Puerto Rico is known around the world for its hospitality, lovely weather and incredibly beautiful women; where everybody - from the taxi driver to the governor - wants to make you feel at home.
Puerto Rico offers you a wide scope of adventures and new experiences. The following information will help you learn about Puerto Rico and get ready to enjoy your visit.
Before You Go:
Climate & Time
An agreeable climate is one of Puerto Rico's most attractive characteristics. Puerto Rico has a tropical marine climate, with an average annual temperature of 80°F (26°C). Puerto Rico enjoys year round summer temperatures. The dry season is December to March. Note that temperatures in the mountains are significantly cooler than the coast, so if you intend to travel inland bring a sweater for the evenings regardless of when you visit. Annual rainfall is 62 inches.
Dress
Because of its tropical climate, dress is generally quite informal in Puerto Rico. Due to the warm, humid climate, light-weight clothing is recommended.
Language
Spanish and English are the official languages, but Spanish is without a doubt the dominant language. Knowledge of Spanish will be very useful, although English is widely spoken. (Sometimes you will find yourself surrounded by Spanish speakers only, but be sure that in every store, restaurant, medical and/or government facilities, they would search around and find one person, who knows enough English to help you.)
Population
Puerto Rico has a population of 3.6 million inhabitants. The population in Puerto Rico is made up of various peoples. Their diversity is the result of the mixing of different ethnic groups that, at one time or another, (Taino Indians, Africans, Spaniards and others) settled on the island. Puerto Rico has one of the highest population densities in the world. The average size of a Puerto Rican family is about 3.5 people, and the average family income is between $25,000 and $26,000 per year. The unemployment rate in Puerto Rico is around 13.5%.
Travel Insurance
It is a good idea to take out travel insurance covering cancellations, lost or stolen property, injury, and illness. You're likely to have partial or complete coverage.
Some credit and charge cards provide health insurance for travelers.
Communications and Internet
Phone cards or calling cards and IDD service are readily available. Long-distance services from AT&T, MCI, and Sprint make calling home relatively convenient and let you avoid hotel surcharges.
Airmail to Western Europe takes up to a week.
The San Juan Star (English-language newspaper), El Vocero de Puerto Rico and El Nuevo Día.
To connect to the Internet visitors must call their service provider in the USA or Europe, and pay the long distance rates, or establish a temporary account with a local service provider.
Customs and Documents Required
U.S. citizens do not need a passport, but need to have some form of official government issued picture identification to enter Puerto Rico such as a current driver’s license or a photo-identification card issued to non-drivers by a state’s motor vehicles department.
The passport and visa requirements for entering Puerto Rico are the same as for entering the USA. Non US and Canadian citizens must have a valid passport, but always its better to consult your travel agent before book your tickets. However, citizens of many Western European countries, Australia, New Zealand and Japan can take advantage of a US reciprocal visa waiver program if they intend to stay less than 90 days.
Additional Travel Information
For more information contact the Puerto Rican Tourism Company at:
Puerto Rican Tourism Company
575 Fifth Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10017
(800) 223-6530 or (212) 599-6262, fax (212) 818-1866.
