Useful Information

TRANSPORTATION - In addition to numerous taxi fleets in the San Juan area, the city also has a variety of ground transportation services ranging from basic tour operators to full service destination management companies with fully equipped vehicles. Services available include arrival/departure transfers, on-site hospitality, sightseeing tour arrangements, sports activities coordination, and off-site evening activities.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION- Official Tourism Company-sponsored taxis on the Island are clean, clearly identifiable and reliable. Look for the white taxis with the official logo and the "Taxi Turístico" on the front doors.

The official taxi cabs charge the following rates:

CLIMATE - The average year-round temperature is 82º F (28º C), with mild easterly trade winds. A rainier season starts in August and ends in October, but due to our tropical climate you can expect brief rain showers at any time.

CURRENCY - The U.S. dollar is the official and only currency used in Puerto Rico. Major U.S., Canadian, and European banks have branches on the Island. ATM's are plentiful, and linked to major worldwide banking networks.

CREDIT CARDS/ATMs - All major credit cards are widely accepted: American Express, Visa, Diner's Club, Discovery, Master Card and other bank credit cards. There are plenty of ATM machines around the commonwealth. Most are linked to Visa, Cirrus, Plus, American Express and Discover networks.

CUSTOMS AND DOCUMENTS - Puerto Rico is a U.S. Commonwealth with U.S. citizenship. Therefore, passports are not necessary for U.S. citizens. Foreign nationals should have valid passports and visas as required.

DRIVING - Gas is sold by the liter, distance is measured in kilometers, and speed is measured in miles per hour. The legal driving age is 16. Many national and local car rental companies operate at the airport and at key locations in the tourist districts.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE - Puerto Rico has a vast amount of hospital and medical services. The nearest hospital to the meeting site is the Ashford Presbyterian Community Hospital in 1451 Ashford Ave. In addition many other public and private health facilities exist in the San Juan area, a few are attached in the following Hospital Contacts.

In case of emergency call 911.

Hospital contact informations:

Ashford Presbyterian Community Hospital
1451 Ashford Ave 
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00907 
787-721-2160

Auxilio Mutuo Hospital
Ponce De Leon Avenue Parada 37 
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00919 
787-758-2000

Centro Médico
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00907 
902-158-530

Hospital Del Maestro
Domenech Avenue 
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918 
787-758-8383

Pavia Hospital
1462 Asia Street - PO Box 11137 
Santurce, Puerto Rico 00910 
787-727-6060

ELECTRICITY - Electricity is 110 volts, with U.S. style power outlets.

GAMBLING - Gambling is legal in Puerto Rico and all major hotels have casinos.

LANGUAGES - Puerto Rico has two official languages, Spanish and English.

LIQUOR LAWS - The legal drinking age is 18. Alcohol consumption in the streets of Old San Juan has been forbidden by law.

PHONE SYSTEM - The phone system is the same as in the U.S. (Sprint, Cingular, MCI, etc.) The Island's area codes are 787 and 939. You need to dial the area code before placing a call anywhere within Puerto Rico and the U.S. For international calls, international codes apply. Calling cards used in the U.S. can be used in Puerto Rico as well.

POSTAL AND MAIL SERVICES - The U.S. Postal Service provides the same reliable service as in the U.S. and all major courier services, such as FedEx, DHL, Eagle, UPS among others service Puerto Rico.

TAXES - For the first time in Puerto Rico, a Sales and Use Tax (IVU, for its acronym in Spanish) system which substitutes the 6.6% general excise tax has been implemented. The Sales & Use Tax rate is 5.5%. The Act also establishes that each municipality has the option to impose an additional sales tax of up to 1.5% as of July 1, 2006; therefore, the total Sales & Use Tax is between 6.5% and 7%.

There is an 11% tax on room charges in hotels with casinos, 9% tax on hotels without casinos and 7% on small inns. Hotels in San Juan have an additional tax between $3 and $5 per room, per person.

TELEVISION - Cable and satellite TV service are available island-wide, with local television stations and all major English language stations from the U.S.

TIME - The clock in Puerto Rico is never reset because we are on Atlantic Standard Time. For the current time of day call (787) 728-9595.

TIPPING - A 15% to 20% tip is customary. Some hotels and restaurants add a 10% to 17% service charge to the total bill.

HURRICANE CONTINGENCY PLAN - The hurricane season begins June 1st and ends on November 30th each year. However, in Puerto Rico, the critical months are August to September. Click here for more information