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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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.
