Travel to Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico: Getting There and Transport

How do you get to Puerto Rico?

The vast majority of visitors to the country from Europe will no doubt arrive by plane. Direct flights to San Juan go from Frankfurt (with Condor) and from London. There are also regular flight connections between Puerto Rico and various other Caribbean islands.

Crusaders

The largest passenger port in the country is also located in San Juan, and various cruise ships call at it regularly.

Travel in the country

Air connections

The island nation has a total of 30 airports and runways. Domestic flights with American Eagle and Vieques Air Link connect the main island with, among others, Aguadilla Airport and Ribas Dominicci on Isla Grande.

Railroad

There is no railroad traffic in Puerto Rico.

Bus

The main island’s local buses (guaguas) stop in San Juan, Bayamón, Catano, Country Club and Rio Piedras.

Ferry connections Ferry

traffic exists between Fajardo and the islands of Culebra and Vieques.

Rental

cars A national driver’s license is required for rental cars.

Taxis

There are taxi ranks at the airport, at the hotels and at the main attractions. In addition, shared taxis (Publicos) operate between the island cities.

Roads

The country has about 25,000 km of paved roads. A highway (highway) runs in a ring around the main island.

San Juan: Bus © goruma (B.Reuter)

Traffic rules

To avoid trouble with the police or even the courts, drivers should strictly adhere to the traffic regulations in force in the country. Regardless of the information given here, it is advisable to obtain more detailed information from the ADAC, the AvD or the Puerto Rico traffic clubs.

Maximum speed in

urban areas: In built-up areas, there is a speed limit of 25 mph (around 40 km/h).

Country roads: The speed limit on country roads is 45 mph (72 km/h).

Motorways: The speed limit on motorways is 55 mph (89 km/h).

In addition, it is of course necessary to pay attention to the current local speed limits, which are indicated by traffic signs.

Special regulations

The same traffic regulations apply as in the USA.

Blood alcohol limits

The official blood alcohol limit in Puerto Rico for drivers of motor vehicles is 0.0 alcohol.

International license plate

According to Abbreviationfinder, the international license plate of Peru is:

PRI

Puerto Rico: Embassies, Consulates and Tourist Office

Visit Countryaah for a full list of Puerto Rico embassies and consulates in each country around the world.

Representations of Puerto Rico in Germany

As the outer territory of the USA, Puerto Rico does not have its own foreign missions, but is represented by the USA. The US embassy on Pariser Platz – right next to the Brandenburg Gate – was opened on July 4th, 2008 – the US national day – in the presence of George Bush Sr. and Chancellor Merkel, where she was before the Second World War. Because of the special security requirements of the building, there had been considerable differences between the USA and the Berlin administration before construction began, but these could be resolved in an architecturally acceptable manner.

Embassy of the United States of America in Berlin

Pariser Platz 2

10117 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 830 50

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 830 510 50

Clayallee 170

14191 Berlin

Embassy of the United States of America © goruma (Dr Ramm)

German representations in Puerto Rico

Embassy

The embassy in Washington (see here >>>) or the honorary consulate in Miami is responsible.

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany in Miami

100 N. Biscayne Blvd.

Miami, FL 33132.

Tel: 001 – 305 – 358 02 90

Fax: 001 – 305 – 358 03 07

Postal address:

E-Mail: info@miami.diplo.de

Web: www.miami.diplo.de

Austrian representations in Puerto Rico

Embassy

Austria does not have its own embassy in Puerto Rico, but it does have an honorary consulate.

Honorary Consulate of the Federal Republic of Austria in San Juan

525 FD Roosevelt Ave., Plaza Las Américas Tower, Local 24B-

San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918

Tel: 001 – 787 – 625 3118

Fax: 001 – 787 – 999 5029

E-Mail: austripr @ aol.com

Representations of Puerto Rico in Austria

As the outer territory of the USA, Puerto Rico does not have its own foreign missions, but is represented by the USA.

Embassy of the United States of America in Vienna

Boltzmanngasse 16

1090 Vienna

Tel: 0043 – (0) 1 – 313 39

Fax: 0043 – (0) 1 – 310 06 82

Email: embassy@usembassy.at

www.usembassy.at

Swiss representations in Puerto Rico

Switzerland does not have its own embassy in Puerto Rico, but it does have an honorary consulate.

Honorary Consulate of the Swiss Confederation

816 Calle Diana, Urb. Dos Pinos

San Juan PR-00923-2334

Tel: 001 – 787 – 751 31 82

Fax: 001 – 787 – 751 31 82

Email: sanjuan@honorarvertretung.ch

The higher-level foreign representation is the Swiss consulate in New York.

Representations of Puerto Rico in Switzerland

As the outer territory of the USA, Puerto Rico does not have its own foreign missions, but is represented by the USA.

Embassy of the United States of America in Bern

Sulgeneckstrasse 19

3007 Bern

Tel: 0031 – (0) 31 – 357 7011

Fax: 0031 – (0) 31 – 357 7344

www.bern.usembassy.gov/

Tourist office

Tourist Office of Puerto Rico in Germany

Schenkendorfstrasse 1

65187 Wiesbaden

Tel: 0049 – (0) 611 – 26 76 710

Fax: 0049 – (0) 611 – 26 76 760

Email: puertorico@discover-fra.com

www.gotopuertorico.com

(also responsible for Austria and Switzerland)

Puerto Rico: Entry and Exit Requirements

Formalities, visas

Tourists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland do not need a visa to enter the country as tourists. But a passport with biometric data is required. If these are not yet available, upon entry u. A. Fingerprints taken.

Issuing of visas in Germany

Visa department of the Embassy of the United States of America

Neustädtische Kirchstrasse 4-5

10117 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 238 51 74, 832 92 33

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 238 62 90, 831 49 26 Issue of visas in Austria and Switzerland

See under Representations of Peru in Austria and Representations of Peru in Switzerland

Import and export of foreign currency

  • Local currencyThere is no restriction on the import or export of local currency. If the national currency is imported in the amount of more than 10,000 US dollars, a special customs declaration (customs form 790 “Currency Report”) is required.
  • Foreign currenciesThe import and export of foreign currency is possible without restriction. However, if foreign currency with the equivalent value of more than 10,000 US dollars is imported, a special customs declaration (customs form 790 “Currency Report”) is required.

Importing and exporting goods The importation of weapons, ammunition or explosives is punishable by severe penalties, not least after September 11, 2001. The import of illegal drugs of any kind is also prohibited.

In addition, the import and export of plants and animals protected under the Washington Convention on Endangered Species is prohibited.

Entry with pets

Pets require an international vaccination certificate to enter Puerto Rico. This vaccination certificate must contain information about the owner and the identity of the animal (age, breed, sex, color,…).

Any animal to be imported into Puerto Rico must be vaccinated against rabies. This vaccination must have taken place at least 30 days before entry. The vaccination certificate must be certified by the official veterinarian and then translated into Spanish by the consulate and certified again. It is also recommended to have an official veterinary certificate with you, which confirms that the animal is healthy. This must also be translated into Spanish and certified by the consulate.

Puerto Rico: Travel Medicine, Vaccinations, and Warnings

Infectious Diseases

The following infectious diseases can be expected in Puerto Rico:

  • Malaria, there is no risk of malaria in the country.
  • AIDS, HIV
  • Amoebic dysentery
  • Bacterial agitation
  • Schistosomiasis
  • Chagas disease
  • Cholera, an infection risk only exists for travelers who can come into contact with contaminated water or contaminated food.
  • Dengue fever disease
  • Intestinal infections caused by contaminated food or water, including amoebas, lamblia, salmonella, shigella, worm infestation and all kinds of viruses and bacteria
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Polio, polio
  • tetanus
  • rabies
  • Typhoid fever, an infection risk only exists for travelers who come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food

Recommended vaccinations

when traveling to Puerto Rico, the following vaccinations recommended:

  • Cholera, but only among travelers who can come into contact with polluted water or contaminated food
  • Hepatitis A and B,, vaccination against hepatitis B is only required for people who may come into contact with blood or for those who seek sexual contact.
  • Polio, polio, vaccination against polio should basically always consist in the home country
  • Tetanus, a vaccination against tetanus, should always be carried out, also in your home country
  • Rabies, only recommended for high-risk travelers
  • Typhoid, only recommended for travelers who may come in contact with polluted water or food

Vaccination requirements There are no vaccination requirements when entering or staying in Puerto Rico.

Who pays for vaccinations in Germany?

Most people in Germany are vaccinated against a number of infectious diseases at an early age. However, the vaccination protection only lasts up to 10 years, in some cases even shorter. Therefore, before traveling abroad, you should carefully consider against which infectious diseases a vaccination is necessary or useful in the country concerned and whether the vaccination protection, if applicable, was not too long ago.

Most statutory health insurances have been reimbursing the costs for the following vaccinations since June 2007.

There is even no 10 € practice fee – but the insured usually have to pay the statutory co-payment, which is 10% of the vaccine price – that is at least 5 € and a maximum of 10 €. Under these conditions, the following vaccinations are free of charge:

  • cholera
  • diphtheria
  • Early summer meningoencephalitis (TBE)
  • Yellow fever
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Meningococcal meningitis
  • Pneumococci
  • Polyo (polio)
  • Tetanus (tetanus)
  • rabies
  • typhus

Some health insurance companies also reimburse the cost of malaria prophylaxis.

As a rule, private health insurance companies (inquire beforehand) also cover the costs mentioned.

Warning notices

Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany

Bürgerservice

D-11013 Berlin

Tel: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 2000

Fax: 0049 – (0) 30 – 5000 – 51000

www.auswaertiges-amt.de/diplo/de/Laenderinformation

The Foreign Office advises you to take out health insurance abroad with repatriation insurance.

Puerto Rico: Currency, Shopping, and Exchange Rate

The local currency of Puerto Rico is the

US dollar = 100 cents.

The following banknotes are valid and in circulation in the country:.

  • 1
  • 5
  • 10
  • 20th
  • 50
  • 100
  • 200
  • $ 500

Exchange rate

You can find a currency converter here:

www3.forium.de

Bank opening hours

Banks in Puerto Rico are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Shop

Shop Hours

Shops in Puerto Rico are generally open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm or 8:00 pm. The big supermarkets are open 24 hours a day.

Cheap or country-specific goods, souvenirs

Popular souvenirs from Puerto Rico are cigars and rum, hammocks, wickerwork made of straw, hand-woven fabrics, wooden sculptures, Santos (holy figures made of wood, clay, gold or stone) and masks made of coconuts.

Travel to Puerto Rico