| U.S. citizens do NOT require a passport to travel between the U.S. and Puerto Rico (However, they must have a valid photo I.D.).
Size / Population: Puerto Rico is 110 miles long and 35 miles. Close to 4 million people live on the island with more than a million in the greater San Juan metropolitan area. The north of Puerto Rico is considered the hub of the island, located in the heart of San Juan which has three distinct parts: the old San Juan, the beach and the resort area.
Political Status: Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States. Puerto Rico has been a part of the U.S. since 1898 and Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917.
Language: Puerto Rico is officially bilingual. Spanish predominates although English is widely spoken.
Currency: U.S. dollar. ATMs are widely available and all major credit cards are widely accepted. There are no customs duties on articles bought in Puerto Rico and taken to the U.S. mainland.
Electricity: The general rule in Puerto Rico is 110 and 120 volts AC, same as mainland U.S. Outlets take the same two-prong plugs found in U.S.
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time (one hour ahead of New York); Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Communication: Puerto Rico has modern, reliable United States-style telephone service. To dial Puerto Rico from the U.S dial 1 + 787 + the 7-digit local number. Toll-free numbers (800 / 888 / 877) are widely used in Puerto Rico, and can be accessed from North America (and vice versa). Internet service is widely available. Check with your cell phone provider about coverage in Puerto Rico. Mail is sent through the U.S. Postal Service at the same rates as on the mainland.
Drinking Water: Puerto Rico’s water quality is subject to the same regulated EPA standards that apply on the U.S. mainland.
Transportation: Taxis, rental cars, buses and “publico” vans are readily available from airports and throughout the island’s major cities. “Hop-on, No-charge” Trolley Tours are popular in the historic Old San Juan. Local bus service is efficient and affordable ($.25-$.50 depending on the route) – exact change required. To rent a car, drivers must be 21-25 years old (varies by rental company) and must be in possession of a valid driver’s license and major credit card. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, but signs are in Spanish and gas is sold by the liter. Ferries enable visits to the islands of Culebra and Vieques.
Local Customs: The legal drinking age is 18. Tipping: tips are expected and appreciated by restaurant staff (generally 15-20% if a service charge isn’t included); bellmen ($1 per bag); housecleaning staff ($1-$2 per day); and taxi drivers (15%-18%). Business hours are similar to those on the mainland, 9:00am to 6:00pm weekdays (the siesta has pretty much disappeared!). Most stores are open Saturdays and shopping malls are open evenings and Sundays. Persons under 18 are not allowed in casinos.
General Info: The climate is close to perfect, averaging 83 degrees in the winter and 85 degrees in the summer. The trade winds cool the coastal areas. Puerto Ricans have a strong sense of religion and many islanders are somewhat conservative in dress and manners. Swimwear is fine for the beaches and leisure wear for the resorts, but elsewhere a little dressing up is in order. Nighttime in San Juan is somewhat informal. There are no nude beaches in Puerto Rico as nudism is illegal.
Getting Married: There are no residency requirements for getting married in Puerto Rico. For U.S. citizens, blood tests are required, although a test conducted on the U.S. mainland within 10 days of the ceremony will suffice. If couples have proof of their blood tests, they can get the license immediately. Both parties are required to show an ID card or passport plus an original birth certificate. Please contact a Vacation Express representative for details on resorts offering special wedding packages and to discuss your particular wedding requirements. Our experienced group department will be happy to assist with travel arrangements for all attendees.
Ten Spanish Phrases Everyone Should Know
• ¿Cuánto cuesta? How much is it? (As you're pointing at an item)
• ¡Qué hermosa eres! You are so beautiful! (To a girl ... For guys, substitute “hermosa” with “guapo,” which means “handsome”)
• ¿Donde estoy? Where am I?
• ¿Cómo se dice ... ? How do you say ... ? (Followed by the word you wish to learn)
• ¡Muchas gracias! Thank you!
• Con permiso. Excuse me. (As you are trying to get by someone)
• Por favor ... Please ...
• No hablo español. ¿Hablas inglés? I don't speak Spanish. Do you speak English?
• ¿Dónde está ... ? Where is ...
• No, gracias. No, thanks.
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