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Puerto Rico Travel Guide: Top Places to Visit and Tips

KR Booking
July 12, 2025
Most Visited in America , Puerto Rico


Puerto Rico Travel Guide:

 

Table of Contents

Top Places to Visit

Puerto Rico, known as “La Isla del Encanto,” offers a rich tapestry of historic cities, tropical rainforests, hidden beaches, and vibrant nightlife. Begin with Old San Juan, where pastel-colored Spanish colonial buildings meet cobbled streets and 16th-century forts like El Morro and San Cristóbal. Explore vibrant murals, boutique shops, and salsa-filled plazas. Visit El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System, famous for lush hiking trails and waterfalls…

Language & Communication

Spanish and English are both official languages, though Spanish dominates daily life. In tourist areas like San Juan, most locals speak English, but learning simple Spanish phrases like “Hola” (Hello) and “Gracias” (Thank you) adds warmth to your travels. Puerto Ricans often switch between languages, especially younger generations. Menus and signs are usually bilingual, but in rural areas, Spanish-only is common. Download an offline translation app to help read local menus and chat with drivers or sho…

Puerto Rican Culture

Puerto Rican culture blends Spanish colonial heritage, African rhythms, and indigenous Taíno influences. Festivals pulse with live bomba, plena, and salsa music, from San Sebastián Street Festival in January to summer fiestas patronales. Art flourishes in museums, street murals, and artisan markets. Puerto Rico’s warm spirit, known as “boricua pride,” shows in colorful architecture, local crafts, and community gatherings. Religion, food, and family ties are central, and holidays like Three Kings Day a…

Transportation & Getting Around

Renting a car offers the most flexibility for exploring beaches, mountains, and small towns. Highways are modern, but local roads can be narrow or winding. Ride-hailing apps like Uber work mainly in San Juan and parts of the metro area. In Old San Juan, walking is the best way to explore narrow streets and historic sites. Ferries run to islands like Vieques and Culebra, while public buses connect cities but may be slow and infrequent. Domestic flights and small planes also link San Juan to the east and…

Money & Currency

Puerto Rico uses the United States dollar (USD). Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted, especially in San Juan, hotels, and restaurants. Small businesses, rural guesthouses, and roadside kiosks may prefer cash, so carry small bills. ATMs are plentiful in cities and tourist spots. Tipping around 10–15% in restaurants and small amounts for drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides is customary. Sales tax (IVU) of about 11.5% applies to most purchases, so budget accordingly when shopping for local…

Traditional Foods

Puerto Rican cuisine is a highlight of your journey. Try mofongo: mashed plantains seasoned with garlic, olive oil, and pork cracklings, often served with shrimp or chicken. Arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), lechón asado (slow-roasted pork), and alcapurrias (fried stuffed fritters) showcase island flavors. Taste pasteles (plantain dough with meat) during holidays and tembleque, a coconut dessert. Street vendors sell pinchos (meat skewers) and piraguas (shaved ice treats). For drinks, sip pino…

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Best Time to Travel

December to April is peak season, with sunny skies, warm breezes, and lively festivals. Book hotels early during holidays like Christmas and Semana Santa (Holy Week). May to November brings rain showers and hurricane risk but offers fewer crowds and lower rates. Surfers flock to Rincon in winter for big waves, while summer sees calmer seas perfect for snorkeling off Culebra or Vieques. Temperatures stay around 75–85°F year-round. Consider traveling during shoulder months (late April or early December) …
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