Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
A crowded beach
Center
Bottles of rum
Right
A warning sign at the beach
Things to Avoid
!
Traffic Jams
$
Money-Changing
disgustingly littered after
the crowds depart. Try to
go mid-week.
*
Rip Tides
Scams
Avoid people offering to
exchange foreign currency
for US dollars. There have
been many incidences of
tourists being robbed or
short-changed by touts
and unscrupulous
money-changers.
Rush-hour traffic is
notoriously bad in San
Juan, which can get
appallingly congested, as
can almost every other
town in Puerto Rico.
Traffic jams are common
at popular beach resorts,
especially on weekends
and public holidays. At
these times, congestion
is particularly bad when
re-entering San Juan
from the east.
@
Taxi Scams
These dangerous,
fast-moving undertows
are common on beaches
that receive high surf.
They are difficult to
detect and can change
location. Always check
with locals about tidal
conditions before
swimming. If caught in
an undertow, swim parallel
to the beach to escape.
(
Alcohol
%
Mosquitoes
Although mosquitoes
in Puerto Rico do not
carry malaria, they can
transmit dengue fever -
a viral infection for which
there is no vaccine. To
avoid being bitten, use
insect repellent containing
DEET and wear light-
colored clothing. Long-
sleeved shirts and
full-length pants also
help, as can a ceiling
fan above your bed.
Tourist taxis in
San Juan operate within
zones with pre-fixed
rates
(see p105)
. Else-
where on the island,
including metropolitan
San Juan, the taxis use
meters. For longer
journeys and sightseeing,
you will have to negotiate
a fare with the driver
before you set off. Most
are honest, but there are
a few who will attempt
to bamboozle you out
of large sums. Ask your
hotel concierge for an
appropriate fare.
£
Running Out
Avoid consuming
alcohol during the day as
it can cause dehydration.
If you do indulge, be sure
to also drink plenty of
water. Never drink if
you intend to drive;
drink driving is a major
problem in Puerto Rico
and penalties are severe
if you are caught.
^
Sand Fleas
Irritating and
miniscule sand fleas,
commonly called “no-
see-ums , are a nuisance
on beaches around dusk
and sometimes at dawn.
Their bites itch terribly.
Insect repellents rarely
work, but Avon Skin-so-
Soft is effective, so take
some along.
&
Crowded Beaches
)
Drugs
Although Puerto Rico
has less of a drugs culture
than many Caribbean
islands, drug dealers are
present in some tourist
resorts and nightclubs,
and drug trafficking
has contributed to an
escalating crime wave.
Corrupt Puerto Rican
police have been
implicated in trafficking,
yet most police take a
very harsh view of drug
use. Buying and dealing
drugs is both avoidable
and dangerous - getting
caught will do more than
ruin your vacation.
of Cash
Banks in Puerto Rico
are usually closed on
weekends, and ATMs
often run out of cash.
The
casas de cambio
(see p107)
are more
flexible, but are relatively
few in number. So make
sure you are carrying
enough cash, especially
on weekends or if you
are going to the country-
side or mountains.
If it is a relaxing time
you are after, then the
popular beaches are best
avoided on weekends
and public holidays,
when they become
packed with families and
tourists. This is especially
true of beaches east of
San Juan, which are
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