JetBlue Adds a New Route to Ponce, Opening Up Puerto Rico’s Southern Coast

JetBlue is now connecting South Florida with Puerto Rico’s southern coast.

The airline has officially launched new daily nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Mercedita International Airport in Ponce, restoring a route that had previously been flown by Spirit Airlines before the carrier exited the market.

The flights, which began on July 9, give you another easy way to discover one of Puerto Rico’s most historic cities while expanding connectivity beyond San Juan. The new service also solidifies JetBlue’s growing network through Fort Lauderdale, making it easier for travelers from across the United States to connect to the island’s southern region.

If you’re looking to experience a different side of Puerto Rico, the route opens the door to a region filled with historic architecture, celebrated museums, coffee towns, protected forests and some of the island’s most beautiful beaches.

The New Flights

The new route operates daily, with flights departing Fort Lauderdale at 8:30 a.m. and arriving in Ponce at approximately 11 a.m. local time.

The return flight leaves Ponce at 5:01 a.m., arriving back in Fort Lauderdale at 7:33 a.m.

Total flight time is approximately 2 hours and 32 minutes.

The schedule is designed to accommodate both vacation travelers and those visiting friends and family, while providing additional connecting opportunities through JetBlue’s Fort Lauderdale operation.

The return of the route is particularly notable because it restores nonstop service that disappeared after Spirit Airlinesended its flights between the two cities. For southern Puerto Rico, that means another direct connection to one of the region’s busiest gateways.

“We’re excited to launch nonstop service between Fort Lauderdale and Ponce, further strengthening JetBlue’scommitment to Puerto Rico and giving customers another easy way to reach the Island through our growing Fort Lauderdale network,” said Dave Jehn, vice president of network planning and airline partnerships at JetBlue.

A Different Gateway to Puerto Rico

While most people arrive through San Juan, Ponce offers an entirely different introduction to the island.

Often called Puerto Rico’s “second city,” Ponce has long been one of the island’s cultural centers, with elegant plazas, colorful architecture and a history that stretches back more than three centuries.

The heart of the city remains Plaza Las Delicias, a spacious square framed by palm trees, fountains and historic buildings that has served as the gathering place for generations.

Dominating the plaza is Parque de Bombas, the famous red-and-black striped former firehouse that has become one of Puerto Rico’s most recognizable landmarks. Originally constructed for the 1882 Exposition Fair, it later became the city’s fire station before being transformed into a museum celebrating Ponce’s firefighting history.

Across the square stands the striking Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose twin towers have watched over downtown for generations.

Spend a few hours exploring the surrounding streets and you’ll find galleries, independent boutiques, cafés and restaurants serving everything from traditional Puerto Rican cuisine to contemporary Caribbean dishes.

Art lovers should also make time for the renowned Museo de Arte de Ponce, home to one of the finest art collections anywhere in the Caribbean, featuring works by European masters alongside important pieces by Puerto Rican and Latin American artists.

It’s a city that’s easy to explore on foot, particularly around the historic center, where nearly every block reveals another beautifully preserved building or lively plaza.

Exploring Southern Puerto Rico

The new route is about far more than Ponce itself.

One of the biggest advantages of flying into southern Puerto Rico is how easy it is to discover the surrounding region.

Head west to Yauco, a town known for its colorful murals, mountain scenery and deep roots in Puerto Rico’s coffee-growing tradition. It’s an ideal stop if you want to explore the island’s interior while sampling locally grown coffee.

Continue toward Guánica, where you’ll find one of the Caribbean’s most remarkable natural landscapes.

The Guánica Dry Forest, recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, protects one of the world’s best-preserved subtropical dry forests, with hiking trails winding through giant cacti, native birds and spectacular coastal scenery. Nearby Playa Santa offers calm water and a relaxed beach atmosphere that’s a world away from the larger resort areas.

Another favorite is La Parguera in Lajas, where nighttime boat trips take visitors into one of Puerto Rico’s famous bioluminescent bays. Watching the water glow beneath your kayak or boat remains one of the island’s signature experiences.

Farther west, Cabo Rojo delivers another completely different landscape, with dramatic limestone cliffs surrounding the iconic Los Morrillos Lighthouse, along with white-sand beaches like Playa Sucia and Buyé Beach.

Because driving distances are relatively short, it’s easy to combine several destinations into one vacation without spending hours behind the wheel.

Where to Stay

The biggest recent addition to the region’s hotel offerings is Aloft Ponce, which has quickly established itself as one of southern Puerto Rico’s leading places to stay.

The Marriott Bonvoy hotel has brought a fresh, contemporary option to the city, with sleek guestrooms, a lively lobby bar, an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center and modern social spaces that appeal to both leisure and business travelers.

Its location makes it particularly convenient. You’re only minutes from Historic Downtown Ponce, while major highways make day trips to Guánica, Lajas, Yauco and Cabo Rojo straightforward.

For Marriott Bonvoy members, it has also become one of the easiest places to earn or redeem points while exploring southern Puerto Rico, something that wasn’t always possible in the region.

If you’re looking for more of a traditional resort experience, Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort remains one of the area’s best-known choices. Set along the waterfront, the property offers multiple pools, beach frontage, tennis courts, a golf course and one of the largest resort footprints anywhere on the island’s southern coast.

Travelers who prefer a more intimate experience will also find several boutique inns and historic guesthouses in downtown Ponce, placing restaurants, museums and historic attractions within walking distance.

Together, the growing collection of hotels is making southern Puerto Rico a much easier destination to visit than it was just a few years ago.

What It Means for Travelers

“We are pleased to welcome JetBlue’s nonstop service between Ponce and Fort Lauderdale, representing an important advancement in our strategic efforts to expand tourism across Puerto Rico,” said Storm Tussey, chief marketing officer at Discover Puerto Rico.

“This deliberate approach to broadening air connectivity enables visitors to discover the cultural heritage, historical attractions and natural beauty of our southern region.”

The new service also reflects a broader trend in Puerto Rico’s tourism strategy: encouraging visitors to experience more of the island beyond San Juan.

With direct flights returning to Ponce, travelers now have an easy starting point for discovering a region that combines history, art, beaches, nature and some of Puerto Rico’s most distinctive towns.

Whether you’re planning a long weekend in Ponce, a road trip through Yauco, Guánica, Lajas and Cabo Rojo, or simply looking for a different way to experience Puerto Rico, JetBlue’s newest route makes the island’s southern coast easier to reach than it has been in years.

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