Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Feb. 15, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Entity Central Index Key	0001057706
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	fbp
Entity Registrant Name	FIRST BANCORP /PR/
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		217,238,369
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Entity well known seasoned issuer	Yes
Entity public float			$ 1,614,392,244
Entity voluntary filers	No
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false