Puerto Rico(Viejo San Juan) by Ricardo Mangual via Flickr Creative Commons

Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States so travelers will need to meet the same visa requirements as in mainland America. All travelers need to be in possession of a passport which is valid for at least six months after departing. US citizens don't need a visa, but travelers from all other regions will need to obtain a tourist visa prior to arriving which is valid for up to 90 days.

Health and Safety

Health care services in Puerto Rico are generally of good quality especially in the larger cities like San Juan. That being said, it is still recommended to get travel insurance as most hospitals insist the bill be paid upfront and in cash. It is also best to check whether your home health insurance plan covers travel to know if you will need supplementary insurance.

It can be difficult to get medication as pharmacists will not accept prescriptions that were written off the island. It is best bring any medications with you which cannot be bought over the counter.

While no specific immunizations are required to enter Puerto Rico it is recommended to be vaccinated for Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis as a precaution. There are occasional Dengue Fever outbreaks across the country, but the local health services are well-equipped to deal with this.

It is safe to drink the tap water in large cities as it has gone through a purification process. Most food in Puerto Rico is safe to eat, but caution should always be taken when getting snacks from street vendors as cleanliness may be an issue.

The regular tourism-related crimes like mugging and pick pocketing are present in the major cities. Be cautious when traveling alone at night and keep an eye on your belongings at all times.

Click here for History and Culture in Puerto Rico