All About Puerto Rico With Kids: Important Information To Know

A mom and daughter hold hands as they look out over the cliffs and ocean while exploring Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico.
Photo Courtesy: Antonia Grant

If you want to know all about Puerto Rico with kids, there’s some important information you should read first. From the local currency to health information, the official language, and even babysitting services, it’s important to do proper research on your vacation destination before booking your trip. Finding all the information in one place can be tricky, though, which is why we’ve compiled a list of things to know before visiting Puerto Rico, including important information for you to reference. Plus, stay tuned until the end, since we also include things to do in Puerto Rico with kids and the best hotels in Puerto Rico for families. Keep reading for all about Puerto Rico for families!

At a Glance

Children on the beach, a big wave, the child runs away in fright. Playa Los Tubos (Manati, Puerto Rico).

Before you visit Puerto Rico with kids, you should learn the basics. Keep reading for local currency, visa information, and more all about Puerto Rico with kids!

Local Currency & Time

Wondering all about the Puerto Rico local currency and how families can get the best currency exchange rates? The currency in Puerto Rico is the United States Dollar (USD). It is widely accepted in many parts of the country. Most credit cards and traveler’s checks are accepted as well. Puerto Rico operates 4 hours behind Eastern Time, in GMT- 4. Click here to see Puerto Rico’s current time.

Official Language & Visa Information

English and Spanish are the official languages of Puerto Rico. If you’re planning an extended trip to Puerto Rico or have a non-U.S. passport, you may also need to research obtaining a VISA before your visit. To learn all about the VISA policy in Puerto Rico for families, click here.

Power/Standard Voltage

In Puerto Rico, the standard voltage is 120 Volts and 60 cycles. There are two associated plug types used here plug A and plug B. Plug type A is the plug that has two flat parallel pins and type B has two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin. You can typically use the same equipment if the standard voltage in your country is between 110-127 V (as in the U.S., Canada, and most South American countries).

Local Weather

Knowing about the Puerto Rico climate will be helpful before you depart. Puerto Rico has a tropical climate. In general, residents and visitors enjoy warm temperatures all year round averaging 80 °F (27 °C) in lower elevations, and 70 °F (21 °C) in the lush central mountains of the main island of Puerto Rico. Most of the year, the weather is simply perfect. For more information, check the current forecast on Accuweather. If you need more help planning your Puerto Rico vacation with kids, feel free to check out Puerto Rico’s official tourism website for more information.

Health Information

Mom and son kayak along a river in Puerto Rico.
Photo Courtesy: Swati Sinha

Having the right information about health and safety is an important part of knowing all about Puerto Rico with kids. If your children have allergies, might need medical attention, etc., be sure to keep this important information in mind.

Vaccinations, Health Tips, & Hospitals

Visiting Puerto Rico with young ones? Remember to check if your child has all the correct shots and vaccines. For a complete list of the recommended vaccines and more health information on all about Puerto Rico with kids, including COVID-19 warnings and regulations, visit the official CDC website. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so you should also check out hospitals near your vacation destination just in case. Some accessible hospitals include Auxilio Mutuo, Hospital Hima San Pablo Cagua, Hospital Episcopal San Lucas, Hospital Municipal De San Juan, etc. 

COVID-19 Guidelines & Vaccination Information

If you’re planning a trip to Puerto Rico soon, you’re probably wondering about Puerto Rico’s COVID-19 guidelines. As of April 15th, Puerto Rico has no travel restrictions or requirements at this time. Please check the Consulate website to keep up-to-date on Puerto Rico’s stay-at-home orders. We suggest making sure you’re fully vaccinated before traveling to Puerto Rico with kids. For vaccination information, click here.

Emergency Services

An infant girl, wearing a pink outfit and pink beach hat, sits on a vibrantly colored blanket on the beach in Puerto Rico.
Photo Courtesy: Gunjan Prakash

In case of an emergency, keep these numbers handy during your trip to Puerto Rico with kids, as this is very important information when learning all about Puerto Rico with kids. 

Police, Fire Department, Ambulance

For emergency services in Puerto Rico, dial  911. Alternatively, if you need police assistance in Puerto Rico, you can call 787-343-2020. You can also call  787-343-2222 to reach an ambulance in Puerto Rico 

Safety Issues

If you’re visiting with your kids and want to know all about your destination, you’re probably wondering: Is Puerto Rico safe for families? The answer is yes! The crime threat in Puerto Rico is generally considered to be on the lower side, and it is widely regarded as one of the safest cities in the USA. Puerto Rico is overall very safe to travel to. Even though it’s sometimes dangerous, and the number of homeless people on the street may make you feel uneasy, the criminal activities that occur only apply to dangerous parts of the city, which are rarely frequented by tourists.

You can review the current U.S. Department’s Puerto RicoTravel Advisory here.

Puerto Rico for Kids

A mom sits with her three children on a stoop surrounded by tropical plants in Puerto Rico.
Photo Courtesy: Tara Sutton

Visiting Puerto Rico with kids brings its own set of challenges. Keep reading for comprehensive information on babysitting services, baby gear rentals, etc.

Babysitting Services & Baby Gear Rentals

Looking for a romantic evening alone in Puerto Rico? Luckily, you’ll find plenty of babysitting services throughout the city in your search to learn all about Puerto Rico with kids. We suggest Nanny On Call Puerto Rico and Laura’s Nanny Service. If you’ve left your baby gear at home, don’t worry! There are plenty of places to find baby gear in Puerto Rico. Take a look at BabyQuip, Travelling Baby, and plenty of other options in Puerto Rico. 

Transportation

Dad holding a baby in old San Juan next two a red car.
Photo Courtesy: Julia Crsn

Transportation is another thing to consider when vacationing in Puerto Rico with kids. Whether you need information about car seats or all about local airlines in Puerto Rico for families, you’ve come to the right place.

Car Seat Laws

Car seat laws are also important to know when learning all about Puerto Rico with kids. If you plan to ride in a car, all children under the age of 4 need to be secured in a child safety seat. Children 4-8 yrs or under 57″ tall need to be secured in a booster seat, and those under 12 in a rear seat.

Transportation Services

To get around Puerto Rico, take a taxi or bus. Taxis are safe, reliable, and easy to call city-wide or flag down at hotels and on major roads. Puerto Rico has no island-wide bus service, but most of the island is accessible by public transportation. The Autoridad Metroplitana de Autobuses (AMA), or metropolitan bus authority, serves San Juan, Carolina, Cataño, Guaynabo, Trujillo Alto and Bayamón. Outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, a combination of buses, vans, limos, and cars provides transportation between cities. AMA provides dependable service that operates on schedule and supplies a reasonable alternative to navigating San Juan’s streets by automobile. 

Local Airlines

Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) is the largest airport in Puerto Rico. With over 20 different airlines, SJU has more than 21,000 passengers coming in and out of the Island daily. Many of those airlines have nonstop flights to destinations all over the world.

For more information on transportation in Puerto Rico, click here.

Other Things to Know Before Visiting Puerto Rico with Kids

A young girl sits in a hole she dug in the stand, while enjoying a sunny day on Colón Park Beach near the water.
Photo Courtesy: Antonia Grant

Searching for more tips all about Puerto Rico with kids? Between tipping customs, important holidays, and other safety issues, there are still a few things left you should know. Keep reading to learn all about Puerto Rico with kids!

Tipping Customs

Knowing all about tipping in Puerto Rico can save families a lot of hassle. In Puerto Rico, like many popular travel destinations, tips and gratuities are discretionary and dependent on the service quality you’ve received. Tipping throughout Puerto Rico is very common, just like in the USA, so be expected to tip when visiting salons, spas, and other service industries. Normally, the rule of 15%-20% of the total bill is applicable. Tipping might not always be expected, but is most certainly appreciated

Important Holidays

If you’re still searching for specific dates to visit Puerto Rico, you may want to determine whether your vacation will fall on a public holiday. This can greatly diminish the number of attractions or points of interest you see, so it’s important information to know about visiting Puerto Rico. Check the Puerto Rico National Holidays for more information here.

Things to Do in Puerto Rico with Kids

A dad and his young daughter stand together while the young girl points out onto a desert scene in Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico. Knowing the best things to do in Puerto Rico for families is part of knowing All About Puerto Rico With Kids!
Photo Courtesy: Antonia Grant

Once you’ve read our visiting Puerto Rico with kids: important information, look up what to do. Combining the comforts of home and outdoor adventures for all ages, Puerto Rico is an excellent destination for travelers with children. Family fun on the island is abundant and happens mostly outside. Snorkeling, rainforest adventures, and good old beach fun are some of the highlights. Visit the forts in San Juan, go for a hike in El Yunque Rainforest and play in the waterfalls, or go kayaking in a bioluminescent bay. Families can also spend the day at the beach – sunbathing, surfing, snorkeling, and more! With all these things to do in Puerto Rico with kids, the hardest part will be choosing! 

Want more things to do in Puerto Rico with kids? Read our list of the Best Things To Do In Puerto Rico!

Interactive Map of Puerto Rico

Discover the best places to stay, restaurants, and local attractions with our interactive map. You can filter by what you’re looking for, so it’s quick and easy to select which area you want to explore.

Where to Stay in Puerto Rico with Kids

An aerial view of the pool and beach, extending into the ocean, at the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel.
Photo Courtesy: Fairmont El San Juan Hotel

Looking for the best places to stay in Puerto Rico with kids? Once you’ve learned all about Puerto Rico with kids, it’s time to decide on a place to stay. If you’re planning an upcoming family vacation to Puerto Rico, you will want to find an amazing hotel to accommodate your entire party. For a hotel with a pool, you can check out Fairmont El San Juan Hotel or the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort if you’re a big family looking for spacious rooms. Some of the other popular hotels offering plenty of kids’ activities are El Conquistador Resort, The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico, and plenty others. 

For more family-friendly hotels in Puerto Rico, read our list of the Best Family Resorts In Puerto Rico!

*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the attractions, accommodations, or things to do on this list may be closed or may have reduced services. Please ensure availability before making your decision. 

*This post may contain affiliate links that may earn us a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links in no way inform the hotels, sights, products, or other recommendations included in our articles.

Families Love Travel is not liable for any injuries and/or damages to persons or property occurring as a result of your vacations influenced by the suggestions on this website. We are not responsible for any information given on this website, such as recommendations for babysitting services, car rentals, or accommodations. All content provided is for informational and review purposes only. The information we provide is meant to make it easier for families to travel together and nothing more. Try the suggestions at your own risk. 

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The Families Love Travel Team has a zest for life and an even bigger passion for globetrotting! Comprised of real-life travel professionals, we work hard behind the scenes to provide dynamic solutions for adventuring with children. Our enthusiastic team understands the challenges that often accompany traveling with kids and is committed to making Families Love Travel an inclusive space to convey these experiences.