas y Guaynabo.😉

[@oviduran]

Lost tres estan en mi lista de pueblos que no he visitado, pero creo que Caguas va ser el primero cuando regrese a la isla.

[@charlestaylor2255]

Wassap ovi i hope your having a blast in puerto rico like always i will go to the island next year i already was ther but i already tell you that know i am going to nicaraqua for a week and i hope that one of this days we can meet in puerto rico like also i will like to meet also hayden so blessed and enjoy nothing like puertolico ok

[@walterhg67]

I was there last week with my family. We visited La Plaza, went inside Parque de Bombas, had some helado across the street, went to see Hector Lavoe tomb at the municipal cemetery and then we went to La Guancha. Beautiful views, hopefully next time we go the boardwalk will be fixed and open to the public.

[@oviduran]

Ponce is a nice city. I will go again but the boardwalk will take a lot of money to fix and could take a while.

[@MannyExploresVlog]

Awesome video as always, La Guancha is one of my favorite spots in PR, especially that area where you can feed the fishes, sad that after almost 2 years I can still see some damages from hurricane Maria.

[@oviduran]

The boardwalk is closed and would have been nice to walk on it. But it still looks beautiful.

[@mannymedina9136]

I've been there a few times. (BEAUTIFUL) I think you do a great video. Thank you

[@oviduran]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@EndOfTheWoods]

Dude! I love your videos. Another great one.

[@oviduran]

Thanks Sam. I still have a long way ahead to visit all 78 towns, but am enjoying the ride.

[@yoanizmiranda2602]

I was born in Ponce❤ ...miss my island.❤

[@almacedeno1974]

With part of ponce you are

[@mannymanny9564]

Wao! Gracias a usted puedo conocer mas de mi isla PUERTO RICO. Nunca visite la Guancha estando 38 años de mi vida en PR. Hoy la conosco por su video, hay mucho que no conosco de mi isla. Ovi, Gracias

[@oviduran]

Gracias a ti Angelo.

[@mayram-haspil4897]

Omg!! Pelicans!! And the fish, reminds me of my step-mom; better times. It was her idea to take me to La Wancha w/my dad. 🌞😎🌞

[@thomasduran325]

I am from Ponce, thank you for the memories.

[@tinchina85]

Great vlog, Ovi! Thanks! Teresa (friend of Hayden's)

[@irmarydelri2707]

Realmente, lloré hace mucho años que no voy mi querido Ponce el lugar donde crecí...Muchas Gracias

[@jimmontesano899]

Was there in Sept 2017 before Maria. There was a real lot of live music happening when we were there at La Guancha. Was also in the area you stayed at in Ponce! Great memories evoked from watching your post, thanks! Hopefully we'll be there 9/4 in Naquabo, Combate, Rincon, then SJ.

[@oviduran]

Jim, I am told that there is always music there on weekends late in the afternoon into the evening. I was there early but someday I will go late in the evening to explore some more.

[@firstclaims30]

I fell inside that water fountain when I was little 😂

[@marthaalbarran443]

Wow! Like always Ovi te botaste!!! Love love love it! Bendiciones

[@ycolon2716]

That was beautiful! Thank you!

[@zeebee9356]

Yolanda Colon; Lovely. It reminds a little bit of Malaga, Spain.

[@chupie123456]

Hi Ovi, another great video, Thanks for sharing, Luis from N.J.

[@lurodriguez3183]

Love the back ground music and nice place la city of the quenepas which i love thanks for share ing

[@mirlahernandez2193]

Mil gracias por el video és bellísimo👏🏻. Gracias por mostrar mí tierra amada PUERTO RICO 💞. Mí pueblo donde nací PONCE 💞. Bendiciones para todos🙏🏽. VIVA MI HERMOSA ISLA DEL ENCANTO PUERTO RICO 💞💞💞🐸🌴

[@milagrosrivera9729]

Hi Ovi. Great video like all ways. Ponce my home town. I was there last week on my vacations and I can wait to go back. Thank you for sharing your videos. Take care Millie.

[@oviduran]

Thanks Millie. I liked the idea of feeding the fish and pelicans at La Guancha. A family thing to do.

[@leonguzman8410]

Love your drone footage 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@bettynube9024]

La pasa de Ponce omg que bueno ver a el pueblo de ponce con mucha nostalgia.

[@oviduran]

Voy explorar a Ponce un poco mas en el futuro.

[@stevenjosephstover3754]

One night lol J went one way y Neme the other found J and policia found us with Neme 🙏 Great video !¡

[@cfig5017]

Hi Ovi I'm new to your canal as of right now lol..love your video of our island..glad i saw this because I'm taking my friends from NY here @ the end of september, thinking that the boardwalk was already fixed. What a shame. I was here last year @ la guancha and the boardwalk was all messed up an closed off but damn almost 2 yrs later still wrecked..smh @ El pillo de Rosello and his side kicks. The boardwalk really is the best part of this place with the water and the boats so close.and the great bands and ppl dancing salsa on wkends. ppl come visit Ponce come visit P.R you will ❤️ it...gracias ovi for showing us with your drone, awesome.. Also come visit Patillas we are the esmeralda del sur..beaches, lakes, rivers and a whole lotta friendly ppl.. Ovi bring your drone we are " one of the best chinchorreo routes la #3

[@oviduran]

Thanks. There are damages due to Hurricane Maria all over the island still. Many roads have not been completely fixed and this boardwalk. But hopefully soon. As for Patillas, I have not been there yet but it's on my list of to-do towns. Some day soon. Saludos.

[@O.Bey7Podcast]

Beautiful scenery and your content is always very catchy! Love your vlogs and I love mi Isla de encanto! Gracias for sharing your vlogs with us!

[@oviduran]

Thank you O. Bey.

[@mayram-haspil4897]

Love those fritter foods out there!! I always wondered how people stay so thin eating all that #delicious fried foods. I think it's bcz in PR you are #defiinitely more #active n always outdoors. I miss that!! 💃💃💃 It's very diffferent in the states. We MAKE sure we get out!! 🌞😎🌞😎🌞

[@oviduran]

I miss that food already. Here in Jersey it's hard to find.

[@teresavega2592]

Ah estado en este precioso lugar el pueblo donde me crié ❤🌹🌷

[@naomirivera9896]

If you come Back to Puerto Rico you should go to Cabo Rojo and Aibonito🇵🇷❤️

[@ijohnsonramos]

¡Wow, la Guancha de veía espectacular, el día estaba brutal de lindo y con un sol tan brillante! 😍😍😍 Me encanta la Guancha, espero que puedan arreglar el paseo tablado pronto. Los peces que vio son sábalos. La gente no acostumbra pescarlos porque tienen demasiadas espinas. Acá en el muelle de Vieques se ven muchos también. ¡Gracias por el video, saludos cordiales! 😊😊😊

[@sindylefebre7536]

I used to go to college there in Ponce by the Plaza del Mercado building.

[@aprieto7998]

As always 👍fantastic!

[@elenazambrano8983]

Thanks I love it.

[@michellelugo705]

Great video Ovi! Thank you for sharing

[@dewaynewestmoreland3773]

Good video. Thanks for sharing.

[@martasilva6496]

Gracias👍👍👍👍

[@maryannelarsen1186]

Lovely day.

[@josiegracia]

Nice video. Fyi the lions at the firehouse were just put in there few yrs ago after being created by local artist and displayed all around the plaza for a while. I think one was moved to plaza del caribe mall.

[@FKA-91]

Puerto Rico I miss you it's been 12 years since I was there 😓😞

[@ysanchez7292]

hi ovi , till this in my life have not been able enjoy , My island , unfortunately for many years , was raised in fear ,as I left the Island years ago ,and would visit a few times , I ditn know how to get a feel or a groove for the this place..now at 46 , I'm still not able to enjoy the island like so many have ...wish you well thanks ...thanks for the video

[@oviduran]

Thanks Y. I am on a mission of rediscovering Puerto Rico. Hopefully you will get some ideas of where to go and things to do watching my videos. Saludos.

[@ysanchez7292]

Ovi Duran yes , thru many videos , definitely there's much too see..

[@dillonhastings4787]

The frogs in the background. Ahh, I miss that

[@robertoacevedo6247]

I grew up in Ponce i remember back on maybe 1977, the huracane Loiza destroyed La Guancha and it was left like trhat till maybe 1984 85 when they rebuild it with wood like a boardwalk in 87 i moved to L.A where i still live , when i went back for the first time in 93 they had rebuild La Guancha on concrete, we used to hang out a lot in La Guancha al of us that were muciciabs and into metal and rock music , my brother th reason the fire station is called parque de bombas is because they used to use these big pumps to pump water an put out the fires ,these pumps where cartied around by horses and two or more fire fighters would get on each side of the pump a move these levers up and down like a sea saw ,in soanish pumps are called bombas para bombear agua, thats where the name Parque de Bombas. Thats 4th grade Puerto Rican history class, i still rememer my teacher mr a Carmelo Pagan.

[@jadeflores6841]

Bien bonito..awsome👍

[@JuanMartinez-kn2qs]

Hermano!! Otro palo!! How do you get beautiful days to shoot?? Best wishes!!

[@oviduran]

It doesn't rain all that much in Ponce. But when it does, it's always in the afternoon. That's why I always try to record early in the morning.

[@zeebee9356]

Ponce is famous for its queneps among many other things.

[@robertoacevedo6247]

By the wayin 1883 when New York had fire brigades or street gangs that used to fight each other to put out the fires and get paid by the property owners, Ponce already had an organized volunteer fire department, in the movie Gangs Of New York they make a reference on the fire brigades.

[@inhocsignovinces1081]

Nostalgic footage brings back memories of mofongos, sunsets, and mojitos at the boardwalk. The present day sad reality is that the boardwalk suffered fatal damage from a hurricane jarred with earthquakes that left the place boarded up. It's up to City Hall to lay down a plan for its reconstruction.

[@LinoPR-ds2ke]

Hello my brother, I’m going to PR for 10 days in October, I plan to visit Arecibo, aguadillas,Cabo Rojo, Luquillo and Fajardo, can you tell me a good place to rent a room for each place...thanks

[@oviduran]

Lino, I would not know where since I most always stay with family.

[@fern52o7]

🐸 co'Qui......🎶🎵🎶...co'Qui🔥🔥🔥

[@miguelmora4939]

I 💙🙏🤲 Puerto Rico

[@25pr]

Mi bello Ponce

[@ketothekat8811]

Those fishes are called " Sabalos" and in English they are called " Tarpons" .

[@oviduran]

Thanks Ed. That info is really helpful.

[@francesbrooks3397]

Thank you!

[@RM-mw8ql]

Saludos 👋Ovi OMG beautiful thanks for sharing. I just got back from P.R. today it was awesome 🇵🇷 🌞🏖🛥

[@oviduran]

What towns did you go to Maribel?

[@RM-mw8ql]

@@oviduran Stayed in Ponce. It was Awesome. Visited many wonderful places and had so much fun. Already planning the next vacay back 🇵🇷🛥🏖🌞

[@carloslamboy9976]

wow todavia es la hora que no arreglan el tablado!! Esa alcaldesa no a hecho un carajo por mi pueblo! que triste!!

[@carlossebastiannecroticgot7232]

Me encanta tu casa

[@jccolon-mendez661]

Saludos. Muchas bendiciones. Para saber si puedo tomar 2 segundos de su video para un video personal mío. Tiene un email donde comunicarme?

[@gtaelement137]

Hello friend OMG nice video nice place good job friend more videos please let me know Ty👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@oviduran]

Thanks. Make sure to click on the bell notification button so you are notified every time I upload a video. Saludos.

[@maryannelarsen1186]

¿Cuál hotel prefiere en Ponce, su hotel, Ponce Plaza o Meliá Century? ¿Cuántos días recomiende en Ponce ?

[@sindylefebre7536]

Sad to see the damages. When I was a child there was a boat ride to Caja de Muertos.

[@oviduran]

There still is a boat ride to Caja de Muertos. I am planning on doing that next time I visit. It should be fun. The boats take off from La Guancha.

[@JC71]

Hi Ovi, encontre su canal y estoy “juqueao” con el. Le deseo mucho exito.

[@erickjoelmercado5117]

voy para pr..quiere decir q la Guacha ya esta renovada despues del huracan..ya esta abierto??

[@inhocsignovinces1081]

The City Hall has failed to repair La Guancha Boardwalk. It’s been several years since Hurricane María and the last two mayors did not measure up.

[@williamechevarria4616]

Esté es mí pueblo.very good.

[@allanbacon2977]

Why is the boardwalk closed because of Hurricane Maria ? Hurricane Maria was 2 years ago ?

[@maryvelazquez5017]

Ay gracias si no veo este vídeo no veo mi ciudad me paresia yo guiando mi carro por las calles de Ponce y la guanchaa. Antes toda mujer q entraba ala guancha la desacreditaban ya q era un lugar tan bonito q las parejas se Hoban allí especialmente hombres casados pero Ami me importaba un bledo yo me hiba con un grupo nos amanecíamos allí era precioso estaba todavía al natural no estaba el hotel ni las tiendas pero era nice

[@mayram-haspil4897]

#Quenepas from Pónce are the very #best. Thick n very #sweet. 🇵🇷🌴❤💪🌞😎

[@oviduran]

I bought some quenepas on my way out.

[@homargarza9468]

Hey did you rent the jeep in ponce?