 |
|
|
|
|
|
March 27-30, 2006
Puerto Rico |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Puerto Rico is known as the "Island of Enchantment". On this small island, 100 miles
long and 35 miles wide, you can experience thousands of years of history and culture.
From historical Old San Juan, to sparkling white sandy beaches, crystal clear Caribbean waters,
lush tropical rainforests, and a night-life that won't quit, Puerto Rico has it all!
Puerto Rico became a possession of the United States in 1898, US citizenship was granted to
its inhabitants in 1917, and the island became a self-governing U.S. commonwealth on July 25, 1952.
Close to 4 million people live on the island, with more than a million in the greater San Juan
metropolitan area alone. It is a vibrant, modern, bilingual, multicultural society, one that has
been molded by Spanish, African, Indian and U.S. influences. Residents of Puerto Rico have much in
common with their fellow Americans in the continental United States, yet they retain a decidedly Hispanic heritage. Both Spanish and English are the official languages, the local currency is the U.S. dollar, and no visas or passports are required to enter Puerto Rico from the United States.
The climate is as close to perfect as it can get, averaging 83¡ÆF in the winter and 85¡ÆF in the summer.
In other words, it's always summer! The trade winds cool the coastal towns and the temperature decreases
as you go up into the higher mountains.
Puerto Rico is in the Atlantic Time Zone, but does not observe Daylight Savings Time. The island uses
standard U.S. electric current. There are no customs duties on articles bought in Puerto Rico and taken to
the U.S. mainland. Major credit cards are accepted at most businesses, and ATMs connected to major US and
international networks are easy to find.
Passports not required for travel to/from Puerto Rico from the U.S. mainland:
The U.S. State Department recently announced plans to require all U.S. Citizens, as well as citizens of Canada, Bermuda and Mexico, to have a passport or other accepted secure document to enter or re-enter the United States by January 1, 2008. For U.S. travelers to many Caribbean islands, passport requirements will be implemented beginning December 31, 2005.
As a U.S. Commonwealth, travel to Puerto Rico from the U.S. mainland does not and will not require a passport once these new measures are put into place. If you are traveling to other Caribbean islands, however, either prior to or after Winners' Circle in Puerto Rico you will be required to show a passport.
|
|
|
