Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean U.S. territory with colonial forts in San Juan, the El Yunque rainforest and bioluminescent bays.
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and an unincorporated territory of the United States, about 1,000 miles southeast of Miami. Spanish predominates in daily life, and Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens who can move freely to the mainland. Four centuries of Spanish rule left forts, churches and lighthouses. Old San Juan sits on a small islet joined to the main island by bridges. Inland, the Cordillera Central crosses the island from east to west, and El Yunque National Forest in the northeast is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. Forest Service system.
The dry season runs from December to March, and the wet season from April to November. The island lies in the Atlantic hurricane zone, so check forecasts before booking flights or ferries. Vieques and Culebra are reached by ferry from the east coast of the main island. Buses, shared minibuses called carros públicos and the Tren Urbano metro serve the San Juan area.
Five things to know before Puerto Rico
- Use US entry rules
Puerto Rico is a US territory. US citizens need no passport from the mainland; other visitors need an approved ESTA or a US visa, exactly as for the rest of the US. ESTA explained
- Book the Vieques and Culebra ferry ahead
Ferries to Vieques and Culebra leave from Ceiba on the east coast and fill up on weekends and holidays. Small planes also fly from San Juan. Culebra and Vieques
- See the bioluminescent bay on a dark night
Mosquito Bay on Vieques glows brightest near the new moon. Go on a licensed tour after dark; swimming in the bay is not allowed. Vieques
- Rent a car beyond San Juan
Public transport outside the San Juan metro area is limited. A car makes El Yunque, the east coast, the north and west coasts and the south practical. El Yunque and the east coast
- Book around hurricane season
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, with most storms from August to October. Buy insurance when you book and check how it handles storm cancellations. Travel insurance
Puerto Rico travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Old San Juan, the forts, beaches and where to stay.
Read the guideEl Yunque and East CoastRainforest trails, Luquillo and the road to the ferry at Ceiba.
Read the guideCulebra and ViequesChoosing between the islands, the ferry and the bio bay.
Read the guideRincónSurf, winter whales and sunsets on the west coast.
Read the guideAguadillaCrash Boat, the surf reserve and the west coast airport.
Read the guideNorth CoastIsabela, Jobos, Arecibo and the Guajataca forest.
Read the guidePonceThe south coast city, museums and Caja de Muertos.
Read the guideVisa checkerEntry rules for your passport, including ESTA.
Read the guide
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- $40
- Food
- $35
- Transport
- $10
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- $110
- Food
- $75
- Transport
- $40
- Sights
- $30
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- $220
- Food
- $140
- Transport
- $100
- Sights
- $100
When to go
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- JanuaryRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Dry, peak seasonJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, peak season
- FebruaryRain15 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Dry, breezyFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, breezy
- MarchRain16 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Dry, sunnyMarchRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 65 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, sunny
- AprilRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Dry, quieterAprilRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 98 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, quieter
- MayRain18 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Warm, quietMayRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- JuneRain16 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hurricane seasonJuneRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane season
- JulyRain19 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, showersJulyRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- AugustRain20 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low26°Hurricane riskAugustRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane risk
- SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Hurricane peakSeptemberRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 224 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hurricane peak
- OctoberRain24 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh30°Low25°Storm risk, rainOctoberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 184 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Storm risk, rain
- NovemberRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Season endsNovemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 163 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Season ends
- DecemberRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Busy holidaysDecemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Busy holidays
Average daily high and low in San Juan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Puerto Rico
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 27°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Puerto Rico
04:05 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today25°19°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue26°19°97%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Wed24°19°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 24°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu25°18°95%Thursday: Drizzle. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Fri21°18°98%Friday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Sat24°18°100%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 24°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun26°17°85%Sunday: Fog. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 85%.
Updated 12:24 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Festivals by month
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- MayCasals FestivalSan Juan
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
On tour in Puerto Rico: Karol G Tropitour San Juan, Feb 26, 2027
Puerto Rico FAQ
Do I need a passport to go to Puerto Rico?
Not if you are a US citizen flying from the mainland: the tourism board says no passport is required. Foreign visitors need a passport and an ESTA or US visa, as for any US trip.
Do I need an ESTA for Puerto Rico?
Yes, if you travel under the Visa Waiver Program: CBP counts Puerto Rico as part of the United States for ESTA. The fee is $40.27 until October 15, 2026 and $40.62 from October 16, 2026, per the Federal Register notice of October 1, 2026; apply only on the official ESTA site.
When is hurricane season in Puerto Rico?
June 1 to November 30, with the highest risk from August to October. December to April is drier and calmer, and prices are highest then; May and June are a good compromise.
How do I get to Vieques?
Take the ferry from Ceiba on the east coast or a short flight from San Juan. Book the ferry ahead on weekends and holidays; cars are limited on it.
Do I need a car in Puerto Rico?
Not in Old San Juan, which is walkable. For El Yunque, the west coast or the mountains, a rental car is the practical choice.