Puerto Rico Travel Tips

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Keep in Mind.

• The term "balneario " In Puerto Rico, this normally means "public beach." Some of the island's best include Balneario de Carolina and Balneario de Luquillo great family spots that are free to enjoy and have changing facilities on site.
• The term "comida criolla " It's the phrase Puerto Ricans use for traditional street food. The plantains, pork, rice and beans served here will be tastier (and cheaper) than anything you'll find at the hotels.
• The term "paradores " These inns scattered throughout the island's countryside could be a nice, affordable compromise to staying around the activity of San Juan.

Determining Puerto Rico's charm is a no-brainer. Less than a three-hour flight from Miami. this island is a U.S. territory (in case you didn't recall from high school history class). So when you're shopping in San Juan, you can pay for your souvenirs with American bills. But don't be mistaken: This isn't quite a home away from home. Puerto Rico has both 20-foot waves for surfers and calm, clear waters for families. It's a stroll back through time (El Morro ) and an up-close look at the contemporary (Calle del Cristo ). It's an exhilarating mix of landscapes, from the serpentine jungle of El Yunque to the corkscrew caves of Parque de las Cavernas del R o Camuy. And if you want to get away from civilization entirely, you can ferry over to the secluded not to mention jaw-droppingly gorgeous islands of Vieques and Culebra. Convinced?

If not, we can drive a few further points home. When other Caribbean isles put a premium on wintertime at the beach, Puerto Rico offers year-round affordable packages so travelers can relax along its blanched sands. And while other regional spots like to advertise exciting nightlife, the capital city of San Juan actually delivers. Follow a pulsating beat to the dance clubs in the Santurce neighborhood, catch some live music in a Ponce lounge or grab a casual drink at a San Sebasti n bar.

How To Save Money in Puerto Rico

• Take an Eastern Caribbean cruise Puerto Rico really should be explored over at least three or four days. But if all you want to see is the famous El Morro fort, you can get your fill during a port of call.
• Plan ahead You can visit this "Island of Enchantment" in the peak winter for less money than other Caribbean spots, but to do so you should book two to three months in advance.
• Use a road map The buses are essential to navigating much of San Juan, and the p blicos provide a less stressful way of visiting neighboring towns. But it's easy to get turned around, miss your stop and therefore, spend more money. Knowing your route will also help you when taking a taxi.

Puerto Rico Culture Customs

Much of Puerto Rican culture, from the food to the music, represents the island's combined North American, Caribbean and indigenous Ta no ancestry. In Old San Juan, for example, you can grab comida criolla (traditional Puerto Rican meals of pork, rice and beans) just a stone's throw from Calle del Cristo's Coach and Polo Ralph Lauren factory outlets.

Speaking of clothes, you're on vacation in the tropics and you're going to want to dress informally. But it's a good idea to cover up your swimsuits with clothing unless you're at the pool or the beach. Also pay special attention to your attire before enjoying Puerto Rico's nightlife only tourists go out dressing like they're at a barbecue. If you want to blend in at the bar, turn up your fashion a notch and leave the culottes in the suitcase.

Many Puerto Ricans speak English, but Spanish is the language of daily life. Packing a Spanish phrasebook is handy, and Puerto Ricans welcome your efforts to converse with them in Spanish.

Since Puerto Rico is part of the United States, the island's currency is the U.S. dollar and credit cards are widely accepted. Tipping etiquette is the same here as in other parts of the United States; 15 to 20 percent is considered the standard, but more is appreciated for exceptional service.

Puerto Rico Dining

Dining in Puerto Rico reflects the island's mixture of Caribbean, Latin, North American and indigenous Ta no influences. If you want to try something new, head to a fonda. or storefront eatery, along San Juan's Plaza del Mercado. South Fortaleza Street, or Calle Fortaleza or even SoFo for short is another dining hub with some of the newest bars and restaurants. The food on San Juan's SoFo is good at any time, but it's a pseicla treat to try some during SoFo Culinary Week in June. That's when Calle Fortaleza is barricaded to car traffic and transformed into an outdoor tasting plaza that's popular with tourists and residents alike. If you're staying in the northeast, you can expect a quieter dining experience along Luquillo or Fajardo beaches. The atmosphere and clientele is more subdued, and the affordable food exceeds expectations.

No matter where you dine, make sure you get a taste of some of Puerto Rico's most authentic eats: asopao is a traditional stew often made with chicken or beef; mofongo consists of seafood, meat or vegetables atop mashed plantains; and lech n is smokey, roasted suckling pig.