One of our locals in Puerto Rico described the island as "paradise." We're into it. Just look at the pictures for yourself! Dreamy beaches, palm trees, old Spanish forts, jungles, waterfalls, tropical drinks, delicious seafood—Puerto Rico has it all. The island is even home to the USA's only rainforest. It’s no wonder they call it The Island of Enchantment. 

People often ask: "Do I need a passport to go to Puerto Rico?" If you're an American, the answer is no—after all, Puerto Rico is part of the United States. That's one less thing to worry about for your travel checklist. 

Because Puerto Rico is a US territory, they also use the US dollar. That means you don't have to exchange your money, and you don’t have to pay foreign transaction fees when using your credit or debit cards. Essentially, traveling to Puerto Rico couldn't be easier—some cellular carriers don’t even charge roaming.

Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico in September 2022, but the response was much quicker than after Hurricane Maria in 2017. Within a week, power was restored to 60% of the island and the airport re-opened within just a couple of days after the storm. As of November 2022, most places are open. You’ll want to plan ahead because some beaches remain closed, but now is an excellent time to visit Puerto Rico. 

If you have concerns—or if you want an insider's perspective—you can always message one of our locals before booking your trip. 

Which brings us to an important point:

How can you help Puerto Rico recover from natural disasters? By putting money directly into the island's economy.

Tourism dollars make a huge difference—especially when they stay in local communities. That's why we're proud that, on average, 70% of travel dollars spent on ViaHero remain in the destination. 

Although Spanish is the most popular language on the island, English is an official second language and many people speak it perfectly. If you're worried about the language barrier, you can ask your local for important phrases to know.

Puerto Rico's cuisine is a dynamic mix of Spanish, Caribbean, African, and Asian influences. The fresh seafood is excellent (our locals say you have to try the aguacate relleno—avocado stuffed with creamy garlic shrimp), and the island grows some of the best coffee, vegetables, and tropical fruit in the entire world.

Oh, and did we mention that Puerto Rico is the world’s second-largest producer of rum? 

When it comes to safety in Puerto Rico, benefit from insider knowledge—our locals can explain how they navigate the island safely. 

As Puerto Rico heavily relies on tourism, the police are responsive and the island is safe on the whole—just take the same precautions you would in any other city.

Despite its small size, Puerto Rico has over two dozen airports with cheap, daily flights from all over the US and beyond. All the major US airlines fly there (United, American, Delta, JetBlue, Virgin, Southwest, and even Spirit). 

Puerto Ricans often pride themselves on their warm, vibrant culture. They did invent salsa dancing, after all. Which brings us to our next point…

Like its food, Puerto Rico's music and dance stems from a mix of cultural influences. The Bomba and the Danza, two popular Puerto Rican dances, were invented on the island hundreds of years ago. And if you think the dance scene is incredible, you have to check out the music scene.

Of course, you don't want to go all the way to Puerto Rico to spend your trip in tourist traps. Get insider tips from the locals—they can share the bars and clubs that the locals love.

Once you’re in Puerto Rico, transportation couldn't be easier. You can rent a car (remember: Puerto Rico is a US territory, so it has all the same car rental places as in the continental US), take public transportation, or just use Uber.

You'll find tons of great stuff to do in Puerto Rico with kids. From splashing in the shore to hiking through nature to checking out the island's incredible forts, the island offers a wealth of great activities for the entire family. 

Puerto Rico is a great place for solo travelers. The island is safe and easy to navigate—and the hostels in Puerto Rico are really great. 

If you're traveling to Puerto Rico alone, get some local insider advice. Our locals will have your back 24/7 with phone support, and they'll suggest great solo activities in their hometown.