PRpod: Puerto Rico picture of the day

Discover Puerto Rico! Each day a different picture pertaining to the youth's tour of Puerto Rico is featured, along with a brief explanation and a few links for further investigation.

July 9, 2025
Taino village
Do I need to change money?

No. Since Puerto Rico is part of the United States, it uses the US dollar (USD) as its currency. A dollar generally has the same value as it does on the mainland. However, Puerto Rico has the highest sales tax rate in the United States, at 10.5% for the territory, plus 1% municipal tax. As a comparison, most states on the mainland have sales tax rates between 5% and 7%.
Tipping in Puerto Rico is similar to tipping on the mainland, though it's generally not as prevalent or as high as in some US cities. A standard tip is around 15-20% in sit-down restaurants, bars, and cafes. Tipping is expected for good service, but not mandatory.

Tomorrow's picture: What is Luquillo Beach like?