Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Getting to Puerto Rico is easy, especially if you're flying in from the US. A spread of carriers
make frequent connections between San Juan and New York City and major airline hubs
of the US, including Philadelphia, Boston and Miami. Flights, tours and rail tickets can be
booked online at
www.lonelyplanet.com/bookings
.
Entering Puerto Rico
Even if you are continuing immediately to another city, the first airport that you land in is
where you must carry out immigration and customs formalities. The customs process can be
quick and painless or it can involve a more prolonged exchange between you and officials.
A certain number of passengers are set aside to be searched randomly on just about every
flight. You may be tapped, and it may be for no reason other than that your number came up.
Customs officials are mostly focused on excluding those who are likely to work illegally
or overstay their welcome in Puerto Rico, so visitors will be asked about their plans and per-
haps about whether they have sufficient funds for their stay.
It's a good idea to be able to list an itinerary that will account for the period for which you
ask to be admitted, and to be able to show you have $300 to $400 for every week of your
intended stay. These days, a couple of major credit cards will go a long way toward estab-
lishing 'sufficient funds.'
Remember that the list of items that can't be brought on to airplanes now includes
many implements used by divers, campers and hikers. Check the
US State Department
(
www.state.gov
)
for an updated list, and make sure you check those bags.
Passports
Americans visiting Puerto Rico do not need a passport. Non US-citizens traveling to the
Commonwealth are required to have a valid passport and an appropriate US visa, if required.
