Language: Brush up on your Español
English works, but brush up on your “Español”. Almost everyone understands English, especially in touristic areas but a good Puerto Rico Travel Tip would be to have an app or printed dictionary from your native language to Spanish and vice versa.
Currency
Puerto Rico uses the US dollar. Don’t worry, all major credit cards are accepted (Visa, MasterCard and American Express, among others).
Hour difference: What’s the time?
Puerto Rico has the same time as Florida, EST or Eastern Standard Time. Daylight Saving Time does not apply here. During our trip there will be a two hour difference (two hours later) than MN.
Get your documents ready for the Caribbean
US citizens can visit Puerto Rico with just their state issued Driver’s License (a great Puerto Rico Travel Tip for nationals). All others have to go to the US embassy offices and get a tourist visa; you will need a passport for this. Usually you can get a visa to stay for up to 90 consecutive days. But be sure to check with the proper US government offices, here are some useful websites to get you started with your traveling:
U.S. Embassy http://www.usembassy.gov/
Transportation Security Administration http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information
U.S. Department of State http://travel.state.gov/
Passport Services and Information http://travel.state.gov/passport/
Customs and Border Protection made easy
Always have your documents printed and ready on hand to make your process fast an easy. To know more about what documents you need check: http://www.cbp.gov/
Declare everything you are bringing with you like merchandise and large amounts of cash.
Always remember to check what things you can bring on flights, in which baggage you can put liquids and in which ones you can’t, luggage sizes, weight limitations, etc.
Always arrive early, it is recommended two hours before departure for local flights and 3 hours before departure for international flights. (Puerto Rico Travel Tip: Be sure to mind this tip specially during high seasons like Winter and Summer)
Download the brochure “Know before you go” at the Customs and Border Protection website http://www.cbp.gov/ to be fully prepared.
What you’re allowed to bring or take with you back home?
Puerto Rico has the same rules as any other state in the US so be sure to check all the information from the US government here: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information
Emergency attention / Don’t freak out in case of emergency
Help lines and important phone numbers
Emergency Services: 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 (FEMA): 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
How about medical assistance?
Puerto Rico has excellent hospitals and doctors.
Do you need current converters or adapters?
Puerto Rico uses the same 110V system as the US and Canada.
Remember to leave a tip.
US visitors are probably familiar with this, remember it is normal to leave a tip at restaurants between 15% and 18%. Waiters usually have lower salaries because they are expected to get a fair amount of tips from every table. Be sure to follow this Puerto Rico travel tip: if the service was good, leave a higher tip.
Taxes are not always included.
This is a Puerto Rico travel tip that might save you from some surprises in your receipts. Usually prices don’t include tax, so remember to calculate for the price when buying at shopping malls or having food at one of our famous restaurants. Taxes are usually around 11%.
Weather on the island/Summertime all the time
One thing you should know is that it’s always summer in Puerto Rico. So bringing some shorts, bathing suits and sunblock is always a good Puerto Rico travel tip. Usually the lowest temperatures are around 69ºF/21ºC and the highest around 98ºF/37ºC. Throughout the year we do have a lot of showers that are generally short and help to cool off the day, but unless there’s a storm or other atmospheric phenomenon, you won’t have a bad rainy day.
Hurricanes in Puerto Rico are common, but they are not something to worry about. You can easily anticipate if and when one might strike and then just plan ahead of time. Remember hurricane season begins in June and ends in November. Mid September, is when most hurricanes have hit the island and almost every year there’s at least a small storm warning around then.
The best local food, but you have other options as well
Our local food is like no other, be sure to visit Piñones or Los Kioskos de Luquillo and try our famous fried food. Also visit our amazing restaurants with local or new-era creative cuisine made by renowned chefs from all over the world. If you feel the need, you can also find most international food chains around every corner, but our Puerto Rico travel tip would strongly suggest you eat local and get the full experience.
Bringing your phone/Roaming in paradise.
If you have a US phone you are covered. We have the same carriers and all the same roaming and state-to-state rules apply. If you don’t have a US phone number, we recommend getting a pre paid mobile device from one of the cellular companies. To dial outside the country, you have to dial 011 then your country code and then the phone number. If it’s a US number just dial the normal 10-digit number you would always use.
