Definitely be careful to use bug spray and/or cover yourselves if you plan to do the bioluminescent tours. Being by the water at night brings out lots of mosquitoes.

Anonymous wrote:Mosquitos are everywhere in DC, MD, VA. And Dengue has been detected in several states. Why are you singling out Puerto Rico as being a concern? Just book your trip and enjoy.

The CDC indicates dengue is “common” in PR but not any of the continental states.
https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/outbreaks/2024/index.html#:~:text=Dengue%20is%20common%20in%20six,and%20the%20Republic%20of%20Palau.

Anyway, I agree with PPs to use bug spray and permithicen your clothes (especially any for hiking in interior or touring San Juan— not necessary for beach clothes). It’s not a bad idea to have lightweight clothes that covers arms/legs in addition—eg light linen or similar. That’s what I tend to wear whenever I’m in a place where I’m worried about mosquitos or ticks. Unfortunately with climate change the insect borne illnesses get more prevalent.
The permithicen on clothes and shoes is really effective — my son camps in places that are totally mosquito infested and I’m sure he never remembers to use bug spray but never gets bitten because I treat all his stuff (don’t forget things like socks and hats). It lasts through several washes.

Mosquitos are everywhere in DC, MD, VA. And Dengue has been detected in several states. Why are you singling out Puerto Rico as being a concern? Just book your trip and enjoy.

You could spray your clothes with permethrin if you’re concerned. I’d spray outside with a face mask on though to avoid breathing it in.
Sleep with bug spray on if there are any mosquitoes in your hotel. I usually get bit in bed because I’ve showered off my bug spray. I hate sleeping in it but if there’s an outbreak, worth considering.

Anonymous wrote:Don’t be fooled there are lots of mosquitoes there. Carry bug repellent. They have their mosquito season and it gets very bad

Mosquito season is the late spring/summer.

Op, we went two years ago. Days of hiking in the rain forest and I don’t think any of us got a single bite. And I know we didn’t use bug spray.

We are heading back this month. Bug spray isn’t on my packing list.

Don’t be fooled there are lots of mosquitoes there. Carry bug repellent. They have their mosquito season and it gets very bad

Thank you for those with sane responses! I'll book as planned.

We went this past summer. Didn’t see one mosquito at our resort. Used mosquito repellant when we left the resort.

I’d go. Honestly there are more mosquitoes in DC than PR.

I know Puerto Rico declared a public health emergency for dengue this past spring, and still seems to be an issue. Dengue seems to be one of those things where it's often not that big of a big deal, until it's a big deal. Which is probably true of many mosquito borne diseases in lots of places.

Considering Puerto Rico for spring break 2025 (mid April), and just not sure how concerned I should be. Kid is 11 if that matters.