GENERAL
Capital
San Juan.
Geography
The island of Puerto Rico is east of the Dominican Republic and west of the British Virgin Islands. Some smaller islands such as Culebra, Mona and Vieques are off the coast. Fertile coastal plains surround the central mountain range; the highest peak is the 1338 m high Cerro de la Punta. The capital is on the northeast coast. Much of the forest was cleared to make way for agriculture, and the northeastern region was declared a national park. According to remzfamily, Puerto Rico is a country in Central America.
Government
Autonomous state of the USA since 1951. Bicameral parliament based on the USA model. The governor is directly elected every 4 years and has executive power. Puerto Rican residents are US citizens but do not have the right to vote in US elections.
Head of state
President Donald Trump, since January 2017.
Head of government
Governor Ricardo Rosselló, since January 2017.
Electricity
120 V, 60 Hz. American flat plugs, adapter required.
Time zone
Atlantic Standard Time: CET -5
MONEY
Currency
1 US dollar = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: US $, USD (ISO code). More under money in the USA chapter.
Credit cards
All international credit cards are accepted. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted throughout Europe and worldwide. Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbols are accepted at many ATMs in Puerto Rico, but not in stores. Further information from banks and credit institutes.
Attention: Travelers who pay abroad with their bank customer card and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-3.30 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
- USA.
Currency Exchange
Possible in exchange offices and banks.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official languages are Spanish and English.
Idioms
- Eight = Ocho
- Eighty = ochenta
- Goodbye = Chau
- Exit = Salida
- Beer = Cerveza
- Please = Por favor
- Thank you very much = Gracias
- Tuesday = Martes
- Thursday = Jueves
- Doctor = Médico
- Thirty = Treinta
- Three = Tres
- One = Un / uno / una
- Entrance = Entrada
- One hundred = cien
- One thousand = mil
- Friday = Viernes
- Five = Cinco
- Fifty = cincuenta
- Danger = Peligro
- Open = Abierto
- Closed = Cerrado
- Good morning = Buenos Dias
- Hello = Buenas Tardes’
- Good evening = Buenas Noches
- Hello = hola
- Today = Hoy
- Hotel = hotel
- I do not understand that. = No entiendo
- I feel sick = Me encuentro times
- Yes = Sí
- My name is…?? = Me llamo…
- I’m fine. = Estoy muy bien
- Wednesday = Miércoles
- Monday = Lunes
- Tomorrow = Mañana
- Nine = Nueve
- Ninety = noventa
- No = no
- Restaurant = restaurants
- Saturday = Sábado
- Six = Seis
- Sixty = Sesenta
- Seven = pages
- Seventy = setenta
- Sunday = Domingo
- Menu = Carta
- Do you speak German / English? = ¿Habla alemán / inglés?
- Excellent! = Chevere!
- Toilets = servicios
- Forty = Cuarenta
- Four = Cuatro
- Wine = vino
- How are you? = ¿Qué tal estás?
- How much is it? = ¿Cuánto it?
- Where is …? = ¿Dónde está?
- Ten = Diez
- Twenty = United
- Two = Dos
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Dial-up remote service.
Cellphone
CDMA / TDMA network. Not compatible with GSM cell phones.
Internet
Internet provider is Coqui Net (Internet: www.coqui.net). Internet / e-mail connections are available in hotels and business centers. There are internet cafes in San Juan.
Post Office
Airmail to Europe takes about a week. Postage stamps are available in stores where postcards can be purchased. Hotel receptions accept letters for a tip of around US $ 1.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
CULTURE
Religion
85% Catholics. Protestant and Jewish minorities: 15%.
Social rules of conduct
Manners: The usual politeness formulas should be observed. You shake hands in greeting. Spanish and American customs coexist. The people of Puerto Rico are very hospitable, but invitations to private homes are still rare. If you are invited anyway, a small present for the host is appropriate. The family is very important to Puerto Ricans, they always come first. You are always friendly and open-minded towards children.
Clothing: Casual clothing is accepted. Light cotton clothing is recommended. Shorts should not be worn in restaurants, hotels or casinos, where evening wear is often required after 8 p.m. Some hotels also insist on more formal attire during the day. Swimwear belongs on the beach. As everywhere in the USA, sunbathing without a bikini top as well as changing clothes on the beach are seen as a public nuisance and are prohibited in Puerto Rico. This also applies to children.
Photographing: People should be asked before photographing them. Photography is often allowed in churches and museums, but you should ask beforehand.
Smoking: Since 2007 there has been a strict smoking ban in all public buildings, restaurants and casinos. Smoking is also prohibited on many restaurant terraces. Some hotels offer smoking and non-smoking rooms.
Tip: 15-20% is usual, if not already included in the bill.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Hot, tropical climate at 25 ° -29 ° C. A little cooler at high altitudes.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +1 Area (square km) 8870 Population 3598357 Population density (per square km) 406 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 911