Since the year 1900, Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory; American citizens do not have to get a work visa.  There is a huge population on the main Island, around 4,000,000.  Only two other smaller Islands are inhabited year round, Culebra and Vieques, and these don't really offer any job opportunities.  In terms of land area, Puerto Rico is about 80% the size of Jamaica.  The largest city, San Juan, is the capital and offers the most jobs.  The primary language is Spanish, so a working knowledge is essential to working here.  

Jobs center around, scuba, resort staff, and teachers (both elementary level and ESL, English as a Second Language).  Another option would be to work as a U.S. federal employee.  Most of these jobs are in Homeland Security but there are a few that pop up every once in awhile with the Conservation and National park services.  If you're looking for a volunteer position, the National Park system is almost always in need of some temporary help working in the stores or ticketing offices or just doing general clean up duties...El Yunque National Forest is a beautiful tropical rainforest and is home to the critically endangered Puerto Rican parrot, the Iguaca (in spanish).

We found three really nice apartments, two bedroom, in San Juan for $700, $900 (with a view of the port), and $950.  There were other rooms for rent priced below and way above those two apartments...but the ones that were lower didn't look like they were in good neighborhoods, so I'd expect to spend around $900 for an apartment in San Juan.  You can contact the local real estate offices for their listings.

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