Puerto Rico travel guide
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and US territory with a strong Spanish-speaking culture, a colonial old town, rainforest, bioluminescent bays and beaches on every coast. Travel is easy for visitors used to US conventions, and the food and music are distinctly Puerto Rican. It suits beach holidays, road trips and long weekends alike.
Places worth the trip
Old San Juan
A walled colonial city of blue cobblestones and painted houses. The fortresses of El Morro and San Cristóbal, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, guard the harbour, and the streets are full of bars, cafés and plazas.
El Yunque National Forest
The only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System, east of San Juan, with waterfalls, swimming holes, observation towers and the call of the tiny coquí frog. Some areas require timed reservations, so check before you go.
Bioluminescent bays
Puerto Rico has three bays where microscopic organisms make the water glow when disturbed. Mosquito Bay on Vieques is among the brightest in the world; Laguna Grande in Fajardo and La Parguera are easier to reach. Tours run on moonless nights by kayak or electric boat.
Culebra and Vieques
Two small islands off the east coast with quieter beaches. Flamenco Beach on Culebra is often ranked among the best in the Caribbean, and Vieques has wild horses and miles of undeveloped coast.
Ponce
The main city of the south coast, with a striking red-and-black striped firehouse (Parque de Bombas), a fine art museum and grand old houses around its central plaza.
Camuy River Cave Park and Arecibo
Karst country in the north-west, with limestone caves and sinkholes. The site of the former Arecibo radio telescope, whose dish collapsed in 2020, remains a science education centre.
Rincón
A surf town on the west coast with winter swells, sunsets over the Mona Passage and whales sometimes visible offshore in winter.
La Ruta del Lechón, Guavate
A string of open-air restaurants in the mountains south of San Juan specialising in slow-roasted pork, with live music and dancing at weekends.
Interesting facts about Puerto Rico
- Puerto Ricans are US citizens by birth, though residents of the island cannot vote in US presidential elections.
- San Juan, founded in the early sixteenth century, is one of the oldest cities founded by Europeans in the Americas.
- The piña colada is widely claimed to have been invented in San Juan in the 1950s.
- The coquí, a tiny tree frog named after its two-note call, is a national symbol and is heard all over the island at night.
- Spanish and English are both official languages, but Spanish is the language of everyday life for most residents.
Best time to visit Puerto Rico
Mid-December to April is the most popular season, with dry, sunny weather and the highest prices. May and June and the late autumn are quieter and still warm. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking from August to October, so take out travel insurance and keep an eye on forecasts if you travel then. Winter brings the best surf on the north and west coasts.
Getting around
A rental car is the best way to explore beyond San Juan; roads are generally good, although mountain roads are narrow and traffic around San Juan is heavy. Distances on the island are signposted in kilometres, while speed limits are in miles per hour. In San Juan, ride-hailing apps and taxis are easy to use. Ferries run from Ceiba to Vieques and Culebra, and small planes also fly to both islands. Public transport outside the capital is limited.
Practical details
- Capital
- San Juan
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Languages
- Spanish, English
- Plug types
- A, B
- Voltage
- 120 V, 60 Hz
- Emergency
- 911
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- As in the mainland US: around 15–20% in restaurants, plus tips for bar staff, drivers and hotel staff. Check whether a service charge is already on the bill.
Staying online in Puerto Rico
Coverage is good in San Juan and most towns, with 4G and 5G networks similar to the mainland US. Signal can be weak in the central mountains, in parts of El Yunque and on stretches of the islands of Vieques and Culebra. Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and restaurants. US phone plans usually work as at home; for visitors from elsewhere, install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Puerto Rico eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Puerto Rico, V2
Ilimitados
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Puerto Rico, V2
Ilimitados
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Puerto Rico, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Puerto Rico, V2
Useful apps
- Uber: Widely used in the San Juan metropolitan area, including to and from the airport.
- Google Maps: Driving directions around the island; download offline maps for the mountains.
- Recreation.gov: Book timed entry reservations for El Yunque when required.
- Waze: Popular for live traffic in and around San Juan.
Puerto Rico travel FAQs
Many people do, especially in San Juan, in hotels and in the tourism industry, but Spanish is the everyday language across the island. Outside the capital, a few Spanish phrases and a translation app are useful.
The US dollar. Cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are common. Bring some cash for small food kiosks, beach vendors and parking.
US plans normally work as they do at home. Visitors from other countries may be charged roaming, so a travel eSIM gives local data for maps and ride-hailing while keeping their home number.
On dark nights around the new moon, when the glow is most visible. Tours are often cancelled in heavy rain or strong wind, so allow some flexibility.