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How to Book a Trip to Puerto Rico

How to · Travel

How to Book a Trip to Puerto Rico

Experience the rainforest in late spring and pay for the $2,500 cost over 15 months without interest charges.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $2,500 before anything else
Across the 0% window $166.67/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $2,500 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Puerto Rico in late spring is the sweet spot. You get the deep greens of the El Yunque rainforest and the warm Caribbean water before the hurricane season starts in June. It is humid, lush, and much quieter than the peak winter months. We want to aim for May to beat the crowds and the storms.

A typical trip for two costs about $2,500 when you include flights, a rental car, and a place to stay. We can handle that price tag by using the Discover it® Cash Back (Discover) to spread the payments out over a year and a quarter.

Keep in mind that 0% interest isn't a gift. It is a strict deadline. If you still have a balance when those 15 months are up, the standard interest rate will apply to whatever is left, making your trip much more expensive.

The steps

  1. 01

    Target the May window

    Fly in late April or May. The weather is stable and the prices are lower than the winter rush. You get the best of the islands before the rainy season gets heavy.

  2. 02

    Use the intro window

    Put your major travel purchases on the Discover it® Cash Back (Discover). The card offers a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, which means you can carry the balance while you pay it off.

  3. 03

    Secure a rental car

    You need a car to reach the rainforest trails from San Juan. Book this early as island inventory can get tight. It makes the 45-minute drive to the mountains much easier.

  4. 04

    Automate your payments

    Divide your $2,500 total by the 15-month window. That comes out to $166.67 per month. Set up an automatic transfer for that amount so the balance is gone before the interest kicks in.

  5. 05

    Book your forest entry

    El Yunque uses a reservation system for its most popular areas. Check the official site a few weeks before you land. You don't want to drive all the way to the gate and get turned away.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

Do I need a passport for Puerto Rico?

No. Since it is a US territory, you only need a valid government-issued photo ID to fly there from the mainland.

What is 0% APR?

APR is the annual percentage rate, or the cost of borrowing money. A 0% rate means the bank doesn't charge you extra for carrying a balance for a set time.

When does hurricane season start?

The season officially begins on June 1st. Traveling in May lets you see the rainforest while the weather is still predictable.

Is the rainforest expensive?

The entrance fee is very low, but you have to pay a small reservation fee online. Most of your budget will go toward the rental car and lodging nearby.