Puerto Rico: No passport needed to feel rich
If you’re thinking about traveling to the Caribbean this summer, consider how far your dollars might stretch in Puerto Rico. Especially since passports are not yet required for U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. mainland and the unincorporated U.S. territory, which has Commonwealth status.
Deal: Check out the Puerto Rico Tourism Company website, which has some surprisingly helpful tips and news about travel deals. For example, you can score a room at the luxe El San Juan Hotel & Casino from just $220.50/night, including taxes and resort fees. Or elect to stay at a small, family-owned hotel or inn: Paradores of Puerto Rico offers a variety of multiple-night deals, including honeymoon packages starting at $249/couple (including breakfast, dinner and other bonus extras, like welcome cocktails and free entrance to thermal pools).
Any beach resorts you’d recommend in Puerto Rico? Post your tips in the Comments section below.
Caveat: Check out the promotional hotel deals carefully; not all of them will save you money. That said, the website can still give you a good idea of the typical costs for a Puerto Rico vacation.
Why Go: Sometimes an all-inclusive island getaway is the only way to maximize relaxation.
Why Not: If you’re going all the way Puerto Rico, you may want to explore the island independently instead.
Contact: Puerto Rico Tourism Company, (800) 866-7827
El San Juan Hotel & Casino, (866) 317-8935
Paradores of Puerto Rico, (800) 981-7575
Related Los Angeles Times links:
Postcard from Puerto Rico
Destination: Latin America
All-inclusive resorts that rival the ‘Big 3′
– Sara Benson, L.A. Times Travel Deal Detective
[Photo credit: Courtesy of Puerto Rico Tourism Company]
3 Comments on “Puerto Rico: No passport needed to feel rich”
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July 10th, 2007 at 7:34 am
Puerto Rico, should definitely be on your list of potential Caribbean getaways (especially as ‘No Passport’ is required for US citizens and permanent residents).
There are only a few ‘all inclusive’ resorts, but plenty of first class hotels, paradoes and bed and breakfast establishments.
The best way to see the island is by car, so consider a rental car for part of your stay.
Must sees:
Old San Juan
El Yunque
Culebra
Ponce
Cabo Roja (west coast)
more ideas here: http://www.visit-the-coqui.com
Have fun
July 10th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
Your story seems to indicate that passport requirements may one day be required for Puerto Rico.
Absolutely untrue. Traveling to Puerto Rico and any other US territory will be exactly the same as traveling between States.
That said, I urge your readers to give Puerto Rico a chance. As you note, the dollar does stretch here, as there are incredible deals on accomodations, food and recreational actitivies.
One great thing to do is to take a ferry to either Vieques or Culebra (sometimes called the Spanish Virgin Islands for their proximity to the other Virgin Islands.
A roundtrip ferry ride is an incredible $4.50 (yes 4 dollars and fifty cents). We took the ferry to Culebra our last visit and stayed at the incredibly clean and cheap ($85 per night) Villa Fulladoza. We rented scooters to get around the island — an incredibly cheap deal at $40 for about 1 1/2 days of use!
We urge you to eat where the locals eat for the incredible deals. We always eat our breakfasts at the plentiful bakeries called PANADERIAS. You can get the best Cafe con leche for about 85 cents to one dollar (sorry Starbucks) and an incredible huge pressed bread breaksfast sandwich of egg/ham and cheese for about $2.00. So, our extremely filling breakfast for two costs us a total of less than 3 dollars a piece.
Also, check out the local Inns called The Paradors.
http://www.gotoparadores.com
These charming inns often have the best locations in the island and are generally priced from $80-$120 per night. These are not full-service resorts, but comfortable, clean family runn inn that are certified by the Puerto Rican Travel Company.
The people in Puerto Rico are rightfully proud of their home and and warmly welcome visitors who come with open hearts and minds.
You will not be sorry you visited and you wil be back!!
October 17th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Puerto Rico is a great destination and now it is made better by the fact that you do NOT need a passport to there. If you are looking to go to the Caribbean for a holiday it seems like a great place to go.
Also, if you are looking to visit Culebra or Vieques you might want to check out this post:
http://culebrablog.com/2007/10/01/culebra-passport/
If you do go to Puerto Rico, enjoy!! It is one of America’s best kept secrets.
Best,
Mark