The Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center

A Most Excellent Side Trip, Outside Ponce

This is by far, one of the best maintained visitor’s centers I’ve been to on the island. The staff were very helpful and courteous. Several spoke English. Though commercial photography is not allowed as a rule, I did get permission to shoot from the general manager. A special thank you goes out to her and to our guide.

The facility is basically divided into 2 areas plus parking. The main pavilion houses offices for staff, a small theater hall, a large museum of artifacts and historical info, a small local art museum and a tourist shop selling hand made items along with refreshments. The shop features a patio with tables and chairs to relax in before heading off on the guided tour to the Ceremonial Ball Field Grounds.

The guided tour is a must see,
as is the museum.

I was there on a beautiful Friday afternoon along with a ‘small’ group of elementary grade kids and family members.  I have to say they were very well mannered and the guide did a good job keeping the kids engaged. I was suffering through a cold, but the pace was relaxed and easy.

The tour starts by crossing a gated foot bridge to the other side of a large river. You cannot get there without a guide. He explained details about the local plants of which there were many examples and how they were used by the local natives. The path up to the Ceremonial Grounds is an easy walk and winds through several areas of interest.  There was a turtle pond where he spoke of how the natives farmed turtles for food. Farther on down was a nesting humming bird sitting in its tiny little nest. The kids loved it. It was just outside my reach, though I would like to go back and try to shoot it again. The path runs on to a small collection of Taino grass huts based on historical data. The guide did explain that these huts were only about half the size of the ones the natives used to build. A nice display, for sure. Very rustic, but neatly manicured. The walk ends at the Ceremonial Ball Park dating from 700 A.D. Also neatly maintained. Our guide explained the layout of the park and how the games were played.

Clearing the jungle undergrowth away from the ball park,
had to have been a major undertaking.

I had hoped to shoot some of the Taino petroglyphs and there were a few of them at the park. Most had been removed to clean and study. Several more glyphs were on display in the museum.

All in all, the guided walk took about an hour, round trip. The outside grounds had the feel of a sanctuary… with a kind of peaceful reverence. Very relaxing.

On my return, I proceeded to the museum. The Tibes Museum pavilion is on a par with the one at the Arecibo Observatory. A beautiful presentation of artifacts and historical information. It would appeal more to older kids and adults, but there is plenty to see.

The cost of admission was only $3 for adults, plus parking, making this a real deal (less for children and old farts over 60). That included the guided tour too. Unlike some places in PR, the Tibes Center was easy to find and a very short trip off Expressway 52. A great 2 to 3 hour side trip when visiting Ponce. I highly recommend it. Arrgggg!

Note: I did shoot a short “From the Road” video from the Ponce ‘Letters’ on 52 to the parking lot at the Tibes Park and will post it up in the next week.