Puerto Rico

Travel tips for Puerto Rico: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cards widely accepted. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but carry cash for street vendors, beach rentals, tips, and power outages. Locals use ATH Móvil, which tourists can't access.

Try the food

Mofongo: A hearty dish of fried green plantains mashed with garlic, olive oil, and pork cracklings, often stuffed with meat or seafood.
Lechón Asado: Whole pig marinated in traditional adobo spices and slow-roasted over an open fire until the skin is perfectly crispy.
Alcapurrias: Deep-fried fritters made from a batter of green bananas and taro root, typically stuffed with seasoned ground beef or crab.

Say it in Spanish

Hello: Hola
Thank you: Gracias
Please: Por favor
Excuse me: Con permiso
How much is this?: ¿Cuánto cuesta?
The bill please: La cuenta, por favor
Yes / No: Sí / No
Goodbye: Adiós

Essentials

Voltage: 120V, 60Hz
Driving: Right side
SIM tip: US travelers can use their existing domestic cell plans without roaming charges, while international visitors can easily purchase a prepaid SIM from Claro or Liberty at the San Juan airport.

Etiquette

Tipping culture is identical to the mainland United States; expect to leave 15-20% at restaurants and tip bartenders, taxi drivers, and hotel staff.