Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wildlife
Remember all wild animals can be dangerous. Never attempt to feed an animal encountered
in the wild. Wild horses roam parts of Vieques, and although they look gentle they can kick,
bite and trample. Even small animals are capable of inflicting serious injury or even fatal
wounds on unsuspecting tourists. Some also carry rabies. Keep your distance from all wild
animals, and that goes double for any mongooses you see in El Yunque. The monkeys and
iguanas on some of the cays off the south coast can be downright fierce.
Shopping
Puerto Rico is not a duty-free port. In the last 10 years it has enacted a 5.5% sales tax on
all goods.
Coffee
Both Adjuntas and Rioja are popular premium coffees with fancy labels and pack-
aging, but islanders say that Puerto Rican coffee is of such high quality that you cannot go
wrong buying the local supermarket brands.
Mundillo
The intricately woven island-made lace is also a popular souvenir, as are woven
hammocks like the ones Columbus admired when he first stopped at Borinquen.
Musical instruments
Maracas, fish-shaped
güiros
and four-string guitars named
cuatro
are a few endemic instruments on the island. These can range from cheapie toys to excep-
tional hand-crafted pieces.
Rum
Puerto Rico is the leading producer of rum in the world and a dizzying variety of rum
is available in Puerto Rico. It's significantly cheaper here than in the US. Most bottles cost
between $6 and $15, depending on size and quality. And there is no limit to how much you
can take out of Puerto Rico when you leave, but bear in mind the limits imposed by the
country you are next entering.
Santos
Probably the most popular purchase, these carved religious figures can cost well
over $100.
Surfboards
The west coast of Puerto Rico is home to some of the best custom board
makers in the world.
Vejigantes
Masks typical of those worn in the fiestas at Ponce and Loíza. Island-made
macramé and ceramic items are also widely available in the shops catering to tourists.
