Cultural consumption and participation represent a universal human right and, at the same time, a critical stage in the value chain that contributes to the sustainability of creative production. In general terms, it represents the moment when the connection between the cultural product and the audiences is achieved, which materializes in some form of economic, social, educational or cultural impact. Public policies have a great responsibility to promote access and participation in cultural life, something that requires understanding audiences and their social and cultural dynamics. In Puerto Rico, the topic of cultural consumption was practically absent from research and public discussion until 2013 when the Commission for Cultural Development (CODECU) was created, whose objective was to design recommendations for cultural policy. As part of this effort, it was understood that it was important to contribute to the future by organizing a cultural information system that would support decision-making. As a starting point, the Study of the Cultural Ecosystem in Puerto Rico was published, which integrated an analysis of the economic impact of cultural activity, a study of cultural agents (entities and individuals) and a survey of cultural consumption. This research exercise served to validate that cultural policies should be designed for the entire value chain, from talent training to cultural consumption. The first survey of consumption and cultural participation included in this report made it possible to understand the relative consumption of certain cultural, individual and collective activities. It served to establish a basis from which to continue studies and understand trends, as well as challenges and opportunities to ensure cultural participation. They also highlight a poorly thought out challenge for Puerto Rico: diversity in cultural consumption according to geographical regions. Despite being a country with a small geographical area, there was preliminary evidence of a high concentration of cultural consumption in the metropolitan area, something quite common in cities and linked to the concentration of cultural infrastructure, the purchasing power of the population and the cost challenges associated with the geographical displacement of cultural activities. Despite these first findings, and the subsequent carrying out of two additional surveys that were carried out in 2020 and 2021, and which made it possible to collect consumption levels before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, no subsequent research was conducted with these databases to test some hypotheses and identify trends that impact public policy decision-making. For this reason, the present study on barriers to cultural consumption seeks to provide the cultural ecosystem in Puerto Rico with some conclusions about elements that public policy and cultural management must address in order to advance cultural consumption and participation as a universal human right.