CLIMATE
The average year-round temperature is 82 degrees F (28 degrees C), with mild easterly trade winds. A rainier season starts in August and ends in October, but due to the tropical climate one can expect brief showers at any time.

CUISINE
Although a wide range of international cuisines are available, authentic Puerto Rican and Caribbean are more common. Many major American restaurant chains are found island-wide.

CURRENCY
The U.S. dollar is the official and only currency used in Puerto Rico. Major U.S., Canadian and European banks have branches on the Island. ATM’s are plentiful, and linked to major worldwide banking networks.

CUSTOMS AND DOCUMENTS
Puerto Rico is a U.S. Commonwealth with U.S. citizenship. Therefore, passports are not necessary for U.S. citizens. Foreign nationals should have valid passports and visas as required.
Travelers flying from Puerto Rico to the U.S. are subject to check-in baggage inspection by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the airport because they prohibit taking certain fruits and plants in the U.S. For more information, call 787.253.4505 or U.S. Customs at 787.253.4533.

DRIVING
Gas is sold by the liter, distance is measured in kilometers, and speed is measured in miles per hour. The legal driving age is 16. Many national and local car rental companies operate at the airport and at key locations in the tourist districts.

ELECTRICITY
Electricity is 110 volts, with U.S. style power outlets.

GAMBLING
Gambling is legal in Puerto Rico and all major hotels have casinos.

LANGUAGES
Puerto has two official languages--Spanish and English.

LIQUOR LAWS
The legal drinking age is 18. Alcohol consumption in the streets of Old San Juan is forbidden by law.

PHONE SYSTEM
The phone system is the same as in the U.S. (Sprint, Cingular, MCI, etc.) The Island’s area codes are 787 and 939. You need to dial the area code before placing a call anywhere within Puerto Rico and the U.S. For international calls, international codes apply. Calling cards used in the U.S. can be used in Puerto Rico as well.

POSTAL AND MAIL SERVICES
The U.S. Postal Service provides the same reliable service as in the U.S. and all major courier services, such as FedEx, DHL, Eagle, and UPS among others service Puerto Rico.

SIZE AND POPULATION
Puerto Rico is approximately 100 X 35 miles (160 X 56 km), which is roughly the size of Connecticut. The Island’s population is 3.9 million.

TAXES
For the first time in Puerto Rico, a Sales and Use Tax (IVU, for its acronym in Spanish) system which substitutes the 6.6 percent general excise tax have been implemented. The Sales & Use Tax rate is 5.5 percent. The Act also establishes that each municipality has the option to impose an additional sales tax of up to 1.5 percent as of July 1, 2006; therefore, the total Sales & Use Tax is betwee4 6.5 percent and 7 percent.

ROOM CHARGES
There is an 11 percent tax on room charges in hotels with casinos, 9 percent tax on hotels without casinos and 7 percent on small inns. Hotels in San Juan have an additional tax between $3 and $5 per room, per person.

TELEVISION
Cable and satellite TV service are available island-wide, with local television stations and all major English language stations from the U.S.

TIME
The clock in Puerto Rico is never reset because they are on Atlantic Standard Time. For the current time of day call 787.728.9595.

TIPPING
A 15 percent to 20 percent tip is customary. Some hotels and restaurants add a 10 percent to 17 percent service charge to the total bill.

Things To Do in P.R.
Click Here for more information