World Guide

Puerto Rico

Territory · Americas, Caribbean

Arecibo Telescope
Pictured: Arecibo Telescope · Photo: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean territory in the Americas with the capital San Juan. It covers an area of 9,104 km2 and has a population of about 3.2 million. The territory offers travellers historical sites, natural reserves, and cultural landmarks.

Highlights

The site covers 10 top sights. In the capital San Juan, visitors can find historical fortifications and landmarks such as Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, La Fortaleza, San José Church, Caparra Archaeological Site, and La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico. Beyond the capital, natural and scientific sights include the Arecibo Telescope, El Yunque National Forest, Parque Nacional de las Cavernas del Río Camuy, and Guánica State Forest.

Food and drink

Local cuisine features Mofongo.

When to go

The climate data reflects the capital San Juan. Temperatures remain consistent year-round with daily highs between 28 °C and 31 °C and lows between 22 °C and 25 °C. February and March experience lower rainfall amounts of about 73 mm to 74 mm across 13 days each, while the wettest months include September and November with rainfall reaching up to 184 mm over 22 to 26 days.

Practical notes

Puerto Rico uses the United States dollar as currency and recognizes Spanish and English as languages. Plugs A and B are used with a 120 V voltage. Driving is on the right side. The time zone is UTC−04:00.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Puerto Rico

  • Mofongo

Top sights in Puerto Rico

  1. Arecibo TelescopeArecibo TelescopeArecibo
  2. Castillo San Felipe del MorroUNESCOCastillo San Felipe del MorroSan Juan
  3. El Yunque National ForestEl Yunque National ForestRío Grande
  4. La FortalezaLa FortalezaSan Juan
  5. Castillo San CristóbalUNESCOCastillo San CristóbalSan Juan
  6. San José ChurchSan José ChurchSan Juan
  7. Caparra Archaeological SiteCaparra Archaeological SiteSan Juan
  8. Parque Nacional de las Cavernas del Río CamuyParque Nacional de las Cavernas del Río CamuyCamuy
  9. La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto RicoUNESCOLa Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto RicoSan Juan
  10. Guánica State ForestGuánica State ForestYauco

UNESCO sites in Puerto Rico →

Weather by month

The warmest month is August, with an average high of 31 °C. Rain is spread fairly evenly through the year.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C282829293031313131302928
Average low, °C222222232425252525252423
Rainfall, mm1127374131168110146159169160184158
Rainy days141313151919232526242216

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for San Juan (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look