What Kind of Money Do They Use in Puerto Rico? A Comprehensive Guide to the Island’s Currency

By Steve Dez •  Updated: 02/04/24 •  13 min read

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In answer to the query, “what kind of money do they use in Puerto Rico?”, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico utilizes the United States Dollar (USD) as its official currency.

Known by various terms in local parlance, this currency is used in every financial exchange, from purchasing goods and services to business transactions.

Alongside the U.S dollar, there are historical remnants of prior monetary systems that offer a fascinating insight into Puerto Rico’s economic past.

The usage of U.S. bills and coins is widespread, serving as the preferred mode for daily transactions.

Additionally, specific denominations dominate in terms of popularity and convenience among Puerto Ricans when it comes to fiscal dealings.


what kind of money do they use in puerto rico
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1. Overview of Puerto Rico\’s Currency Situation

When you ponder on the question, “What kind of money do they use in Puerto Rico?”, the answer is simple. The Puerto Rico currency is the same as that of its sovereign state – the United States! It’s quite convenient for travelers, especially those coming from countries who also use or widely accept U.S. dollars. They can spend their holidays blissfully without worrying about currency exchange.

2.The official currency of Puerto Rico: United States Dollar (USD)

The official currency in Puerto Rico is the United States Dollar (USD). Being a territory of the U.S., it adheres to the same monetary system, making transactions straight-forward and hassle-free for both residents and tourists alike.

3.Common terms for the U.S dollar in Puerto Rican parlance

If you’re trying to blend into local culture during your stay, you might hear locals referring to Puerto Rican money, i.e., USD as ‘peso’ or ‘dolar’. So don’t fret if you hear these terms; they’re just local jargon for your familiar greenback!

4.Historical remnants of prior monetary systems in Puerto Rico

Intriguingly, despite being an official currency over a hundred years, echoes from past eras of money exchange in Puerto Rico still exist in local tongue. You may occasionally hear a quarter dollar being referred to as “pesetas”, hearkening back to times when Spanish currencies were used on the island.

5.Usage of U.S. bills and coins in everyday transactions

All U.S. dollars in Puerto Rico, be it one dollar bills or 100 dollar ones, and all coins too, are a legal payment method in Puerto Rico. So whether you’re buying a cup of coffee or some lovely souvenirs, you can use any denomination you have at hand.

6.Preferred denominations for transactions in Puerto Rico

Cash in Puerto Rico, especially smaller bills such as $1, $5, and $10 are often preferable for day-to-day transactions. It’s handy to make sure to carry enough small change with you for petty expenses during your visit.

what kind of money do they use in puerto rico


Visiting Puerto Rico soon? It’s important to know what kind of money they use, which is the U.S. dollar, given that Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. Once you have your finances sorted out, you’re ready to explore the island. You may want to consider checking out these best day trips in Puerto Rico.

If you’re a fan of spirits and would love a unique experience, be sure to visit a distillery on this recommended rum tour in Puerto Rico. It will give you an opportunity to learn about the rum manufacturing process while enjoying tastings of this locally beloved spirit.

One must not miss the phenomenal sights on Vieques, especially during nighttime. The bioluminescent tour in Vieques leads you to witness an almost surreal glow in the waters due to tiny microorganisms emitting light.

To make your trip more memorable and comfortable, booking one of these fantastic Puerto Rico beach resorts could elevate your stay. These luxurious accommodations offer stunning views and premium services.

Understandably, one might wonder about flight duration when planning trips abroad. So for convenience sake we have information for flights from two main cities; it’s useful for travelers from Georgia or Massachusetts who want specifics like how long flights are from their respective hometowns – like these details for people wondering about their travel times from either Atlanta to Puerto Rico or Boston to Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico is a wonderful place full of culture, history, and fantastic sights. There’s plenty to learn and explore on this beautiful island.

My Personal Take about What kind of money do they use in Puerto Rico?

Hello there, I’m Steve, your go-to expert for everything Puerto Rico travel related.

I totally hear you asking, “Steve, what kind of money do they use in Puerto Rico?”. You see, despite being a US territory, many first time travelers are unsure about the island’s currency. But don’t worry because I’ve got you covered in my latest blog post titled – “What Kind of Money Do They Use in Puerto Rico? A Comprehensive Guide to the Island’s Currency”.

Now that I think about it, the richness of their culture and wide array of biodiversities often overshadow such simple yet necessary questions. Either way my friend, pack your bags with renewed enthusiasm for an enriching Caribbean experience is waiting.From boisterous festivals to serene beaches, be ready to embrace every moment with open arms. Let’s explore Puerto Rico together; surely, it won’t disappoint!

 
 
 
 
 
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Frequently Asked Questions about What kind of money do they use in Puerto Rico?

Before you go…

Takeaway 1: Puerto Rico’s official currency is the United States Dollar (USD).

Well, let me tell you something interesting! In Puerto Rico, their official currency is the good ol’ greenback – the United States Dollar! Yep, they use the same monetary system as the U.S. because Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. So, if you’re from the U.S. or a country that accepts US dollars (which is pretty much everywhere), visiting Puerto Rico and spending your hard-earned cash there is a breeze! You don’t need to worry about exchanging your money or figuring out confusing foreign currencies. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone, right? Talk about convenience!

Takeaway 2: The local slang for U.S. dollar in Puerto Rico is ‘peso’ or ‘dolar’.

Now here’s something fun! When you’re wandering around the beautiful streets of Puerto Rico, you might hear some locals casually calling the U.S. dollar ‘peso’ or ‘dolar’. It’s pretty cool how they’ve developed their own lingo for their currency, don’t you think? It’s like a secret code that makes them stand out and adds a touch of uniqueness to their culture. So, if someone asks you for some pesos in Puerto Rico, don’t go searching for Mexican currency – they simply mean dollars! Keep that in mind to avoid any confusion.

Takeaway 3: Colloquial references to old Spanish currencies still exist in daily language.

Here comes my final nugget of knowledge for you! Even though the U.S. dollar has been rockin’ as Puerto Rico’s official currency for over a hundred years now (woah!), traces of older monetary systems can still be found lingering in day-to-day conversations. Ever heard of the word ‘pesetas’? Well, in Puerto Rico, they sometimes use it when talking about quarter dollars. It’s like a little nod to the past when Spanish currencies were used on the island. It’s fascinating how history can have such a lasting influence on language, isn’t it? So, if you hear someone mentioning pesetas while you’re splurging in Puerto Rico, don’t worry – they’re just referring to good ol’ quarters!

So there you have it, my friend! Puerto Rico and the United States dollar go together like peanut butter and jelly. You can freely use all your U.S. bills and coins on this beautiful island without any hassle. Just remember that smaller bills are usually preferred for everyday transactions, and if someone calls your dollars ‘peso’ or ‘dolar’, it’s their way of being cool with their own slang! Happy spending!

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Steve Dez

Also known as Richport, is a Puerto Rican creator and writer. He grew up in the island and always had a passion for writing, he wrote his first play at the age of 12 and has been creating content ever since. He's now a well-known blogger and creative who writes posts, songs and poetry that showcase his love for his roots, blending traditional stories with modern themes always with some adobo and boricua flavors in the mix.