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Puerto Rico receives almost 5 million tourists each year and is best known for its coastline, waterfalls, rainforest, and bioluminescent bays. The country is full of colonial architecture, pink salt flats, white sand beaches, coral reefs, and sea turtles. Snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, boating, hiking, kayaking, ATVing, and horseback riding are popular outdoor activities. Continue reading this Puerto Rico travel guide including the top things to do in Puerto Rico.
Planning international travel can be overwhelming and time-consuming while working full-time. Use this Puerto Rico travel guide and the following Puerto Rico travel blog posts to plan your perfect vacation. The top destinations in Puerto Rico are San Juan, Vieques, Culebra, and El Yunque National Forest.
Top Destinations in Puerto Rico
Why Visit San Juan
San Juan is the oldest city in America and is full of Colonial-style architecture. Be sure to take a walk down Calle Fortaleza, Calle del Cristo, and Calle San Sebastian.
READ: Things to Do in San Juan Puerto Rico, One Week Itinerary
Why Visit Vieques
Vieques is said to have the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. The island is also known for its wild horses and snorkeling with sea turtles.
Why Visit Culebra
Culebra is a collection of over 20 cays and home of Flamenco Beach which is consistently voted one of the world’s most beautiful beaches.
Why Visit El Yunque National Forest
The El Yunque National Forest is the US National Forest Service’s only tropical rainforest. The area covers 28,000 acres and receives over receives more than 100 billion gallons of rainfall annually. You will find hiking trails, amazing waterfalls, wild orchids, giant ferns, tabonuco trees, sierra palms, and the coquí frog.
Visit a Bioluminescent Bay
There are 3 bio bays in Puerto Rico: Mosquito Bay in Vieques, Laguna Grande in Fajardo, and La Parguera in Lajas. To have a better opportunity to see them, it is best to go when it is closer to a new moon, making the sky darker. The more light pollution, the harder they are to see, especially when you are close to the city. Note: the illuminist is not as bright as you see in pictures and very difficult to photograph.
What You Need to Know When Planning a Trip to Puerto Rico
Where is Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is an unincorporated U.S. island in the Caribbean between the Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands. It is a short 3-hour flight from Miami. Puerto Rico is actually an archipelago consisting of three islands: Culebra, Vieques, and the main island. With a population of over 352,000 million, it is one of the largest islands in the Caribbean Sea.
What is the language spoken in Puerto Rico?
The national language of Puerto Rico is Spanish. English is widely spoken, especially in hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
Do I need a visa to visit Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is a US Territory; US citizens do not need a passport or visa to visit. For all other countries, visa requirements are the same as in the United States.
What is the currency in Puerto Rico?
The currency in Puerto Rico is the US dollar.
Can I use credit cards and ATMs in Puerto Rico?
ATMs are available throughout Puerto Rico. Credit cards are widely accepted. It is always a good idea to carry some cash for small shops and street stalls. Tipping 15-20% before tax is expected.
How much should I budget per day in Puerto Rico?
According to Budget Your Trip, the average daily cost of traveling in Puerto Rico is $218. Expect to pay $3,048 + airfare for a one-week trip for 2.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Rico?
The best time to visit Puerto Rico is May and June. The high season is from December to May, expect good weather and higher prices. The low season is from July to November. This is also hurricane season, be sure to purchase travel insurance. Temperatures in Puerto Rico average around 85F plus humidity.
How Many Days Do I Need in Puerto Rico?
It is possible to experience the island during a long weekend basing your stay in San Juan and booking day trips from the city. Note, Puerto Rico is a small island yet a drive around it will take 7 to 8 hours without stops.
What type of transportation does Puerto Rico use?
Fly into San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín Airport. Old Town San Juan is a 20-minute drive from the airport. Speak to your hotel to see if a shuttle service is available. If not, Uber or taxi to the hotel. Public transportation is limited. San Juan is walkable with short Uber rides. Rent a car or book day trips from San Juan to visit other areas of the island. Note: roads are rough, have potholes, and there is very little parking in Old San Juan.
What kind of adaptor do I need in Puerto Rico?
Plugs are type A and B, the standard voltage is 120 V, and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. If visiting from the US, you do not need a converter or adapter.
What should I pack for Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is a tropical destination. Pack lightweight, casual beach clothes, including, sandals, sunglasses, swimsuits, cover-up, water shoes, a floating dry bag, reef-safe sunscreen, and bug spray. Bring active wear, an umbrella, a raincoat, and a day pack for rainforest hiking tours. Wear shoes with cushioned soles for walking on San Juan’s cobbled streets. Pack a nice outfit if you plan to go clubbing.
Is Puerto Rico a safe country for solo travelers?
According to Travel Safe Abroad, the overall risk of travel to Puerto Rico is medium. Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and petty theft are common, do not leave belongings on the beach or in a car. There is a medium risk for mugging, stay on well-lit streets at night. There is a high risk of terrorist attacks and separatist violence in Puerto Rico. Travel Safe Abroad reports Puerto Rico “isn’t too safe for solo women”, do not walk alone at night and book your hotel near the Condado area. Pay attention while walking in Old San Juan. The streets are narrow and have tripping hazards. Also, be sure to use bug spray due to the Zika Virus. Dial 911 in an emergency. Contact the US Embassy for non-urgent emergencies, such as a lost passport.
What food do I need to try in Puerto Rico?
Mofongo (fried plantains mashed with meat, fish, or vegetables), Lechón (slow roast pork), arroz con habichuelas, empanadas, Tostones (mashed and fried plantains), sofrito, and drink pina coladas.
Puerto Rico Travel Guide Tips
U.S. cell phone plans do not need a SIM card and there are no roaming charges.
The legal drinking age is 18.
There is very limited parking in Old San Juan, grab an Uber.
You must purchase a timed reservation to visit El Yunque National Forest and tickets sell out in advance.
Do not visit El Yunque National Forest during the rainy season.
Top Things to See and Do in Puerto Rico
Explore colorful Old San Juan
Relax on Flamenco Beach, repeatedly voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world
Kayak the famous Mosquito Bay bioluminescent bay
Eat your way across La Ruta del Lechon, the Pork Highway, in Cayey
Ride the “Monster” zipline at Toro Verde Adventure Park
See Salinas de Cabo Rojo, the pink salt flats
Be sure to check the Puerto Rico Office of Tourism for current events
Puerto Rico Travel Guide Interesting Facts
San Juan is the oldest city in America.
Puerto Rico has 3 of the world’s 5 bioluminescence bays.
El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the United States.
The Pina Colada originated in Puerto Rico at Barrachina or Caribe Hotel (depending on who you talk to).
The longest zipline in the world is located here, The Monster is the length of 28 football fields!
Puerto Rico is responsible for over 70% of the rum sold in the United States and has the largest distillery in the world.
The Arecibo Observatory is the world’s largest radio telescope.
Puerto Rico has the world’s largest single-dish radio telescope.
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Plan Your Trip to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Travel Guide
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Puerto Rico Attractions and Day Trips
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Travel Essentials
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Have a great vacation!