Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Puerto Rico depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for Puerto RicoEmergency Numbers
- General
- 911
Currency
- Name
- US Dollar
- Code
- USD
- Symbol
- $
Puerto Rico is a US territory — USD is the currency, no exchange needed. ATMs throughout San Juan and main towns. Cards accepted everywhere. US credit cards work with no foreign transaction fees.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type A, Type B
- Voltage
- 120V
- Frequency
- 60Hz
Time Zone
AST (UTC−4) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
November–April is the dry season — ideal for Old San Juan, El Yunque National Forest (the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest System), the bioluminescent bays (Mosquito Bay, La Parguera), and beach resorts in Rincon. May–October is hurricane season; September–October are highest risk months.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 15–20% | US tipping norms apply — 18–20% expected for good service |
| Taxis | 15% | — |
| Hotels | $1–2 per bag | — |
Dress Code
- Casual and tropical throughout
- Smart casual for San Juan's upmarket restaurants in Condado and Miramar
- Swimwear only at beaches and pools
Social Etiquette
- Puerto Ricans (Boricuas) have a strong, proud identity distinct from the US mainland — Puerto Rico is not a state and the political status is a live, deeply felt issue
- Puerto Rico is the birthplace of salsa music and has a vibrant cultural scene — Old San Juan's bars and music venues are world-class
- Hurricane Maria (2017) caused devastation; recovery is ongoing — engage with that history when it comes up
- Piña colada was invented in San Juan in 1954 (at the Caribe Hilton bar) — drink one at the source
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- US law applies — same rights and protections as any US state
- LGBTQ+ marriage equal since 2015 (US Supreme Court ruling)
- Cannabis: medical marijuana legal; recreational use laws follow US federal and local ordinances — check current status
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Puerto Rican Spanish) | ¡Hola! / ¡Qué hay? | OH-lah / keh AY |
| What's up? (Boricua slang) | ¿Qué es lo que es? / ¿Qué lo qué? | keh loh KE — distinctly Puerto Rican greeting |
| Cool! (Boricua slang) | ¡Wepa! | WEH-pah — universal Boricua exclamation of joy |
| Friend (Boricua slang) | Mano / Pana | MAH-noh / PAH-nah |
| Puerto Rican (self-designation) | Boricua | boh-REE-kwah — from the Taíno name for the island, Boriquén |
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