Basics: Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, meaning when traveling there, you do not need to go through customs, and the U.S. dollar (USD) is the local currency.

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The driving in Puerto Rico is very similar to the mainland U.S., so we strongly recommend renting a car. We didn’t rent one ourselves, as we hadn’t researched enough beforehand, and ended up using Ubers for all our outings. We found that when scheduling Ubers in advance, they were very reliable, and all drivers were punctual.

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Vieques Basics: We highly recommend renting a car or a golf cart for the duration of your stay. While the island is small, it is not particularly walkable. Most car and golf cart rentals are located near the ferry terminal, with many offering pick-up services from there. However, it’s important to note that during high season, these rentals tend to book up in advance, so reserving ahead is essential.

If you choose not to rent, you can use public taxis, which cost about $10 per person, regardless of where you're headed on the island. Alternatively, you can use a local ride-sharing app called 741Taxis. Keep in mind that when using taxis or the app, it’s best to book your ride a little while before you need it to avoid running late for your next destination.

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Be sure to bring a fully charged phone and a backup battery pack, as you will be spending much of your day outdoors, and there are limited places to charge your devices. Additionally, the ferry does not have charging outlets or cables available.

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The shops on Vieques accept cash and various digital payment methods such as Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle. Make sure to bring cash for drinks and snacks, or have these apps downloaded on your phone.

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Minyan: Chabad generally offers a minyan during high season. Be sure to contact the Rabbi before scheduling your trip to confirm that a minyan will be available that week.

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Kosher Food: Puerto Rico does not have a kosher supermarket, but you can find the basics with an OU certification in many local supermarkets. Specifically, Pueblo Market in Carolina offers the most OU kosher products, including kosher Empire frozen chicken seasonally. Additionally, Chabad sells niche items not available in local markets, such as meat, poultry, and dairy products.

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Chabad also offers a takeout service and operates OMKRT, a local restaurant.

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Weather: Puerto Rico enjoys sunny and hot weather throughout the year.

If you plan on visiting El Yunque Rainforest, be prepared for sudden downpours. As you ascend toward the peak, the rain becomes more frequent. At the peak, it tends to rain every 35-45 minutes for about 10 minutes.

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Hotels and Attractions: There are numerous hotels and resorts near Chabad and across the island.

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We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve, a beautiful resort located in Rio Grande.

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Since we traveled during high season, we booked all of our attractions in advance. We reserved closer to our trip, and with some flexibility, we were able to fit everything we wanted into our schedule. We do recommend booking in advance during high season, as things tend to fill up quickly.

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Additionally, booking round-trip tickets to Vieques in advance is crucial, as the only other way to reach the island is through an expensive private catamaran tour.

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Lastly, if you want to explore more of the rainforest, we suggest using a company that offers longer tours than Carabali. Since they operate on ATV trails, they are limited in terms of where and how far they can take you in the park. We’d love to return to Puerto Rico someday to explore the rainforest more thoroughly.