Covid-19 : current situation Puerto Rico

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply Puerto Rico. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information

Money Puerto Rico

The official currency of Puerto Rico is the U.S. dollar (abbreviated to US$).

Exchange rates. As of September 2022, €1 = US$0.98 and US$1 = €1.020. The current exchange rate can be found at www.xe.com. It is very easy to find banks and other ATMs in San Juan, they are almost on every corner. Pharmacies such as Wallgreens or large hotels often have their own ATMs, but usually charge a fee of about €5 for a withdrawal. Also, it will be wise to make fairly large withdrawals if possible, but not too large either, for example 100 or 200 US$

Bank card. If you have a bank card (Visa, MasterCard, etc.), there is no need to carry large amounts of cash. In cases where the card is not accepted by the merchant, simply go to an ATM. In case of loss or theft of your card abroad, your bank will offer you adequate solutions so that you can continue your stay in peace. To do this, remember to take note before you leave of the assistance number indicated on the back of your bank card or available on the Internet. This service is available 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. In case of opposition, it is immediate and confirmed as soon as you can provide your credit card number

Advice before departure. Remember to check your payment and withdrawal limits. If necessary, ask for an exceptional authorization to increase the limit. Some bank cards offer very interesting travel insurance services (theft of luggage, illness, death, repatriation). You should also ask for information

Budget & Tips Puerto Rico

With an average monthly income of just under US$1,800, it is easy to think that Puerto Ricans are living well compared to other islands in the region. However, this is not the case. As in the United States, the system hides many disparities. While gasoline, fast food and clothing may not seem expensive to European tourists, education, health care and real estate are unaffordable. In terms of tourism, this situation has direct repercussions: accommodations that meet standards will often cost much more than in France or Europe. And the prices of some restaurants will seem very high, as will the price of hotels. This is particularly true in San Juan, but you will see this throughout your travels. Of course the budgets vary according to your desires and the infrastructure you are looking for

Small budget: from 70 to 130 US$ per day. Count from 35 to 50 US$ for a night in a hostel or a camp-site; 2 meals between 12 and 20 US$, in kioskos or a local restaurant; 2 coffees at 2 US$ and a drink rarely at less than 3 US$; a bus transport from 0,75 to 2 US$. You can enjoy the beaches for free, but for transportation, you will have to rely on hitchhiking, which is not very common but not non-existent, or share your transportation by público with other people.

Average budget : from 130 to 200 US$. You will need at least 100 US$ to sleep in a 2 star hotel. You can use the remaining US$40 to have a full meal in a restaurant and pay for some drinks. You should also budget for tourist activities and entertainment. If you want to rent a car, book around US$60 per day (including taxes), you will be at the top end of the range, but be careful

Big budget: from 200 US$. In this budget, you can access three and four stars. Go to some good restaurants and rent a car. But if you want to stay close to US$ 200, you'll have to calculate too

Passport and visas Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has a special status but remains a U.S. territory. Therefore, the rules of access to the United States apply. To go to Puerto Rico as a French tourist and for a period of less than 90 days, there is no need for a visa. A passport is sufficient. However, you will also be asked to present the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), a document to be filled out online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov (and only on this official website) at least 72 hours before departure. Mandatory since September 2010, this formality will only take you a short time and will cost you US$14. Remember to activate the "French" tab on the homepage and to print two copies of the final document, which will be valid for two years

Tip. Before leaving, remember to photocopy all the documents you take with you. You will take one copy of each document with you and leave the other with someone in France (as well as a digital version archived on a Gmail account or other). In case of loss or theft, the renewal process will be much simpler with the consular authorities. You can also keep copies on the official website (mon.service-public.fr). All you have to do is create an account and scan all your identity documents and other important documents in the confidential area.

Driver's license Puerto Rico

Car Rental. With the car being the mode of transportation for 99.99% of Puerto Ricans, it is not surprising to find car rental companies almost everywhere. The advantage is that compared to the European market, their prices are more affordable. Count on a minimum of 60 US$ for a day's rental with taxes for the cheapest ones. Most of the big names in car rental are present in Puerto Rico, such as Avis, Hertz, Budget. These companies remain the most reliable, and a little less cheap. The national companies well represented in the country, such as Enterprise Rent A Car or Charlie Rent A Car, are also very reliable. The cars are air-conditioned. It is very rare to find vehicles equipped with a manual gearbox: the fashion is for automatic. It is not recommended to take your rented car on a ferry to Vieques and Culebra. The reason for this is simple: in case of an incident, no technician from the agency will be able to come and help you out

Driver's license. To rent a car in Puerto Rico, you only need a national driver's license. As a precautionary measure, you should not hesitate to obtain an international license. However, if you are staying for more than 120 days, you will need a Puerto Rican license. On the other hand, you must be 21 years old to rent a car. An insurance for all drivers under 25 years old is added to the contract, amounting to 5 to 10 US$ per day depending on the agency

Insurance. Be careful when renting a car, because in the United States the system is different, insurance is not included in the contract, including Liability Insurance (LI/TPL).The Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS) covers you up to 1 million dollars in case of an accident, if the person decides to file a complaint against you; the Loss Damage Waiver ( LDW ) or Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) covers theft and exterior damage. Some insurances are covered by your Visa Premier or Gold MasterCard if you pay your rental with... It is up to you to check with your bank.

Health Puerto Rico

Health risks are mostly benign in Puerto Rico, although dengue fever and chikungunya can sometimes occur. So remember to protect yourself against mosquitoes. You will find anti-mosquito sprays on site. There is no malaria in Puerto Rico. In general, the only minor problems that can be encountered are the abundance of sun, heat and humidity. The health care system in Puerto Rico is very competent. There is no need to worry about trusting a local doctor. The question is whether the wallet can keep up. The first guarantee in case of emergency is to have a good repatriation insurance

Drinking water. Do not hesitate to ask the owner about the quality of the water. In Puerto Rico, tap water is drinkable in most cases, but it is always better to filter it

In the forest. It is common to encounter leafcutter ants, which are black or brown in color, and are easily noticed by the bits of leaves and grass they carry in procession. Avoid touching them, their bite is quite painful on the spot, even if it does not lead to other unfortunate consequences. Red ant bites are also quite annoying, although they have no serious health consequences. One last piece of advice for walks in the forest: avoid standing under a tree for too long. It houses a lot of insects that can sometimes fall to the ground following a gust of wind. It can then be unpleasant, even painful, to serve as a landing zone for them

Mandatory vaccination Puerto Rico

No specific vaccinations are required upon entry. However, check that your essential vaccines are up to date (DT Polio, etc.). The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended in certain cases. The vaccine against hepatitis B can be considered if you visit the country regularly, and the rabies vaccine if you stay several weeks away from major cities.

Hepatitis A. For hepatitis A, the existence of a previous immunity makes vaccination unnecessary. It is common if you have a history of jaundice, a prolonged stay abroad or are over 45 years old. Hepatitis A is usually mild, but it can be serious, especially after age 45 and if you have pre-existing liver disease. It can be caught through water or poorly washed food. If you have liver disease, vaccination against hepatitis A is highly recommended before any type of trip where hygiene is precarious. It must be done in two doses, but the first injection, one month before departure, is sufficient to ensure protection for a short trip. The second injection (six months to a year later) reinforces the duration of immunity for decades.

Hepatitis B. High risk in the country. Hepatitis B is more serious than hepatitis A. It is contracted through sexual intercourse or blood. The hepatitis B vaccine should be given in two doses, one month apart (although there are accelerated one-month vaccinations for travelers in a hurry), followed by a booster dose six months later to extend the duration of protection.

Rabies. Rabies is still present in the country. It is therefore important to avoid contact with dogs, cats and other mammals that may carry the virus. The first symptoms (phobia of air and water) appear between 30 and 45 days after the bite. In case of doubt, following a bite, you must absolutely consult a doctor, who will administer an anti-rabies vaccine associated with an appropriate treatment. The preventive vaccine does not exempt you from the curative treatment in case of bite.

Typhoid. Typhoid fever is a bacterial infection that results in high fever, febrile diarrhea and confusion. The most severe forms can lead to digestive, neurological or cardiac complications. The incubation period of the disease varies between ten and fifteen days. Contamination occurs through stool or saliva, either directly (contact with a sick person or a healthy carrier) or indirectly (ingestion of contaminated food: raw vegetables, seafood, water and ice). The vaccine is active after two to three weeks and protects you for three years. In case of contamination and non-vaccination, treatment with fluoroquinolones is recommended.

Vaccination centers. For more information, you can consult the website of the Ministry of Health (www. sante.gouv.fr), as well as that of the Institut Pasteur (www.pasteur.fr).

Security Puerto Rico

Among the Caribbean islands, Puerto Rico has one of the best reputations when it comes to safety. Assaults are rare. Some settlements of accounts may occur, but they are mostly gang-related, and the tourist has nothing to do with it. Of course, this does not eliminate all risks, but, as in the vast majority of countries around the world, a few rules of caution are necessary: never show the possession of large sums of money or ostentatious jewelry, avoid the ghetto areas of the large cities, avoid walking there after dark, be careful not to leave your personal belongings unattended on the beach, do not drink excessively in bars in the evening, always keep a phone number to call in case of trouble (car breakdowns)... In short, apply some common sense precautions. For the latest information on local security, consult the "Advice to Travelers" section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers and that this sometimes gives a somewhat alarmist picture of the real situation in the country.

Time difference Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is on the time zone (UTC-4), which means that it is 5 hours earlier than France in winter, and 6 hours earlier in summer. When it is noon in Paris, it is 6 or 7 am in Puerto Rico

Spoken languages Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States; the official languages are Spanish and English. Puerto Ricans, living in San Juan, are generally very fluent in both languages. But among themselves, they always speak Spanish. In the rest of the island, Spanish is the predominant language. Because of the influence of the United States on Puerto Rican society, many words have been borrowed from the English language to fit into the local speech. This mixture of English and Spanish results in Spanglish, which is widely used in the various Creole languages of the Caribbean. For example, it is possible to hear: "no es nada mas que un bad trip", to designate something that has gone wrong

Communication Puerto Rico

It is possible to connect to wifi free of charge from a large number of places. Almost all hotels offer this service, in their lobbies, common areas, and in the rooms. Some bars and coffee shops also have wifi, especially in the most touristy cities

Electricity and measurements Puerto Rico

Electricity. In Puerto Rico, the voltage of the electric current is 110 volts. The plugs are in American format, with two flat plugs. To plug in French appliances, you need an adapter. These adapters are available in all large specialized stores and international airports. When buying electronic products (computer, MP3, console...), which are less expensive than in Europe, remember that you will need a good adapter to level the voltage of the electric current once you get home.

Distances. 1 mile = 1.609 km; 1 yard = 0.914 meter; 1 foot = 30.48 cm; 1 inch = 2.54 cm; and conversely 1 km = 0.62 mile; 1 meter = 3.28 feets. However, the good old metric system is applied in Puerto Rico. Along roads, it is used to indicate distances on markers. It is also used to define an address: "Route 317, km 3.8". On the other hand, the numbers on signs along roads are always given in miles, or feet for short distances. Approximately: 1/2 mile = 800 meters; 1/4 mile = 400 meters; 100 feets = 30 meters.

Temperatures. The conversion between degrees Fahrenheit (°F), used in the United States, and degrees Celsius (°C) is more difficult to do in your head. The exact calculation is to take 32 off the number shown, multiply it by 5 and then divide it by 9. Easier, but a little less accurate, is to subtract 30 from the Fahrenheit, divide by two and add 10%

Luggage Puerto Rico

You will take the classic wardrobe for a stay in a hot country, that is to say light and comfortable clothes. One or two vests may be useful for the rainy hours if you are cold, or if you plan to stay in the central Cordillera, where it is not so hot. A raincoat can sometimes be useful in case of heavy rain, even if most of it passes very quickly. As far as equipment is concerned, don't forget the essentials: sports shoes for hiking in the forest, swimsuit, sun cream (you will of course also find some on site), sunglasses, hat and camera!