General Information
1. Time Zone
Puerto Rico is 1 hour ahead of US Eastern Standard Time (EST) and 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). There is no Daylight Saving Time.
2. Electricity
The electricity supply works mainly on a 110-volt system. Some outlets are 220 volts – these are usually marked. Plugs are the two-pin type, so visitors from Europe may need adaptors. Power cuts are frequent, but most tourist facilities are backed up by generators.
3. Opening Hours
Shops are usually open 9am–6pm Monday to Saturday; some are also open 11am–5pm on Sunday. Banks open 9am–3:30pm Monday to Friday and 10am–noon on Saturday. Museum hours vary – many are closed on Monday. Most offices and businesses open 8:30am–5:30pm Monday to Friday and close for lunch (noon–1pm).
4. Public Holidays
Puerto Rico recognizes all US federal holidays in addition to its own commonwealth-established ones. All public offices and many businesses stay closed.
5. Religion
Puerto Rico is predominantly a Catholic country, although the church plays a limited role in daily life. Every town has a patron saint, and many Puerto Ricans venerate a preferred saint or saints. Adherents of santería meld Catholic and African religious traditions. About 15 per cent of Puerto Ricans are Protestant. Spiritualism is ingrained, especially among the lower-income classes.
6. Language
Spanish and English are both official languages. Spanish is spoken by everyone, and most people also speak and understand English.
7. Machismo
Machismo is mostly limited to flirtatious solicitations (often indiscrete or vulgar) to women, but can also include expressions of bravado or even aggression intended to demonstrate male pride.
8. Climate
Puerto Rico is warm all year round. The best weather occurs from December to April, while the rest of the year is rainier and hotter. Hurricane season is from June to November.
9. Embassies and Consulates
Many countries maintain consulates in San Juan and can provide assistance to travelers with lost or stolen passports, legal issues, or other emergencies. Canadian and UK consular affairs are handled by offices in Florida.
Canadian Consulate • 305 579 1600
UK Consulate • 305 374 3500
10. Gays and Lesbians
Gay and lesbian rights are protected by US federal law. The gay community is fairly overt in cosmopolitan San Juan and Boquerón, while the lesbian scene remains largely hidden. The rest of the island is conservative.
