Overview
Sights And Activities
Planning Your Trip
Accommodations
Cultural Essentials
Beyond Tourism
Basics
In any type of crisis situation, the most important thing to do is stay calm. Your country’s embassy abroad is usually your best resource when things go wrong; registering with that embassy upon arrival in the country is often a good idea. The government offices listed in the Travel Advisories box can provide information on the services they offer their citizens in case of emergencies abroad.
In an emergency, the Puerto Rican police are good resource for help. To reach them or other emergency personnel anywhere in Puerto Rico, dial ☎911. In a few remote areas 911 may not work. If it does not, the Puerto Rico police department phone number is listed in every practical information section of this guide; it is generally the regional prefix plus 2020.
The legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18, although many establishments do not ask for identification. Let’s Go does not recommend underage drinking. It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level over 0.8%. Some cities have specific rules about drinking in public. It is illegal to drink in the streets of Old San Juan and some other Puerto Rican cities. It is also illegal to drink out of a bottle on the street in many cities. Narcotics such as marijuana, heroin, and cocaine are highly illegal in Puerto Rico, and this prohibition is strictly enforced. If you carry prescription drugs while traveling, keep a copy of the prescription with you.
Hurricane season in Puerto Rico officially runs from June 1 to November 30, but poses the most significant threat from August to October. On average, a hurricane brushes by San Juan every 3.85 years. Travelers should be aware that hurricanes sometimes cause serious flooding and take lives. In the event of a hurricane, travelers should stay tuned to radio and TV stations for warnings from the US National Weather Service (NWS). If instructed to remain where they are, travelers should wait out the storm indoors and away from windows. Travelers may be advised to stock up on cash, water, and canned food before a hurricane arrives. For more advice, visit http://www.nws.noaa.gov.
In light of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the eastern US, the US government frequently puts the nation, and its territories, on an elevated terrorism alert. Puerto Rico has not had any attacks—or threats of attacks—but like the rest of the US, the island has taken precautions. Monitor developments in the news and stay on top of any local, state, or federal terrorist warnings. The box on travel advisories lists offices to contact and webpages to visit to get the most updated list of your home country’s government’s advisories about travel.
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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