Puerto Rico

Country Basics

Puerto Rico, often referred to as the “Island of Enchantment,” is an unincorporated U.S. territory located in the northeastern Caribbean with a population of approximately 3.2 million people. Puerto Rico measures about 100 miles by 35 miles, making it smaller in size than the U.S. state of Connecticut.

The island is divided into six regions, including the capital city of San Juan, which is part of the larger San Juan metropolitan area. The El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System.

Language

Spanish is the official language of Puerto Rico, and while many Puerto Ricans are bilingual, it’s helpful to have some Spanish phrases ready to go. Here are a few that help:

• Hello: Hola
• How are you?: ¿Cómo estás?; Good: Bien
• Good morning: Buenos días; Good afternoon: Buenos tardes; Good night: Buenos noches
• Welcome: Bienvenido
• Goodbye: Adios
• Please: Por favor
• Thank you: Gracias
• Excuse me: Perdón
• What is your name? ¿Cómo te llamas?;
  My name is ___. Me llamo ___.
• Where are you from? ¿De dónde eres?;
  I am from ___. Yo soy de ___.
• Do you speak English? ¿Hablas inglés?
• I don’t understand. No entiendo.
• Where is the bathroom? ¿Dónde está el baño?
• How much is it? ¿Cuanto vale ___?

Social Norms & Expectations

In Puerto Rico, people take pride in their appearance and dressing neatly is important. Here are a few other social expectations to keep in mind:

• When meeting someone new, it’s common to shake hands and smile. In social settings, Puerto Ricans often greet friends and family members with a kiss on the cheek.
• Respecting elders is highly valued in Puerto Rican culture. When an older person enters a room, it is polite to stand and greet them. Holding doors for elders is a sign of respect.
• Puerto Rico has a more relaxed approach to time, so it’s acceptable to be a little late for social gatherings.
• During meals, it’s customary to wait for the host to sit before you do. It’s also common to say “Buen provecho” (Enjoy your meal) before eating.
• Outdoor dining, known as “al fresco,” is popular, especially during the warm months.

Food

Puerto Rican cuisine is a fusion of Spanish, African, Taíno, and American influences. The island’s flavors are rich and diverse. Here are some of the dishes you may encounter in Puerto Rico:

• Arroz con Habichuelas – a classic Puerto Rican dish features rice cooked with red or pink beans, seasoned with a sofrito sauce made of tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and cilantro.
• Mofongo – mashed fried green plantains, often mixed with garlic, olive oil, and crispy bits of pork rind (chicharrón).
• Lechón Asado – ‘roasted pig,’ marinated in a mix of spices and slow-cooked until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender.
• Tostones – twice-fried green plantains served as crispy, savory snacks. They are often paired with a dipping sauce like garlic or cilantro.
• Empanadillas – small, deep-fried turnovers filled with various ingredients such as ground beef, seafood, or cheese.
• Bacalaitos – crispy salted codfish fritters. They are a beloved street food in Puerto Rico.
• Alcapurrias – deep-fried fritters made from a dough of grated yautía (taro root) or green bananas, filled with meat or seafood.
• Tres Leches Cake – a sweet sponge cake soaked in three types of milk: evaporated milk, condensed milk, and heavy cream.
• Local Fruits – fresh tropical fruits like mangoes, guavas, papayas, and coconuts.

Currency

As a territory of the USA, Puerto Rico uses the United States dollar (USD) as its official currency. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are readily available in urban areas.

Weather

June and July in Puerto Rico brings warm and sunny weather with an average high temperature ranging from 85°F to 90°F and an average low temperature ranging from 75°F to 80°F. During these summer months, you’ll want to pack your sunscreen and stay hydrated.

The rainy season typically falls between April and November, however, the rain showers are usually brief and sporadic.

Environment

Puerto Rico’s commitment to environmental conservation includes a strong focus on renewable energy sources. A notable percentage of the island’s electricity is generated from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.

To protect indigenous species and their natural habitats, Puerto Rico has designated several conservation areas and reserves. These areas are carefully managed to safeguard the island’s distinctive wildlife and ecosystems.

Education

Puerto Rico offers free and mandatory public education for children up to grade 12. This contributes to a high  literacy rate of 92.4-percent. However, the island faces challenges around economic factors and limited resources. Puerto Rico’s school system is vulnerable to natural disasters and also ill-equipped to help children recover from the learning setbacks that come with them. Because of these factors, academic outcomes have been on a steady decline since Hurricane Maria in 2017.

Religion

Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion in Puerto Rico, with a significant portion of the population adhering to this faith. Protestantism is the minority religion, with other faiths making up very small percentages of the rest of the population.

Ethnic Groups

The majority of Puerto Ricans are of mixed European and African descent, shaped by centuries of colonial history. Spanish colonists, African slaves, and indigenous Taíno people have all contributed to the island’s unique culture and heritage.

Other Facts About Puerto Rico

• The world’s smallest tree frog, the coqui frog, is a tiny tree frog native to Puerto Rico. It is known for its distinctive “co-kee” call heard throughout the island at night.
• The island is home to three of the world’s bioluminescent bays, where microorganisms called dinoflagellates light up the water with a blue-green glow when disturbed. Mosquito Bay on the island of Vieques is one of the brightest in the world.
• Puerto Rico has popularized music styles, including salsa, reggaeton and bomba. It is also the home of famous musicians like Daddy Yankee, Ricky Martin, and Bad Bunny.
• El Yunque Rainforest is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System.
• Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, meaning it has a unique political relationship with the U.S., providing its residents with U.S. citizenship.
• The Puerto Rican flag, known as the “La Borinqueña,” is one of the few flags in the world with five sides. Its colors represent different aspects of Puerto Rican history and culture.
• Puerto Rico has a strong baseball culture, with many Major League Baseball players hailing from the island. The passion for the sport is celebrated each year with the Caribbean Series and the World Baseball Classic.