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QuotesQuotes

I found out that Puerto Rico is a specific form of conceiving the world and existence, a language modulated in an inimitable cadence, a submerged rhythm that dictates our actions so that everywhere we are recognized as Puerto Ricans.

 

-Edgardo Sanabria Santaliz

 

TriviaTrivia

What was the first opera presented in Puerto Rico?

R: "The Barber of Seville", presented in 1835 by a company from abroad.

 

History

Depending on whom you ask, they will describe Puerto Rico either as a nation, a United States Territory, a Free Associate State (direct translation of Estado Libre Asociado, the name it officially bears) or a colony. Certainly, the United States presence in Puerto Rico has had impact. Puerto Rico is the smaller of the Large Antilles, an archipelago formed by the bigger island, smaller islands and keys. Its geological origins date from around 150 million years.

General Information

The capital city of Puerto Rico is San Juan, where most of the population of the island lives. It is divided in five big sectors: Old San Juan, Puerta de Tierra, Santurce, Hato Rey and Río Piedras.

Geography

The archipelago of Puerto Rico’s is on the western part of the Caribbean. The bigger island has more or less the shape of a rectangle; it measures around 110 miles from West to East, and around 39 miles from North to South

Fauna and flora

If you have never been here before, you might be surprised by the sweet melody of the coquíes, little frogs that sing a mating melody at night that sounds “coquí”.

Entry Documents

Which documents you need to enter Puerto Rican territory?

Communication

Payphones have been reduced in number with the use of cell phones. However, you can still find them around.

Money Matters

The official currency is the US Dollar, which is also called “peso”. One USD is one hundred cents, but Puerto Ricans have named the different types of coins their own way: 1¢ = one cent,

Money Matters

The official currency is the US Dollar. Paper money is call many names: peso, billete and dólar.

Business Hours

Generally, working hours in stores outside malls are from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. Malls are open from 9:00 or 10:00 am until 9:00 pm Mondays through Saturdays.

Recommendations

In general terms, Puerto Rico is a fairly safe place. However, there are things that Puerto Ricans avoid doing.

Holidays

Depending on your plans, business remain open on a regular schedule. Schools, private and government offices are closed.

Consulates

Consulates Telephone Listing