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Puerto Rico travel guide - Puerto Rico
holidays, flights & hotels.
Top destination guides for Puerto Rico holidays;
San Juan
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Puerto Rico Holidays, Puerto Rico Holiday Packages Overview
Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island
with a difference. It has the pristine beaches, tropical climate,
crystal-blue sea and coconut palms characteristic of its
counterparts, but along with its unmistakable Spanish colonial
heritage, the island is today part of the United States
Commonwealth, meaning it has a first world infrastructure mixed in
with its traditional Latin American culture. Hamburgers are as
endemic as island dishes like 'sancocho', and freeways connect
shantytowns to strips of high-rise beachfront hotels. The second
thing that makes Puerto Rico different to other Caribbean holiday
Meccas is that it remains largely undeveloped, except for the
coastal region around its capital city, San Juan. The island is
edged with some magnificent beaches featuring coral reefs, most
uncommercialised and easily reached from the capital and its large
resort hotels because the island is small and compact.
Exploring Puerto Rico, both around its coast and the
interior, is a delight. Roads are excellent and there are numerous
interesting attractions and unrivalled experiences, from the
world's largest radio telescope to the magical experience of
swimming at night amongst tiny phosphorescent creatures on the
offshore island of Vieques. Historically Puerto
Rico, like many other Caribbean islands, was originally inhabited
by Taino Indians until the arrival of Christopher Columbus and the
instigation of Spanish rule and settlement. The island's capital
and larger towns have preserved their Spanish heritage as 'old
quarter' tourist attractions, full of charm and interest. Puerto
Rico is a hybrid of old and new which makes it an intriguing
destination, rather than just another tropical island
paradise.
Tourist Offices - The Puerto Rican Tourist Company, Old San
Juan: +1 787 721 2400 or www.gotopuertorico.com
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Entry Requirements
All passport holders must have an onward or
return ticket and documents necessary for further travel. Entry
requirements for Puerto Rico are the same as for the United States
of America. When arriving from mainland USA there is no immigration
control.
- For Australians -
Entry requirements are as for the United States:
Australian citizens qualify for the US visa waiver programme and
may stay up to 90 days without a visa provided they have a
machine-readable passport.
- Entry requirements are the same as for the United
States: New Zealand nationals qualify for the US Visa Waiver
programme provided they have a machine-readable passport and fulfil
the other requirements. A visa is then not required for stays of up
to 90 days.
- There is no immigration control for United States
citizens arriving from the United States. However, US citizens
arriving in Puerto Rico from central or South American countries,
or from Caribbean islands, require proof of United States
citizenship or a birth certificate; those arriving from elsewhere
should have a United States passport.
- There is no immigration control for United States
citizens arriving from the United States. However, US citizens
arriving in Puerto Rico from central or South American countries,
or from Caribbean islands, require proof of United States
citizenship or a birth certificate; those arriving from elsewhere
should have a United States passport.
- Entry requirements are as for mainland USA: British
citizens require a valid passport. British passport holders qualify
for the Visa Waiver programme unless their passports are endorsed
with British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen,
British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British
National (Overseas) Citizen. A return ticket or proof of onward
travel is required.
Puerto Rico Holidays - Currency of Puerto Rico
The Unites States Dollar (USD) is the unit of
currency, which is divided into 100 cents. It is often referred to
as the 'peso' in Puerto Rico. ATMs and bureaux de change are freely
available and credit cards and travellers cheques are generally
accepted.
Puerto Rico
Telephone Access Codes and Communications
The international access code for Puerto
Rico is +1 787. The outgoing code is 011 followed by the relevant
country code (e.g. 01144 for the United Kingdom). The outgoing code
is not needed for calling the US, Canada and most of the Caribbean.
Mobile phones work throughout the island and local operators use
CDMA networks that are not compatible with GSM phones, as used
outside North America. Internet cafes are available in most towns
and resorts.
Puerto Rico
Duty Free Allowances & Restrictions
Puerto Rico's customs regulations are the same
as those for the United States. Visitors over 21 may bring in the
following items without paying duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or
2kg of tobacco; 1 litre of alcohol; and gifts valued up to US$100.
There is a long list of restricted and prohibited items which may
not be imported or imported only under license, ranging from
fireworks and matches to pre-Columbian sculpture and Cuban cigars.
If in doubt consult your nearest US Embassy for advice. Any
merchandise from embargoed countries (Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran,
Iraq, Libya, Serbia and Montenegro and the Sudan) may not be
brought onto US soil.
Puerto Rico
Holidays & Packages- Tipping Information
Some restaurants and hotels automatically add a
10 to 17% service charge to the bill, if not 15 to 20% is expected.
Taxi drivers and bar staff also expect tips.
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