Last Updated on March 29, 2023 by PowersToTravel
Puerto Rico is an excellent, nearby location for a diabetic to visit. Before you continue, you might check out my complete discussion of Diabetic Travel Tips for International Travel. Many of the topics apply to Puerto Rico and I’ve put the details in that article, and references to them in this one.
What is Easy about Puerto Rico?
Flying to Puerto Rico
Close to the US, getting there doesn’t involve long-haul airline flights with many time-zone changes. There are direct flights from eastern seaboard and midwest cities to San Juan (SJU), and from Orlando, New York and New Jersey to the small Aguadilla airport BQN. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check my Diabetic Travel Tips for International Travel to read up on packing insulin, getting through the TSA. However the flights themselves are not long when you compare them to Europe or Asia.
The Water is Potable
Not only is the water potable, but because Puerto Rico is a territory of the US, the water quality is inspected to the same level as water throughout the US. We live as snowbirds (December to May) in Isabela, in the northwest corner of the island, and I drink the water from the tap all the time. This means that I’m able to eat a more balanced diet when I go out to restaurants – I can have salad! (Not that the usual restaurant in Puerto Rico knows what salad ought to be!)
Walgreens and CVS, everywhere!
There are CVSs in the east of the island, and there are Walgreens in every town all over the island. If you need any medical supplies, you can get them easily here. However, prescriptions from the US do not transfer to Puerto Rico. You’ll need a prescription from a local Puerto Rico doctor or emergency clinic (don’t think to try to go to a hospital emergency room!) to get prescription medications. If you are in an emergency situation (lost your medications en route, shame on you!), you are also welcome to try to get a small supply of replacement meds from a local family pharmacy. That approach definitely won’t work at the chain pharmacies.
No Malaria in Puerto Rico
But you should still try to avoid mosquito bites, because after all, this is the Tropics.
Puerto Rico is in the Tropics, though, and that’s not always Easy
Dengue Fever, leptospirosis, schistosomiasis and zika
Yes, those words scare me. I’m used to seeing those words when I investigate Africa, or the rainforests of Brazil. These diseases are found here in Puerto Rico, and also some of them, in Florida. Definitely this calls for a read of the CDC Travel Page for Puerto Rico to learn how to protect myself. We are in the tropics.
Keeping insulin cold
Always a challenge in the tropics. At least convenience stores here sell ice if you need to replenish your cooler, unlike in Egypt!
Carrying sugar with you during Watersports
If you aren’t enjoying the water in Puerto Rico, you aren’t enjoying Puerto Rico! Check out my tip in the Travel Tips article for carrying juice with you, whether you’re going on a banana boat or a jetski or going for a snorkel!
