© Photo by Shutterstock Puerto Rico Loosens COVID-19 Restrictions Once Again

1. Best Casinos In Puerto Rico
2. Casinos In Puerto Rico
3. Puerto Rico Casinos Map
4. Casinos Open Puerto Rico Resorts

CASINOS in & near ARECIBO, PUERTO RICO - 2020 up-to-date list El Tropical Casino & Holiday Inn Mayaguez The Tropical Casino is located on the west coast of Puerto Rico, in Mayaguez. It's open 24/24. Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and LionGrove Reveal Plans to Open Foxwoods El San Juan Casino at the Legendary Fairmont El San Juan Hotel in Puerto Rico Date 1/26/2021 6:12:19 PM.

Though Puerto Rico is still encouraging essential travel only right now, its new governor, Pedro Pierluisi, loosened several COVID-19 restrictions and reopened beaches, natural attractions, marinas, and pools on Friday, January 8. Pierluisi also lifted the Sunday lockdown and shortened the nightly curfew that has been in place on the island since the beginning of the pandemic. The new curfew—which is from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.—and other measures will last for at least 30 days from January 8, according to the lastest travel advisory.

The new governor will keep other measures implemented by former Governor Wanda Vázquez in place, including limited capacity at restaurants, museums, and gyms.

“Our goal has to be to be able to return to a new normal,” Pierluisi told the Associated Press. “We have to keep taking preventive measures in the meantime.”

As of January 15, there have been 119,596 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,692 resulting deaths in Puerto Rico, according to data from the New York Times. The CDC categorized Puerto Rico at its highest Level 4 COVID-19 rating due to the high level of cases on the island, and it is recommending that people avoid all travel there.

Here’s what else you need to know about travel in Puerto Rico right now.

Is Puerto Rico open for travel?

Puerto Rico is currently encouraging essential travel only at this time. Travelers who cannot postpone their trips must comply with all necessary requirements, including wearing face masks in public and following government mandated social-distancing efforts.

Individuals traveling for tourism purposes, including sightseeing, recreation, or attending cultural events, do not fall within the definition of “essential travel,” according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Technically, Puerto Rico has never closed its borders to U.S. citizens or foreign nationals who hadn’t been inChina, Iran, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland, or the European Shengen area in the previous 14 days.

What kind of safety protocols are in place in Puerto Rico?

In addition to completing a travel declaration form provided by the Puerto Rico Health Department, anyone over the age of two who enters Puerto Rico will be required to supply proof of negative molecular tests (nasal or throat swabs) from 72 hours prior. The government will not accept any other type of test, including the antibody ones that require a finger stick or blood drawn. Travelers will also receive an airport exit confirmation number and QR code when uploading their molecular test results to the Puerto Rico Health Department’s online portal.

Those who have been recently vaccinated are still required to supply proof of negative molecular tests from 72 hours prior.

Arriving passengers who do not have test results available, refuse to submit to testing upon arrival, or test positive will be required to quarantine for 14 days and cover their own medical and extended stay expenses. Those who wish to be released from quarantine will have to undergo a molecular test and share the negative results with the government, Puerto Rico health secretary Lorenzo González told the Associated Press.

“If you don’t want to be tested, stay home. Don’t come here and complicate our situation,” he said.

Those who can produce negative test results upon arrival will be allowed into Puerto Rico, but they will need to follow locally mandated rules, including wearing face masks when in public, or be subjected to fines. Social distancing is being enforced by limiting capacity at restaurants, museums, and hotel pools.

Are COVID-19 tests required to return to the mainland United States from Puerto Rico?

No. As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico is excluded from the new CDC order that requires all international passengers flying into the United States—including returning U.S. citizens—to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding.

What flights to Puerto Rico are available?

Because Puerto Rico never closed its borders, airlines continued to fly to and from the island. However, in order to better track people arriving in Puerto Rico, flights are only allowed in and out of San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. While both both Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla (BQN) and the Mercedita International Airport in Ponce (PSE) were scheduled to reopen on July 6 to passenger travel, Discover Puerto Rico’s travel advisory states that all passenger flights are still being diverted to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

What else is open in Puerto Rico?

An island-wide curfew from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. is in effect as of January 8 and will last for at least 30 days. Ferry service to the island of Culebra for tourists started again on October 26, 2020, while ferry service to Vieques remains restricted to residents only.

Public beaches and natural reserves reopened for recreational use on January 8, but visitors must follow social-distancing guidelines and wear face masks when they are not in the water.

Capacity at casinos, gyms, museums, and restaurants is limited to 30 percent, while bars and clubs remain closed. Pools at hotels and other establishments are also open at 30 percent capacity. Retail shops and malls are open, as long as they operate at 30 percent capacity. Alcohol consumption is prohibited outside homes and restaurants.

Which hotels are open?

Many hotels in Puerto Rico stayed open throughout the pandemic for displaced travelers and frontline workers and reopened to local leisure travelers starting in June. As of January 8, hotels must close their common areas at 11 p.m. in accordance with the island-wide curfew.

The Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico reopened for nonessential stays on June 2, 2020. In addition to requiring temperature checks and social-distancing measures like touchless check-in and check-out services per Hyatt’s Global Care and Cleanliness Commitment, Hyatt also installed UV light purifying air conditioners in all 579 rooms on the property.

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reservereopened on July 1, 2020. The mostly open-air property is set right on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, a 35-minute drive from San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. Many of the hotel’s 115 guest rooms come with direct beach access and private plunge pools, making it easier to social distance and limit indoor interactions with other guests. As a Marriott property, Dorado Beach is following health and safety protocols in accordance with Marriott’s Global Cleanliness Council.

The Associated Press contributed to this article. This article originally appeared online on June 26, 2020; it was updated on January 15, 2021, to include current information.

>> Next: International Flights to Bermuda Resume

Introduction to Puerto Rico Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Puerto Rico slot machine casino gambling consists of sixteen land-based casinos and onboard casinos of visiting cruise ships.

Puerto Rico has set a minimum payout return for their slot machines. Return statistics are available online.

This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

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Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Puerto Rico*

The minimum legal gambling age in Puerto Rico does not depend upon the gambling activity:

• Land-Based Casinos: 18
• Poker Rooms: 18
• Bingo: 18
• Lottery: 18
• Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18

The maximum denomination for a slot machine in Puerto Rico is $25.

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Puerto Rico

The legal status for owning a slot machine privately in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico is unknown.

Gaming Control Board in Puerto Rico

The Gaming Division of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company regulates gaming in Puerto Rico.

Casinos in Puerto Rico

There are sixteen commercial casinos, including eight casinos on San Juan, as well as visiting cruise ships to Puerto Rico.

The largest casino in Puerto Rico is Caguas Real Hotel & Casino with 570 gaming machines.

Commercial Casinos in Puerto Rico

There were sixteen casinos in Puerto Rico. Most connect to well-known hotel chains such as Embassy Suites, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Hyatt, Marriott, Radisson, Ritz-Carlton, Westin, and Wyndham.

Specific lodging and casino combinations include:

1. La Concha A Renaissance Resort in San Juan
2. Cost Bahia Hotel & Convention Center in Guayanilla
3. Courtyard by Marriott Aguadilla in Aguadilla
4. Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Hotel in Carolina
5. Embassy Suites Hotel & Casino in Carolina
6. Four Points by Sheraton at Caguas Real Hotel & Casino in Caguas
7. Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino in Ponce
8. Holiday Inn & Tropical Casino Ponce in Ponce
9. Hyatt Place Bayamón Hotel & Casino in Bayamón
10. Hyatt Place Manati Hotel & Casino Atlanti Coati in Manati
11. Mayagüez Holiday Inn & Tropical Casino in Mayagüez
12. Mayagüez Resort & Casino in Mayagüez
13. Ponce Plaza Hotel & Casino in Ponce
14. San Juan Marriott & Stellaris Casino in San Juan
15. Sheraton Convention Center Hotel & Casino in San Juan
16. Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort & Country Club in Rio Grande

Tribal Casinos in Puerto Rico

Best Casinos In Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has no federally-recognized American Indian tribes and, therefore, no tribal casinos.

Other Gambling Establishments

Casinos In Puerto Rico

As an alternative to enjoying Puerto Rico slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Puerto Rico is:

• North: The Atlantic Ocean
• Northwest: Florida Slots
• East: U.S. Virgin Islands Slots
• South: The Caribbean Sea
• West: Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Cuba

Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to Puerto Rico.

Our Puerto Rico Slots Facebook Group

Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Puerto Rico? If so, join our new Puerto Rico slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.

There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in Puerto Rico. Join us!

Payout Returns in Puerto Rico

The minimum theoretical payout for slot machines in Puerto Rico is 83%.

The Puerto Rico Tourism Company has 2018 slots revenue reports at Statistics under Slot Machines.

Summary of Puerto Rico Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020

Puerto Rico Casinos Map

Puerto Rico slot machine casino gambling consists of sixteen hotels of well-known chains as well as onboard casinos on visiting international cruise ships.

Puerto Rico has set an 83% minimum theoretical payout for their slot machines. Return percentages from 2018 are available online.

Annual Progress in Puerto Rico Slot Machine Casino Gambling

In the last year, there has been little change to the slots gaming industry in Puerto Rico.

Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots

• Previous: Pennsylvania Slot Machine Casino Gambling
• Next: Rhode Island Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Casinos Open Puerto Rico Resorts

Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC