16 Things to Know Before Traveling to Puerto Rico

While Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, you’ll feel like you’re in another world! The the colorful architecture, the Latin music, the smooth dancing… you’re not in Kansas anymore! This guide covers 16 things to know before traveling to Puerto Rico, including packing advice, transportation tips, local customs, safety considerations, and the best times to visit.

By following these travel tips, you’ll avoid common pitfalls, experience local culture like a pro, and make the most of your time on one of my favorite islands.

Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

1. The US Dollar is the Currency in Puerto Rico (Money Tips)

Being part of the United States, the US dollar is the official currency of Puerto Rico. This means you’ll be able to use US dollars all over the island making it easy to travel back and forth from the US.

While many places do take credit card, there are still parts of the island where cash is king so carry at least a little cash with you at all times. If you run out of cash, simply visit an ATM. They are frequently spotted around the island and work with most US bank cards.

2. Speaking Spanish Makes Your Trip Easier

Puerto Rico has two official languages, Spanish and English, but Spanish is the more dominant one. While you will encounter plenty of English speakers in the touristy parts of Puerto Rico, the more off the beaten path locations are purely Spanish speaking.

As such, learning a bit of Spanish before you go to Puerto Rico will make your trip much easier and more enjoyable. Not to mention the locals will appreciate that you tried. Even if you don’t intend to immerse yourself in the Spanish language before you come, try to pick up the common words or phrases.

3. Passport & Entry Requirements for US and International Travelers

One of the best things to know before you go to Puerto Rico, or really anywhere, is the entry requirements! Being a territory of the United States, US citizens do not require a passport to visit. This also means you also won’t have to go through customs or immigration which cuts down time at the airport. It’s just like flying to another city or state within the US!

All other visitors to Puerto Rico, will have to follow the same passport and visa requirements as they must to enter the United States. You can check entry requirements for Puerto Rico here!

When booking your flight, you’ll likely want to fly into the main international airport in Puerto Rico, Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (airport code SJU). It is located just a few minutes outside of San Juan.

4. Renting a Car in Puerto Rico: What You Need to Know

While Old San Juan is very walkable, you’ll need to get around to nearby areas, including the airport. There are a few ways to do this, and it really depends no what your trip entails and how long you’re on the island for. For many visitors, renting a car is the best option.

Take Taxis and Ubers

If you’re staying in the San Juan area, you do not need to rent a car. You can get around by taking really inexpensive Ubers. This is the most practical option for short term visitors. However, if you wish to explore more of the countryside or get to further out beaches or the ferry ports for Culebra Island or Vieques Island, taxis and Ubers are quite limiting.

Rent a Car

If you are looking to leave San Juan to go to other parts of the island, like El Yunque National Forest, renting a car is your best option. Many of the rental car agencies on the island will even drop off the car and pick it up from you.

Driving is not terribly difficult in Puerto Rico, but the roads can be very narrow and the street signs are in Spanish. (Flashback to my friend clinging to the rental car door screaming as we passed a large truck on the very narrow road…) Before heading to Puerto Rico to rent a car, ensure you’re familiar with their driving laws.

5. Top Thing to Do in Puerto Rico

If you have just one day or a weekend to visit Puerto Rico, you’ll want to stick to Old San Juan. If you have a few days, or even better, a week, you can see and do a lot beyond the city. Here are some of the best things to do while you’re on the island:

• Explore Old San Juan’s colorful streets with a walking tour
• Tour the Bacardi Rum Factory
• Relax at the many beaches
• Take salsa dancing lessons
• Party with the locals in La Placita
• Eat the local cuisine or do a food tour in San Juan to taste the best of Puerto Rico cuisine
• Hike in El Yunque National Forest
• Snorkel or Scuba Dive
• Experience a bioluminescent bay

Dive into the details on the best experiences to have in San Juan and around Puerto Rico.

6. Legal Drinking Age is 18

While Puerto Rico has many laws similar to the United States, they do vary slightly. Most notably, the legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is just 18, down from 21 in the rest of the United States. That’s right, at 18 years of age, teenagers can drink alcohol at the bars and buy booze at the store.

Take your ID with you when you go out, as you will likely get asked for it. This travel tip for Puerto Rico is of course most liked by college students!

Note that just like in the United States, Puerto Rico takes drinking and driving is very seriously. Also, be aware that throughout most of Puerto Rico you can be fined for carrying open containers of alcohol in public.

7. Puerto Rico Weather: Rainy vs. Dry Season

Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean between the Dominican Republic and the British Virgin Islands. As you might expect, that means it enjoys a hot and humid climate year-round, although the temperature can drop at night, so pack a sweater!

If you’re trying to determine the best month of the year to visit the island, there are the two distinct weather seasons to be aware of.

June to November

The summer and fall are considered the rainy season in Puerto Rico. This also directly aligns with tropical storms and hurricane season. If you plan to travel to Puerto Rico during this time, make sure to book travel insurance just in case Mother Earth has something else in mind!

During this time, you’ll likely see a short burst of rain once per day, and then it will be gone. Temperatures tend to be between 80 – 85 Fahrenheit (26 – 30 Celsius) with a water temperature closer to 79 – 83 Fahrenheit (26 – 28 Celsius)

December to May

The winter and spring make up the dry season in Puerto Rico. This busy winter season brings sunny weather, lingering around 70 – 80 Fahrenheit (21 – 26 Celsius) with water temperatures ranging from 75 – 79 Fahrenheit (24 – 26 Celsius). It is the perfect escape in the winter months from the continental US!

The prime weather makes this the best time to visit Puerto Rico, but of course that comes with higher tourism and crowds bumping up flight and hotel prices. It also aligns with spring break and the holiday season, making it extra busy. Definitely book early to get the best rates on flights and accommodations!

Find helpful Travel Resources for securing your bookings.

8. Puerto Rico is Generally Safe

Puerto Rico is generally safe to visit and is actually much safer than many mainland cities in the US and other Caribbean Islands. You will also find an active police presence on many parts of the island to help ensure safety. Just follow your standard safety precautions, like not wandering down dark alleys alone, and you should not have a problem.

Of course San Juan, like any city, has its safer parts and its sketchier parts. Avoid wandering into La Perla – right next to the Old City – and Puerto de Tierra at night. It’s also worth noting that there has been a slight increase in crime since Hurricane Maria came through in 2017 and the island has been struggling to recover.

9. Budgeting Your Trip: Costs & Luxury Options

Traveling Puerto Rico on a budget is possible, but it’s also a great place for a luxury trip. As your largest expenses in Puerto Rico will be your hotel and any tours you decide to book, and you will want to book these in advance, you can determine if Puerto Rico is the right price for you.

Meanwhile, once on the island you will find some things to be exceptionally affordable. For example, a local beer (Medalla) can be right around $2 and a 10 minute Uber may only run you $5. That being said, there are other things that see island pricing with the added costs of importing them and higher taxes. This is definitely true when putting gas in a car!

Visiting Puerto Rico on a Budget

In essence, if you want to visit Puerto Rico on a budget, you can certainly do so. Stay in a hostel or an Airbnb. Seek out cheap eats (hello empanadillas!). Spend your time enjoying the many free activities on the island like the beaches, exploring Old San, and hiking through the El Yunque National Forest.

Booking a Luxury Trip

Of course, if you are looking for a luxury trip and have the money to spend, Puerto Rico will thank you! You’ll find plenty of luxury hotel options around the island, including the Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Dorado Beach. Not to mention there are lots of great day trips around Puerto Rico and its neighboring islands that can drive up the cost of your trip quickly.

Read more: 44 Pro Tips to Save Money While Traveling

Booking.com

Find the best places to stay in San Juan, Puerto Rico in this helpful post!

10. Tipping is Expected

Much like in the United States, tipping is a common practice in Puerto Rico. Keep this in mind as you travel around Puerto Rico, as this travel tip is essential on a daily basis!

If you’re not accustom to tipping, here are some general guidelines to help you prepare.

• Cab drivers: ~15% of the fare
• Bellhops: $1 per bag
• Housekeeping staff: ~$2 or more per day
• Restaurant Servers: ~20% of the check
• Bartenders: $1 per drink

11. Metric & Imperial Units are Used

Depending what you’re doing in Puerto Rico, you may encounter metric or imperial units. This should not cause a problem, as long as you are aware which one you are using. Here are some standards to work with.

• Distances are marked in kilometers
• Speed limits are marked in miles per hour
• Gas is sold in liters rather than gallons

Learn the easy way to convert metric numbers to imperial.

12. San Juan is a Popular Cruise Port

Many cruise lines dock in San Juan, Puerto Rico for a day. In fact, Puerto Rico sees about two million cruise ship passengers per year! The cruise ship terminal is located right outside of historic Old San Juan, so you will notice a significant uptick in tourists on the days that ships are there.

In fact, if you’re staying on the island, I recommend you try to visit Old San Juan when cruise ships are not in port to avoid the crowds.

Of course, being homing to a busy cruise port brings many trickle down side effects. You’ll find many of the shops and restaurants in the Old Town – especially those closest to the port – are very used to tourists. This also means that the prices will reflect that.

13. Puerto Rican Cuisine is a Must-Try

There is amazing food throughout Puerto Rico – eat all the things!! From some of the classics like mofongo to the common fried food snacks like empanadillas, you will not go hungry. One of the bigger challenges may be eating balanced meals while you travel throughout Puerto Rico as you will find quite a bit of fried food on the menus.

Try out a variety of restaurants from your standard sit down dining to more grab-and-go cuisine. For the most local and affordable options hit up a kiosko or street food stall. They are located throughout the island with one of the most famous being the Luquillo kiosks. There you will find dozens of kioskos serving up both local Puerto Rican cuisine and some popular international dishes.

Want to learn more about Puerto Rican cuisine?
Check out a food tour in San Juan to taste the best of the best!

14. Packing Tips for Daytime, Nightlife, and Rainforest

While you may spend many of your days at the beach and dressed extremely casual, you’ll want to pack a variety of clothing for the times you aren’t on the beach. Chances are good you will go out to dinner or perhaps check out the nightlife in La Placita. Dress accordingly.

As a guideline, think of your home town. What would you wear out to dinner? Take something similar. Puerto Ricans tend to be very stylish! Don’t wear your beachwear to dinner, bars, and clubs. You will be severely underdressed. This travel tip for Puerto Rico will keep you from looking too much like a tourist!

A few additional travel tips for packing for Puerto Rico:

• For women, some of the streets are cobblestone so take that into consideration when planning footwear!
• Pack reef-safe sunscreen for your time at the beaches in Puerto Rico and for your walks about town. The sun is strong!
• If you are planning to visit El Yunque National Forest, it is a rainforest. This means you will want to pack a rain jacket and solid shoes or hiking boots to explore in. It can get muddy! (I personally LOVE my Salomon hiking boots.)

15. Protect Yourself from the Elements

One of the biggest things to know before traveling to Puerto Rico is how to stay safe. While you already know about the crime rates, there’s more to consider – the island itself! That’s right, you need to take some responsibility for staying healthy (and alive) during your trip!

Pack Sun Protection

As with any tropical island, you’ll find the sun in Puerto Rico can be brutal! This means you will want to protect yourself from the sun weather you’re on the beach or milling around Old San Juan. Take reef-safe sunscreen and consider a hat or even long sleeves if you’re super susceptible to burning. Nothing will ruin your trip faster than having to stay inside to avoid the sun!

Swim at Your Own Risk

While you no doubt will want to visit the stunning beaches of Puerto Rico, you will want to be familiar with the area you’re in to understand if it’s a safe place to swim. There are parts of the island that have very strong riptides and undertows. While you may find warnings posted, other areas have none. This doesn’t mean its a safe spot to swim.

Don’t be discouraged, there are dozens of great beaches to swim at, including a number of protected bays. Just be aware of the riptides and undertows before getting in too deep – literally and figuratively! Besides, the water feels great compared to the heat of the day!

Know what to pack with the Essential Beach Packing List

16. Puerto Rico Lies in the Hurricane Belt

In September 2017, Hurricane Maria pummeled Puerto Rico as a Category 4 storm. It left all 3.4 million residents without electricity which took several months to restore. The high winds also tore roofs off of buildings and completely destroyed others. As though that was not enough, it also flooded many areas, with as much as 15 feet of water. It completely devastated Puerto Rico.

While much of the island has recovered, you may see lingering effects around the island from this or other hurricanes. You will also find many of the locals have been heavily effected by hurricanes. They could have have taken their home, their livelihood, or changed how they perceive their relationship with the United States who were slow to respond to their need for aid.

This is an important thing to know before traveling to Puerto Rico – particularly if you are visiting during hurricane season. It is possible you will experience the storm. Even outside of hurricane season, you may still see some destruction spread throughout the island. Of course, this means it is a great place to spend your tourism dollars!

Planning Your Trip to Puerto Rico

These travel tips for Puerto Rico will help you know what to expect when you land on this beautiful Caribbean island. Plan more of your trip to Puerto Rico with these helpful posts:

• 10 Best Things to Do in San Juan, Puerto Rico
• 16 Things to Know Before Traveling to Puerto Rico
• 8 Best Bars in Old San Juan: Where to Find Nightlife & Drinks
• Currency in Puerto Rico: What You Need to Know
• Puerto Rico Safety Guide: Is Puerto Rico Safe?
• The Location of Puerto Rico & How It Impacts Your Trip
• Best Time to Visit Culebra, Puerto Rico: Season by Season Breakdown
• How to Visit Mosquito Bay: The Vieques Bioluminescent Bay
• Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico: Everything to Know Before You Go
• 10 Best Things to Do in Culebra, Puerto Rico

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