Legal Drinking Age In Puerto Rico (Updated)

Puerto Rico is a US territory that’s got a unique set of regulations when it comes to various aspects of the law.

One of those regulations surrounds the legal drinking age.

The legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is set at 18, which is lower than what is seen in the USA. This is due to a relaxed drinking culture in Puerto Rico compared to the USA.

For those who are going to be spending time in Puerto Rico as a young adult, it’s essential to be aware of the regulations. This is not only for underage drinking but also other elements that are age-restricted such as gambling in a casino.

Here is a detailed look at the legal drinking age in Puerto Rico and what the punishment is for those who break the law.

What’s The Legal Drinking Age In Puerto Rico?

The legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18 years or older. Anyone above the age of 18 is allowed to serve and/or consume alcohol in Puerto Rico.

It’s common for an ID check to be done on individuals that are around this age to verify their age. It’s best to carry an official ID such as a driver’s license to make sure you are served alcohol if you are above the age of 18 in Puerto Rico.

Most establishments are going to have a strict protocol in place for serving alcoholic beverages. This is to ensure no regulations are being broken as there can be consequences for those who serve alcohol to minors in Puerto Rico.

Drinking Laws In Puerto Rico

The drinking laws in Puerto Rico are focused on the individual’s age.

The individual has to be 18 years old or more when purchasing an alcoholic beverage. This not only applies to those who are going to be drinking but also to those who are serving alcohol to others at the establishment.

Both parties need to be over the age of 18 or it is deemed to be a misdemeanor.

It’s also important to note that some establishments have a higher age limit based on their preferences to steer clear of the age limit.

This means they only serve those who are above the age of 21.

This is up to the establishment and what they deem to be right.

Underage Drinking In Puerto Rico

Underage drinking in Puerto Rico refers to anyone that is under the age of 18 and purchasing alcohol.

It is not common for this to occur as there are strict policies at most establishments for underage drinkers.

It’s also important to note there are strict drunk driving regulations for people of all ages. This can include to severe punishment depending on the situation, which is why it’s important to be aware of how much you are consuming whether you are underage or not in Puerto Rico.

This is different from drinking laws in California or other US states.

Punishment For Underage Drinking In Puerto Rico

To better understand the Puerto Rican drinking laws, it’s essential to get a read on what the punishment is if you do drink under the age of 18 years old.

You are going to receive a punishment based on your history.

Those who are first-time offenders are likely to get a fine with the potential for community service. While those who are repeat offenders will receive additional community service time.

If an additional crime is committed such as a DUI then there are stricter punishments doled out. This can include time in prison.

It’s important to be aware of this as underage drinking is taken seriously in Puerto Rico.

Final Thoughts

These are the most common Puerto Rican drinking laws to keep in mind.

The legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is set at 18 years old or above. This means anyone that is serving or buying alcohol in Puerto Rico has to be above this age or it is deemed to be illegal. The punishment for not following these rules is a fine and/or community service.

It is common for establishments in Puerto Rico to ask for a valid ID to check a person’s birth date before moving forward with the transaction.

It’s best to keep your ID handy for this reason.

We also recommend reading more about living in Puerto Rico, how to move to a different country, and how living abroad can transform you.