Is Puerto Rico Expensive?
How much cash do you need when traveling around Puerto Rico?
This Caribbean island is full of life – where we can enjoy the sizzling scenes, visit beautiful beaches and also get to know a unique, melting hotpot of culture.
There’s also some really unique destinations to visit too, with everything from a bright-blue bioluminescent lagoon to exploring the remote jungle.
In this guide we’ll look at the typical costs you can expect when traveling Puerto Rico, such as for accommodation, food and getting around.
As well as recommending some of the best tours you can head on, we’ll also answer your most burning questions in our FAQ section.
Is Puerto Rico Expensive for Tourists?
Quick Answer: Puerto Rico remains one of the most expensive regions that you can visit in Latin America (with costs similar to that of Chile).
Travelers can live off a daily budget of $30-40, which includes staying in a really nice dorm room (or budget private room) as well as eating several, filling local meals.
Things to know before traveling to Puerto Rico
- Sticking to a Budget can be More Challenging – Whilst there are some really beautiful cities and landscapes to see, unfortunately the costs in Puerto Rico will be higher than most other parts of Latin America. It’s mostly accommodation costs that can catch you off guard, which is why it’s worth booking in advance to get deals on apps like Booking. Having said that, it’s still definitely possible to keep costs low. You can learn more about how George traveled on a budget in Puerto Rico by reading our guide.
- Transport Times are Really Small – When looking at a map we can see that this island is really small – and this makes getting around Puerto Rico really easy. For example you can get from Fajardo in the far east to Aguadilla on the west coast in 5 hours! There’s also two major airports here (San Juan and Aguadilla), so it’s worth browsing international flights to both given you can also find deals on the latter from the USA.
- Explore outside the Capital – Most travelers tend to stick to San Juan (and Vieques or Culebra) during their trip here. However Puerto Rico also has some really awesome destinations to explore, including Rincón and Aguadilla on the west coast (surfing and beach lifestyle), Ponce in the south (unique Puerto Rican city) as well as the Maricao Jungle (great for off the beaten path hiking).
How much does a trip to Puerto Rico cost?
Budget travelers and backpackers can expect to spend between $30-40 a day in Puerto Rico, whilst those who want a more deluxe experience (such as staying in private rooms, eating in nicer establishments etc) can budget for around $50-60+ a day.
This budget only covers accommodation, food and a few extras (like beers, a walking tour or entrance etc). Other costs such as flights and day tours will need to be planned with a different budget in mind.
Cost of Accommodation in Puerto Rico
Your biggest outlay when traveling will be on accommodation costs, and in Puerto Rico it tends to be higher than the rest of Latin America (remember they are an American territory and use similar pricing standards with the USA).
Dorm beds in hostels go for around $15-20 a night, although you may be able to find cheaper locally (which don’t appear on apps where you can pre-book). All hostels tend to be of good quality, and offer lots of amenities and extra perks such as breakfast or being located in a really convenient area.
When in San Juan, we recommend staying at the Beach Dorms property which is located close to the beach in the neighborhood of Ocean Park.
We will also find a great range of private rooms and luxury apartments too in Puerto Rico. Whilst many will include top hotel chains like the Marriott, we can also find some great value rooms too. When heading to Rincón on the west coast we suggest staying at the Rincón Inn. Here you’ll be a 15 minute walk from the beach, and also have an on-site swimming pool, bar and restaurant all to enjoy.
Cost of Food in Puerto Rico
Here we can find some pretty good value food on the island, ranging from typical Puerto Rican specialties in local restaurants to international cuisines.
Street food dishes tend to cost between $4-6 a meal, which is easiest to find in the big cities like San Juan.
In other areas which are smaller and touristy (like Rincón) you can also find local restaurants, however you’ll need to dig a little harder into the local scene to find these.
Those after more comfort foods and other styles of cuisine will be spoilt for choice here. In pretty much all the big cities (and even some towns too) we can find various chains and other international delights.
You can expect to pay anywhere between $10-20 for a meal in these, and even more if eating at luxury restaurants along the coast.
Cost of Transportation in Puerto Rico
Whilst other costs seem to stack up pretty quickly, transportation on the other hand is a more interesting topic. Buses are by far the best way to get around, and will be mandatory for those on a low budget (considering how expensive other options can be).
Most bus trips will be quick (between 2-4 hours) and relatively well-priced. For example the 2 hour bus from San Juan to Mayagüez can cost anywhere from $25-40. You can also rent a car, which gives you much better flexibility and freedom.
Those who prefer the comfort of flying can also use it as an option of getting around quicker, however the costs can be surprising. The main airports used domestically in Puerto Rico are those of San Juan, Mayagüez, Aguadilla and Vieques.
A one-way flight begins at roughly $40 with local providers (not including baggage), although these can often rise over $100 too depending on the time of year.
Cost of Tours & Attractions in Puerto Rico
Here in Puerto Rico we can find some really unique experiences, so we highly suggest using tours when coming here. However again the costs can be higher than other parts of Latin America, so be sure to have a decent budget prepared.
Given many of the top destinations can be hidden away in the island, it’s best to use tours to safely get there and back. A good example is the El Yunque Rainforest.
If you want to head here, then we highly recommend heading on this day tour from San Juan. As well as including private transport to and from the capital, you’ll also have a bilingual guide to teach you everything you need to know about this mesmerizing area of jungle (along with the waterfalls you will see along the way).
Another tip is to try and do some of the easier experiences alone to save money (such as city highlights like in the area of Old San Juan). This means you can have more budget leftover for those must-do experiences such as visiting a bright-blue bioluminescent lagoon at night.
Puerto Rico FAQs
Is Puerto Rico Expensive for Tourists?
And that’s all for our guide on how expensive Puerto Rico is.
Located in the middle of the Caribbean Ocean, Puerto Rico is a really unique island with a mix of Latin, Caribbean and indigenous roots.
As well as having some must-visit beaches, here we can also enjoy cities like San Juan and Mayagüez as well as really getting off the beaten path when heading around the island.
In this guide we’ve looked at how much money you’ll need when traveling around Puerto Rico. This guide focuses more on the minimum needed for low-budget travelers, so of course if you feel like upgrading then by all means go for it!
Be sure to read our Backpacking Puerto Rico Guide for more advice on how to travel around this memorable island.
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