Sick on vacation in Puerto Rico: a practical guide for tourists
If you get sick on vacation in Puerto Rico, you can see a Puerto Rico-licensed doctor by video from your hotel or rental, as long as you are physically on the island. It works for common problems like a stomach bug, a UTI or a forgotten prescription. In an emergency, call 911. Ashford Presbyterian in Condado describes itself as the emergency provider for the airport and metro-area hotels.
Can we help by telehealth? Yes, we can help by telehealth.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Chest pain, trouble breathing or fainting
- Stroke signs: a drooping face, weakness on one side or trouble speaking
- Confusion or fainting after time in the sun or heat
- Bloody diarrhea, high fever or signs of severe dehydration
- Fever with belly pain, repeated vomiting or bleeding gums (dengue warning signs)
- Near-drowning, a serious beach injury or a severe allergic reaction
Help lines:
- 911 — Emergencies
- 1-800-981-0023 — Línea PAS (mental-health crisis line)
- 988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- 1-800-222-1222 — Poison Help
A doctor for tourists: can a Puerto Rico doctor see me while I'm visiting?
Yes. Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD, is licensed in Puerto Rico, so she can see you by video while you are physically in Puerto Rico, wherever you live. We confirm your location at the start of the visit.
Visits are by video from your phone, tablet or computer. We don't come to your hotel and have no physical office. An online doctor visit costs US$79, paid by card when you request it. Request a visit online 24/7 — we confirm your time by email or text.
Sick on vacation in Puerto Rico: common traveler issues
Travelers' diarrhea or a stomach bug. According to the CDC, bacterial diarrhea usually lasts 3 to 7 days untreated and viral diarrhea 2 to 3 days. Drink oral rehydration solution or fluids with electrolytes. With bloody stools, fever or severe dehydration, don't take anti-diarrhea medicine on your own; get care. See stomach bug.
Heat. The CDC lists muscle cramps, heavy sweating, dizziness, headache, weakness and nausea as signs of heat illness. Rest somewhere cool and drink water. Confusion or fainting is an emergency.
The beach. For stings see jellyfish stings in Puerto Rico; ear pain after swimming may be swimmer's ear.
Other: a UTI, sore throat, allergies, or medication left at home: see lost or forgotten prescription.
Which ER do tourists use?
Ashford Presbyterian Community Hospital ("El Presby"), at 1451 Ashford Avenue in Condado, describes itself as the official emergency provider for Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, San Juan's cruise terminals, the Convention Center and surrounding metro hotels. It has separate adult and pediatric emergency rooms. Phone: (787) 721-2160.
Near Isla Verde and the airport, Hospital UPR Dr. Federico Trilla (Carretera 3 km 8.3, Carolina) runs an emergency room open 24 hours with a pediatric area. Phone: (787) 757-1800.
911 works in Puerto Rico just as on the mainland, for ambulance, police and fire.
Pharmacies: a 24-hour store is not a 24-hour pharmacy
In the tourist areas, "24-hour Walgreens" usually means the store, not the pharmacy counter. The Walgreens on Ashford Avenue in Condado is open 24 hours, but its pharmacy is not. On Isla Verde Avenue, the store is open 6am to midnight, and the pharmacy Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm.
The nearest 24-hour pharmacy counter we could verify in the metro area is in Guaynabo (2505 Carr 841); it closes from 1:30 to 2am. Hours change, so check the Walgreens locator or call before you go.
Does my US insurance work?
We don't bill any insurance: you pay by card, and on request we give you an itemized receipt (superbill) to claim from your plan, HSA or FSA.
For ERs and other providers, it depends on your plan. Medicare treats Puerto Rico as part of the United States. Details in does Medicare work in Puerto Rico?.
Dengue and mosquitoes
The CDC lists dengue as a significant risk for travelers to Puerto Rico. Use a repellent with at least 20% DEET, wear long sleeves and stay in screened or air-conditioned rooms. If you get a fever during or after your trip, read the dengue warning signs.
Traveling with children
We see children from 6 months old. For patients under 21, a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian signs the consent, stays on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID. A grandparent or aunt traveling with the child cannot take their place. The doctor is not a pediatrician. See video visits for children.
No follow-up once you're back on the mainland
The doctor's license is a Puerto Rico license. Once you leave the island, we can no longer see you by video; for follow-up, see a doctor licensed where you live. Ask during the visit for a summary to take to your own doctor.
Arrived by cruise ship? There is a separate guide for cruise passengers in San Juan.
Video visit: US$79 · Pay by card · See the price and what is included
Before you book
- You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors and tourists are welcome).
- We see patients from 6 months old. Patients under 21: a parent or legal guardian must be on camera for the whole visit.
- Real-time video only; we do not do phone-call visits.
- We do not prescribe controlled substances.
Frequently asked questions
- Do online doctors in Puerto Rico see tourists?
- We do, as long as you are physically in Puerto Rico during the visit. It doesn't matter where you live. Once you leave the island, we can't see you.
- Which hospital do San Juan hotels use for emergencies?
- Ashford Presbyterian, at 1451 Ashford Avenue in Condado, describes itself as the official emergency provider for metro hotels, the airport and the cruise terminals. In an emergency, call 911.
- Is there a 24-hour pharmacy near my hotel?
- Several Walgreens stores are open 24 hours, but their pharmacies close earlier. The nearest 24-hour pharmacy counter we verified in the metro area is in Guaynabo, at 2505 Carr 841.
- Do you come to my hotel?
- No. We only do video visits. We have no physical office and don't make hotel or house calls.
Sources
- Emergency services, Ashford Presbyterian Community Hospital (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Hospital UPR Dr. Federico Trilla (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Walgreens: 24-hour pharmacies near San Juan (store locator) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Walgreens 5984 Ave Isla Verde (store locator) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Puerto Rico: traveler information (CDC) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Travelers' diarrhea, CDC Yellow Book (CDC) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Heat and health (CDC) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Medicare coverage outside the United States (Medicare.gov) (accessed 2026-09-30)