Puerto Rico is shining brighter than ever, and the world is taking notice—located just above the equator between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. What though Rico is the go-to destination in the Caribbean for those seeking fun and enjoyment. If you’re planning on going to Puerto Rico, you must be excited! Here are few simple things to research before even thinking about visiting Puerto Rico from the United States. So Let’s talk about some things that you should consider if you’re going to visit Puerto Rico.

As the Commonwealth of the United States, Puerto Ricans are US citizens, English is widely spoken in Puerto Rico. The dollar is the official currency, and no passport is required for US citizens visiting the island.

In practical terms visiting the island is like vacationing in any other US state: conveniently, accessible and safe. Except, with way better beaches and a sunny tropical climate, you can’t get enough of. You can get away from it all but still have modern comforts and services.

You can enjoy the capital cities and the small villages as well. When you explore beyond San Juan, it quickly echoes beauty and attractions that will take your breath away.

What To Know Before Going to Puerto Rico

Researching the language of Puerto Rico

The language of Puerto Rico is Spanish. Some people might be like, duh, but English is very, very popular here. But to work, there are a lot of places that you need to be bilingual. Keep in mind that in Puerto Rico, although it is a U.S. territory, they are mostly Spanish-speaking.

Menus at the restaurants and things that sort may not be in English. So if you’re thinking of visiting here, it’s going to be very difficult for you to find a job that’s not in a super touristy area if you only speak English. So if you come across someone who is a local who happens to be in that touristy spot or work near that touristy spot and you don’t speak Spanish, and they don’t speak English, it’s a language barrier. 

Everyone else around you can help you while you’re learning. But it’s so beneficial that you know the language before coming here. It’s going to make your time so much easier.

Don’t expect everyone to speak English.

Spanish is the primary language in resorts so you shouldn’t have a problem. But when you’re visiting, the cities and towns seem likely to run across many people who don’t speak English. so it’s a good idea to learn a few basic Spanish phrases

Don’t wear flashy jewelry

There is an element of crime in the area in highly trafficked tourist areas, the chances of being hit by violent crime rises. So don’t flash your valuables around in public, and make sure to steer clear of tourist areas at night.

No Passport is needed to travel to Puerto Rico.

You do not need a passport if you are a US citizen. Puerto Rico is considered a US territory. But if you are a foreign citizen, you should come with a passport issued by US Embassy.

You must take the COVID test within 72 hours of arrival.

You are required to take a COVID test within 72 hours of traveling to Puerto Rico. And You have to upload your negative results. So you have to go to their website, you will fill out the applications.

So once you complete the application, it just asks things like

• personal information
• Your address.
• what you do for a living
• how long you’re going to be traveling
• where you’re going to be standing
• when you travel there
• As soon as you submit it, you will get an email within a couple of hours with a QR code.

There are other options like getting tested there or quarantined for 14 days, but who wants to do that when you land in Puerto Rico.

You want to be able to start your vacation asap. Don’t delay yourself or inconvenience your travel partners; go ahead and do your part and get your test before you even get on the plane.

Learn the customs

As a part of moving somewhere, you’re going to be a part of that culture, and I think you should embrace that culture. Because if you move to Puerto Rico and you live the same way that you lived when you were in:

• New Jersey
• California
• Kansas
• Or whoever you’re coming from—it kind of defeats the purpose.

The Latino vibe is all about Fiesta, and day or night, wherever you turn, Puerto Ricans are having fun. Whether it’s nightlife, casinos, music or dance clubs, or street festivals, there’s always something to dazzle your senses.

Research safety

So it might sound like common sense, but you should know what neighborhoods are good neighborhoods to live in.

Don’t count on public transportation.

Buses run infrequently. Uber doesn’t exist, and taxis will charge you an arm and a leg. Now your best bet for getting around the island is to rent a car. It’ll still be costly, but the extra control over your travel might be worth it.

Where to eat in Puerto Rico

The best deal you’re going to find is to go to the food carts. There are food carts everywhere.

There are bakeries everywhere, and there are supermarkets, and they all have deli sections. It seems to be a cultural thing people like to go out for al Muertos, which is like lunch or brunch or something, and they’re usually from three to five dollars, and you get a big plate of rice beans.

They have different kinds of beans and they’re delicious. They come with some fried bananas. Some plantains come with pork, chicken or fish, something like that if you’re vegetarian.

They’re fresh. They don’t have many chemicals in them, so I highly recommend checking out the morsels.

Don’t worry about being 21

You should probably know that the drinking age in Puerto Rico is only eighteen.

Best Places to visit

Visit the beaches in Puerto Rico

There are palm trees, and there are coconut trees. There are over 300 beaches in Puerto Rico. One is more spectacular than the other.

There are mountains, and there are cliffs. The water’s different, the temperature is different—generally the water’s warm, which is cool. There are different types of fish you can see if you go snorkeling.

El Yunque National Forest

El Yunque National Forest Is one of Nature’s grand marvels and the only tropical rainforest in the US Forest System. A world-class attraction that offers

• hiking trails
• waterfalls
• lush plant life
• and some of the most spectacular mountain views in the Caribbean.

Come here to explore the mountainous jungles, beautiful waterfalls, crags rivers, and great dwarf forests. You can also spot rare birds through Santino petroglyphs here. Various trails and paths offer a range of hiking excursions for all ability levels. 

Bacardi museum

You could visit many museums, but the coolest one is the Bacardi museum in Puerto Rico. It’s in San Juan, and basically, the Bacardi rum company used to be in Cuba when Cuba used to be part of the United states as a territory. But once they had the communist revolution, the communists took over many businesses, started leaving the island, and Bacardi relocated from Cuba to Puerto Rico.

Vieques

Today it is a wildlife reserve. Vieques is a magnet for eco-tourists who prefer a laid-back low-key, relatively undeveloped escape. don’t miss the luminescent waters of Mosquito Bay

Visit the Arecibo observatory

These vast satellite dishes that the u.s government set up there for astronomers and people looking for extraterrestrials. so we’re looking for radio signals around the universe trying to communicate with other planets, and they do a lot of different scientific research there and it’s funded by the national science foundation, and it’s

A cool place it’s fascinating it’s on the way down the coast by the beaches.

So definitely do not miss the Arecibo observatory. It’s not like any other observatory you’ll see anywhere in the world.

It is the world’s largest radio telescope. The visitors center does a good job explaining some of its scientific achievements, including its attempts to communicate with possible extraterrestrial life.

Old San Juan

The colonial center of Puerto Rico’s enchanting capital is brimming with historic architecture, museums, restaurants, and nightlife. Open-air cafes and craft shops flank shady plazas. You’ll find the tomb of Ponte de Leon at the glorious Cathedral of San Juan Bautista.