How to Set Up Utilities in PR

If you’re looking to live in Puerto Rico or just moving to a new spot, you need to get your utilities organized! Making sure to have your internet, water, electricity and cell service sorted is probably the bare minimum you need to do to get started. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps of setting up utilities in Puerto Rico. 

Internet

There are plenty of internet service providers in Puerto Rico. If you’re looking to get cable internet, the most popular choice is Liberty CableVision, and if you’re looking at getting DSL Internet, the one that’s most used is Claro, since it’s the main DSL internet provider. 

Optico Fiber internet is a popular choice in San Juan, with plans starting at $0/mo with a $300 installation fee for basic access. The plan with the “fastest [internet] in Puerto Rico”, according to their website, gives you 1000 mbps upload and download, and costs either $70 or $90 per month if you want a phone line included.

While the above three companies are probably the most used, there are other options available too. HughesNet, Optico Fiber, World Net, OSNET Wireless, IP Solutions, VP Net, XAir Net, and Aero Net are some of the others. 

Pricing plans for these internet companies start at $15 a month, and can go over $170/mo for high speed plans. HughesNet, Liberty CableVision, and Claro offer the best coverage and connectivity. 

Claro claims to have speeds of up to 50 mbps and also offer unlimited download data, which means you can watch unlimited movies on Netflix whenever you’d like. Please note though that if a hurricane hit Puerto Rico, cable internet would take longer to be restored, while DSL internet will come back on when the electricity is restored. We’re not saying you should base your decisions on hurricanes, but it’s important to know which type of internet is more consistent and easily repaired in case natural disasters strike. 

Water

While many people drink tap water with no problems, we recommend using a filter or buying bottled water for consumption. The only company that provides water is called “Autoridad de Acueductos Alcantarillados (AAA). It’s run by the local government and it’s quite reliable, although distribution is being worked on all the time and provides for brief periods without service. When possible, having a cistern backup is desired to maintain access to freshwater during these occurrences. The AAA website is acueductospr.com. You can find details regarding water quality, your account usage, and many other things on the website. 

The water service rarely gets interrupted and is fairly consistently run. The water never really gets too cold especially if you’re in the coastal areas. The only thing is that the water pressure can be a little weak so you may not be able to shower and run the dishwasher or do the laundry together. You can only do one thing at a time.

Electricity

Electricity in Puerto Rico is exactly the same as it is in the USA. The same 110-120 volts and 220-240 volts is used for appliances, so you should be able to plug in any appliance without the need for special conversion adapters. 

The electricity in Puerto Rico is reasonably reliable, but definitely not as reliable as it is in other parts of the US. There can be unannounced power outages, especially in case of hurricanes or strong winds and thunderstorms. If the island is affected by tropical cyclones, the power could even be out for a couple of days. That’s why it might make sense to have a power backup generator that powers your essentials in case of any outages. 

There is only one electric power company in Puerto Rico called Luma Puerto Rico (previously Autoridad de Energia Electrica). The electricity rate for consumers is currently between $0.24 and $0.29 per kilowatt hour. This is quite expensive, especially when compared to other parts of the US. So it’s best if you keep track of your electricity bill so you’re not in for a shock when your bill arrives. 

You can also consider other more environment friendly options like solar inverters, wind turbines and other eco-friendly generators. Have a look at this website for other green alternatives in Puerto Rico that could help you save on electricity bills.

Phone

Cell phone companies in Puerto Rico are the same as the ones in the US. The most popular companies are AT&T, T-Mobile, Claro, and Open Mobile.

You can also keep the number you’d normally use in the US, but you may not be able to take advantage of the local offers companies have in Puerto Rico. Moreover, if you keep your US number in Puerto Rico, it might be considered as an ‘international number’ for people calling you from a local Puerto Rican number. That’s why it can be a good option to use a local number simultaneously with your US number to make sure you’re always accessible to locals.

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