PUERTO RICO
Best Time to Visit:
Peak season in Puerto Rico is from December to April, with beautiful sunny days and great weather!
For fewer crowds and more affordable pricing, the shoulder months of April and November can be wonderful times to visit too! The weather is overall still sunny and warm, but you may experience a few short bursts of rain.
The wet season runs from May to October, with frequent rainfall – although it usually comes in short, tropical bursts with sunny skies afterwards.
Peak rainfall (and hurricanes) occur in the months of August, September, and October. These are the only three months I would recommend avoiding travel to Puerto Rico!
Getting Around
I highly recommend renting a car in Puerto Rico to maximize the amount of island you’re able to see! The island is small (it only takes about 2.5 hours to get from one side to the other), but many beaches and things to do are spread out. You’ll find public transportation in the San Juan area, but not much for exploring outside of it (which I definitely recommend doing).
Travel Requirements
If you’re traveling from the US, a passport is not required for entry to Puerto Rico! Just a driver’s license will do.
As for visitors from other countries, you will require a passport as well as a tourism visa or visa waiver through ESTA. Figure out if this applies to you here.
Know Before You Go
AIRPORT | Luis Munoz Marin (SJU)
CURRENCY | USD
PLUG TYPE | Type A/B
LANGUAGE | Spanish, but English is also widely spoken
PHONE COVERAGE | All US carriers have coverage
SUSTAINABLE + ETHICAL TRAVEL IN FINLAND
- Book tours through local guides! Not only will you often get a better and more authentic experience, you’re supporting the local economy! My best friend (who is from here) showed me around so I had a local guide for my entire week!
- Book your accommodation in hotels rather than short-term rentals such as Airbnb and VRBO. These short term rentals have driven up housing costs significantly, making it difficult for some locals to afford housing. **This does exclude properties owned by local Puerto Ricans.
- Visit via plane rather than cruise ship. Cruise ships are wrecking the Puerto Rican shoreline and causing massive amounts of water pollution.