Image: In Coamo, the third oldest city on the island, you can enjoy the natural, healing hot springs and detox in a rural spa (photo via  Discover Puerto Rico)
Image: In Coamo, the third oldest city on the island, you can enjoy the natural, healing hot springs and detox in a rural spa (photo via Discover Puerto Rico)
Puerto Rico Today: December 17, 2:36 AM 77°F Overcast Clouds

Puerto Rico Travel Guide 

Puerto Rico, the birthplace of salsa music, offers a vibrant culture, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you visit for its white sands, crystal clear waters, festivals, concerts, or fusion cuisine, Puerto Rico delivers. 

Check out this Puerto Rico travel guide for everything you need to know about this Caribbean island in North America. 

Getting Around Puerto Rico

Rental Car. Car hire is the most convenient transport option in Puerto Rico. Many major car rental companies have a location in the capital and throughout the island. Culebra or Vieques have their own local companies. 

Public Transportation. Puerto Rico's public bus system, called the "AMA," serves most major cities and towns. The buses are inexpensive but we find them to be quite unreliable. "Publicos" operate on set routes, but you cannot rely on a schedule. The driver might decide to wait until the bus is full or make unscheduled stops to let passengers off. Bus routes are limited, so we think that car hire is a better option if you plan to travel around the island extensively. 

Taxis and Ubers. These are readily available in Puerto Rico, particularly in the metropolitan areas. The government regulates taxis, so fares are set based on the distance traveled.

Bike Rentals. Some areas of Puerto Rico offer bike rentals, which can be a fun, eco-friendly way to get around. However, remember that Puerto Rico's terrain can be hilly in some areas, so this may not be suitable for all travelers.

 

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Puerto Rico, flag, sunset
Puerto Rico is a beautiful Caribbean island renowned for its stunning beaches, rich history, and vibrant culture. If you are looking for a slice of paradise, this is it. If you’re planning a trip to this beautiful country, here are some of our top recommendations for things to do in Puerto Rico.

Important Things To Know

Currency

The currency of Puerto Rico is the U.S. dollar. 

Distrito T-mobile, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Discover puerto rico

DISTRITO T-Mobile in San Juan, Puerto Rico. (photo via Discover Puerto Rico) (Photo Credit: (photo via Discover Puerto Rico))

National Languages

Spanish is the official language of Puerto Rico. English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. 

Climate And Weather

Puerto Rico's tropical climate is characterized by warm temperatures and high humidity year-round. There is a slight variation in temperature from season to season. The island's temperature can vary from region to region depending on proximity to the ocean. 

Puerto Rico experiences two main seasons. There is a wet season from April to November and a dry season from December to March.

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When To Visit Puerto Rico

Adjuntas, Central Mountain Region, Puerto Rico
Adjuntas, Central Mountain Region, Puerto Rico (photo courtesy PABLO ESPADA/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

 

When you visit Puerto Rico depends on your personal preferences and interests. We like to go during the shoulder season, which runs from mid-April to June. With peak season over, there are fewer crowds, and the hurricane season has yet to start. This is the transition period from the dry to the rainy season. The weather is warm, and the occasional rain showers make the vegetation lush and green. 

Puerto Rico's cultural festivals are from mid-December to mid-January. The island comes alive with celebrations, music, and dance and the San Sebastian Street Festival in January draws vast crowds. 

The best beach weather is from December to March, which is the peak tourist season. While the weather is fabulous, hotel rates and airfares are more expensive, and there will be more crowds. 

Tropical storms and hurricanes can occur between June and November, with the riskiest month being September. But this is the cheapest time to go if you are looking for budget deals. 

 

Best Places To Stay In Puerto Rico

El San Juan hotel
Puerto Rico is one of six CTO destinations to have surpassed pre-pandemic visitor arrivals in 2022. (Photo by Brian Major)

  • Old San Juan is the historical heart of Puerto Rico. If historical landmarks interest you, this five-hundred-year-old city is one to add to your itinerary. We love the ambiance created by the colorful buildings lining the narrow streets. Not to mention, Old San Juan has plenty of places to explore. We highly recommend a walking tour of the Old City to discover key historic sites and gain insight into Puerto Rican culture.
  • Culebra is a small island off the east coast of Puerto Rico. If relaxing on stunning beaches is the purpose of your trip, this is the place to go. Culebra is home to some of the most spectacular beaches in the Caribbean. The crystal clear water, healthy sea life, and coral formations make Culebra ideal for snorkeling. 
  • Vieques, another island off the eastern coast, is home to the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. It is a protected area for many endangered species and is considered one of the most ecologically diverse wildlife refuges in the Caribbean. An unmissable experience is a nighttime kayak tour of the bioluminescent Mosquito Bay. The water glows bright blue when agitated, and the effect is breathtaking.

 

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Laurence Pinckney

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Agent At Home

Helping leisure selling travel agents successfully manage their at-home business.

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Agent Specialization: Group Travel

Laurence Pinckney

Laurence Pinckney

CEO of Zenbiz Travel, LLC

About Me