I dive into #11 things to know before heading to Puerto Rico, various Puerto Rico travel tips and tricks that will make your trip a breeze!
So you’re thinking about heading to Puerto Rico to escape the winter chill and enjoy some time lounging on the beach. Maybe you’ve already bought your tickets. But now it’s time to start planning and you’ve got no idea where to begin. A lot of people have misconceptions about Puerto Rico, and I can totally understand that. Before I went, I didn’t really know what to expect either.
Luckily for you, I’ve gathered all the essential Puerto Rico travel tips right here to help you out! Let’s get into it!
#1 Do I need a passport and visa for Puerto Rico?
Good news for all you U.S citizens! Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the US, so US citizens don’t need a passport or visa. Residents of all other countries will need a passport, some will require visas and some will get a 90-day entry. Check out the Visa Program for more info.
#2 Is Puerto Rico solo travel friendly?
I found Puerto Rico to be pretty solo travel friendly. The only downside is needing to rent a car, which can get pricey if you don’t have someone to split the cost with. Renting a car can sometimes make it a bit harder to meet others as well.
There are a decent amount of hostels throughout Puerto Rico, though not as many as a lot of European countries. This also means they are a bit on the pricier side. I paid around $40 a night for all my hostels. I did meet a friend (who I still chat with and may go on some future adventures with) through a shared airbnb situation, so hostels aren’t the only way to make friends!
In general, meeting people while traveling solo really is more about the effort you put into it than opportunity alone. Overall I’d rate Puerto Rico a 7.5/10 for solo travel friendliness.
#3 Is Puerto Rico safe?
Puerto Rico has a lower crime rate than most states in the U.S. Most crime is gang-related and extremely unlikely to affect tourists. Some of the more touristy areas may have slightly higher pickpocketing, so practice normal tourist precautions and use common sense. I’m not a trusting person, but I rarely felt like me or my valuables were at risk of harm. Old San Juan in particular was probably one of the safest cities I’ve traveled to.
I was always careful to keep my belongings locked at all times. I kept this lock on my day bag at all times to avoid pickpocketing and to protect my expensive camera. It only adds *max* 15 seconds to open your bag and it’s well worth avoiding the frustration and pain of dealing with losing your valuables. I also kept my birdie personal alarm with me and in reach at all times in case I needed help or felt unsafe.
A ‘Puerto Rico travel tips’ bonus for you: To avoid the risk of hurricanes and earthquakes, try not to travel in the off season. However, advanced technology can provide hurricane warnings weeks in advance now. So as long as you have travel insurance, there’s no need to worry! Check out the best time to visit Puerto Rico for more on planning your trip around the weather.
#4 What language is spoken in Puerto Rico?
Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico, though Spanish is far more common. If you don’t speak any Spanish you’ll be able to get around just fine. However, to really understand the culture, I’d recommend learning some basic Spanish before you go.
#5 How is the cell phone coverage in Puerto Rico?
Any US mobile phone will work in Puerto Rico. Some carriers might experience a bit more signal issues towards the center of the island (in the mountains/rainforest).
#6 Do I need to rent a car in Puerto Rico?
Unless you’re making a quick one-day stop from a cruise, or plan on only staying in San Juan your whole trip (not recommended), then you’ll NEED to rent a car. Public transport is very limited and very unreliable, and Ubers are really only available in San Juan. If you plan on exploring the rest of the island, you will need to rent a car.
I met a few travelers that didn’t do careful research before their trip and opted not to rent a car. Almost all of them regretted this decision quite a bit. They felt isolated to the hostel’s vicinity and limited to excursions unless they found someone they could carpool with.
Another ‘Puerto Rico travel tips’ bonus for you: Drive with caution up into the mountains of PR. The roads are narrow, steep and winding. If you can’t see around a corner, it’s advised to honk your horn before the turn so other cars know you’re coming. Also, most drivers in Puerto Rico don’t use turn signals. It definitely took a few days to adjust to driving here!
#7 What weather can I expect in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons, the rainy season occurs in Summer and Fall, and the dry season in Winter and Spring. For the majority of the island, temps hover between 75-90 degrees F, (with summer humidity making things feel hotter). Closer inland, particularly up in the mountains, temps can get down into the 60s and occasionally high 50’s, depending on storms and time of year. (Once again, my post on when to visit Puerto Rico will provide a more detailed look at the weather year round)
#8 What is the currency in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico’s currency is the US dollar (since it’s a US territory). While living costs in Puerto Rico may be cheaper than most US mainland areas, general prices for food, activities and accommodation are about the same as US prices. click here for conversion rate from US dollars to your currency.
#9 Will I need Cash or do they accept cards?
You will want to carry some cash with you, as there are a few places that won’t accept cards, though overall I found I could use my card a lot more than I was expecting. Only a few places required cash and some were simply because their card readers weren’t working that day. There are lots of ATMs available in every town. Puerto Rico accepts all major credit cards, though some international travelers may have associated fees so check with your credit card carrier beforehand. And make sure you notify your bank that you will be traveling so your card doesn’t get locked!
#10 Do I need to tip in Puerto Rico?
Like the rest of the US, tipping is customary & an essential part of service industries. They don’t make full wages like they do in other places & their income relies on tips. It’s customary to tip between 15% to 20% of your bill at restaurants and anywhere from $2 to $10 for hotel staff and taxi drivers.
#11 What’s the emergency number?
Should you find yourself in need of any emergency help or assistance, just dial #911, same as the rest of the US! 911 operators will dispatch whatever service you are in need of, whether that’s fire services, an ambulance, or police.
Let me know which of these Puerto Rico travel tips was the most helpful for you, or if there are any remaining essential Puerto Rico travel tips you’d like to see added!
0 Comments