Puerto Rico

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 un-commercialized 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.

Basics

Time: Local time is GMT -4.
Electricity: Electrical current is 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat attachment plugs are in use.
Money: 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 bureau de change are freely available and credit cards and travelers cheques are generally accepted.

 

Note: This is not updated daily and should be used as a guide only.

Language: Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico.
Entry Requirements for Americans: 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 for UK nationals: Entry requirements are as for mainland USA: British citizens require a valid passport. British passport holders qualify for the Visa Waiver program 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.
Entry Requirements for Canadians: Canadian citizens require either a passport, birth certificate or certificate of citizenship to enter Puerto Rico.
Entry Requirements for Australians: Entry requirements are as for the United States: Australian citizens qualify for the US visa waiver program and may stay up to 90 days without a visa provided they have a machine-readable passport.
Entry Requirements for South Africans: South Africans must hold a valid passport; a visa is also required.
Entry Requirements for Irish nationals: Entry requirements are the same as for the United States: Irish passport holders qualify for the Visa Waiver program if they hold a machine-readable passport, and may stay up to 90 days without a visa.
Passport/Visa Note: 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.
Health: There are no health risks associated with travel to Puerto Rico, and no vaccination certificates are required. It is best to drink bottled water to avoid stomach upsets. Thoroughly wash or peel produce you buy in markets before eating it. Medical services are good but can be expensive; medical insurance is advised.
Tipping: 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.
Safety: Visits to Puerto Rico are usually trouble-free but travelers should take sensible precautions to avoid petty theft.
Business: Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory although the resemblance is closer to Latin America. English is understood by many on the island, but Spanish may also be the language in which business is conducted. Dress codes will vary according to different sectors, but suits are favored on very formal occasions. Shaking hands is common for both men and women. Business hours are generally 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at lunch.
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.
Duty Free: 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 liter 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.
 

Activities

Golf

A links-lover's paradise, Puerto Rico is home to more than 20 golf courses, of which almost all could be considered championship-level courses. Puerto Rico's luxury resorts offer some of the best golf courses on the island. The Westin Río Mar Beach Resort and Country Club near San Juan features two world-class Oceanside courses. Northwest of San Juan is the Hyatt Regency Cerromar Beach Resort & Casino and Hyatt Dorado Beach Resort & Casino featuring four Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed courses and arguably the best golfing to be found on the island. The Wyndham El Conquistador Resort and Country Club and the Palmas Del Mar Resort & Villas in Humacao also offer two of the most breathtaking courses in the Caribbean.

Scuba diving

Scuba diving and snorkelling, for beginners and experts alike, is the reason why Puerto Rico is often called the Caribbean's best kept underwater secret. Off the southwest coast, from the village of La Parguera to the city of Ponce, lie some of the island's most extraordinary dive sites, including the Black Wall, home of the Caribbean's rarely seen black coral. Another noteworthy spot is Isla Mona, off the west coast of Puerto Rico, known as the Galapagos of the Caribbean. It is home to sea turtles, dolphins and various species of rare marine life. Scuba Diving Magazine readers voted Puerto Rico one of the top five destinations for shore diving in 2006, and the island was in the top 20 for overall diving. For visitors looking to get close to the water, but not necessarily submerged in it, Puerto Rico offers various other water sports such as world-class surfing, windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and deep-sea fishing.

 

San Juan

The capital city of Puerto Rico, San Juan, is one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean and a third of all Puerto Ricans live here. Nearly every visitor to the island arrives at San Juan, many on cruise liners. The port is the largest home-based cruise port in the world, hosting 28 vessels with more being added to the list each year. San Juan is divided into three distinct districts: Old San Juan, the historic walled city; the beach and resort area; and the outlying suburbs. Tourists are concerned mainly with Old San Juan, site of most restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, and the beaches. The old city is linked to the new by a series of modern highways, leading to the Condado beach front, which is reminiscent of Florida's Miami Beach with its high-rise hotels and apartment blocks. It is not only tourism that keeps the financial mills grinding in San Juan. The city is an important centre for petroleum and sugar refining, brewing and distilling, and manufacturing of cement, pharmaceuticals, metal products and tobacco products. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle there are numerous attractions to amuse, entertain and interest the many tourists, and the city is a perfect base for exploring the rest of what this small Caribbean island has to offer.

 

Old San Juan This area, encompassing about seven blocks, dates back about 500 years to the Spanish occupation when it served as a military stronghold that even repulsed Sir Francis Drake. The original cobbles on the streets are blue-tinged, and were originally ballast on the Spanish ships. The ancient stones set off the more than 400 restored 16th and 17th century Spanish colonial buildings that fill Old San Juan and draw thousands of tourists to walk the narrow, steep streets every day. The old town is enclosed in amazingly thick, high walls and features numerous attractive plazas bearing sculptures and memorials.

Spanish Forts The mighty six-level fortress of San Felipe del Morro, built in 1540, towers 140 feet (43m) above the sea on San Juan Bay, its 18-foot thick (5m) walls having proved a worthy defense against invasion. The largest fortification in the Caribbean, it is a maze of tunnels, dungeons, barracks, lookouts and ramps, offering spectacular views from atop its ramparts. Also in Norzagaray Street, Old San Juan, is El Morro's partner in defending the city, Castillo San Cristobal, built in the 17th century to a confusing and intricate modular design. Telephone: 729 6960. Website: www.nps.gov/saju; Opening Time: Forts open daily 9am to 5pm (June to November), 9am to 6pm (December to May). Tours are available in English and Spanish. Admission: Free.

La Fortaleza The Fortaleza was built in 1540 as a fortress to guard the entrance to the San Juan harbor, but later became the official Governor's residence. During succeeding centuries the original structure has been remodeled and expanded, with a neoclassical façade being added in 1846 to leave the building with its palatial aspect. The current governor of Puerto Rico is in residence - the 170th Governor to live in the Fortaleza. Address: The Fortaleza is situated at the west end of Fortaleza Street in Old San Juan. Telephone: 721 7000 ext. 2358. Opening Time: Daily 9am to 6pm (until 5pm from June to November). Tours are available every 30 minutes from Monday to Friday between 9am and 3.30pm. Reservations are required. Admission: Free.

Fajardo

Fajardo, on the Atlantic Ocean east coast of Puerto Rico, is the island's scuba diving Mecca. Dozens of boating companies offer charters and diving excursions on a range of craft, most based at the town's Puerto del Rey Marina, the largest marina in the Caribbean. Besides having two beautiful beaches just minutes away from town, there are also several uninhabited small islets just offshore, surrounded by coral reefs, and the neighboring islands of Vieques and Culebra connected by ferry and air charters. Fajardo is thus in striking distance of a variety of water sports playgrounds. Fajardo's forest-fringed public beaches, Seven Seas Beach and Luquillo Beach, offer calm, clear waters ideal for snorkeling and swimming, and are equipped with cafes, ablution blocks and lifeguards. For landlubbers, or those wanting a break from the ocean blue, the area also sports El Yunque, the only tropical rain forest administered by the United States National Forest Service, noted for its biodiversity and stunning walking trails. Fajardo town itself does not offer much in the way of attractions, but it serves as an accommodation centre for this delightful part of Puerto Rico. It is also a social hub for holidaymakers thanks to the presence of the luxurious Wyndham El Conquistador resort, which has a lively casino and world-class golf course.

 

Airports

Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU)

Location: The airport is situated nine miles (14km) east of San Juan. Time: GMT -4. Contacts: Tel: +1 787 791 1010. Transfer to the city: Taxis are available. The AMA bus service and the airport shuttle connect the city and airport; journey time is between 30 and 45 minutes. Car rental: Car rental agencies Avis, Budget, Charlie, Dollar, Hertz, National and Thrifty are represented at the airport. Facilities: Facilities at the airport include a bank, a post office, restaurants, bars, shops (including duty-free), as well as first aid and medical facilities. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance. Departure tax: Possible passenger service charge of US$3.

 

Climate

Puerto Rico enjoys a warm, tropical climate with temperatures of around 82ºF (27ºC) throughout the year. The temperature in the south is usually a few degrees higher than the north and temperatures in the central interior mountains are always cooler than the rest of the island. The dry season is usually from November to May but short showers can be expected throughout the year. The hurricane season is between June and November, but generally there is plenty of warning.