Located 1000 miles to the northeast of the Caribbean sea is an island with stunning
beaches and almost perfect weather. This island is none other than the island of Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico is famous for its collection of magnificent natural wonders and cultural
buildings that are nestled in the several islands surrounding it. It is also renowned
for its unique mix of tasty and local cuisine. If you're residing in the US and looking for a
perfect holiday destination that you can visit without a passport, then the enchanting islands
of Puerto Rico are perfect for you. However, before you make your visit,
there are some things you must take note of. We'll go over them in this video.
Like every other place on earth, Puerto Rico has its own set of do's and don'ts that you will want
to know so that you'll enjoy your stay there. If you're interested in learning more facts about
other countries of the world, give this channel a follow and click on the notification bell.
Here are the do's and don'ts of visiting Puerto Rico.
We'll explore the Do's first. Number 1
Pack clothes and materials suitable for hot weather
According to the Koppen climate classification, Puerto Rico is a tropical rainforest. This means
that you can expect temperatures ranging from warm to hot throughout the year. The lower temperature
range falls around 21 degrees Celsius while the higher temperature range falls around 29 degrees
Celsius. This makes the average temperature on the island about 28 degrees Celsius.
Being a rainforest also means it rains almost every day over there for a short period.
While preparing for your trip to Puerto Rico,
pack breathable materials and a light raincoat or jacket.
And always remember to plan your activities with the weather in mind,
so you don't end up being drenched by rain while enjoying the beautiful sights.
Also, pack flip-flops and beachwear to wear as you explore the fascinating beaches.
Remember also to pack mosquito repellent. Humid and tropical islands like Puerto Rico have a
large population of mosquitoes. These mosquitoes can cause various diseases like malaria, dengue,
and Zika. Mosquito repellent will go a long way in helping you prevent the contraction
of these diseases. Secondly.
Remember to always carry cash with you. Unlike other more advanced parts of the US,
where there are ATMs or POS where you can pay for services with your cards virtually everywhere,
some shops and cafes accept only cash. To avoid a situation where you want to get
something important and are unable to because the shops around do not accept cards, it is advisable
to always carry some cash with you. The next thing you should do is to
Consider renting a car. Puerto Rico's public transportation network
is not as vast as it is in other metropolitan parts of the United States. Public transport
doesn't extend outside the urban areas. If you plan to do a lot of exploration and
go beyond San Juan, which is the capital of Puerto Rico, you should rent a car.
There are taxis and Ubers in Puerto Rico; however, the cabs are costly,
and the Ubers are restricted to particular areas in San Juan and its surroundings.
Keep in mind that while going for a car renting company, do not go for nameless and cheap options;
instead, go for trusted companies like Enterprise or National. They might charge a bit higher,
but you can be assured of getting a good car with little or no faults.
Still, on the subject of moving around in Puerto Rico, avoid driving in the old San
Juan area. Their roads are narrow and not in good shape. It also doesn't help that there is usually
lots of traffic and reckless driving. Should you want to explore San Juan,
then go on foot; not only will you be able to reach areas that cars and taxis might not reach,
but you will also spare yourself the stress and frustration of being stuck in traffic.
Number 4 Remember to tip
Unlike some countries of the world like Japan, where tipping might be considered rude,
tipping in Puerto Rico is deemed to be good manners and even somewhat expected.
The tipping amount doesn't have to be so huge. A dollar or 2 is enough for
housekeeping or bartenders, and 15% of the check is considered okay for waiters at a restaurant.
So, if you get excellent customer service from a waiter or driver, don't forget
to tip as a sign of your appreciation. Another thing you will want to do is to
Plan your activities and budget Just like any visit to any tourist location, you
will definitely spend some money on your vacation or holiday. However, you won't have to go beyond
your limit with proper planning and budgeting. The prices of services and products in Puerto Rico
are like that of Miami, so you should expect the cost of things to be on the high side a bit.
Furthermore, things tend to be more expensive in tourist areas. You can save money by eating
outside tourist locations. For cheaper accommodations, you can opt for Airbnb with
a kitchen or hotels that include breakfast. As we said earlier, the weather in Puerto Rico
is primarily humid, and it rains almost every day, so before you go out during the day,
plan your activities around the weather. Puerto Rico has different seasons, including
a hurricane season that lasts five months, June to November. You would do well to keep
that in mind while preparing for your trip. Now that you know some of the things to do,
let's go check out things you would want to avoid doing.
Feel free to browse through our channel for other content if you're enjoying the video.
Remember to click on the subscription and notification button.
We are moving on! Don'ts in Puerto Rico
One thing you might want to avoid doing is driving around Old San Juan.
With its numerous shops, museums, and restaurants, Old Juan is a major tourist center located
in Puerto Rico. So there is always bound to be heavy traffic that might make driving difficult
and frustrating. Couple this with reckless driving, and you might as well forfeit
driving around in San Juan altogether. To explore old San Juan, it's better to use
your legs or rent an expensive taxi, or Uber is also a choice. This is better because the
drivers already know the outlay of the roads and would navigate it better than you do.
Don't move away from the Path in El Yunque Forest.
El Yunque National Forest is one of the most popular tourist locations in Puerto Rico. It
is a jungle-like territory rich with lush green foliage, waterfalls, and several trails.
Many tourists and visitors visit it during their stay. You should too.
However, make sure to never stray from the path for some adventurous explorations.
It is very easy and dangerous to get lost in El Yunque as some people have even died that way.
The authorities can also fine you if you got lost and you had to be rescued.
So during your hike or exploration, make sure you stick to the path.
Don't travel without getting vaccinated. You must get yourself vaccinated against any
disease that might be prevalent on the island. To enjoy a hospital and worry-free stay,
get vaccinated against typhoid, Hepatitis A, and even rabies so that you don't end up
contracting these diseases. Avoid flashy displays of
pieces of jewelry or gadgets. Keep in mind that the poverty and crime rate
level in Puerto Rico is still at an undesirable level. Avoid displaying fancy or expensive jewelry
as it might make you a target for thieves or pickpockets, especially in tourist areas.
Maintain a low profile, and keep your fancy jewelry in your hotel unless you need to wear
them to one function. Don't bother about your
passport if you're a US citizen. Puerto Rico is a United States territory,
so a passport is not needed for any US citizen. You can hold 1 or 2 valid means of identification.
However, for non-US citizens, a passport and visa are required.
Don't forget to explore and have fun. There is a lot of fun to be had and experienced.
Open yourself and your mind to the experiences and food you will get the chance to explore.
Sample local delicacies like mofongo, chicken asopao, bacalaitos, and Lechon roasted pig. Visit
the stunning beaches, explore the quaint street shops and hunt for souvenirs.
And finally, the last and the most important one.
Don't forget to subscribe to this channel for more educating and entertaining
videos on different countries worldwide. Which part of the dos and don'ts did you find most
surprising? Tell us in the comments section below, and don't forget to share and like this video.