Santurce Starter Pack

Fly into Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), just 15 minutes from Santurce

No passport needed for US citizens: Puerto Rico is a US territory!

Uber/Lyft: Work from the airport. ~$15-25 to Santurce.

Taxis: Available at the airport. ~$20-30 to Santurce area.

Rental car: Many agencies at airport. Useful for exploring the island.

Public bus: AMA buses available but slower and less convenient.

Tip: Many direct flights from US cities. Easy to get to!

US territory: US citizens can live and work here freely. No visa needed!

Non-US citizens: Same visa requirements as mainland US.

Act 60 (formerly Act 20/22): Tax incentives for businesses and investors.

Bona fide resident status: Live in PR 183+ days/year for tax benefits.

US laws apply: Everything from labor laws to banking is the same as stateside.

SSN works here: No special ID needed for US citizens.

Puerto Rico has become a major destination for mainland Americans seeking tax benefits.

Tropical year-round: 80-90°F most of the year. Warm, humid, beautiful.

Dry season (Dec-April): Less rain, perfect weather for beaches and outdoor activities.

Rainy season (May-Nov): Brief afternoon showers most days. Usually clears up.

Hurricane season (June-Nov): Puerto Rico is in the hurricane belt. Be prepared.

Trade winds: Coastal areas benefit from cooling ocean breezes.

No real winter: Consistent tropical weather year-round.

Tip: Hurricane preparedness is essential. Have a plan and supplies!

Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance)

Puerto Rico State Police

Ashford Presbyterian Community Hospital

CIMA Hospital

Puerto Rico Poison Center

FEMA (disaster assistance)

Save these numbers to your phone before you need them!

Car is king: Public transit is limited. Most residents have cars.

Uber/Lyft: Work well in the metro area. Reliable and affordable.

Walking: Santurce and Condado are relatively walkable, but sidewalks vary.

AMA buses: Public bus system. Cheap but routes can be confusing.

Tren Urbano: Light rail connecting some areas but limited reach.

Biking: Growing but not yet well-developed. Some areas have bike paths.

Parking: Can be challenging in popular areas. Many paid lots available.

Tip: Car rental or ownership is almost essential for island life.

US carriers work: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon. Your US plan likely works here!

Local carriers: Claro, Liberty Puerto Rico. Competitive options.

Home internet: Liberty, Claro, and fiber options in many areas.

Starlink: Available and useful in some areas with poor coverage.

Coworking: Piloto 151, Expansión, and several spaces in Santurce.

Cafe WiFi: Many cafes welcome remote workers.

Infrastructure varies: Metro area is good, more rural areas can be spotty.

US Dollar: Puerto Rico uses USD. No currency exchange needed!

US banks: Banco Popular, FirstBank are local. Some US banks have presence.

Your US bank: Many mainland banks work fine. Check ATM fees.

ATMs: Abundant throughout the metro area.

Credit cards: Accepted everywhere, just like the mainland.

Cost of living: Generally lower than mainland US, especially housing.

Tip: If moving, consider opening a local bank account for convenience.

Santurce: Arts district, trendy restaurants, murals everywhere. Heart of the scene.

Condado: Beachfront, upscale, hotels and casinos. More expensive.

Ocean Park: Quiet beach neighborhood, residential, great beach. Mid-range.

Miramar: Historic architecture, near lagoon, quieter residential area.

Old San Juan: Historic colonial city, tourists, nightlife. Beautiful but busy.

Isla Verde: Near airport, beachfront, resort hotels. Tourist area.

Rental prices: $1200-2500/month for apartments in desirable areas.

Tip: Santurce offers the best mix of culture, walkability, and value.

La Placita: Famous open-air market square. Restaurants and bars, lively nightlife.

Lote 23: Food truck park with diverse cuisines. Great casual dining.

Mofongo: Must-try Puerto Rican dish. Mashed plantains with meat or seafood.

Lechón: Roast pork, especially from the "lechoneras" in Guavate.

Coffee: Puerto Rico grows excellent coffee. Try local roasts.

Piña colada: Invented here! Try the original at Barrachina in Old San Juan.

Groceries: Pueblo, Ralph's, Econo. Walmart and Costco also present.

Dining scene: Santurce has become a food destination with excellent restaurants.

Ocean Park: Local favorite. Calm water, kite surfing, less touristy.

Condado Beach: Easy access, good facilities, can get crowded.

Isla Verde: Beautiful beach, resort area, good swimming.

Pine Grove: In Isla Verde, popular with locals, good vibe.

Luquillo: 45 min east. Long beach, calm water, food kiosks. Family favorite.

Flamenco Beach (Culebra): Often rated best beach in Caribbean. Day trip or overnight.

Tip: The best beaches are outside San Juan. Explore the island!

Old San Juan: Walk the colonial streets, forts (El Morro, San Cristóbal), colorful buildings.

Street art: Santurce is covered in world-class murals. Take a walking tour.

Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico: Excellent museum in Santurce.

El Yunque: Only tropical rainforest in US National Forest system. Hiking and waterfalls.

Bioluminescent bays: Kayak through glowing water. Vieques, Fajardo, or Lajas.

Island hop: Culebra and Vieques for stunning beaches. Ferry or small plane.

La Placita nightlife: Thursday-Saturday nights are legendary.

Surfing: Rincón on the west coast is a famous surf destination.

Running: Condado lagoon path, beach runs, and the Paseo de Diego.

CrossFit: Many boxes throughout the metro area.

Gyms: Crunch, Planet Fitness, and local gyms available.

Surfing: Rincón (west coast) and La Pared (Luquillo) for waves.

Yoga: Studios throughout Santurce and Condado.

Kiteboarding: Ocean Park is a popular spot.

Hiking: El Yunque has great trails. Also Toro Negro and other parks.

Baseball: Puerto Rico loves baseball. Catch a winter league game!

Power grid: Can be unreliable. Many homes have generators or battery backup.

Hurricane prep: Essential. Have supplies, know shelter locations, have a plan.

Spanish: Official language alongside English. Spanish very helpful for daily life.

Island time: Things move slower. Embrace the pace.

Traffic: Can be heavy, especially around San Juan. Plan accordingly.

Taxes: Act 60 offers benefits, but research carefully. It's not for everyone.

Community: Puerto Ricans are warm and welcoming. Get involved!

Water: Tap water is safe to drink in most areas.