Why Puerto Rico
The island is an unincorporated territory of the United States and that shapes everything: US dollar, US electrical system, US postal service, and a deeply Spanish-speaking Caribbean culture. The two coexist without merging.
Old San Juan and its Spanish fortifications — El Morro, San Cristóbal — are World Heritage listed. El Yunque, in the east, is the only rainforest in the US National Forest system. The bioluminescent bays of Vieques, Fajardo and La Parguera are among the brightest in the world.
December to April: dry and hot. June to November is hurricane season — Maria in 2017 left a lasting mark on the island and its infrastructure.
Entry and stay
Puerto Rico applies United States entry rules. Requirements are therefore those of the United States, including ESTA or a visa depending on nationality, and US systems apply.
Requirements depend on nationality. Check yours with the local authorities before booking.
No duration is quoted here, for want of an official source verified at the time of writing — 22 September 2026.
Getting around
Public transport is limited outside San Juan, which has a light métro, the Tren Urbano, and buses. A car is the realistic mode for the rest of the island.
Públicos, shared minibuses, link the towns cheaply but with no fixed timetable.
Vieques and Culebra are reached by ferry from Ceiba or by short flight from San Juan. The ferries are saturated and must be booked online in advance.
Money
The US dollar. No exchange, and the banking network is American: US cards work with no foreign transaction fees.
Cards work everywhere. Prices are close to those on the US mainland, and higher on imported food.
Health
No vaccination required from Europe. Dengue circulates.
The health system is American, with the corresponding costs: insurance covering the United States is essential.
Before you go
The electricity grid remains fragile since Maria and outages are frequent. Many places to stay have a generator; checking before booking is not paranoid.
The bioluminescent bays are seen on moonless nights, by kayak or electric boat. A full moon cancels the effect: the lunar calendar decides the date.
Spanish is the language of daily life. English is official and taught, but it is not spoken fluently everywhere outside San Juan.