La Guancha is Ponce's waterfront boardwalk, situated at the southern edge of the city where the land meets the Caribbean. It is primarily a gathering place rather than a destination: a long wooden boardwalk lined with food kiosks selling fried fish, empanadillas, and cold beer, with a public beach at one end and a pier extending into the bay. On weekend evenings, live music and the smell of cooking fill the air.
The adjacent beach is a serviceable urban beach — good for a quick swim but not comparable to the island's more secluded spots. The real draw is the atmosphere and the food. From the pier, boat trips depart to Caja de Muertos, the uninhabited island reserve about eight miles offshore where the snorkelling and beaches are significantly better. La Guancha is where you eat before or after that trip, and where you spend a summer evening if you are staying in Ponce.