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Hey im planning a trip to Puerto Rico in less in than a month. Should I need a passport to get there or should a valid birth certificate and social securtity card sufice? Thanks in advance!
__________________ 2012 Fountain 38' Open with quad 350 verados
38' Fountain TE with triple verados
233 Formula CC w/6.2 MPI Horizon
Well be there October 10-17 to visit some friends that are stationed there. Never been there before, is there anything I should know before I go or something that is a must do? We plan to do a lot of diving, would it be better to rent a boat or a charter one? How is the fishing? How are the Charters? Thanks again.
__________________ 2012 Fountain 38' Open with quad 350 verados
38' Fountain TE with triple verados
233 Formula CC w/6.2 MPI Horizon
Do not leave without eating mofongo, it comes with different stuff, but shrimp and lobster is best. Driving is about the worst I've seen, and I've been to many places. When there is no passing lane they pass on the shoulder. The island is just 10miles by 30miles. They also have casinos. If you like sangria there is a guy on the west end of the island in Mayaguez that makes some famous sangria. Just ask anyone in the area and they'll point you in the right direction. Definitely go to phospheresence bay on the southwest shore. Pay for the boat and try to go on a dark night. It is well worth it.
Almost forgot, no passport needed, its a territory of US.
The island is "10 miles by 30 miles"??? really?......have you been there?....more like 150X50 miles or there abouts.....no passport needed....away from san juan not really "tourist centered" we did 75% of the place in a week...had a blast eating out and hanging with the locals...camuy caves, beaches, phospherence (sp?) bay on on the SW corner....rain forest Ok....lots of fishing around san juan....have a great time....Mick
The island is "10 miles by 30 miles"??? really?......have you been there?....more like 150X50 miles or there abouts.....no passport needed....away from san juan not really "tourist centered" we did 75% of the place in a week...had a blast eating out and hanging with the locals...camuy caves, beaches, phospherence (sp?) bay on on the SW corner....rain forest Ok....lots of fishing around san juan....have a great time....Mick
You're right, I meant to say 100 X 30 (using an Iphone it is a bit tough!)
Along with the other places listed, the radar installation at Aericibo is pretty cool, sea cliffs at Cabo Roho, and for the best thrill ride of your life - take a drive with my wife's uncle though the hills around Fajardo, racing around blind corners on very narrow two lane roads, centerlines are merely suggestions and stop signs are optional. Bad driving doesn't begin to describe it. The same uncle actually said "if you stop at a stop sign you might cause an accident". He blew through them like he was some third world dictator in a military motorcade.
One place I can highly recommend you avoid is El Parke de Paloma in old San Juan, unless of course you like pigeons and their effluent all over you. The ground is literally paved in poop.
Also, remember ISLAND TIME. Don't go to a restaurant hungry because service is slowwwww. I don't care what you order, it takes 45 minutes to get it. I think they stand around out back waiting for the chicken to lay the eggs so you can have breakfast.
All in all, Puerto Rico is a beautiful island with everything from rain forests on the east side to near desert conditions to the west. Fabulous wealth to abject poverty. Almost anywhere you go people speak English, so you can communicate well enough.
I hope you enjoy your trip.
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OReely has it pegged. I saw a nasty head on accident wher two cars came around a blind curve and met bumper to bumper. A 30ish year old woman was lying on the ground bleeding profusely from her face. The oter guy was unconcious/possibly dead in the other car. This was over on the West coast of the island down below Rincon....Take a snorkel or better scuba trip. You won't be disappointed. Trips are easy to charter at some of the scuba shops in the NW corner of the island. There is an old Navy base up there (can't remember name of this area) with some civilian scuba and surf shops that can recommend local charters for cheap. Take a small boat not one of the big advertised names. One of the best experiences of my life.
I think the area starmonk is talking about is Arecebo. There's a little sandwich shop (yes I love food) that has a famous plantain sandwich. Instead of bread they use plantains and its pretty good.
Hey im planning a trip to Puerto Rico in less in than a month. Should I need a passport to get there or should a valid birth certificate and social securtity card sufice? Thanks in advance!
Travel/passport requirements for US citizen in the Western Hemisphere have been changing. I believe you can get into PR without a passort by using other forms of ID, but you cannot get back into the US without a passport IF you are traveling by air. If you swim back you can come on in. Starting in 2009 those traveling by sea (and swimming) will also need passports to get back in.
I have not kept current on the exceptions, but for some reason I am of the belief that as of Jan 2008 everyone (except active military) now needs a passport to get back into the US.
Guam, American Samoa and US virgin Islands samething (places that are under USA administration),
these places have seen an increase in tourism just cause of that.
pass port needed for puerto rico? 
Starting in 2009 those traveling by sea (and swimming) will also need passports to get back in.
Thanks.
