United States Territory

Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States.  U.S. Federal laws apply to Puerto Rico citizens.  Puerto Ricans are autonomous in matters of self-government.  Federal law, however, supercedes local law in the same manner as with a U.S. State.  Therefore, Puerto Rico is subject to United States laws relating to matters such as civil rights and health and safety.  Puerto Rico Federal District Court ifalls under the jurisdiction of the First Circuit Court of Appeals located in Boston, Ma.

Passports, IDs, Pets

Passports are not required for United States Citizens. For international visitors, the same rules for visiting the United States will apply to entry into Puerto Rico.

Your state driver's license will be sufficient for any identification purpose while on the island and will permit you to drive while here.

Your airlines and hotel will set the rules for bringing your pets.  There is a set of rules in place regarding importation of animals.  Those rules (in name only) require a rabies vaccine and health check-up within the last thirty days, as well as a certificate stating the pet does not originate in a rabies-quarantined zone.

However, at Luis Munoz Airport in San Juan, there is no screening in place to determine if you have met with the rule requirements.  Pasengers exit the plane and proceed past a well-worn sign stating something about quarantine requirements.  Other smaller airports on the island may or may not have stricter controls. 

Driving in Puerto Rico

Your state or national driver's license enables you to drive in Puerto Rico.

Driving in Puerto Rico is the same as in the Continental U.S. except that highway signs are in Spanish.

Tip:  Turn signals are an alien concept to Puerto Rico drivers. Expect cars to zip in and out of traffic without warning and drive defensively.

Also, Puerto Rico police cars always have their lights flashing. Don’t be alarmed unless the police car turns on its siren, which almost never happens.

Certain areas such as Carolina (Isla Verde) and many suburbs enforce drunk driving laws quite strictly Between the crazy drivers, unfamiliar driving terrain, and DUI enforcement, it’s simply not worth drinking and driving. Always have a designated driver if you expect to be indulging.  

Parking in Condado and the rest of the Tourist Zone is difficult.  As with many things in Puerto Rico, there is no rhyme or reason to parking restrictions.   Sometimes parking meters are located to the rear of your car, sometimes to the front.  Look to the end of the street to determine which way the meters are oriented.

As a result of a rash of carjackings in the 1990's, a law was instituted which allows drivers to stop, look both ways, then proceed through red lights after midnight.

Puerto Ricans have a different concept than North Americans on time and deadlines.  Don't be surprised to see a local stop his car in a busy street and a chat while traffic builds up behind him.

Finally, Puerto Rico has the highest density of cars per person in the world.  Traffic  in L.A. and New York pales in comparison.  Plan ahead if driving.

Passportsrules, Pets, Driving, Smoking, Nudity, Alcohol

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Rules

Alcohol

Puerto Rico is a very alcohol-friendly country. The legal drinking age is 18. You may consume alcohol on all public beaches, and beer is commonly sold by beach vendors hawking “cerveza, agua”. The national beer is Medalla. The national cocktail is, of course, the pina colada. Most locals take coolers to the beach stocked with alcohol and food on family “beach” days.

It is not advisable to consume alcohol openly while walking the streets in San Juan. However, if you cover beer labels, or use plastic cups for your beverage, the police will generally leave you alone. Most bars allow you to leave the premises with beer and plastic cup beverages.  Certain parts of the tourist zone, specifically the Old City and Isla Verde, are less open to open-air drinking.

Certain events and certain locations do, however, allow open-air drinking. In La Placita, you may walk around with open containers until the police decide to keep patrons inside of the bars. At festivals in San Juan, generally you can walk around with beer and cocktails. There is really no rhyme or reason as to when open-air drinking is permitted or encouraged.  If you see a beer tent, open air drinking is allowed.

Alcohol is sold at all hours in many different venues from grocery stores to delis.  You can always find alcohol in Puerto Rico.

Smoking

Cigarette buttes are a form of litter!

San Juan’s tourist zone is immaculately maintained. Litter is very rare. Littering (improperly discarding cigarette buttes, wrappers) will not be well-received by locals and may result in a “multa” (fine) if witnessed by a police officer.

Puerto Rico has the second lowest smoking rate in the U.S. Cigarette buttes are considered litter. You will be politely but firmly asked to properly dispose of your buttes on the beaches and may receive a gentle reminder from the police or locals if you discard them in the street.

Most of bars have outdoor smoking areas.

San Juan has recently increased the fines for littering and discarding cigarette buttes in the tourist zone to $500 per infraction.

Nudity and Sex

Nudity

Public nudity is not permitted anywhere in Puerto Rico. 

Please be aware that Puerto Ricans make a clear distinction between "beachwear" and "streetwear".  While you won't have problems wearing skimpy swimwear at the beach, you will probably get a whistle or cat-call if you decide to walk around the city wearing a thong. 

Sex

Couples engaging in sexual intercourse in public areas (including beaches, pools, and jacuzzis) of most hotels will be asked to leave.  Behave as if you were in your hometown and you will not encounter any issues.  Hotels are aggressive about frisky behavior in pools and jacuzzi's.

Puerto Rico Weather

Forecast Radar Cameras