Puerto Rico Travel Guide

Language

Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico.

Currency

The United States Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency, which is divided into 100 cents. It is often referred to as the 'peso' in Puerto Rico. ATMs and bureau de change are freely available and all major credit cards and travelers checks are generally accepted. Banking hours are 9am to 3.30pm.

1.0000

Time

Local time is GMT -4.

Electricity

Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat attachment plugs are in use.

Communications

The international access code for Puerto Rico is +1 787 and +1 939. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom). The outgoing code is not needed for calling the US, Canada and most of the Caribbean. Mobile phones work throughout the island and local operators use CDMA networks that are not compatible with GSM phones, as used outside North America. Internet cafes are available in most towns and resorts.

Duty-Free

Puerto Rico's customs regulations are the same as those for the United States. Visitors over 21 may bring in the following items without paying duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2kg of tobacco; 1 liter of alcohol; and gifts valued up to US$100. There is a long list of restricted and prohibited items which may not be imported or imported only under license, ranging from fireworks and matches to pre-Columbian sculpture and Cuban cigars. If in doubt consult your nearest US Embassy for advice. Any merchandise from embargoed countries (Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Serbia and Montenegro and the Sudan) may not be brought onto US soil.

Tourist Office

The Puerto Rican Tourist Company, Old San Juan: +1 787 721 2400 or www.gotopuertorico.com

Embassies in Puerto Rico

• British Consulate, San Juan: +1 787 850 2400.
• Canadian Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 (202) 682 1740.
• Australian Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 797 3000.
• South African Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 232 4400.
• Irish Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 462 3939.
• New Zealand Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 328 4800.

Puerto Rico Embassies Abroad

• United States Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7499 9000.
• United States Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 5335.
• United States Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6214 5600.
• United States Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 431 4000.
• United States Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 668 8777.
• United States Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 462 6000.

Emergency

Emergencies: 911

Language

Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico.

Currency

The United States Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency, which is divided into 100 cents. It is often referred to as the 'peso' in Puerto Rico. ATMs and bureau de change are freely available and all major credit cards and travelers checks are generally accepted. Banking hours are 9am to 3.30pm.

1.0000

Time

Local time is GMT -4.

Electricity

Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat attachment plugs are in use.

Communications

The international access code for Puerto Rico is +1 787 and +1 939. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom). The outgoing code is not needed for calling the US, Canada and most of the Caribbean. Mobile phones work throughout the island and local operators use CDMA networks that are not compatible with GSM phones, as used outside North America. Internet cafes are available in most towns and resorts.

Duty-Free

Puerto Rico's customs regulations are the same as those for the United States. Visitors over 21 may bring in the following items without paying duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2kg of tobacco; 1 liter of alcohol; and gifts valued up to US$100. There is a long list of restricted and prohibited items which may not be imported or imported only under license, ranging from fireworks and matches to pre-Columbian sculpture and Cuban cigars. If in doubt consult your nearest US Embassy for advice. Any merchandise from embargoed countries (Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Serbia and Montenegro and the Sudan) may not be brought onto US soil.

Tourist Office

The Puerto Rican Tourist Company, Old San Juan: +1 787 721 2400 or www.gotopuertorico.com

Embassies in Puerto Rico

• British Consulate, San Juan: +1 787 850 2400.
• Canadian Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 (202) 682 1740.
• Australian Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 797 3000.
• South African Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 232 4400.
• Irish Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 462 3939.
• New Zealand Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 328 4800.

Puerto Rico Embassies Abroad

• United States Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7499 9000.
• United States Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 5335.
• United States Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6214 5600.
• United States Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 431 4000.
• United States Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 668 8777.
• United States Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 462 6000.

Emergency

Emergencies: 911

Language

Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico.

Currency

The United States Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency, which is divided into 100 cents. It is often referred to as the 'peso' in Puerto Rico. ATMs and bureau de change are freely available and all major credit cards and travelers checks are generally accepted. Banking hours are 9am to 3.30pm.

1.0000

Time

Local time is GMT -4.

Electricity

Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat attachment plugs are in use.

Communications

The international access code for Puerto Rico is +1 787 and +1 939. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom). The outgoing code is not needed for calling the US, Canada and most of the Caribbean. Mobile phones work throughout the island and local operators use CDMA networks that are not compatible with GSM phones, as used outside North America. Internet cafes are available in most towns and resorts.

Duty-Free

Puerto Rico's customs regulations are the same as those for the United States. Visitors over 21 may bring in the following items without paying duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2kg of tobacco; 1 liter of alcohol; and gifts valued up to US$100. There is a long list of restricted and prohibited items which may not be imported or imported only under license, ranging from fireworks and matches to pre-Columbian sculpture and Cuban cigars. If in doubt consult your nearest US Embassy for advice. Any merchandise from embargoed countries (Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Serbia and Montenegro and the Sudan) may not be brought onto US soil.

Tourist Office

The Puerto Rican Tourist Company, Old San Juan: +1 787 721 2400 or www.gotopuertorico.com

Embassies in Puerto Rico

• British Consulate, San Juan: +1 787 850 2400.
• Canadian Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 (202) 682 1740.
• Australian Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 797 3000.
• South African Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 232 4400.
• Irish Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 462 3939.
• New Zealand Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 328 4800.

Puerto Rico Embassies Abroad

• United States Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7499 9000.
• United States Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 5335.
• United States Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6214 5600.
• United States Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 431 4000.
• United States Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 668 8777.
• United States Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 462 6000.

Emergency

Emergencies: 911

Language

Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico.

Currency

The United States Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency, which is divided into 100 cents. It is often referred to as the 'peso' in Puerto Rico. ATMs and bureau de change are freely available and all major credit cards and travelers checks are generally accepted. Banking hours are 9am to 3.30pm.

1.0000

Time

Local time is GMT -4.

Electricity

Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat attachment plugs are in use.

Communications

The international access code for Puerto Rico is +1 787 and +1 939. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom). The outgoing code is not needed for calling the US, Canada and most of the Caribbean. Mobile phones work throughout the island and local operators use CDMA networks that are not compatible with GSM phones, as used outside North America. Internet cafes are available in most towns and resorts.

Duty-Free

Puerto Rico's customs regulations are the same as those for the United States. Visitors over 21 may bring in the following items without paying duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2kg of tobacco; 1 liter of alcohol; and gifts valued up to US$100. There is a long list of restricted and prohibited items which may not be imported or imported only under license, ranging from fireworks and matches to pre-Columbian sculpture and Cuban cigars. If in doubt consult your nearest US Embassy for advice. Any merchandise from embargoed countries (Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Serbia and Montenegro and the Sudan) may not be brought onto US soil.

Tourist Office

The Puerto Rican Tourist Company, Old San Juan: +1 787 721 2400 or www.gotopuertorico.com

Embassies in Puerto Rico

• British Consulate, San Juan: +1 787 850 2400.
• Canadian Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 (202) 682 1740.
• Australian Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 797 3000.
• South African Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 232 4400.
• Irish Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 462 3939.
• New Zealand Embassy, Washington DC, United States (also responsible for Puerto Rico): +1 202 328 4800.

Puerto Rico Embassies Abroad

• United States Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7499 9000.
• United States Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 238 5335.
• United States Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6214 5600.
• United States Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 431 4000.
• United States Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 668 8777.
• United States Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 462 6000.

Emergency

Emergencies: 911