Pet-friendly vacation rentals

Are pets welcome at these Puerto Rico rentals?

Yes. Most of the pet-friendly homes on RentInPR sit inside Old San Juan; the rest are in Santurce and Miramar. Tell us about your dog when you book: where a listing says pets are allowed on request, or its house rules say a pet must be arranged in advance, the stay is pet-approved only once we have confirmed it.

The house rules here deal with old buildings and close neighbors, and none of them mention breeds. Some ask for shoes off indoors, to look after original clay-tile floors and rugs, which is worth remembering with a dog that tracks in sand. Where quiet hours are set they begin at 9, 10 or 11 at night, several homes rule out parties entirely, and some add a pet fee.

Paperwork for a dog flying in from the mainland

Puerto Rico's Department of Agriculture sets the entry rules for dogs and cats; the USDA does not set or endorse health certificates for moves between states and territories. For a dog arriving from the mainland, the department lists four things: a health certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian in the state of origin, valid for 30 days from the exam; a rabies vaccination certificate for dogs and cats over four months old, with the shot given within the six months before travel; a treatment for external parasites within 72 hours of arrival, recorded on the health certificate; and a microchip or a collar with a metal ID tag.

Walking a dog around the old city

The grounds around San Cristóbal and El Morro are part of San Juan National Historic Site, run by the National Park Service, which allows pets there on a leash no longer than six feet, outside the fortifications only (inside the forts, only service animals are allowed). The park keeps pet stations with bags, prohibits leaving a pet tied up or unattended, and asks that dogs stay leashed throughout Old San Juan.

For a bigger dog, outdoor space narrows the choice quickly: the options run from a fenced yard and a private garden with a hammock to small patios and a roof terrace, and some homes list stair gates. The old city's lanes are narrow and the paving uneven, so plan longer walks for the cooler early morning and evening.