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After my trip to Puerto Rico, I wanted to create a Puerto Rico guide to direct people to in case they were considering planning a trip there themselves. If you are headed to Puerto Rico, make sure you let me know in the comments if you have any questions.

Puerto Rico Guide – Where to Stay

I stayed at the Renaissance La Concha Hotel which is a Marriott property. If I returned to Puerto Rico and wanted to stay in San Juan, I would definitely stay there again.

Pro tip: I stayed at the La Concha Renaissance Hotel on hotel points. To find out how to do this yourself, take a look at this post.

Check out my complete review of the Renaissance La Concha Hotel here.

Puerto Rico Guide – How to get around

When thinking about traveling to Puerto Rico, how you plan to get around will be on your list to figure out. When visiting the rainforest, we rented a car. However, the rest of the time we used Uber. Find out more details about Uber and Lyft in this post.

Puerto Rico Guide – Do I need a passport

One of the questions I had before visiting Puerto Rico was “Do you need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico?”. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. Therefore, if you are a US citizen, the answer is no. In this post, I discuss this in more detail.

Puerto Rico Guide – What to do

My absolute favorite thing from my trip to Puerto Rico was my visit to El Yunque National Forest. I describe what I did there in this post. I also list out my top 5 things to do in Puerto Rico here. If you love taking pictures, I also have the Most Instagrammable Spots in Old San Juan.

Puerto Rico Guide – Food

Any complete guide to Puerto Rico wouldn’t be complete without taking a scrumptious, food-related journey across the island.

From the savory goodness of Mofongo to indulging in coastal seafood, the island’s culinary scene is a fusion of local treasures and global influences.

So, feel free to dive into a vibrant world of street food as you savor alcapurrias and empanadillas at a variety of local food stands.

Next, explore bustling markets like Cookie Couture and Viejo San Juan Farmers Market if you want fresh produce and homemade sweets. After all, local markets are a great way to discover the wide variety of foods that make up Puerto Rican cuisine.

Moreover, make sure to feast on Lechon, which is slow-roasted to perfection, before digging into delicious desserts like tembleque and mantecaditos.

Puerto Rico Travel Tips

Here are some travel tips that will help make your trip to Puerto Rico a lot easier.

1. Check Passport Requirements and Visa Rules

Although Puerto Rico is an independent country with its own unique laws and customs, it is still a Commonwealth of the United States.

Therefore, US citizens can travel to the island without a passport or visa. As a result, flights from the mainland United States are treated as domestic, allowing you to bypass customs, visas, and departure taxes.

However, be prepared to pay a local sales tax of 11.5% on goods and services. You’ll also have to pass through the US Department of Agriculture inspection before leaving the country. This way you don’t bring any illegal fruits, vegetables, or opened food packages back with you.

For non-US citizens, a 90-day visa might be necessary prior to arrival unless they are from a country participating in the US Visa Waiver Program. Consult the list of countries in the program to confirm visa requirements.

2. You Can’t See the Entire Island in One Trip

Puerto Rico may only be 100 miles long and 35 miles wide but don’t expect to visit the entire island in a single visit. After all, the island spans an incredible 3,515 square miles and is home to stunning white sand beaches, bioluminescent bays, ancient caves with Taíno hieroglyphics, etc.

While many tourist hotspots and lively bars are found in San Juan, genuine Puerto Rican culture often thrives in areas beyond the city. So, if you want to explore this side of the island and road trip from one end of Puerto Rico to the other, the trip can take up to three hours, sometimes longer due to road closures and construction.

If you can, try expressways for a quick journey. Otherwise, take the scenic, winding backroads for a more leisurely drive. Keep in mind that major highways may be under construction, and heavy traffic is often an issue from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

3. Pack More Conservative Clothing

As a former Spanish colony, Puerto Rico has inherited many Spanish traditions, prominently including the widespread practice of Catholicism.

Naturally, this influence is reflected in conservative dress codes in various areas. In Old San Juan, where the governor’s mansion, La Fortaleza, stands, you’ll often see people dressed in formal wear, such as full suits or long shirts.

As a result, it’s best only to wear flip-flops at the beach or during very casual outings, like dinners at a chill beach bar. I would also only wear swimsuits to the pool or to the beach since wearing one to shopping centers will make you stand out.

Therefore, when packing for Puerto Rico, be sure to bring some dressier items and more modest clothing that is well-suited for visiting local religious sites.

4. Not Everyone Speaks English

Regardless of modern-day politics in Puerto Rico, Spanish is still the main language spoken throughout the island. Sure, you’ll encounter many Puerto Ricans who are fluent in both English and Spanish, especially in areas like Caguas, Bayamón, Guaynabo, Carolina, Old San Juan, and Trujillo Alto.

However, it’s always polite to ask if someone speaks English before you start chatting with them. After all, not everyone speaks English. And if you’re planning to get off the beaten path, you may want to learn a bit of Spanish since locals in rural areas usually don’t speak English.

Puerto Rico Guide FAQs

1. How Long Does It Take to Explore all of Puerto Rico?

To thoroughly explore the entire island and its beauty, beyond Old San Juan, you will need at least 7 days in Puerto Rico. If you can try and spend 11 days on the island to see all of the best landmarks in Puerto Rico.

2. What Do I Need to Know Before Going to Puerto Rico?

Some things you need to know before going to Puerto Rico are:

• The island has three airports for easy air travel.
• Renting a car can be helpful.
• It takes a lot of time to travel around the island.
• English is widely spoken.
• GPS is not always reliable in Puerto Rico.
• Explore all that the island has to offer beyond Old San Juan.
• Discover quaint towns like Vieques and Culebra.

3. Is Puerto Rico a Cheap Vacation?

Puerto is not a cheap vacation destination and that amount of money you spend really depends on the hotel you stay in and the activities you decide to do.

However, for Americans, it is one of the cheaper destinations to visit in the Caribbean.

4. Is One Week Enough for Puerto Rico?

With some planning, you can enjoy most of the best things to do in Puerto Rico in about a week. To do this, your home base will be the vibrant capital of San Juan.

But, don’t miss out on the chance to visit El Yunque Rainforest before relaxing at the picturesque Luquillo Beach to the east.

5. Do I Need a Car in Puerto Rico?

To make the most of your time in Puerto Rico you should consider renting a car. This way you can skip the non-existent intercity train service and the hassle of slow, uncomfortable intercity buses.

6. Is 4 days in Puerto Rico Enough?

You can explore Puerto Rico in 4 days. But, you will feel rushed and won’t be able to experience everything the island has to offer.

So, for a more extensive island experience, consider extending your visit by a few days. This will give you added freedom and the flexibility to enjoy top Puerto Rico landmarks.

Hopefully this guide to visiting Puerto Rico is helpful in planning your trip. Should you have any other questions, please check out the top questions when planning a trip to Puerto Rico.

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