How to Play Puerto Rico

Introduction

Puerto Rico is a strategy board game for 3-5 players aged 12 and up. The goal of the game is to accumulate the most victory points (VPs) by developing your island of Puerto Rico. To do this, you’ll need to build plantations, mines, and other buildings, as well as recruit colonists and ships.

How to Play Puerto Rico Step by Step

Setup

1. Gameplay Overview:

• Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding player board, player mat, and resource cubes.
• Place the central game board in the center of the table.
• Shuffle the role cards and place them next to the game board.
• Place the building tiles and the colonist and ship meeples near the game board.
• Place the victory point (VP) tokens nearby.

2. Game Rounds:

• The game lasts for a set number of rounds, which vary based on the number of players.
• Each round consists of six phases:

1. Income Phase: Players receive resources based on their buildings and plantations.
2. Role Selection Phase: Players choose role cards that grant them special abilities.
3. Action Phase: Players take turns performing actions, such as building new buildings, recruiting colonists and ships, and shipping goods.
4. Production Phase: Players produce goods based on their buildings and plantations.
5. Trading Phase: Players can trade goods with each other.
6. Scoring Phase: Players score VPs based on their buildings and resources.

3. Ending the Game:

• The game ends after a fixed number of rounds.
• Players tally their VPs from their buildings, plantations, and other sources.
• The player with the most VPs wins the game.

Tips for Winning

1. Choose Your Roles Wisely:

• The role cards can give you powerful abilities that can help you win the game.
• Try to choose roles that complement your strategy and help you achieve your goals.

2. Focus on Building a Strong Economy:

• A strong economy is essential for success in Puerto Rico.
• Build buildings that produce valuable goods, and use your resources wisely.

3. Don’t Neglect Shipping:

• Shipping goods is a great way to score VPs and make money.
• Try to build a strong navy and ship as many goods as possible.

4. Be Flexible:

• The best strategy in Puerto Rico will vary depending on the game situation.
• Be prepared to adapt your strategy as the game progresses.