About Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean archipelago known for tropical beaches, colonial architecture in Old San Juan, El Yunque rainforest, and a vibrant blend of Taíno, Spanish, and American culture. Officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, it is an unincorporated territory of the United States — not an independent country and not part of any other nation. Residents are US citizens, the US dollar is the currency, and the island operates under US federal and local law, with healthcare delivered through the same regulatory framework as the rest of the US.

Because Puerto Rico is US territory, a trip there from elsewhere in the United States is treated as domestic travel — no passport is required for US citizens, and there are no destination-specific international travel vaccines required or recommended beyond routine US immunizations. For this reason, dedicated international-style travel health guidance for Puerto Rico is not maintained separately on this site. For destination highlights, itineraries, and full trip planning specific to Puerto Rico, see our dedicated Puerto Rico vacation guide.