Puerto Rico is a beautiful Caribbean island that is known for its beautiful landscapes, mountains, waterfalls, tropical rainforests, and countless beaches along 270 miles of coastline. Many things make Puerto Rico different from the other beautiful islands in the world.
It has a rich cultural heritage, from the historic city of Old San Juan to the natural beauty of the El Yunque National Forest.
There are a lot of places to visit in Puerto Rico, like the best beaches for surfing, flamingo sightings, the brightest bioluminescent bay, and a famous city like Old San Juan.
But before you plan to visit Puerto Rico you must go through these 30 Useful Tips For Traveling To Puerto Rico.
If you plan to travel to Mexico check out our most recommended article 21 Safety Tips For Traveling To Mexico.
What is the brief history of Puerto Rico?
All Images used in this article are Credit to: Pixabay
When Columbus first landed in Puerto Rico in 1493, the island was home to 30-60 thousands of inhabitants that we now refer to as Taino Indians.
The Tainos can be traced back to the Orinoco River in Venezuela, from where they eventually spread into the Carribean.
Columbus described these inhabitants as being extremely kind. “they traded with us and gave us everything they had, with goodwill, they took great delight in pleasing us, they are very gentle and kind without knowledge of what is evil”
The Taino influence is still strong on the island today, not just in the culture but also in the DNA of the Puerto Rican people. Columbus named the island San Juan Bautista.
Tips For Traveling To Puerto Rico
1. When is the best time to visit Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is a tropical island located in the Caribbean, that’s reason, the climate of the island is very hot in summer, December to April is a very busy season, and the prices will be very high during that time, if you are willing to pay higher prices and you have no problem with huge crowds than this is the best weather to visit the island.
But if you are looking for a budget-friendly trip that will not break your bank then we recommend that the best time to visit Puerto Rico is during winter or spring, which is March through early July, the weather will be very pleasant, and you will still see much sunshine and warm weather at that time of the year.
You should also keep in mind that the tropical storm and hurricane season is from August to November which could affect your travel plans.
2. Do I need a Passport to visit Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States officially known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, If you are a US citizen you do not need a passport or visa to visit Puerto Rico, but we recommend keeping your passport with you because you will need it if you are planning to visit the neighboring islands. For non-US residents, a visa is required to enter the Island.
3. What is the language English or Spanish?
Spanish is the most widely spoken language in Puerto Rico, but both English and Spanish are official languages. You won’t have any problems without knowing Spanish, but we highly recommend learning some basic sentences in Spanish.
4. Is traveling to Puerto Rico safe?
Puerto Rico is generally safe for tourists. However, due to its high tourism rate, it’s important to remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings. If you notice anything unusual, it’s best to stay cautious. There are certain areas where extra care is advised. We recommend traveling in groups in these areas and avoiding solo outings at night. Although the police are always available to assist you, it’s wise to take precautionary measures.
5. Should I Rent a car, Can I drive in Puerto Rico?
Yes, if you have a valid US driver’s License you can drive a car in Puerto Rico, and getting a rental car is a good idea to explore the island which you can easily get from the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. But if you are new to the place you have to be very careful as they have very narrow roads you have to be very careful when you drive around the city.
You can also use their ride-sharing apps or local cabs if you are not planning to explore much around San Juan.
6. GPS/Maps are not reliable
Some roads in Puerto Rico are very narrow and twisted, and the internet signals are not very strong in those areas so do not rely on GPS to see the maps, always look up directions beforehand when you plan to visit rural areas or get a tour guide if possible.
7. Do they accept Credit Cards?
Yes, they do accept all the major credit cards but a foreign transaction fee will be charged with your purchase, you should also notify your bank before your travel to avoid any inconvenience.
8. Can I also use US dollars, how much cash should I bring?
Yes, you can use US dollars in Puerto Rico, because being a US territory their official currency is also US dollars, prices in Puerto Rico are almost the same as in the US, so you should bring some cash as well in the small bills that can be used for small purchases and tips because sometimes they do not accept the card for small purchases.
9. Are the tips encouraged in Puerto Rico?
The standard tipping rate in restaurants is 15 to 20 percent, although it varies depending upon your services but it is highly appreciated, and expected.
10. What is the legal drinking age in Puerto Rico?
The legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18, unlike the US where it is 21, but you need to show your legal ID to buy the drinks from any store or bar. They can also take legal action if they find you taking alcohol openly in public.
11. The home of Pina Colada and must-try drinks in Puerto Rico
Peurto Rico is home to the famous drink Pina Colada, it was originated here in Puerto Rico, also the national drink of Puerto Rico is rum-based Pina Colada, which is made with pineapple juice, coconut water, rum, and ice.
Puerto Rico has the largest brewery in the world, Casa Bacardi. They brew more than half of the rum that is consumed in United States.
Puerto Rico has some other famous drinks as well that you must try during your trip such as Coquito which is Similar to eggnog, which is made with rum, coconut milk, condensed milk, and spices.
12. Try local dishes in Puerto Rico
Always try some local food when you visit a new place, is a way to learn something about their culture, Puerto Rico has some of the best Caribbean food you must try such as mofongo, Pernil, and Bacalaotos, and then treat yourself to the delicious dessert Tres Leches Cake.
13. The most popular areas to stay in Puerto Rico
San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and the most popular city with plenty of famous restaurants and bars. San Juan has a lot of places to visit and explore, you can walk through cobblestone streets, beachfront are is a beautiful place to see.
Fajardo is the best place to stay, it is located on the east side of Puerto Rico, near El Yunque National Forest, this is a very famous place that has so many hiking trails, and just a few hours away from San Juan, it is is an adventurous place to explore.
Arecibo is located on the north side of Puerto Rico, it is a unique place to stay there, it near the Arecibo Observatory.
14. Hotel Or Airbnb
You will find a lot of both budget-friendly and luxury hotels on the Island, depending on your budget.
Airbnb is another option that is cheaper as compared to hotels, if you want to support locals you can choose Airbnb to stay in Puerto Rico, which is a great choice because sometimes you get more spacious rooms.
15. Explore outside of San Juan
Old San Juan is a beautiful and popular place to visit but most people only choose to stay there for the whole time, there are a lot of other places to explore other than San Juan, many popular beaches in Peurto Rico are in the west, and southwest, such as Buyé Beach in Cabo Rojo is a beautiful beach to see which is not that far from San Juan.
16. Avoid Hurricane season
Hurricane season in Peurto Rico is from August to November, so the prices drop in this season as well, but keep track of the weather and plan your trip accordingly.
17. Rainy all year around
In Puerto Rico it rains a lot in summer, it has two main seasons winter and summer, and because of the hurricanes and the tropical weather of the Island they got a lot of rain showers so it’s a good idea to take an umbrella with you, the typical weather in summer is between 78 and 90 degrees.
18. No private beaches
Puerto Rico has a lot of stunning beaches, and the good thing is that they are all publicly open, there are no private beaches in Puerto Rico, all beaches are public, and anybody can visit any beach they want.
19. Many hiking trails
There are many hiking trails in Puerto Rico, such as Cabo Rojo and Rincon has a lot of trails some of them are intense and some can be done with kids, especially the hikes that are in mountain regions which are more intense and have beautiful views.
20. They have a rainforest
The only rainforest in the United States National Forest System is in the El Yunque, Puerto Rico.
You will see a lot of waterfalls during your hike through the forest, this is such an amazing place to see nature. You can also see new plants and animals, this beautiful place has over 240 tree species and over 200 animals. An endangered species of Puerto Rican parrot also lives in this rainforest.
21. Health Risks
Puerto Rico doesn’t have significant health risks for tourists and residents, the healthcare system is similar to the US, and the usual precautions are enough to stay healthy.
Sunburn or dehydration can be a major health risk in Puerto Rico so always try to be well-hydrated, drink a lot of water, and use sunblock.
An upset stomach can also be another risk for tourists so always be aware of what are you eating and try to avoid unhygienic and street food as much as you can. You can always call 911 for an emergency it works the same as in the USA.
22. Emergency attention / Helplines and important phone numbers
Don’t freak out in case of an emergency, these are the important phone numbers keep them handy and save them on your phone.
| Service | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Emergency Services (911) | 911 |
| Police | 787-343-2020 |
| Ambulance | 787-343-2222 |
| Civil Defense | 787-724-0124 |
| Fire Department | 787-343-2330 |
| F.B.I | 787-754-6000 |
| U.S. Secret Service | 787-766-5539 |
| U.S. Coast Guard | 787-729-6770 |
| Federal Marshals | 787-766-6000 |
| Federal Emergency Management Agency | 787-729-7637 |
| Humane Society of Puerto Rico | 787-720-9398 |
| Tourist Information | 787-722-1709 |
| Toxic, Chemical, and Oil Spills | 1-800-424-8802 |
23. Travelers with disabilities
Puerto Rico welcomes travelers with disabilities, you will see all the public buildings are wheelchair accessible, and US laws for the disabled also apply here, all the major places such as museums, beaches, galleries, and hotels honor the people with disabilities.
In some areas, it is difficult to travel around with wheelchairs because of the narrow streets and old-style buildings, so if you are traveling with a disabled person try to stay in big and spacious hotels.
24. Traveling with Kids
Puerto Rico is a kids-friendly place, there are a lot of activities for the kids and the families, even if you are traveling with an infant you will not have any problem in finding the formulas and medications for your little ones, you will find plenty of activities for children in big resorts they also have pools.
You will also find the beaches for swimming and snorkeling for older kids, Playa de jobs is an excellent place for surfing.
The Rio Camuy caves, Arecibo Lighthouse and Observatorio de Arecibo are famous places where you can have your day-trips.
The Museo del Nino in San Juan is mostly for kids, but El Moro has a lot of family activities, they have something for all ages, and this is the best place for kite flying.
25. Buy an Insurance Policy
Consider getting an insurance policy before traveling to Puerto Rico to cover theft, injury, accidents, and medical purposes, a lot of private insurance companies cover when you travel abroad especially if you are a US resident.
26. How to access Internet/ Wi-fi services
Puerto Rico has plenty of small places like restaurants, and coffee shops such as Starbucks that offer free Wi-fi, otherwise, you can only access the internet in big hotels or hotel rooms, you can also go to the public library for free Wi-fi.
Another option for on the go Wi-fi is you buy a Skyroam Solis, this is an internet service that works in 130+ countries at the same rate, you can pay as much as you use the internet, and it can be connected to 5v devices at the same time.
27. Phone
All US Mobile phones work in Puerto Rico, most of the phone companies treat them as domestic phone lines and they charge them accordingly.
If you are visiting from any other country, always check with your providers before your travel.
28. How to get dressed in Puerto Rico?
You will spend most of your time on the beaches so cover up before you leave the beach, and get dressed properly when you visit some other places like dinner or clubs.
29. Bring some closed-toe shoes
You will not be visiting beaches the whole time, you will need closed-toe shoes for some formal dressing, there are a lot of hotels with formal dress codes so be careful when you pack for Puerto Rico, pack some formal shoes as well because you are going to need one.
30. Pack Bug repellent
Don’t forget to pack bug repellent, because of the humid climate of the Island you will see a lot of bugs around you, to prevent bug bites bug repellent is a must-have, and always cover yourself with a thin cover-up.
Final Thoughts
Puerto Rico is a vacationer’s paradise. It has a lot to explore than you will discover in this article. To experience the magic of the Island by yourself you should visit this place, it could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
But follow all the precautions before you plan your visit, such as weather, hurricanes, health, crime, and cost. Do your research and enjoy your visit.