Puerto Rico Travel Guide
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about taking a trip to Puerto Rico, a U.S. Territory in the Caribbean Sea. We love visiting Puerto Rico and heartily recommend it as a family travel destination. For first-time visitors, there are some things you should know before planning a trip to Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Fast Facts:
Here are some basic travel tips you need to know before you visit Puerto Rico:
- No passport is needed for U.S. citizens! Because Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, you can arrive with just a driver’s license.
- The U.S. Dollar is the official currency of Puerto Rico, so there’s no need for currency exchange. It’s easier just to bring the cash you need, but you’ll find ATMs in the larger towns if you need them.
- Credit cards are widely accepted; Visa and MasterCard more often than American Express. Some of the roadside stands may only accept cash, so make sure to keep some small bills on hand.
- 15-20% is the standard for tipping in Puerto Rico restaurants.
- English is widely spoken, but Spanish is the official language of Puerto Rico. It helps to know a little bit of Spanish when you visit!
- Hurricane season is from June through November
- Electrical outlets are the same in Puerto Rico as they are in the rest of the U.S.
- Most cell carriers are also in Puerto Rico, so cellular data and WiFi work exactly the same as in the continental U.S. Service can be spotty, just like any other mountainous or rural area.
- Puerto Rico is in the Atlantic Time Zone, which matches the East Coast but without Daylight Savings Time.
- It’s OK to drink tap water and use ice in Puerto Rico.
Where to Go in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is about 100 miles long and lined with beautiful beaches and historic towns. Deciding where to go in Puerto Rico is your first challenge when planning your visit. Once you arrive, the locals are more than happy to give you suggestions.
San Juan
The first place most people visit in Puerto Rico is San Juan; specifically, Old San Juan. This is the historic part of San Juan, set between Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristobal. Between those two forts, you’ll find historic streets lined with shops and restaurants. It’s also where the cruise ships arrive and depart. So it can be crowded, but it’s absolutely worth visiting.
San Juan also has some excellent museums, including
Bioluminescent Bays
Another thing Puerto Rico is known for is the three bioluminescent bays. There are only five of these bays in the world, and three of them are in Puerto Rico! The plankton in these waters glows in the dark when agitated, so you can visit at night and find glowing water!
- Laguna Grande is about an hour’s drive east of San Juan
- Mosquito Bay is probably the best bioluminescent bay in Puerto Rico, but also the most difficult. It’s located on Vieques, which requires a ferry from the main island of Puerto Rico.
- La Parguera is about two and a half hours drive from San Juan, near the southwest corner of the island.
If you want to visit these spots, you need to book your tour in advance as they are very popular and fill up quickly. Also, if you’re deciding when to visit Puerto Rico, the new moon is the best time to experience the bioluminescent bays.
Puerto Rico Beaches
The entire island is practically surrounded by beaches, so as you are driving around Puerto Rico, just pull over if you see a great beach. Some beaches are better for swimming than others, so pay attention to the signage. If it says “no swimming” then don’t swim!
Water Sports in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico isn’t just for beachcombing, there are tons of great opportunities to get out on the water and be active. Surfing is super popular, especially around Rincon. You can also take a fishing charter or go whale watching at certain times of the year, as well as snorkeling and scuba diving.
Puerto Rico Villages
Take time to soak in some of the small-town culture in the villages around the island. If you want to get a feel for the “real” Puerto Rico, you need to go off the beaten path. Isabella and Ponce are two smaller towns worth visiting.
Outdoor Adventures
Puerto Rico is more than just beaches. There are rainforests and lush jungles, mountains over 4,000 feet tall. It’s a great destination for hiking and caving. El Yunque National Forest includes almost 30,000 acres of tropical rainforest.
Baseball Games in Puerto Rico
If you’re a baseball fan, you probably already know that a lot of professional players in the States hail from Puerto Rico. Baseball is huge in Puerto Rico! If you get a chance to go to a baseball game in Puerto Rico, go.
What NOT to Do in Rincon, Puerto Rico
Prices in Puerto Rico
A lot of people assume that Puerto Rico is a cheap destination to visit, but compared to other Latin and Caribbean destinations, it’s not really all that cheap. Staying in San Juan will be expensive, just like any other big city or capital city in the U.S. Of course, some of the smaller towns are more affordable, but it’s not necessarily a “budget destination.”
If you want to save money on your trip to Puerto Rico, try eating at the kiosks, or kioskos. They are similar to food trucks, so you’ll get excellent food that is not nearly as expensive as the restaurants. We have found this is the closest thing you’ll get to authentic, homemade food.
People of Puerto Rico
Everyone I met in Puerto Rico was like their own ambassador for Puerto Rico tourism. They are so proud of their home and love sharing their travel tips and favorite spots with you. When we solicit advice from our readers, our Puerto Rico requests get the most feedback by far. They are boisterous and fun, and they won’t hesitate to tell you where to go, and where to avoid! I highly recommend trying to meet some locals during your trip.
Service in Puerto Rico is super friendly as well, but remember most locals are on “island time” so they’re not necessarily in a hurry. Island time takes some getting used to, but once you do, you’ll be super relaxed.
Is Puerto Rico Safe?
Overall, Puerto Rico is a pretty safe place to visit, especially when considering other Caribbean destinations.
The biggest danger to most tourists in Puerto Rico is the sun! It’s incredibly strong, and a bad sunburn can really ruin your trip, so make sure you bring lots of sunscreen and reapply it often.
Hurricane season in the Caribbean and Atlantic Oceans happens from June through November. Puerto Rico has been hit by some incredibly strong hurricanes over the years, so know that this is a possibility.
Pay attention to any surf warnings and signs on the beaches in Puerto Rico. Not all of them are suitable for swimming. Some have rough surf and strong undertow, so pay attention. If you are visiting Puerto Rico with kids, ask around for some of the best family-friendly beaches in Puerto Rico.
Driving in Puerto Rico isn’t unsafe, but you definitely need to pay attention and take precautions. Drive defensively, and be prepared for some bumpy roads, especially if you are outside of San Juan. Of course, don’t leave valuables in your car as that can make you an easy target.
What to Pack for Puerto Rico
This is a tropical island, so it will most likely be hot and humid when you visit Puerto Rico. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothes. The vibe here is super casual, so shorts, flip-flops, and tees are perfectly fine to wear almost anywhere. You may want to pack one nice outfit in case you decide on a fancy dinner one night.
Bug spray is also a necessity when packing for Puerto Rico. The mosquitos can be super annoying and even more so if you are hiking in the jungle!
Getting Around Puerto Rico
Do not expect to rely on public transportation in Puerto Rico, as it’s practically non-existent. Renting a car is the best way to get around Puerto Rico, but you can also hire drivers or taxis to take you from town to town. The airport taxi stands have rates for various towns all over the island.
If you do rent a car, make sure you reserve one ahead of time as we saw several rental agencies that were sold out.
Island hopping is also an option in Puerto Rico, as there are a few islands that make up Puerto Rico. There are a few ferries, but the best option is to fly between islands.
Where to Stay in Puerto Rico
There’s a wide variety of accommodations in Puerto Rico. San Juan has big hotels and casinos, and you’ll find luxury resorts dotted around the island. There are also a lot of apartment rentals if you prefer to go that route.
Outside of San Juan, you won’t see a lot of hotel chains, so you’ll have to dig a bit deeper to find places to stay outside San Juan, as it will mostly be smaller, independent hotels. You also have to plan ahead because accommodation does fill up, especially during peak travel periods. We booked our San Juan hotel six months in advance!
If you find a deal that seems too good to be true, be careful! You could find yourself in a less desirable area of town, or it may be a scam altogether. Be sure to read reviews and know what you’re getting into.
What Not to Do at All-Inclusive Resorts
What to Eat in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has fantastic food, and we can’t possibly list all of the great things to eat in Puerto Rico. These are some of the more common dishes you might see in Puerto Rico.
Plantains are very popular in Puerto Rico and are found in many dishes. Plantains are in the same family as the banana and they look very similar; they are starchy and can be eaten in many different ways.
- Mofongo is one of the most popular things to eat in Puerto Rico. They smash up plantains and serve it in a little dome, often accompanied by meat or seafood.
- Tostones are fried green plantains and make a great appetizer as you wait for your food
- Amarillos are another plantain dish, but these are sweet and lightly fried. They’re a great side dish, and Jocelyn likes them for breakfast.
- Pasteles look like a tamale, but they are a bit sweet and made from plantains
Frituras are little fried foods that we like to try whenever we see them. Our favorite version is the empanadilla, which is similar to an empanada. We also like the alcapurrias, which look like a corn dog. They are made from yucca and usually have a meat filling.
Tripleta is a big sandwich, and it’s a common Puerto Rico hangover cure.
Like many Caribbean and Latin countries, rice and beans are a staple of food in Puerto Rico. What’s different here, though, is that you don’t mix the rice and beans. The beans usually come in a separate bowl.
Being on an island, the seafood in Puerto Rico is also fantastic. We had excellent red snapper, and grouper, plus shrimp, lobster, octopus, and lots of other seafood dishes.
By far, Mark’s favorite thing to eat in Puerto Rico is lechon asado. This is a suckling pig spit-roasted and it is delicious. There’s a “Lechon Road” where you’ll see roadside stands selling pork rinds and you can even buy your lechon by the pound. If you’re in a restaurant, you might see Pernil on the menu; this is pork shoulder, and it’s also very tasty.
You must try the sauces when you eat Puerto Rican food, too! Our favorite is Pique, which is a basic hot sauce that comes in many varieties. Sofrito is another delicious sauce that goes well with meat and is also used for stews.
Don’t miss out on the bakeries, either, because Puerto Rico has some great sweets! Some that we love include:
- Quesitos, which are like a puff pastry with cheese inside.
- Flan is another tasty treat to have in Puerto Rico or try Tembleque, which is a coconut version.
- Arroz con Dulce is a sweet rice pudding that is so good!
When it comes to drinks in Puerto Rico, rum is king. Puerto Rico has great varieties of rum, as sugarcane was once a major crop on many Caribbean islands. The Pina Colada was invented here as well! Coquito is another popular rum drink that is typically served at Christmas.
If you want to try local beer in Puerto Rico, look for Medalla, which comes in regular or light varieties.
What NOT to Do in Puerto Rico
- Don’t call Puerto Rico cheap – it’s not really cheap; it may be considered affordable, but don’t call it cheap.
- Don’t try to communicate without a little bit of Spanish. You don’t have to be fluent, but show that you’ve made an effort to speak a little bit of the local language; it goes a long way!
- Don’t make light of Puerto Rico being a U.S. Territory; there’s a lot of baggage in the history of the US and Puerto Rico, and you don’t want to offend the locals.
- Don’t think San Juan is “all of Puerto Rico.” There’s a lot to see outside the capital city; it’s like visiting Washington DC and saying you’ve “seen the United States.”
- Don’t forget to pay close attention to the road signs. The distance signs are in kilometers, but the speed limit is in miles. Likewise, the gas prices are displayed in liters.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
I can’t emphasize enough how much I love visiting Puerto Rico. It’s safe, historic, beautiful, and affordable. There is a lot of variety in the things to see, and the food is amazing, too! Looking for more Caribbean travel tips? Check out these other blog posts: