I decided to rent my extra room in a moment in my life where I was without a job. So hosting was really my salvation for not losing my apartment.

The first thing is cleaning. Clean towels, clean sheets, and then the next thing is to make sure they have little beautiful things so they can feel at home. I believe our mental health is very associated with our environment.

My advice would be that the priority is the guests—not the money. Money is a priority, but the priority is really the guests. And the second thing I would say to a first-time host is that it’s very important to maintain contact with the guest to be aware when they’re coming and make sure they know how to get to your place—that they have a good check-in.

I think I’ve hosted more than 700 people. It has been awesome. I have learned that people are good, you know. I can trust people, I can learn from a lot of cultures, and at the same time I can help my country, which I love.

I like to see when my guests are happy. I love that. Usually my guests come and will be like, lost, but immediately after they check in, you can see from their faces that they love it. They like to be here.

Puerto Rico is alive and well. We are here with our arms open to receive the world.