Essentials
- City
- San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA
- Population
- 320,000 (Metropolitan area approx. 2.3 million)
- Internet Speed
- High-speed fiber widely available; average 150-300 Mbps (Liberty PR, Claro)
- Currency & Banking
- United States Dollar (USD). 1 USD = 1 USD
- Tap Water
- Potable/Drinkable (meeting EPA standards), though many locals prefer filtered water
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (Standard US sockets)
- SIM Card
- T-Mobile, AT&T, and Liberty (Prepaid plans approx. $40-$60/month)
- Banking for Expats
- Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, FirstBank, Oriental Bank; US banks like Chase work seamlessly
- Accommodation
- Mix of high-end hotels, Airbnb, and local long-term rentals (ClasificadosPR)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, credit cards and ATH Móvil (local mobile pay) accepted almost everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Join Join (local platform); Beachfront studios approx. $1,800 - $3,000/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Santurcia Hostel ($35/night), Casa del Caribe in Condado ($90/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Old San Juan (history/culture) or Condado (beach/luxury)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Santurce (Art district/metropolitan feel) or Ocean Park (Residential/beach/walkable)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- piloto 151 (Locations in Old San Juan, Santurce, and Condado) - Day pass approx. $30
- Best Cafe for Work
- 7eight7 in Santurce or Hacienda San Pedro in Santurce (Great Wi-Fi and local coffee)
- Networking Events
- Full Stack Puerto Rico meetups and Piloto 151 community events
- Social Events for Expats
- Puerto Rico Digital Nomads Facebook Group and 20/22 Act Society events
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (Widely available and reliable in the metro area)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Skootel (Electric scooters found throughout Santurce and Condado)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Ocean Park Beach (Great for kitesurfing and social atmosphere)
- Top Regional Airline
- Silver Airways (Flights to Culebra, Vieques, and Caribbean islands)
- Top International Airline
- JetBlue, American Airlines, Southwest (Major hub at SJU airport)
- Highway Access
- PR-26 (Baldorioty de Castro) and PR-22 (Expreso de Diego) connect the metro area
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Sagrado Corazón Station (Tren Urbano - elevated rail hub)
- Public Transport Passes
- AMA Buses and Tren Urbano use the 'Tarjeta Magnética' ($1.50 per ride)
- Regional Travel
- Public Ferry from Ceiba to Vieques/Culebra ($2.00 - $3.00)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Ashford Presbyterian Community Hospital (Condado) or Auxilio Mutuo (Hato Rey)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Ashtanga Yoga Puerto Rico ($20/class) or It's Yoga Puerto Rico in Ocean Park
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Liv Fitness Club ($85/month) or HCOA Fitness (Multiple locations)
- Laundry Services
- The Laundry Shop in Condado (Wash/Dry/Fold services per pound)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats and Dame Un Bite (local favorite)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Mofongo (Mashed plantains with garlic and protein) at Casita Miramar
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- El Grifo (Vegan/Craft Beer) or Peace n’ Loaf (Vegetarian bakery)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Señor Paleta (Handcrafted popsicles in Old San Juan)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Plaza del Mercado de Santurce (La Placita) for fresh produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Standard US shipping, though some items have restrictions)
- Grocery Delivery
- SuperMax Online or Econo ToGo
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- La Placita de Santurce (Market by day, massive street party by night)
- Local Brewery
- Ocean Lab Brewing Co. (Located at Vivo Beach Club)
- Wine Bars
- Bodegas Compostela or Vino Tapas in Condado
- Street Food Stalls
- Piñones (just east of San Juan) for Alcapurrias and Bacalaítos
- Popular International Cuisine
- Mai Pen Rai (Thai in Santurce), Acapulco (Authentic Mexican in Calle Loíza)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR) in Santurce
- Historical Sites
- La Fortaleza (The Governor's Mansion) and Old San Juan City Walls
- Religious Sites
- Catedral de San Juan Bautista (Tomb of Ponce de León)
- Annual Events
- Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián (SanSe) in mid-January
- Cultural Districts
- Calle Loíza (Arts, gastronomy, and independent boutiques)
- Theater Venues
- Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré (Santurce)
- Local Markets
- Mercado Agrícola Natural (Saturdays in Old San Juan)
- Music Scene
- La Terraza de Bonanza (Plena and Bomba live music on Mondays)
- Street Art
- Santurce es Ley murals located throughout the Santurce district
- Cooking Classes
- Spoon Food Tours (Interactive cooking and cocktail classes)
- Art Galleries
- Walter Otero Contemporary Art and Galería Botello
- Historic Buildings
- The Capitol of Puerto Rico (El Capitolio)
- Local Heritage
- Taíno, Spanish, and African fusion represented in 'Bomba y Plena' dances
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- El Yunque National Forest (45 mins away) - Rainforest hiking
- National Parks Nearby
- San Juan National Historic Site (National Park Service managed)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Paseo de la Princesa and the coastal bike path toward Piñones
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Paseo del Morro at Sunset
- Birdwatching Locations
- Reserva Natural de Humacao (1 hour drive)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Not permitted on San Juan city beaches; permitted in specific private beach areas outside metro
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS (Domestic rates to US), FedEx, and UPS
- Tech Repair Services
- iFix (Various locations for iPhone/Mac repair)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Club de Tenis de Mesa de San Juan (Hato Rey)
- Language Classes
- Isla Language (Spanish immersion programs)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Carnegie (Old San Juan)
- Community Centers
- Casa de Cultura Ruth Hernández Acevedo (Rio Piedras)
- Gaming Lounges
- Red Rooster Team Gaming Center
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino del Mar at La Concha Resort
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $220,000 in Condado)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $112,000 in Carolina/Bayamon)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $300,000 in Old San Juan)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $150,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $384,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $176,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 18.5% to 37.5%, but as low as 4% under Act 60 incentives
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15% for residents; 0% for those under Act 60 (Export Service)
- Tax System
- Territorial Tax System (Unique tax jurisdiction within the US)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 33%
- VAT
- 11.5% IVU (Sales and Use Tax)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Applicable under US Federal tax principles
- Property Tax
- Yes, managed by CRIM (Centro de Recaudación de Ingresos Municipales)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Internal Revenue stamps and legal fees; approx. 1-2% of value
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Act 60 (formerly Act 20/22): 4% corporate tax and 0% tax on capital gains/dividends for qualifying residents