ER vs urgent care in San Juan: where to go when you're sick in Puerto Rico
ER vs urgent care in San Juan comes down to how serious it is. A hospital emergency room is for anything life-threatening, such as chest pain or trouble breathing. A CDT (local diagnostic and treatment center) or urgent-care center handles problems that can't wait but aren't dangerous, like a small cut. A video visit works for common problems that can be assessed on camera.
Can we help by telehealth? Sometimes: it depends on the evaluation.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Trouble breathing or blue lips
- A drooping face, weakness on one side or trouble speaking
- Bleeding that won't stop, a serious injury or a head injury
- Seizures, fainting or marked confusion
- Thoughts of harming yourself: call 988 or Línea PAS
Help lines:
- 911 — Emergencies
- 1-800-981-0023 — Línea PAS (mental-health crisis line)
- 988 — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- 1-800-222-1222 — Poison Help
The ER: for anything life-threatening
Go to a hospital emergency room, or call 911, for signs of something serious: chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke signs, bleeding that won't stop, a serious injury, seizures, confusion, or an allergic reaction with swelling of the face or throat. The full list is on emergencies.
Emergency rooms at hospitals that take part in Medicare must screen anyone who arrives with a possible emergency and stabilize them, regardless of ability to pay (the federal EMTALA law).
What is a CDT, and when should you go?
A CDT (Centro de Diagnóstico y Tratamiento) is an outpatient health center; many are run by the municipality. Some have an urgent-care room and others only take appointments, and hours and services vary from town to town.
A CDT or urgent-care center can make sense for a cut that needs stitches, a sprain, a fever with feeling very unwell, or a problem that needs a quick test the same day. Call first to confirm they handle your problem at the time you can go. If you get worse on the way, go to an ER.
ER vs urgent care in San Juan: the emergency rooms
These emergency rooms in the San Juan metro area are verified against official sources. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest one.
- Ashford Presbyterian Community Hospital ("El Presby"), 1451 Ashford Avenue, Condado. Separate adult and pediatric ERs. It describes itself as the official emergency provider for the airport, cruise terminals, Convention Center and metro hotels. (787) 721-2160.
- Hospital UPR Dr. Federico Trilla, Carretera 3 km 8.3, Carolina. Open 24 hours, with a pediatric area. (787) 757-1800.
- Hospital Pavía Santurce, Calle Prof. Augusto Rodríguez #1462, Santurce. Adults only: no pediatric ER. (787) 641-1616.
- Hospital Auxilio Mutuo, Hato Rey. Adult and pediatric emergency rooms. (787) 758-2000.
- Centro Médico de Puerto Rico / ASEM, Monacillos, Río Piedras. The island's highest-level trauma center, for life-threatening trauma, not minor illness. (787) 777-3535.
When is telehealth enough?
A US$79 online doctor visit can be enough for common problems that don't need a hands-on exam or a same-day test: UTI symptoms in adults, a sinus infection, flu without warning signs, allergies, mild rashes, follow-up of a stable condition or a refill of a non-controlled medicine.
The doctor will tell you if you need to be seen in person. For children, we don't confirm ear infections or do strep or urine tests by video.
Quick guide by symptom
General guidance only. When in doubt, treat it as more serious, not less.
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, stroke signs: 911 or the ER.
- Fever with belly pain, repeated vomiting or bleeding gums (possible dengue with warning signs): ER. See dengue.
- A cut that needs stitches, a sprain or a possible broken bone without deformity: CDT or urgent care.
- Burning when you urinate, no fever or back pain, in an adult woman: telehealth.
- Cough, cold or flu without trouble breathing: telehealth or your own doctor.
- Ran out of a non-controlled maintenance medicine: telehealth.
- Ear pain with fever in a child: in person (someone needs to look at the eardrum).
Visiting Puerto Rico?
If you are a tourist, see sick on vacation in Puerto Rico for hotel-area ERs, pharmacies and a separate note for cruise passengers.
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
- What is the difference between a CDT and an ER in Puerto Rico?
- A hospital ER handles life-threatening emergencies and must screen you whether or not you can pay. A CDT is an outpatient center; some have an urgent-care room for less serious problems, with hours and services that vary.
- Which San Juan ERs see children?
- Among those we verified: Ashford Presbyterian (Condado), Hospital UPR Federico Trilla (Carolina) and Auxilio Mutuo (Hato Rey) have pediatric services. Pavía Santurce is adults only.
- Can I use telehealth instead of urgent care?
- For common problems without warning signs, sometimes. If the doctor thinks you need an in-person exam or a test, she will tell you. Never use telehealth for an emergency.
Sources
- Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA) (CMS) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Emergency services, Ashford Presbyterian Community Hospital (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Hospital UPR Dr. Federico Trilla (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Emergency room, Hospital Pavía Santurce (Spanish) (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Directory, Hospital Auxilio Mutuo (accessed 2026-09-30)
- Location and medical services, ASEM (Centro Médico, Spanish) (accessed 2026-09-30)