Healthcare in Puerto Rico is of a standard similar to what you would expect in the US, but some areas are better equipped than others. While medical professionals in Puerto Rico are highly knowledgeable, underfunding leads to a pronounced shortage of doctors. Many move over to the US, motivated by the prospect of better pay.

The island is home to dozens of hospitals in addition to clinics and pharmacies, some of which are open around the clock.

Public healthcare in Puerto Rico

Public healthcare in Puerto Rico is managed by a government-run programme that provides medical and healthcare services through contracted private health insurance companies.

The quality of public healthcare is generally good, but due to the shortage of doctors, you can expect long waiting times even if you’ve scheduled an appointment in advance. Most expats opt for private healthcare instead.

Private healthcare and health insurance in Puerto Rico

You can expect private healthcare in Puerto Rico to be of a high standard, with shorter waiting times. Medical insurance is recommended and affordable, especially if you’re insured through your employer.

Insurers in Puerto Rico are typically more open to covering pre-existing conditions, procedures, and services that may not have been covered in an expat's home country. Small co-payments are standard in most health insurance policies.

Vaccinations for Puerto Rico

Routine vaccinations, such as those for measles, polio, and tetanus, should be kept up to date, but there are no specific vaccinations required to enter Puerto Rico.

Emergencies in Puerto Rico

In a medical emergency, call 911. Many operators will speak Spanish when answering a call, but a transfer to an English speaker is usually possible. Health insurance may cover ambulance rides, but it's always best to confirm this with your provider in case there is an emergency in future.

Puerto Rico, also known as 'la isla del encanto' (the island of enchantment), is a small Caribbean island located between the Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, a widely contested issue for the local population of just over 3 million.

Living in Puerto Rico as an expat

Puerto Rico's proximity to the continental US makes it an attractive destination for American retirees. Many other expats from around the world relocate to Puerto Rico to work in industries such as manufacturing and tourism.

The official languages in Puerto Rico are Spanish and English. Although you can get by without speaking Spanish, learning the basics can make integration into life on the island faster and easier.

Accommodation options in Puerto Rico are plentiful. Buying is possible, but most expats prefer to rent. You can choose between apartments and freestanding homes, with the latter being the more costly choice, especially if you opt to live in a gated community.

San Juan has Puerto Rico's only metro and relatively comprehensive bus, ferry and público networks. If you’re moving to a rural area, the lack of adequate public transport can be a challenge, and most expats who can afford it prefer to drive.

Working in Puerto Rico
Getting Around in Puerto Rico
Expat Accommodation in Puerto Rico

Cost of living in Puerto Rico

The cost of living in Puerto Rico can be quite high, as many goods, such as food and cars, are imported. San Juan is one of the more expensive cities in the region. Accommodation is likely to be your main expense, especially if you decide to live in the city centre.

Living outside the city centre and shopping at local markets for basic goods and fresh produce can help you stretch your budget.

Public healthcare in Puerto Rico is underfunded, leading many expats to opt for private healthcare and comprehensive insurance, even if these options come at a high cost.

Cost of Living in Puerto Rico
Healthcare in Puerto Rico

Expat families and children in Puerto Rico

The education system in Puerto Rico mirrors that of the US, although Spanish is the primary language of instruction at public and most private schools.

You can send your children to international schools, which usually offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) qualification. Expat parents typically opt for this choice because it allows children to easily transfer schools in future should the family move to another country. While this option may be the most convenient and beneficial for children, it does come at a high cost, so you’ll need to account for this in your contract negotiations and budgeting strategy.

Education and Schools in Puerto Rico

Climate in Puerto Rico

The weather in Puerto Rico is warm and tropical, with little temperature variation throughout the year. Thanks to the island’s excellent tracking systems, cyclone warnings are issued well in advance, helping you prepare adequately. The dry season is from December to March, but you can expect a few short showers throughout the year.

Weather in Puerto Rico

Fast facts

Population: 3.2 million

Capital city: San Juan

Neighbouring countries: Located in the Caribbean Sea, Puerto Rico's neighbours are the Dominican Republic towards the west and the Virgin Islands to the east.

Geography: Puerto Rico is an archipelago made up of the main island and several smaller surrounding islands, only a few of which are inhabited year-round.

Political system: Devolved presidential constitutional dependency

Major religions: Catholicism 

Main languages: Spanish and English

Money: United States Dollars (USD), subdivided into 100 cents. ATMs are readily available throughout most of Puerto Rico, and it's fairly easy to open a bank account.

Tipping: 15 percent is standard, unless included in the bill.

Time: GMT-4

Electricity: 120V, 60Hz. Plugs are standard North American plugs with two flat blades.

Internet domain: .pr

International dialling code: +1

Emergency contacts: 911

Driving and transport: Driving is on the right-hand side of the road. Public transport is sufficient to get around, especially in San Juan, which has a metro. There are also buses, minibuses, ferries, and taxis.

The climate in Puerto Rico is warm and tropical. With little variation in temperature throughout the year, the mercury never strays far from 85°F (29°C). Due to certain winds, the temperature in the south is usually a few degrees higher than the north, and the mountainous central interior is typically cooler than the rest of the island.

The hurricane season is between June and November, with the island being subject to severe tropical storms once in about every five years. The movement of major cyclones is tracked and can be predicted in advance, so there’s no need to worry. That said, it's best to be overprepared rather than underprepared for storms of this magnitude. Make sure you have access to non-perishable food, a few bottles of water and, if possible, a backup generator.

The dry season is typically from December to March, but you can expect short showers throughout the year. This is generally a pleasant period with plenty of sunny beach days.

Though the island is popular among retirees, working in Puerto Rico is another draw for expats. Sectors such as manufacturing and tourism are a popular choice among expats looking to find work on the island.

Job market in Puerto Rico 

The manufacturing sector makes up close to half of the annual GDP of Puerto Rico, with pharmaceuticals, textiles, and electronics being the major drivers. Tourism also contributes a large percentage to the island's GDP, along with other service-based sectors such as finance, education, and insurance.

Salaries are paid in US Dollars, which can be advantageous if you’re coming from a country with a weaker currency.

Finding a job in Puerto Rico 

The internet is a valuable resource if you’re looking to work in Puerto Rico. Alternatively, going through an agency might be more reliable. Word of mouth and networking can also be beneficial for those already within the country.

US expats will not need a visa to work on the island, whereas citizens from other nations will need work and residency permits to take up employment and live in Puerto Rico.

Work culture in Puerto Rico

The culture in Puerto Rican workplaces combines Western professionalism with Latin American warmth. Hierarchies are well-defined, and relationships and trust are valued.

You can expect a relaxed approach to deadlines and plenty of socialising with colleagues outside of normal working hours.

Puerto Rican business culture is a unique blend of Latin American characteristics and North American drive. Expats doing business in Puerto Rico should be aware of cross-cultural sensitivity, and maintain an awareness of etiquette and customs.

• Do be formal at first, and don’t use first names unless invited to do so.
• Don't expect business meetings to start on time.
• Don’t talk about Puerto Rico’s status as a US territory, as this is a sensitive and controversial topic.
• Do initiate small talk conversations with topics like sports and travel.

Public schools in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico grants the right to an education to every citizen on the island. To this end, public schools in Puerto Rico provide free and secular education at the compulsory elementary and secondary levels.

Despite the system being based on the American model, the teaching language in public schools is Spanish. This may be a challenge if your children are not familiar with the language. English is taught as a second language and is compulsory at all levels. You should be aware that the quality of public schools varies considerably, with schools in rural areas suffering from a lack of funding.

Private schools in Puerto Rico

Private schools in Puerto Rico are operated by non-governmental institutions. Most Puerto Rican private schools are Catholic. Students of any religion may attend these schools, and those of different faiths may refrain from taking part in any religion-based activities at school.

The language of instruction in Puerto Rican private schools varies. Some teach bilingually, while others teach in English or Spanish only.

International schools in Puerto Rico

Though there are no foreign-curriculum schools in Puerto Rico, there are a few schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB). Choosing an IB school can facilitate a smoother transfer between schools after leaving the island. Fees for these schools are typically steep – careful budgeting is essential to balance expenses.

Special-needs education in Puerto Rico

Public schooling in Puerto Rico is underfunded in general. This is even more apparent in the very limited special-needs provisions offered by the government. That said, there are several special-education schools across Puerto Rico.

If your children have special educational needs, it’s best to seek support from a mainstream private school, as these are more likely to have appropriate resources and policies.

Tutors in Puerto Rico

Whether you hire a tutor to help your children with a particularly challenging subject, prepare them for big exams or assist them with picking up the local language, there are plenty of options to suit your needs.

Online and in-person services are available, and expats often find tutors to be a great help in easing their children into a new school system. There are a number of reputable online portals and tutoring companies offering their services. Alternatively, you can ask around locally for a recommendation.

Finding accommodation in Puerto Rico is relatively easy. Most expats opt for renting rather than buying a home, at least initially, as it's the best way to get to know areas on the island as a newcomer.

Types of accommodation in Puerto Rico

The most common type of accommodation in Puerto Rico is apartments. Though these can come furnished, they're most commonly unfurnished. In some cases, you may be able to negotiate the inclusion of furniture in a rental at an additional cost. It's best to take a look at any additional furnishings beforehand to see if they're up to scratch, as quality can vary.

Freestanding homes can also be found, but there aren’t many to choose from. You can choose to live in a luxury gated community, which offers a safe and comfortable stay at a considerable cost.

Finding accommodation in Puerto Rico

The easiest way to find accommodation in Puerto Rico is through online classifieds. Many of these are in Spanish, so having a decent grasp of the language can be useful.

Word of mouth is typically the best way to find a good deal. If you already reside within the country, you should tap into any network you may have built up, even if it's just the owner of the hotel you’re staying at. Alternatively, expats can enlist the services of a real estate agent, preferably a bilingual one fluent in both English and Spanish.

Renting accommodation in Puerto Rico

Leases

The length of a typical lease is 12 months. A full inspection of the accommodation is advised before signing any lease, and if there are any issues that need to be fixed, you should insist that they are dealt with before the move-in date.

Deposits

The deposit is usually the equivalent of one or two months' rent, but this varies according to the owner. At the completion of the lease, the deposit will be returned in full if the property is left in good condition.

Utilities

Which utilities are included in the rental is up to the landlord, and should be reflected in the price. If in doubt, communicate with the landlord so as not to accrue unexpected additional expenses.

Transport and driving in Puerto Rico can be a challenge. Those living in San Juan will be in a better position than most, thanks to the city's compact size and the availability of the only metro in the country.

Public transport in Puerto Rico, outside the main cities, is lacking. Driving can be risky due to unpredictable local drivers and the occasionally heavy traffic.

Public transport in Puerto Rico

Metro

Only San Juan has a metro, known as the Tren Urbano. It is the first of its kind in the Caribbean. As of 2025, it consists of one line with 16 stations, but there are plans to expand it in the future.

Bus

The bus is cheap, with San Juan being serviced by Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses. Operating hours and frequency of service vary by route and the day of the week, but generally buses run from around 5am to 8pm or 9pm.

Públicos

Dealing with banking, money and taxes in Puerto Rico is no simple matter. You may notice that things don't run as smoothly on the island as they might in your home country, so it is recommended to approach banking with a bit of patience and persistence.