Travel to Puerto Rico
Because Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, U.S. currency is the national currency. The majority of the island, businesses included, is proficient in English, although Spanish is the national language.Security lines at the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport are sometimes longer than what you may expect due to the large amount of tourists and cruises arriving and departing daily, weekends are especially busy. It is advised that you arrive at the airport no less than three hours before your scheduled departure time to better ensure a hasslefree departure.
There are no passports or visas necessary for United States citizens, which mean that US citizens can travel freely in and out of the island without going through immigration or customs. For additional information, contact your local U.S. embassy or call the Puerto Rico State Department at (787) 722-2121. A valid form of identification (U.S. driver’s license, passport, or birth certificate) is needed to pass through security and obtain a boarding pass at airports and should be carried to evidence U.S. citizenship or nationality.
Citizens of other countries have the same requirements as for entering the USA. Potential visitors must first obtain a visa, either a non-immigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The 90-day "visitor" visa is a non-immigrant visa to enter the United States temporarily. Those planning to travel to Puerto Rico for a different purpose, such as study or temporary work, must apply for specialized visas (either an M-1 or F-1 class).
At the airports in Puerto Rico, your luggage will be inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make sure you are not carrying prohibited fruits and plants to the mainland. Avocado, papaya, coconut and plantain can be taken to the U.S.; mango, sour sop, passion fruit and plants potted in soil cannot. Travelers carrying undeclared prohibited items will be fined on the spot. Articles from Vietnam, North Korea, Kampuchea or Cuba, illegal publications, lottery tickets, chocolate liqueurs or pre- Columbian artifacts may not be brought into the country.
Passing through customs should be routine and quick. If you are taking prescription drugs, make sure you have a copy of the prescription with you; otherwise you could be held up.
If you want a copy of what is and is not permitted back on the mainland, write the U.S. Agriculture Department, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Room G-110, Federal Building, Hyattsville, MD 20782 or call (787) 253-4505, (787) 263-4506.
