Puerto Rico Travel Guide - Health

Puerto Rico is a tropical destination and visitors need to be careful about insect and animal bites. Although malaria is not a major concern in Puerto Rico, seasonal dengue fever can be an issue. Visitors, especially children, should use insect repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and pants to avoid insect bites. Rabies is not rampant in Puerto Rico, but visitors who are on adventure holidays, for example, that may bring them into contact with bats should consider getting vaccinated.

As with any tropical destination, visitors should make sure that they are up-to-date with all mandatory vaccinations, especially tetanus and others like MMR, DPT, influenza and chickenpox. Although not required, it is recommended that visitors have hepatitis B vaccinations and tuberculosis vaccinations, especially for those in the high risk category.

Many visitors like to self-drive or hire a moped or scooter to explore the island. This means that traffic accidents are a major cause of injury to visitors. Simple precautions can help avoid serious injury. Just like at home, do not drink and drive. When riding a moped or scooter, always wear a helmet and pants – heavier weight materials, such as jeans and leather, provide good protection from a fall.