31 Puerto Rico Travel Tips from a Local

Even if you think you’re prepared for your upcoming trip, there are still some key Puerto Rico travel tips to know.

As a local born and raised in Puerto Rico, I’ve seen my fair share of clueless tourists facing complications while exploring Puerto Rico’s top sites just because nobody told them what to expect.

To save you the trouble, I’ve put together my best Puerto Rico travel tips you should know before visiting the archipelago.

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31 Tips & Things to Know Before Going to Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Isn’t an Island (It’s Several)

Very few people know that Puerto Rico is actually an archipelago, consisting of several islands – not just the main island also named Puerto Rico.

In fact, you’ll find some of the best places to go in Puerto Rico are actually located on the two municipalities outside the main island: Vieques and Culebra.

Beyond those, the archipelago also has over a hundred smaller islands and cays like Desecheo, Icacos, Palomino, and Gilligan’s Island.

❓ Want to Learn More About Puerto Rico? Check out these 41 Fun Facts About Puerto Rico.

Book Your Ferry Tickets in Advance

Despite being offshore, Vieques and Culebra are popular beach destinations in Puerto Rico. In fact, they’re so popular that it’s almost impossible to get ferry tickets during the high season. So, if you’re planning to explore the offshore municipalities, I recommend booking your tickets in advance through Puerto Rico Ferry. 

Buy the roundtrip ticket, as I’ve seen more than one passenger get stuck on the municipalities islands because they expected to find available tickets at the box office.

Pack Your Mosquito Repellent

Puerto Rico is a tropical island in the Caribbean, which means you’ll find a lot of mosquitos here. Mosquitoes can transmit different illnesses like Dengue and Zika so you’ll want to add DEET-free mosquito repellent to your Puerto Rico packing list.

You can also use bug repellent bracelets if you hate the sticky feeling of mosquito repellent.

For Short Getaways, Stick to Old San Juan

If you only have a weekend in Puerto Rico, Old San Juan still offers a great traveling experience and is probably your best bet for where to stay in Puerto Rico. 

The old city is home to many of San Juan’s most important points of interest like El Morro Fort, amazing food, gorgeous beaches, and lots of Puerto Rican culture you can explore without the need to rent a car in Puerto Rico.

But, If You Can, Leave Old San Juan

While Old San Juan has the most famous Puerto Rico landmarks, I’d say the best landmarks and beaches in Puerto Rico are outside San Juan.

So, if you have some extra time, I totally recommend adventuring outside the capital, even if it’s just as a day trip from San Juan. 

If you want to explore even further, I offer custom Puerto Rico itinerary services, so you can have your trip tailored to all your interests.

👉 Bonus Tip: If you’re planning a day trip outside San Juan, take with you a backpack with snacks, since making stops to eat can quickly add to your expenses.

A Car is Very Helpful

While there is public transportation in Puerto Rico, it’s heavily limited to the metro region (the capital and surrounding cities), so it’s not practical if you’re trying to get around Puerto Rico and outside of the metropolitan region.

That’s why you should really consider renting a car to go out of San Juan. Driving in Puerto Rico is easier than you might think!

You can use the comparison engine Discover Cars to find the best prices for the days you’ll be staying! Bookmark my guide to renting a car in Puerto Rico to learn all about what you need to do.

Prepare for a Lot of Car Honking

One thing that surprises a lot of people is how much Puerto Ricans honk their cars.

We honk to say hi, to make you know the light changed, to catch your attention, and to curse at you too. You will be able to tell the difference, just make sure you don’t do anything to receive the “cursing” honk.

There’s A Hurricane Season

Before booking your tickets, know that Puerto Rico has a hurricane season that goes from June to November.

During this period, hurricanes and tropical storms that form in the Atlantic could impact the archipelago directly or indirectly.

This doesn’t mean hurricanes will hit Puerto Rico yearly. In fact, the last hurricane to impact the archipelago directly was Hurricane Fiona in 2022.

Why would anyone risk it? Well, traveling during the hurricane season saves you a lot of money, and helps you escape the heavy tourist crowds. Just make sure to buy travel insurance ahead.

👉 Bonus Tip: Traveling during the hurricane season to Puerto Rico is risky, but can save you a lot of money. Use VisitorsCoverage to find the best travel insurance for you.

Keep an Umbrella with You

While Puerto Rico is sunny all year round, it rains quite frequently.

Even if showers are short, you should always keep an umbrella with you, especially if you choose to visit Puerto Rico during the rainy season, which goes from April to November. 

Tipping is Expected

Tipping in Puerto Rico is not compulsory, but it’s expected within restaurants, hotels, and bars.

Some common tipping quantities are $2 or more per day for the housekeeping staff, $1 per drink for bartenders, and at least 15% of the check for restaurant servers.

You can also tip cab drivers, uber drivers, and bellhops.

Puerto Rico Uses the Dollar

Puerto Rico is a non-incorporated territory of the United States, which means the archipelago’s currency is the US dollar.

So if you’re traveling from the USA, you don’t need to worry about finding a currency exchange!

But, if you’re visiting from an international destination, know that the SJU airport, the largest of Puerto Rico’s airports, only does currency exchange for euros. If you’re coming from a non-European country, make the currency exchange back home.

No Passport Needed (If From the US)

Due to the archipelago’s political status, US citizens can travel freely between the USA and Puerto Rico using just their Real ID. Read my guide to passport requirements for Puerto Rico for more information.

For more inspiration, check out Andrew’s list of all the other places you can visit without a US passport.

If Not, You’ll Need a Visa

If you’re not a US citizen but want to visit Puerto Rico, you must know you’ll need to meet the same entry and visa requirements for any other part of the United States.

You Can Visit on a Cruise

Puerto Rico is a popular cruise port. While some cruises depart from here and others just make a quick stop, Old San Juan receives up to 1.3 million cruise ship passengers per year.

So, if you rather party while you travel, take a cruise to visit Puerto Rico.

Since cruises typically only have a short time in port, you may want to check out my guide to the best tours and excursions from San Juan port.

Flip Flops Aren’t For Every Occasion

While you may be spending most of your days exploring Puerto Rico’s beautiful beaches, you should pack something more than sandals and bathing suits in your bag. 

Many tourists believe they can wear their swimwear everywhere, but in reality, Puerto Ricans dress up even before leaving the beach.

If you’re going to the beach and are planning what to wear, know that you’ll need an extra change of clothes for restaurants, hospitals, bars, and even for walking around the city.

Wearing only a bikini or a mesh cover-up outside the beach will definitely draw some side eyes, and some places might even refuse to serve you. So, it’s best to throw on something casual before leaving the sand.

Plan Your Budget

Puerto Rico is not a cheap destination. You can expect more or less the prices you would find in cities like Orlando, and you should plan your budget for Puerto Rico accordingly.

You can save money by eating in food kiosks known as chinchorros, and roadside food trucks outside the tourist zone.

Renting an Airbnb with a kitchen, booking a hotel with breakfast included, or traveling during the low season are also great ways to save.

The Drinking Age is 18

Young international visitors thinking about traveling to experience nightlife in Puerto Rico may be in for a nasty surprise: the legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18 years, though some clubs may require you to be 21 to enter. 

The drinking age in Puerto Rico is well-enforced too. Bars, gas stations, and even convenience stores will ask you for an ID every time you try to buy a drink and will certainly deny it to you if you’re under 18.

If you are of age and want to try something local, bookmark my article on the best Puerto Rican drinks.

Speaking Spanish Comes In Handy

Puerto Rico has two official languages, Spanish and English, but English speakers are mostly found in tourist areas. That’s why, before visiting Puerto Rico, you should learn some basic Spanish phrases to get around.

Traffic is Heavy

If you’re renting a car, you should know Puerto Rico sports some heavy traffic, especially in the metro region. The peak traffic hours could make a simple 20-minute route take 45 minutes or an hour.

Be sure to go out with plenty of time (and gas!) to your destinations.

You Might Lose Signal

US travelers could be surprised when learning their phones work perfectly fine in Puerto Rico without the need to pay for roaming.

But, if you adventure into the mountainous region, you’ll probably lose your signal at some point. So, make sure to always download your maps offline.

Metrics are Different

You will notice Puerto Ricans use both the Imperial and Metric System for measuring, which means you’ll see things in inches and others in meters. For example, distances are measured in kilometers, speed limits in miles per hour, and gas in liters.

The Most Beautiful Beaches Aren’t in San Juan

San Juan beaches are great for couples, families, and solo travelers.

But they can’t compare with the clearest and paradisiacal beaches in Puerto Rico located outside San Juan.

If you’ve got extra time, I recommend exploring the beaches in Vieques, Culebra, and Cabo Rojo.

Some Beaches Have Rip Currents

While you can’t leave Puerto Rico without visiting its beaches, you should know some beaches have rip currents including Playa Jobos, Condado Beach, and Playa Peña.

You can ask your Puerto Rico local travel guide about them, or you can check the Swim Safe PR website to know which beaches have a red flag during your visit, which means they have strong rip currents or dangerous tides.

Others Have Sargassum

Like in many places in the Caribbean, sargassum is a big seasonal problem in Puerto Rico’s beaches, and sometimes, it will make swimming impossible. Before you hit the road, use the CARICOOS saragassum tracker website to know if the beach you’re visiting is affected by sargassum.

Bring Your Hiking Boots

You’ll find lots of incredible hiking trails in Puerto Rico, and getting out on them is a great activity!

So just remember that your Puerto Rico packing list should include more than your swimwear when visiting Puerto Rico. In top destinations like El Yunque National Forest, you’ll need boots, long-sleeved t-shirts, and even a light rain jacket!

Visit the Bio Bays on a New Moon

Many factors affect the glow in Puerto Rico’s bio bays, but one of the biggest is light, especially moonlight. I’ve seen lots of comments from people who visit on the wrong days and then complain it’s a scam or that it’s not real, when in reality, the problem was that they went while the moon was out.

To really appreciate the bioluminescence during your Puerto Rico bio bay tour, make sure to visit during the new moon! Anything over 8% moonlight will significantly affect your experience.

Park Wisely

For many destinations and attractions in Puerto Rico, you’ll need to find on-street parking. 

Unfortunately, because of unfamiliarity with local rules, it’s not uncommon for visitors to end up with parking tickets. So, as a heads up, never park along yellow or red lines when parallel parking, even if you see other cars doing it. Also, don’t park anywhere that says “No estacione,” which literally means “Don’t park.”

For some waterfalls and natural attractions, you might have to park along the roadside. In those cases, check how other cars are parked and pull over as much as possible without blocking traffic. And finally, never park over sidewalks, even if it looks like everyone else is doing it. You’ll almost definitely get a ticket.

Don’t Leave Your Belongings Unattended

As obvious as it might seem, some people still leave their bags unattended at the beach or in places like restaurants and bars. And while Puerto Rico is generally pretty safe, petty theft isn’t uncommon, especially if you make things easy for a thief. So, don’t leave your bags unattended, no matter where you are.

And as tempting as it might be, don’t leave bags, wallets, or tablets in the car, even if they’re “not visible.” Chances are, you’ll come back to a broken window.

You can read my safety in Puerto Rico guide for more helpful tips!

Keep Some Cash On You

If you’re taking a road trip in Puerto Rico, keep in mind that many food kiosks, street vendors, and local artisans only accept cash. You might see some locals paying with their phones, but they’re using a local app called ATH Móvil, not PayPal, Samsung Pay, or Apple Pay. 

So, make sure to have some cash on hand for roadside meals, parking fees, and local souvenirs.

Be Patient with “Local Time”

Overall, Puerto Ricans are very laid back, including with their arrival times. If you’re making plans with your Puerto Ricans friends, or are invited to a party, keep in mind it’s not unusual for Puerto Ricans up to an hour late.

This however, doesn’t apply for tours, concerts, or official events, so don’t arrive late to those! 

Expect Closed Doors During Lunch Time

While there isn’t an official “siesta” time like in Spain, you’ll notice that many museums and attractions in Puerto Rico close from 12 to 1 p.m., the typical local lunch hour. 

So, if you’re planning to visit a government office, like the Tourism Office, or a museum such as Museo de Las Américas, check their hours in advance. You might not be able to enter or get assistance if you arrive during that lunch break.

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That was the complete list of tips for traveling to Puerto Rico. If you’re still figuring out what to do, check out my guide to the 72 best things to do in Puerto Rico.