I'm going to Puerto Rico for the first time, what can I expect??

Question

I want to know what it's like there, what the people are like, and the food.

Answer 1

Latino HEAT! ;)

Answer 2

Puerto Rico is a wonderful destination, been there many times. The people are generally friendly, and you can get by if you don't speak Spanish, it helps that they use the American dollar.

The food is really good, but the island is very Americanized too, so there is no shortage of fast food places. People there are very laid back and casual, so don't be surprised if eating out takes twice as long as is does in the states because the service in PR is soooooo slow. Also, transportation (like ferries or buses) may break down or be really late and the local people will be be like "so what" while the people from the states are all annoyed and looking at their watches :)

I would say that where you go will have an impact on how much fun you have. Many people go to Puerto Rico and only stay in San Juan/Old San Juan - then when I tell them about all the cool things I have done in PR they are like "wow! I didn't know there were so many things to do there!". Like PR has a really pretty rainforest, and the best beaches on the island are   not in the touristy areas like San Juan. If you do get off the beaten path you will find that many people are very poor, and that may not be so fun for vacationers, but it is reality.

One thing that you may not expect is that in some ways their technology is pretty old school. when we rent cars we fell like have stepped back into the 1980's because of the lengthy process and carbon-copy credit card slips.

Don't forget to go to the Bacardi factory and drink one for me - have fun!

Answer 3

i disagree with (i love me), in puerto rico we are very proud of our african ancestry and we are not racist. ive lived in USA for a few years and ive seen more racism than anything else. but in puerto rico, no one can talk about racism cause we all come from the same root, skin color does not matter, neither economical values. the problem with puerto rico its politics. so i dont know if a born and raised person in puerto rico would say such false and fake things.

Answer 4

great hospitality and many people will greet you

Answer 5

It depends on how old you are. This is for anyone visiting. Buy an insect repellent such as OFF!, and spray yourself as soon as you exit plane. You should always use a high PF sunblock, the sun is intense and relentless!

It is super humid, so wear very light cotton outfits. It's very casual there, so unless you are visiting a casino (tuxedo and formal wear required), or a nightclub (dress code), just pack shorts, light top and tennis shoes or sandals,oops! and a swim suit of course.

Rent a car with collision insurance, and buy a road map. Although many speak English, do NOT rely on it, have a phrase dictionary handy. People there are rather friendly and helpful. Currency, phone service, cable TV (same US TV shows),computer, mail are identical to the U.S. Every single town has a "plaza" right in the middle of their town; it has a church, and a small park encircles it. "Fiestas Patronales" ( sort of like Mardi Gras in New Orleans) are celebrated in every town, check out which town is celebrating it while you are there, they party all year long! As with any other place, do not go to unfamiliar places at night. Hide items in your car trunk when parking it, that includes maps. Use the same common sense you use in your area.Luquillo Beach and the Rainforest are MUST visit places. There's also the Taino (Indian) Village, La Cueva del Indio, and the Fire Station in Ponce. The main freeways are better than the ones here and be ready to have change for toll roads. Food is great and not spicy hot, hooray for that! Try some pernil (roasted pig), with boiled green bananas or taro roots and avocados, hmm. Try drinking out of a cold and freshly cut  coconut. "Piraguas" (tropical version of "icees" are sold out of street carts and are very refreshing, try tamarindo, guayaba, piña or fresa. At night you will hear a symphony of "coquís" (tiny frogs), and you'll hear, coquí, coquí. No snakes, big cats or anything like that. And last, but not least, beware of the beach and high waves. Bienvenídos! Welcome!

Answer 6

You'll rarely find any english people in the country, I'm from Isabella and have encountered no one that knows english other than some tourist in the shopping centers. The country is beautiful and you'll get a lot of places with nice views.

There are a lot of nice beaches, my favorite near my area was crash boat, very nice and clean but you need to get early or else you won't find any parkings.

Enjoy the food, I'm in florida right now, and the puertorican food is horrible, I just ate a pincho(shish-kabob) on a fair where having In miami dade, it tastes horrible compared to the ones we have in Puertorico, same for the pasteles, alcapuria and renenos(no clue on the english name).

Also ignore I♥ME!, you might hear someone call a black person negritto or ***** such, thats not a bad word or offensive to the black locals in the least, I can see how a tourist might get the wrong idea, my grandfather is black and I and most people call him that sometimes, its just the way we speak.

Answer 7

flies to bite your a

Answer 8

The people there are very nice...the driving is crazy and fast.  Food is excellent!  Puerto Rico is a BEAUTIFUL place.  The beaches are beautiful.  I believe you can drive around the island in one day.  I didn't try it when I was there but a friend of mine did and I have students from Puerto Rico who agreed.  It is not a big island.  The prices are the same as here.  They use the dollar.  In San Juan and more touristy parts of Puerto Rico, English is spoken everywhere.  However, when you go to the country, or smaller cities, you will be less likely to find someone who speaks English.  You will absolutely love it!  There is so much to see and do.  Kind people, great food, such beauty!  Hope this helps and Have a safe and fun trip!

Answer 9

I personally do not like the majority of the people since they are fake and racist even though they know about their ancestry they tend to reject their african blood but if youre just visiting I guess you wont notice their true colors..anyway, the food is great!

Answer 10

Humidity, sun rays, fun, dance....

www.welcome.topuertorico.org

www.gotopuertorico.com

Answer 11

BELIVE THE PEOPLE HERE truthly drives crazyyyyyyyy hahaha im one of them butt i recomended you the old san juan, plaza las americas, flamingo beach in culebra. el Conquistador in Fajardo... what more? People here are friendly funny and well something peliones but that;s in every place..if you dont go to a caserio you are going to be safe....andd dont go also to the canton mall is a ugly place and the people that go in there are very un-classy..and dont go to La 15..or..the food is awesome..mmm chillis, subway and mcdonlas are my favorite..haha just jocking. if you are looking for local food go to pinones there have all kinds of "frituras" there.. enjoy your visit

Answer 12

visit this site for pics and videos http://www.puertoricocheaphotels.com

Answer 13

is the best country you can imagine. the food are the best. Remember this: Arroz con Gandules, LEchon, morcillas, alcapurrias, bacalaitos fritos. cuajitos, biftec enceblollao, hahaha. is the best. i love my island. the people there are super  nice.

Answer 14

You will find a blessed Island with great people, delicious food and a lot of sightseeing places where you can hang out and enjoy. check out this video Its my favorite

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvOLT7fjQ...

enjoy...