Your choices and the kinds of experiences you want to enjoy will determine the best time to travel to Puerto Rico.
You may take part in amazing holiday events like the San Sebastián Street Festival in Old San Juan, which happens during the third week of January when you visit Puerto Rico in the first few weeks of the new year.
The best months for waves, if you’re a surfer, are typically December and January. Summertime temperatures are marginally but noticeably higher. In comparison to the winter, May through October sees more rain.
Whatever time of year you decide to travel, there are a few important things you should be aware of to ensure an enjoyable and safe vacation. The most notable ones are listed below.
What You Should Know Before Visiting Puerto Rico
1. Puerto Rico’s Minimum Legal Drinking Age
Puerto Rico is a region in North America renowned for its tourism and casual drinking scene. You might be surprised to find that Puerto Rico’s legal drinking age is really 18 rather than 21.
However, people who are 18 are considered to be adults. You must be at least 18 years old to legally consume alcohol in this country, while certain clubs do not allow those under the age of 21 to attend.
Many people think that Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are unsafe for tourism because there is only an 18-year-old drinking age.
Your concern is understandable and well-founded, yet Puerto Rico has made the island a fun and secure tourist destination. You should, of course, proceed with caution and avoid consuming all alcoholic beverages at once.
What is the legal drinking age in Puerto Rico then? To get all the information you need, read the following facts.
What is the National Drink in Puerto Rico?
One of Puerto Rico’s most interesting cultural traits is its national beverage. People who think that the drinking age of 18 is the only thing that could surprise them are mistaken. Here’s why.
Rum (The Piña Colada) is the national beverage of Puerto Rico. The United States imports a significant amount of rum from this Caribbean island. This Caribbean island is the largest rum producer in the world, providing over 70% of the rum consumed in the US.
Is Pina Coladas Made in Puerto Rico?
The iconic pina colada was created in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The pina colada was undoubtedly created in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, and it is unknown whether it was first served there or at the Barrachina restaurant.
What is Pitorro?
Pitorro is a well-known rum about which you may have heard a lot. The equivalent of moonshine in Puerto Rico is Pirro, an uncured rum. The beverage has been infused with fruits for months. It receives a flood of visitors, especially around the holidays.
2. Facts Regarding Puerto Rico
Natural resources are in abundance in this nation that makes alcohol. Puerto Ricans may easily purchase alcohol, including wine and beer, and they take pleasure in their weekends off. There is always a chance of binge drinking and alcoholism, but few people appear to be worried about it.
English and Spanish are used here as official languages. The food and beverage needs of Puerto Rico are similar to those of the mainland United States. Tap water is safe to drink since it has been filtered and treated at the source.
Business Hours in Puerto Rico
Offices in Puerto Rico normally open at 9 am and close at 5 pm from Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, most institutions are open for at least a half-day.
Typically, the stores are open from nine to six or from one to seven. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 9 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm are the typical hours of operation for malls and big-box businesses.
8 am to 4 pm or 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and 8:30 am to noon on Saturday. On Saturdays and Sundays, most banks have a few branches open until late from 11 am to 4 pm, and in the evenings until 6 pm.
Is a passport required for travel to Puerto Rico?
To travel to Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands, US citizens and permanent residents do not need a passport. Check to see if your state conforms with the Real ID Act before May 2023, though, as if it doesn’t, you’ll need a passport to travel.
The same visa and passport procedures apply to visitors from other countries to Puerto Rico as they do to the US mainland.
In Puerto Rico, what language is used?
Spanish and English are the two official languages of Puerto Rico. Even while many individuals working in the service and tourism industries, particularly in San Juan, are bilingual, only 20% of Puerto Ricans can speak English fluently.
Puerto Rico is located in what time zone?
In the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, Puerto Rico is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. The time in Puerto Rico is the same as Eastern Standard Time from March through September because the island does not observe Daylight Savings Time.
What city or town is Puerto Rico’s capital?
Isla Verde is a part of Carolina even though it is near San Juan. The capital of the island, San Juan, is situated on its northeastern coast. As of 2022, there are 2,443,000 people living in San Juan. The principal neighborhoods in San Juan are Old San Juan, Puerta de Tierra, Condado, Ocean Park, Punta Las Maras, Miramar, Santurce, Hato Rey, and Ro Piedras.
Is Puerto Rico safe?
Travelers can feel somewhat safe visiting Puerto Rico. Use common sense when traveling: lock your rental car, put valuables in the hotel safe, stay off lonely streets, don’t go out alone at night, and pay attention to your surroundings.
How to Stay Connected in Puerto Rico?
Users of 4G LTE networks don’t need to worry about networks, especially in the United States. You won’t need a special phone or an international one because the majority of mainland service providers in Puerto Rico have 4G LTE networks available. The majority of the hotels on the island in the Caribbean have Wi-Fi.
3. Things to Do in Puerto Rico
Considering a trip to the Caribbean? Here are Puerto Rico’s greatest attractions for enjoyment.
Beaches in Puerto Rico
Over 270 miles of the shoreline may be found in Puerto Rico. There are more than 300 beaches available overall. Whatever you choose to do while there, sand paths will take you to stunning natural springs with crystalline waters that will leave you awestruck.
El Yunque National Forest
El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the United States, gets its name from Yuke, which the indigenous Taino people referred to as “white fields.” This natural wonder is a wonderful place to visit if you want to be completely surrounded by nature.
You can go on a hike on one of the many trails, swim in one of the natural pools that are next to waterfalls, or just unwind and enjoy the scenery.
Toro Verde Nature Adventure Park
A park with eco-adventures that offers unforgettable zip-lining experiences. In the highlands in the middle of the island, The Monster, a contemporary marvel of heart-pounding adventure, is placed.
One of the longest zip lines in the world, it spans 2.5 kilometers.
ATV Single Adventure Hacienda Campo Rico
You can navigate tough terrain while seeing Puerto Rico’s surroundings on an exhilarating ATV excursion west of San Juan.
Rent a single-rider ATV at the Hacienda Campo Rico in Carolina to get started with your adventure. Join a small group and explore rocky routes with a knowledgeable guide while admiring views of mountains, mangroves, lagoons, and other natural features.
Enjoy the local flora and fauna while riding. Instructions and the relevant safety equipment are provided. Smaller groups allow your guide to spending more time with each individual. Various tour times are available to accommodate your needs.
Castillo San Felipe Del Morro in Old San Juan
One of the few sites that serve as a reminder of Puerto Rico’s past in the Caribbean and the Americas is Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
Throughout its roughly 500-year existence, it served as an important military bastion for Spain and later the United States. This fortress on the islet of Old San Juan now welcomes cruise ships as they gently enter and exit the harbor.
LED Night Kayak Excursion In Condado Lagoon
You won’t find anything like their multi-award-winning LED Night Kayak trip anywhere else. When you get there, put on your glow paint and shoot some amazing pictures. Paddle around the lagoon while admiring the city lights that surround it and the LED glow of your kayak.
This is a wonderful chance to experience the city in a fun way while also seeing it from a new perspective. Their kayaks have transparent bottoms, much like a glass bottom boat. This guided Urban Adventure in San Juan is a must-do while there.
Be there between 30 and 45 minutes before the departure time. Lockers for storage are accessible without charge. They are not liable for any products that are lost, damaged, or stolen.
- 5 pm tour (Glow unavailable)
- 6 pm tour (Glow unavailable)
- 7 pm tour (Glow available)
San Juan Guided Snorkel Tour
Learn about the underwater world of Puerto Rico on a guided snorkeling excursion. Go swimming in the tropical seas close to Guaynabo to see sea turtles, colorful tropical fish, and other marine life.
Watch a GoPro video of your snorkeling trip that is included in the tour ticket after that. The necessary tools are provided, along with instructions.
Following a lesson from a seasoned diver, take pleasure in a hassle-free adventure with all the required gear. Visit the gorgeous Guaynabo in Puerto Rico to go snorkeling. Take a GoPro film of your experience and explore with a qualified diver. Watch out for tropical fish, sea turtles, and other fascinating aquatic life.
Jet Ski Tour from Isla Verde
During your 90-minute Jet Ski trip, jump in the water to take a little break on Piones’ immaculate beach. They are the only Jet Ski tour operating on the San Jose Lagoon’s mangrove canals and the shore of Isla Verde.
A stress-free package is ideal for first-time travelers. Each jet ski is $195.12 in price. There is a 350lb weight restriction per jet ski and a maximum capacity of two people per jet ski. No prior jet ski knowledge is necessary.
Puerto Rico Law
- The legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18. To be safe, always carry identification with you while entering bars, clubs, and dining establishments.
- Avoid transporting open alcohol containers in your car or in any public area where it is not authorized.
- Puerto Rico treats drunk driving with the same seriousness as the majority of other US states. Driving while intoxicated or without a legal license is never recommended. You will be arrested right away by the police.
- For a first conviction, sentences for marijuana possession convictions can be harsh, ranging from two to ten years in jail. Possession of hard drugs like cocaine or heroin can result in a prison term of 15 years or longer. An official section of the Federal Narcotics Strike Force is stationed in Puerto Rico, where illegal drugs and narcotics are a problem.
Recognize the value of a short-term medical plan in this situation.
Final Thoughts
In order to receive federal transportation money, the United States must have a legal drinking age of 21. Puerto Rico doesn’t have a problem with this. As a result, Puerto Rico’s drinking age is 18.
You must have learned everything there is to know about Puerto Rico by this point. Stay secure and healthy.
