You have arrived to Puerto Rico, and you are excited about starting your journey. There are a couple of things to remember about the island.

Business Hours Currency Exchange Credit Cards Automatic Teller Machines Travelers Checks Sales & Tips

Emergency Number Food and Drinking Water Driving in Puerto Rico Fuel Alcohol

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Most commercial businesses operate from 8:30am or 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Government offices are open 8:30am to 4:30pm. Banking hours are 9:30am to 3:30pm. Department stores and malls are generally open Monday through Thursday and Saturday from 8am to 6pm On Friday, stores have a long day: 8am to 9pm. Many stores also open on Sunday from 11am to 5pm.

The local currency is US dollars. You can expect a slightly better rate of exchange at the banks than at the hotels. Currency regulations and exchange rates will vary depending on the nature and size of the transaction. For more detailed information consult your bank. Travelers checks generally get a slightly better rate of exchange than cash. There are plenty of ATMs thru the island.

Puerto Ricans call dollars "pesos," quarters "pesetas," niquels "vellón" or "fichas", and pennies "centavos", "chavitos" or "chavos prietos".

Relative Costs:

A newspaper will cost you about $0.35 to $0.75

A can of beer is around $1.00 to $3.00, and a serving of whiskey about the same

A cup of coffee will run from $0.35 to $2.50, depending on where you drink it

A ham sandwich, $2.00

Lunch in a pub, $8 and up (plus your drink)

A theater seat will cost from $5.00 to $10.00.

American Express, Visa, Master Card and Discover are accepted at featured hotels and most restaurants and shops. It is always best to confirm current policy direct with each establishment.

ATMs accepting U.S. bank and charge-cards are available in every city, usually with English and Spanish instructions.

Checks in various currencies are accepted, but US Dollar checks are preferred.

Puerto Rico has a 5.5% sales tax. Municipalities have the option of imposing an additional sales tax of up to 1.5% (effective on November 15, 2006). The usual tip is 15%. Many hotels and resorts automatically add the 15% service charge to cover tips.

In Puerto Rico in the case of an emergency (police, ambulance or fire), call 911. If there is no 911 service or for non-life-threatening emergencies, such as a traffic accident without injuries, call the Puerto Rico police department phone number, which is generally the regional prefix plus 2020.

Helplines and Agencies

• Emergency Services: 911
• Police: 787-343-2020
• Ambulance: 787-343-2222
• Civil Defense: 787-724-0124
• Fire Department: 787-343-2330
• F.B.I: 787-754-6000
• U.S. Secret Service: 787-766-5539
• U.S. Coast Guard: 787-729-6770

Visitors will be surprised by the variety of modern supermarkets on Puerto Rico. You will find everything from the latest American grocery brands to fresh diary products, meats and gourmet items. Reputable brands of bottled water can be found at any store.

Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. All the same rules as any part of the United States, except that the signs are in Spanish and the distance markers in kilometers.

A valid driver's license from any U.S. state or home country is all that is needed to operate a car in Puerto Rico. Drivers must be 18 years or older to operate a vehicle.

Seat belts are mandatory for front-seat passengers, and, if available, also for back-seat passengers.

Speed limits in Puerto Rico are generally 20 to 35 miles per hour in cities and towns; and 55 to 65 miles per hour outside populated areas and on expressways. Usually there are signs indicating the speed limit.

Fuel prices are government regulated, and gas sold in liters (3.78 liter = l gallon). Most fuel stations accept credit cards.

The age limit to buy wine and beer is 18 years. A municipal statute forbids alcohol consumption on the streets of Old San Juan.

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