Postal Service

Mail service is provided by the U.S. Postal Service. Although mailing letters and postcards to and from the island costs the same as in the United States, international rates apply when shipping items to the island. United Parcel Service and overnight shipping companies such as Federal Express also operate on the island.

Telephone

Puerto Rico has one area code—787—and it must always be dialed when placing a call. Nevertheless, all calls are not local, so long-distance rates may apply. U.S. cell phones with nationwide service should function fine in Puerto Rico.

Newspapers and Magazines

Daily newspapers include El Nuevo Dia and Primera Hora, both in Spanish. Ponce has a newsweekly, La Perla del Sur. The New York Times and The Miami Herald can be commonly found in hotels and newsstands in San Juan.

Television

Broadcasting is regulated by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. There are three commercial channels: Telemundo (channel 2), Televicentro (channel 4), and Univision (channel 11), and one public channel—TUTV (channel 6). Local programming features sitcoms, talk shows, news, and soap operas, all in Spanish. Multichannel cable and satellite TV is also available.

Radio

• WRTU: 89.7 FM; University of Puerto Rico music, news, culture.
• Cadena Salsoul: 98.5 FM (San Juan), 101.1 FM (south), 100.3 FM (west); salsa.
• WOSO: 1030 AM; news, information, entertainment sports in English.
• Alfa Rock: 105.7 FM (northeast), 106.1 FM (southwest); rock music.
• La Mega Station: 106.9 FM (San Juan); pop music.

© Suzanne Van Atten from Moon Puerto Rico, 2nd Edition