Puerto Rico

Översikt

Capital: San Juan (pop. 2.440 million)
Population: 3,235,289 (2025 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%
Languages: Spanish, English
Time Zone: UTC-4
Driving side: Right
Calling code: +1 787
Electrical plug(s): Type A and Type B

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The local currency in Puerto Rico is US dollars (USD).

Currency exchange can be done at atms, banks and exchange offices.

Travellers should be prepared to use credit or debit card payments in urban areas and cash in rural areas. Credit cards are accepted in some establishments but cash remains the preferred payment method. Credit cards are accepted in urban areas only. ATMs are only available in urban and/or tourist areas.

Banking hours extend from 09:00-15:30 Monday to Friday.

Tipping 15-20% of the total bill for restaurant staff is appropriate.

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The power supply in Puerto Rico is reliable. Electricity operates on 120V at 60Hz using plug type(s) A and B. While power supply is reliable, natural disasters can affect Puerto Rico´s electrical infrastructure severely.

Pass

Most travellers will need a passport to enter Puerto Rico. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of departure.

Nationals of the US can enter Puerto Rico with a valid ID.

Visum

Visa-free entry is available for certain travellers who qualify based on nationality and purpose of travel. Travellers may qualify for a visa waiver, however this requires the completion of a security check or travel authorisation prior to departure. All other travellers will need to obtain a visa from the nearest embassy or consulate or apply online (e-visa) prior to travel.

Entry visa requirements vary based on nationality, purpose of travel and other factors. Individual travellers are responsible for ensuring that they comply with all visa requirements, which should be confirmed with authorities at their destination prior to travel.

Visa Free Travel

Visa-free travel from Bermuda to the US: Citizens of Bermuda are not required to obtain a visa for travel of more than 180 days to the United States.

Visa-free travel from Canada to the US: Citizens of Canada are not required to obtain a visa for travel to the United States. Travellers are generally permitted to stay for up to six months.

Visa Waivers

United States Visa Waiver Program (ESTA): Passport holders of countries participating in the US Department of State's Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are eligible to apply for a visa waiver valid for 90 days. Applications must be sent through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

United States Compacts of Free Association/TTPI: Citizens of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands may apply for visa waivers to visit the United States.

Visas

Visitor Visa (B-2): A visitor visa (B-2) is required for stays of up to 180 days in the United States for the following purposes:

• Tourism
• Vacation (holiday)
• Visit with friends or relatives
• Medical treatment
• Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
• Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
• Enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)

Chinese nationals must also enroll in the Electronic Visa Update system (EVUS).

From 5 April 2025, the issuance of all visas for nationals of South Sudan is suspended until further notice.

Visitor Visa (B-2) issuance is suspended for nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe until further notice.

From 8 July 2025, most non-immigrant issued to nationals of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period. Non-immigrant visas issued before 8 July 2025 will retain their status and validity.

Lokal resor

Overview

Travel is generally safe throughout Puerto Rico. Urban roads are well-maintained, but roads outside populated areas can be rough and winding, especially through the mountain regions. Vehicle rental services are readily available but vehicle theft is a serious problem in urban hubs. Buses are considered a safe and inexpensive means of transport, while tourist or public taxis offer a flat rate and provide a safer driving experience than hailing an unlicensed taxi on the street. Police checkpoints may cause travel delays around urban centres during weekends.

Travel Safety

Air Travel

San Juan Luís Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU/ TJSJ) is Puerto Rico's main arrival and departure center. It can be expected to be equivalent to any medium sized US airport with an added crush during peak tourist season.

There are smaller airlines with local service and companies that offer charter services. Both the main international airport as well as the Fernando L Rivas Dominicci Airport (SIG/TJIG), located on Isla Grande near Miramar and San Juan, offer domestic flights. Aguadilla, Fajardo, Mayaguez, and Ponce are all served by San Juan Airport, while flights to Vieques and Culebra depart from Dominicci Airport. A departure tax which may or may not be included in the price of your ticket.

Identification

Most travellers will need a passport to enter Puerto Rico. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of departure.
Travellers are allowed entry with passports where gender is indicated as "neutral", but the country's laws on LGBTQ people are conservative, and overall social acceptance is low. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer travellers in Puerto Rico might face legal and social difficulties.

Effective 20 January 2025, gender-neutral passports, visas and government documents will no longer be issued or renewed by US federal agencies. Travellers will be required to declare their biological sex at birth. Further official guidance on the recognition of existing, unexpired gender-neutral passports, visas and government documents is pending.

Road Travel

Driving rules are the same as they are in the United States; traffic moves on the right. Roads in urban areas are kept in good condition but roads outside of populated areas can be rough and winding, especially through the mountain regions. However, rarely will you find roads hazardous or impassable.

Driving procedures and road signs are similar to those in the US, with the exception is the stop sign. Rather than stop, the red, six-sided figure contains the Spanish word 'pare'. Although speed limits are still in miles per hour, road markers are posted in kilometres. Speeding ticket incurs in fines that start at USD50 plus USD5 for each mile above the speed limit. Speed limits are usually 105kph (65 mph) on highways, 40kph (25 mph) in urban areas, and 72kph (45 mph) in rural areas. Those caught speeding in specially demarcated school zones will pay a fine of USD250. Seatbelts are mandatory, and those who violate this law can be fined USD50. Speeding ticket incurs in fines that start at USD50 plus USD5 for each mile above the speed limit.

In and around San Juan and other large cities, traffic is extremely crowded and hectic. Car theft is a serious problem in heavily populated areas. The use of any security devices provided by your rental car company is strongly recommended. Police regularly set up checkpoints and close off several roads during weekends to carry out vehicle or document inspections and monitor for driving under influence. The measure usually affects areas around urban centres

Rail Travel

A light rail line (Tren Urbano) connects three municipalities (San Juan, Guaynabo and Bayamón).

Public Transport

Ferries and Boats: On the eastern end of Puerto Rico, the town of Fajardo runs ferries to both Culebra and Vieques. Outbound ferries leave several times a day. Arrival time should be one hour prior to departure. Both trips taking about an hour and a half. Car ferries are also available from Fajardo-Vieques and Fajardo-Culebra.

There is also a seasonal high-speed ferry which runs from Old San Juan to Vieques to Culebra between December and the end of April.

Buses: Buses, although not comparable to American or European standards, are considered safe and an inexpensive means of transport. Public cars, a cross between taxis and buses locally known as 'publicos', are a unique choice for getting around the island. Publicos are less expensive than taxis. They are also a great way to intermingle with locals. Publicos tend to make frequent stops, so they are not the most time-efficient mode of transport.

A network including regular buses and metrobuses operates throughout the San Juan metro area, including Toa Baja, Cataño, Bayamón, Guaynabo, San Juan and Carolina.

Taxis: Black and white taxis are tourist taxis and will take visitors at a flat rate from the airport to many of San Juan's tourist destinations, including hotels. Taxis, called publicos, have a P or a PD on their license plats and are share-taxis. Drivers will take passengers to specific destinations for a flat rate. Negotiate a price with the driver before boarding. Also, the 'linea' service will take passengers between specific points in San Juan and between San Juan and other urban centres for a flat rate. Taxi drivers will expect a 10-15 percent tip.

Vehicle Hire: Rental companies are located in San Juan Airport as well as offices around San Juan. A valid driver's license from a country with similar driving laws (US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the UK) is accepted in Puerto Rico for up to 90 days, or three months. Visitors from other parts of the world should contact their national embassy in Puerto Rico for the most accurate and up-to-date information.