Practical information : Sightseeing Puerto Rico
Timetable
Stores are open from Monday to Saturday morning. Shopping centers and supermarkets are open every day from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 8 or 9pm. Some even open late in the evening and all day Sunday, as in the United States. Restaurants may close on Sunday and/or Monday. Generally speaking, stores and administrative offices open earlier than in Europe: it is not uncommon to see everyone at work at 8:30 am in Puerto Rico. Government offices are generally open from 8:30am to 12pm and from 1pm to 4pm from Monday to Friday. They are closed on weekends. Museums are generally open from Wednesday to Sunday, although the hours may vary depending on the entity.
To be booked
Improv in Puerto Rico can be a source of frustration, especially if the stay is short. For visits to El Yunque National Forest, amusement parks (Rainforest Zipline Park, Toro Verde Adventure Park), some museums, guided tours of Old San Juan, rum distilleries and coffee farms(haciendas), excursions to one of the archipelago's bioluminescent bays, scuba diving, salsa classes... It is better to anticipate and reserve your time in advance. This is especially true during the high season and during the vacation season. Most of the gastronomic restaurants, or very popular ones, also require a prior reservation. This can usually be done online, via the websites of the establishments concerned. Also, if you plan to visit the islands of Vieques and/or Culebra, the ferry crossing should be booked at least 15 days before the desired date (www.puertoricoferry.com), as tickets sold online go fast.
Budget & Tips
Puerto Rico has about sixty museums throughout the country. All of them offer free access to their permanent collections.
Main events
You won't get a full taste of Boricua culture without attending at least one Puerto Rican festival. And since there is a celebration or festival somewhere, just about every weekend of the year, it shouldn't be difficult. Festivals in Puerto Rico are colorful and festive, always bustling with bands, rides, food and drink booths. The Festival de las Máscaras de Hatillo, the Festival de Santiago Apóstol in Loíza, the Carnival of Ponce, the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, in San Juan, the Fiesta de los Reyes Magos, La Campechada, ... To name only a few of the most important cultural events, without forgetting the main Catholic celebrations (Easter - Holy Week, Christmas - Nochebuena), which always attract many people. Puerto Ricans who live on the American continent return to their island on these occasions to celebrate with their families
Guided tours
We can only warmly recommend the visits organized by independent professional guides. Their personality, their passion for their job and for their island, their energy, the specificity of their offer... In short, everything is there to live a great experience with them and explore places off the beaten path. On foot, by bike, in San Juan or around, for a historical and cultural discovery, alone, in pairs or in small groups, do not hesitate to use their services, you will learn a lot about the Boricua culture: Cultura Bicicleta, K-Bueno Ecotours, Tour Guide Boricua. For an immersion in the Puerto Rican gastronomic culture, we recommend: The Spoon Experience and Cooking with Nivia. You can also contact Geraldine, from OhLaLa Travel, a French agency based in Puerto Rico, who can organize a customized trip for you.
Smokers
As in most American states, the legal age to buy cigarettes is 21. The law prohibits smoking on domestic flights, as well as in government buildings. It is also forbidden to smoke in public places (restaurants, bars, hotel lobbies, cinemas, shopping centers...). The electronic cigarettes and vaping benefit from the same legal framework as tobacco products
What's very local
In general, Puerto Ricans are careful about what they wear and "sexy" does not mean "sloppy". Dress can be light, but neat, and appropriate to the situation. For example, it would be in very bad taste to visit a church or a cathedral in shorts and flip-flops, nor would it be correct to enter a store shirtless. The same goes for restaurants. Puerto Ricans always make an effort to dress up. Even though the Caribbean atmosphere allows for a lot of casualness, always arrive well-dressed when invited to a party. Puerto Ricans are very careful about their appearance when it comes to going out. The wrong outfit is enough to offend your host. On the beach, if bikinis are common, topless is non-existent. A minimum of common sense and observation is required to respect local customs.