PUERTO RICO
TRAVEL GUIDE
ABOUT PUERTO RICO
Located in the northeastern Caribbean, Puerto Rico is home to beautiful white sandy beaches, breathtaking landscapes, 80-degree weather, and some of the warmest people in the world. The island is a true gem that offers something unique to travelers who want to feel connected with nature and seek out and experience the culture and heritage pulsating on every corner.
As you take your first sip of cold coconut water, you mesh with the magic of an island full of infinite possibilities. The vibrant colors of the colonial buildings, the turquoise waters of the ocean, the green of the mountains, the amazing hiking trails, and the year-round tropical climate will always continue to entice you. Indulge in exotic cocktails, try locally brewed coffee, sway into the evening with the serenading calls of the “coquí,” let yourself feel the embrace of the Caribbean and confirm that finally, you’ve arrived at the perfect destination.
Submerge yourself in the essence of surfing the waves, snorkeling the reefs, cruising the rivers, dancing to “bomba and plena” and savoring some truly exquisite culinary creations. Discover the beauty of exploring El Yunque Rainforest, with cascading waterfalls and Taíno hieroglyphics. Glide through the glow-in-the-dark water while night kayaking in one of the three bio bays that harbor dinoflagellates.
To truly delve into the wonders of Puerto Rico, you have to do so as a local, off the beaten path, and that’s exactly what we at Across Caribe want you to experience.
We have a vibrant, fresh and modern team of experienced world travelers that are eager to guide you. Our core is made up of local and international professionals with a personal approach that works with a true passion for humans and nature alike. We offer full service seven days a week and have a vast array of active and stimulating adventures on land and sea waiting to be discovered.
Lets us show you the true colors of Puerto Rico, without maps and full of unforgettable moments!
IMPORTANT FACTS
- Spanish and English are the official languages. Most Puerto Ricans speak English
- The United States dollar is the official currency
- United States Citizens do not need a passport to enter the island
Getting Here
Porta del Sol has its largest airport in the town of Aguadilla, which direct flights to many cities in the United States. If you’d like to travel directly to the west coast, look for the BQN airport code.
Phone: 787-891-2226
Named after Puerto Rico’s first democratically elected governor, San Juan’s main airport is one of the main hubs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Home to more than a dozen airlines, many flights are available to the United States, South America, and the Caribbean.
787-253-2329
Website
Moving Around Puerto Rico
Every corner of Puerto Rico and its surrounding islands are accessible, no matter how hidden or far away they may seem to be. Where you are going is the key factor in determining which mode of transportation will better suit your needs. In typical tourist areas such as Old San Juan, Condado, Miramar and Isla Verde, walking, taxis, and the public transportation system are more than enough to get you around. But if your plans take you outside the Metro Area limits, renting a car or a chartering a bus might be your best option.
Renting a car is fairly easy and the most convenient way to explore Puerto Rico’s unlimited beauty. Most of the well-known car rental companies can be found at the Luis Muñoz Marín Airport and in and around the larger cities. Local companies offer competitive prices and great service. Contact our Information Centers for details about available car rental companies.
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport – (787) 791-1014
Rafael Hernández International Airport – (787) 890-3090
Porta Caribe Regional Office – (787) 290-2911
Culebra Regional Office – (787) 742-1033
Vieques Regional Office – (787) 741-0800
Taxis are a good and fairly inexpensive way of getting around Puerto Rico. You can either wave one down on the street or call one by phone and they’ll take you anywhere in Puerto Rico. Some taxis have fixed rates and some are metered, it all depends where you’re going.
View rates for the different zones.
Our Tren Urbano, or urban train, is an efficient way to move around certain parts of the Metro area or to just tour some of the urban areas. The Tren Urbano operates from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily and is 75¢ for a one-way ticket. It’s part of a public transportation system that works together with the public bus system and covers most of the Metro area.
The Metropolitan Bus Authority, or AMA, is Puerto Rico’s public bus transportation system. If you’re not in a hurry, the AMA is a cheap way to get around the Metro Area. Each ride goes for 75¢ and drivers don’t provide change. Bus routes are identified with a letter followed by a number and most service routes stop at 10 p.m.
There are two ferry stations in Puerto Rico, the Acuaexpreso in Old San Juan and the Fajardo Station. Acuaexpreso is located in Pier 2 and for 50¢ it takes you to Cataño, where a short taxicab ride will get you to the Bacardi Distillery Tour. The Fajardo Station is used for travel between the mainland and the islands of Culebra and Vieques. One-way tickets are $2 for Vieques and $2.25 for Culebra but capacity is limited and so are the departure times.
Cruise Travelers
When entering Puerto Rico as a passenger aboard a cruise ship, the rules for U.S. citizens vary slightly. If your cruise begins and ends in the same U.S. port and traveled to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas or Bermuda, re-entry into U.S. soil can be done with proof of citizenship other than a passport or passport card. Admissible proof of citizenship other than your passport includes your original birth certificate, or a certified copy and a government-issued photo identification card. On the other hand, if your cruise begins in one U.S. port and ends in another, you are required to have a valid passport. For non-U.S. citizens, a machine-readable passport is required for entry into the U.S. soil.
A word of advice to U.S. cruise travelers: whether you need your passport or not, it is recommended you bring it. An emergency, a missed departure from a port of call or any other unexpected trip-ending event would require the use of a passport. Just remember to keep it in a safe place while you enjoy your time in Puerto Rico.
Port of San Juan
The Port of San Juan is the busiest ocean terminal in the Caribbean, and the second largest cruise port in the Western Hemisphere. Close to 500 cruise ships on 14 cruise lines bring more than one million passengers to Puerto Rico each year through this modern port.
Port of the Americas (Ponce)
From its historic fire station to the renowned Museo de Arte de Ponce, the city of Ponce offers a unique taste of Puerto Rican culture that will be sure to enthrall cruise passengers spending some time on land.
Port of Mayagüez
Mayagüez Port has it all, with the largest selection of tours for any cruise vacation, with beautiful beaches for surfing, snorkeling, diving, or just relaxing and overlooking the calm blue waters surrounding the area.
Helpful Contact Information
- State Police Headquarters – 787-343-2020
- State Fire Department – 787-726-2377
- Puerto Rico State Department – 787-722-2121 | estado.pr.gov
- Coast Guard – 787-729-6800 | www.uscg.mil
- Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency (A.E.M.E.A.D) – 787–724-0124
Contact – 787-721-2400 | www.seepuertorico.com
- Luis Muñoz Marín Airport – 787-791-1014
- Old San Juan – 787-722-1709
- Porta del Sol – West (Aguadilla) – 787-890-3090
- Porta Caribe – South (Ponce) – 787-721-2400 ext. 5000/5002/5003/5006/5007
- Vieques – 787-741-2300 / 787-741-0800
- Culebra – 787-742-1033
- Puerto Rico Tourism Emergency Coordinator – 787-721-2400 ext. 3405 Madeline Santiago
- National Weather Service – 787-253-4586 | www.srh.noaa.gov