Getting to Puerto Rico from the eastern USA is so easy!
- There are flights into San Juan or Mayaguez from Atlanta, Miami, Houston, and New York (perhaps more cities that I am not aware of).
- No passport is required because it is a US Territory.
- I’ve seen flights for about $400 round trip. That makes a quick long weekend mini-vacation very doable!
- Speed limits are posted in miles per hour, but distances are posted in kilometers, and gasoline is sold by the liter.
- The roads are narrow. Having a small, maneuverable car was safer than a larger vehicle.
- Local rental car companies may offer better rates than are available through the international chains on line. Check with Popular car rental as an example (my car was $280 for the week with unlimited miles and was a brand new Ford Focus).
- Making an effort to find local places to eat was definitely worth the effort. The cost was about 1/3 of the prices charged in restaurants frequently by gringos and tourists, and the food was just was good or better!
- Sticking to local drinks was also cheaper. Medalla beer is excellent, and rum drinks are the way to go. I had no problem drinking tap water.
- In Rincon virtually everyone speaks English. In other areas fewer people speak English. Making an effort to speak Spanish is a show of respect and is appreciated by the locals. Even if you know only a few words, start off in Spanish. If they speak English they will let you know right away.
- Many people I met spoke flawless English. They were delighted when I asked them to please speak Spanish with me so I could practice. They were more than willing to help, and offered many suggestions about where to go for food, entertainment, and shopping away from tourist areas.
- Free wifi was available in many places; coffee shops, bars, hotel lobbies, etc.
- Verizon and AT&T cell phones work there. I had to call Verizon to enable international roaming on my data plan but there was no additional data charge. I didn't have to do anything extra for AT&T.
Viva Puerto Rico!
