Puerto Rico - Currency & Exchange

Puerto Rico uses US currency, which generally comes in bills of US$1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100; the dollar (sometimes referred to as a peso) is made up of 100 cents in coins of 1¢ (penny), 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime), 25¢ (quarter) and 50¢ (half-dollar). Major credit cards are widely accepted at hotels and restaurants.

Although Puerto Rico's GNP is lower than that of any of the fifty states, prices are not drastically cheaper than on the mainland. In San Juan, the least you can expect to pay for accommodation, without sharing a bath, is US$65 for a double room; an average lunch at a modest establishment runs US$5 to $12, with comparable dinners from US$10 to $20.

ATMs - called ATHs ("a todas horas", or "at any hour") - are abundant in cities; you'll find them in banks, supermarkets, casinos and most of the larger hotels. In smaller towns and rural areas, you'll have to look a little harder. If you're at a loss, ask for directions to the local Banco Popular. Regular banking hours are Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 2.30pm.

Expect to pay eleven percent tax on rooms with casinos, nine percent on hotels without, and nine percent on country inns. There is no tax on food and merchandise.