Puerto Rico is known as "Isla del Encanto" (Island of Enchantment), and "The Shinning Star of the Caribbean".  

It is a beautiful, romantic island, full of friendly people, year round warm tropical weather, endless natural beauty, and over 400 years of Spanish influence. It's truly a vacation experience that everyone will enjoy!

OFFICIAL NAME:
Estado Libre Asociado De Puerto Rico (Free Associated State of Puerto Rico), Commonwealth of Puerto Rico  (U.S. Territory).

SIZE AND GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION:
Puerto Rico is in the Caribbean region, the island is located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic and about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Miami, Florida. It has a Latitude of 18.5 - Longitude of 66.9.  

The island is approximately 110 miles long by 35 miles wide which is roughly the size of the State of Connecticut. 

In addition to the main island, Puerto Rico includes several smaller nearby islands, including Culebra, Vieques and Mona.
 

CLIMATE:
Puerto Rico has very tropical weather with the average year round temperature being a comfortable 82 degrees (slightly lower in the winter and slightly higher in the summer), with relatively moderate to high humidity. Rainy season is May through December.  

For the current weather conditions, click here.

CULTURE / ETHNICITY / PEOPLE: 
Latino/Hispanic - White 80.5% (mostly Spanish origin), Black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed and other 10%.

Puerto Rico has a very diversified population. The people in Puerto Rico are extremely friendly and helpful. They are very proud of their home land, which is evident in the Puerto Rican Flags displayed. Puerto Ricans come in all colors, shapes, and sizes. When some people think of Puerto Ricans, they may think of a short person with a tan skin color, dark brown or black hair, and brown eyes. While there are quite a few Puerto Ricans matching that description, there are several that do not. You will see Puerto Ricans that are short and tall. Brown and black hair is very common, but there are also Puerto Ricans with red hair and even blond hair. You will come across many Puerto Ricans with a tan skin color but you will also see several with a white skin tone or even pale. There are also Puerto Ricans with a very dark skin tone like what one would associate with African Americans.

Culture is a series of visual manifestations and interactions with the environment that make a region and/or a group of people different from the rest of the world. Puerto Rico, without a doubt has several unique characteristics that distinguish their culture from any others. 

Puerto Rico represents a cultural and racial mix. During the early 18-century, the Spaniard in order to populate the country took Taino Indian women as brides. Later on as labor was needed to maintain crops and build roads, African slaves were imported, followed by the importation of Chinese immigrants, then continued with the arrival of Italians, French, German, and even Lebanese people. American expatriates came to the island after 1898. Spanish immigrants continued to arrive on the island. The most significant new immigrant population arrived in the 1960s, when thousands of Cubans fled from Fidel Castro's Communist Government. The latest arrivals to Puerto Rico have come from the economically depressed Dominican Republic. This historic intermingling has resulted in a contemporary Puerto Rico with fewer racial problems then our Countries.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE:
Spanish is the official language of Puerto Rico with English considered to be an important second language.  Although Spanish is spoken on the street, the majority of Puerto Ricans in the tourist areas speak fluent English, and you do NOT need to speak Spanish to communicate. The further away you get from the tourist areas, the less likely you are to find someone that speaks fluent English, but there always seems to be a local who does and will be happy to help you translate.

To learn more about the History and Influences of Spanish in Puerto Rico, click here.

RELIGION: 
85% Roman Catholic. However, all other religions are represented on the Island.

CURRENCY: 
The U.S. dollar is the official and only currency used in Puerto Rico.  Major U.S., Canadian, and European banks have branches on the Island.  ATM's are plentiful, and linked to major worldwide banking networks. If you see an "ATH" (A Todo Ahora") machine, that's the same as an ATM machine.

TELEPHONE:
Puerto Rico Telephone Company.

The phone system is the same as in the U.S. The Island's area codes are 787 and 939.  You need to dial the area code before placing a call anywhere within Puerto Rico.  

For international calls, international codes apply.  Calling cards used in the U.S. can be used in Puerto Rico as well.

Most cell phones service companies are in Puerto Rico.  Check with you company to see if you will be roaming while in Puerto Rico.

EMERGENCIES: 
San Juan has several modern Hospitals and Doctors. 

Modern Island wide Police Department along with several Cities having local Police Departments.  Puerto Rico also has a modern Fire Department.

PASSPORTS / DOCUMENTS:
U.S. citizens do not need passports but citizens of other countries need a visa. U.S. citizens do not even need to clear customs when entering.

LOCAL TIME: 
Atlantic Standard Time. East Coast plus one hour except during daylight savings time when it is the same as the East Coast. Puerto Rico does not observed daylight savings time. For the current time of day call (787) 728-9595.

MAJOR AIRPORTS:
San Juan:  Luis Munoz Marin International Airport
Ponce:       Mercedita Airport 
Aquadilla:  Rafael Hernandez Airport

LOCAL TRANSPORTATION:
For most traveling you will need a rental car. Taxis have set rates in the tourist areas but are metered elsewhere.  The rates are reasonable.  Puerto Rico also has a modern Public Bus and Train System.

TAXES: 
For the first time in Puerto Rico, a Sales and Use Tax (IVU, for its acronym in Spanish) system which substitutes the 6.6% general excise tax has been implemented. 

The Sales & Use Tax rate is 5.5%. The Act also establishes that each municipality has the option to impose an additional sales tax of up to 1.5% as of July 1, 2006; therefore, the total Sales & Use Tax is between 6.5% and 7%. 

There is an 11% tax on room charges in hotels with casinos, 9% tax on hotels without casinos and 7% on small inns. Hotels in San Juan have an additional tax between $3 and $5 per room, per person.

TELEVISION:
Cable and satellite TV service are available island-wide, with local television stations and all major English language stations from the U.S.

MAIL SERVICE:
U.S. Postal Service rates and services. All major courier/express delivery companies, such as Federal Express, UPS and DHL serve Puerto Rico

Shopping Malls:
Puerto Rico has the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean, "Plaza Las Americas". It is located in the San Juan metro area and has more than 200 stores, including J.C. Penney's, Sears, Macy's, and dozens of smaller stores carrying clothing, gifts, electronics, cosmetics and more.  It also has a huge food court and several other major restaurants.

For their website, click here.

MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT: 
Puerto Rico is very well know for it's Salsa, Merengue and Reggaeton music, although most major night clubs and radio stations also play top forty U.S. music as well.  

FOOD: 
Puerto Rico offers a great variety of food.  Throughout the island one can enjoy, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Mexican, American, French, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Arabic, Health Food and Fast Foods.  Almost all major US fast food chains have established a presence in Puerto Rico. 

TIPPING: A 15% to 20% tip is customary.

LIQUOR LAWS: 
The legal drinking age is 18 years old. Municipal ordinance forbids alcohol consumption on the streets of Old San Juan.

TOURIST ACTIVITIES:
Sun Bathing, Swimming, Jet Skiing, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Wind Surfing, Surfing, Deep Sea Fishing, Para Sailing, Tubing, Boating, 500 Year Old San Juan Tours, Barcardi Rum Plant Tours, Rio Camuy Caves (Underground Caverns) Tours, Arecibo Radio Telescope Tours, El Morro Fort and El Castillo Fort, El Yunque Rain Forrest, Casinos, Night Clubs, Hiking, Shopping, Golfing, Horseback Riding, Cock Fighting, Horse Racing, La Parguera Phosphorescent Bay Tours, Taino Indian Reservation Tour, Restaurants, Museums, Parks, Lots more.  

For a more detailed list of activities and things to in Puerto Rico, click here.

DRIVING IN PUERTO RICO:
Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. A valid continental U.S. driver's license legally can be used in Puerto Rico for up to three months. For more information, click here.

TOURIST OFFICE:
Puerto Rico Tourism Company
Paseo La Princesa
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00902
Ph. (787) 721-2400
Fax: (787) 725-4417

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