Prepare Before You Travel to the Caribbean: Puerto Rico Island Guide

It’s hard to believe that a destination this exotic is not only close to the United States (2.5 hours from Miami) but a part of it. When you travel to Puerto Rico, you’ll discover gorgeous white sandy beaches, delicious food, fascinating Spanish history, and extraordinary natural attractions that include a rain forest and a bay where you can swim at night surrounded by millions of tiny, glowing creatures.

Puerto Rico Basic Travel Information

Location: Between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic

Size: Total area is 3,508 sq. miles

Capital: San Juan

Language: Spanish and English

Religions: Mainly Roman Catholic

Currency: The U.S. dollar is the official currency

Telephone/Area Code: 787 or 939

Tipping: If service charge is not included, tip 15 to 20 percent

Weather: Average year-round temperatures are in the mid-80s. Hurricane season is June to November