El Tropical Casino at Holiday Inn Ponce is situated on a mountaintop overlooking both the city of Ponce and the Caribbean Sea in the Southern part of Puerto Rico. The city of Ponce is known as the “Pearl of the South”, having spectacular mountains on one side, and the clear, blue ocean on the other side.
The El Tropical Casino brand has several properties in Puerto Rico, which can also be found in Bayamon and Mayaguez. All three establishments are part of the HI Development Puerto Rico Corp.
If you are traveling to Ponce from the capital of San Juan, it is about an hour and a half drive. If arriving by airplane, then the nearest airport is Mercedita. It will take about 15 minutes to get from the airport to El Tropical Casino Ponce, and it will cost about $14 for a taxi. You can also arrange an airport pick-up with the hotel or casino if you plan on staying at the Holiday Inn.
At the hotel and casino, it is easy to book tours of local parks and museums. Plus, close by is the Caribbean International Motorsports Park, which is next to the beach where there are plenty of water sports activities catering for tourists.
At El Tropical Casino and Holiday Inn, both English and Spanish are spoken. When exchanging chips, the currency used here is the US Dollar. Also, make note that the age limit to enter the casino is 21 years and you must be prepared to show proof of ID.
Casino at El Tropical Ponce
Tropical Casino Ponce has a 9,000 square foot gaming area where you will find 346 slot machines and 10 table games which can be played almost any time of the day, as the casino is open 24/7/365.
The casino has an upbeat holiday vibe to it, as it is attached to the Holiday Inn Hotel, which mainly attracts US tourists. It also receives guests from all over the world, making it a multi-cultural hotspot as well as the perfect meeting point for those just visiting the casino.
There are regular games of Bingo available, and the casino has raffles where they offer prizes such as cars, freeplay, cruises and more.
Table Games at El Tropical Casino Ponce
At El Tropical Casino all of the most popular casino table games are available. There is American roulette complete with a croupier, so no electronic versions of the game are offered. You can also immerse yourself in one of several card games including blackjack and Caribbean Stud Poker.
One of the most popular games among tourists on the island is craps, which is found on the main casino floor. In fact, most casinos in Puerto Rico have at least one craps table. With just one table running, it can get pretty busy (especially during peek hours and on weekends).
Slots and Video Poker at El Tropical Casino Ponce
With over 300 machines, there is a mix of video poker and slots. Overall, the total number of slots the casino says that they have is 346 machines, which is more than enough to cater for the walk-in traffic as well as guests at the hotel. You will also find several slot machines with bets starting at $.01 per line or coin up to $5.00. There are a variety of themes to choose from as you would expect from a slots collection this large.
Hotel and Accommodations at El Tropical Casino & Holiday Inn Ponce
The hotel is a great place for both couples and families, with the 24-hour casino for adults, and the game room and an Olympic sized outdoor pool as well as a children’s pool. The hotel also has a fitness center and a business center where you can find free internet.
There are three different types of rooms available at the Holiday Inn’s hotel. The Executive and Junior Suites are all non-smoking. All the rooms have a TV, microwave, mini fridge, mini bar, coffee maker, and a desk. Note that you will need to be over 21 to check your group into the hotel.
Restaurants and Bars at El Tropical Casino Ponce
The casino’s main restaurant serves traditional dishes, and the lounge has live entertainment most nights. Expect plenty of live music and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights. You can also try out the Tanama Restaurant located inside of the Holiday Inn, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The cuisine includes local dishes such as ‘mofongo’ which is a dish made with plantains.
Finally, Bar La Vista allows guest to enjoy complimentary snacks with your cocktails, and the bar also provides room service between 6am and 11pm.