TRAVEL INFORMATION
Table of Contents:
 TRAVELING TO PUERTO RICO
Since San Juan is the hub for the entire Caribbean, there are plenty of flights in and out of Puerto Rico. Major airlines like American Airlines, Air Canada (from Montreal and Toronto), Delta Airlines, Continental, United are just a few of the carriers with non-stop flights to San Juan.
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VISAS
Because Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth, U.S. citizens coming from mainland destinations do not need any documents to enter Puerto Rico. They do not need to carry proof of citizenship or to produce documents. However, because of new airport security measures, it is necessary to produce a government-issued photo ID (federal, state, or local) to board a plane; this is most often a driver's license.
For Canadians, proof of citizenship is required to land in Puerto Rico. This could be in the form of a province-issued birth certificate or a Canadian identification card. A valid passport is preferred but not required. In addition, some form of photo ID, usually a driver's license, is also required.
Visitors from other countries need a valid passport to land in Puerto Rico. For those from countries requiring a visa to enter the U.S., the same visa is necessary to enter Puerto Rico, unless these nationals are coming directly from the U.S. mainland and have already cleared U.S. Immigration and Customs there.
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GETTING TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT
You will be arriving at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, located about 20 minutes to the Condado Hotel (depending on traffic) at the Western end of the Condado Area and 30 minutes to Old San Juan. To get to the hotel, you can go:
By Taxi -- From the airport to any hotel in the Condado district, the flat rate charge is usually $126. Normal tipping supplements of between 10% and 15% of that fare are appreciated.
By Minivan/Limousine -- A wide variety of vehicles at the San Juan airport call themselves limosinas (their Spanish name). One outfit whose sign-up desk is in the arrivals hall of the international airport, near American Airlines, is the Airport Limousine Service (tel. 787/791-4745). It offers minivan service from the airport to various San Juan neighborhoods for prices that are lower than what a taxi would charge. When 5 to 10 passengers share a ride, the fare for transport, with luggage, is $9 per person to the Condado area.
By Car -- All the major car-rental companies have kiosks at the airport. Although it's possible to rent a car upon arrival, it is advisable to reserve one before you leave home.
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GETTING AROUND
By Taxi -- Public taxis are metered within San Juan. Normal tipping supplements of between 10% and 15% are appreciated. Passengers traveling between most other destinations within greater San Juan are charged by meter readings. The initial charge is $1, plus 10¢ for each 1/16 mile (.1km) and 50¢ for every suitcase, with a minimum fare of $3. These rates apply to conventional taxis turisticos, which are usually white-painted vehicles with official logos on their doors. Owned by a medley of individual outfitters within San Juan, they maintain standards that are higher than those of the cheaper but more erratic and inconvenient públicos.
If you want to arrange a taxi on your own, call the Rochdale Cab Company (tel. 787/721-1900) or the Mejor Cab Company (tel. 787/723-2460).
By Bus -- The Metropolitan Bus Authority (tel. 787/767-7979 for route information) operates buses in the greater San Juan area. Bus stops are marked by upright metal signs or yellow posts that say PARADA. A typical fare is 25¢ to 50¢.
Most of the large hotels of the Condado and Isla Verde maintain air-conditioned buses that make free shuttle runs into Old San Juan. Clients are usually deposited at the Plaza de Colón. Public buses also make the run along the Condado, stopping at clearly designated bus stops placed near the major hotels. Public buses usually deposit their clients at the Plaza Colón and the main bus terminal across the street from the Cataño ferryboat pier. This section of Old San Juan is the starting point for many of the city's metropolitan bus routes.
Here are some useful public bus routes: bus no. B21 goes from the Plaza de Colón along the Condado, eventually reaching the commercial section of San Juan, Hato Rey; bus no. A7 passes from Old San Juan to the Condado and goes on to Avenida Isla Verde; and no. A5 heads for Avenida de Diego in the Condado district, then makes a long run to Isla Verde and the airport.
On Foot -- This is the only way to explore Old San Juan and the Condado area. All the major attractions can easily be covered in a day. The Condado Hotel is located near the western end of the Condado area. While the Condado area is pedestrian friendly, construction, traffic and insufficient lighting may make the walk towards Old San Juan (over the bridge) difficult and dangerous.
By Trolley -- When you tire of walking around Old San Juan, you can board one of the free trolleys that run through the historic area. Departure points are the Marina and La Puntilla, but you can board along the route by flagging the trolley down (wave at it and signal for it to stop) or by waiting at any of the clearly designated stopping points. Relax and enjoy the sights as the trolleys rumble through the old and narrow streets.
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