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Latin America is every American’s favorite destination when it comes to tropical weather, where you can taste world-class cuisine and expose yourself to a different – arguably warmer – culture, but no trip to the Global South is exactly a smooth ride .
From small details, such as making sure there are enough blank pages left in your passport for entry stamps, to registering as a tourist in certain destinations, to applying for visas, as is the case in Brazil, or even taking security measures, there is a lot of planning involved.
Luckily for them, there is one particular Latin American city that is not only safer for tourists, but where they are also welcome passport free:
Americans can visit San Juan, Puerto Rico without a passport
San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is located on the island’s Caribbean coast and is one of the few Latin American destinations that US citizens can explore without bringing a valid passport (perhaps the only one where the exemption applies to all Americans, as opposed to just cruise guests).
Since Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States, it is treated as a domestic destination even though it is not a state and has retained a separate national identity and status as a country (for all international purposes, however, it is US country all the same).
For that reason, Americans can fly to San Juan without showing a passport, as long as they present a U.S. government-issued photo ID to board the plane or cruise to Puerto Rico.
These include:
- A driver’s license
- A valid, verifiable state ID
Of course, non-Americans flying to Puerto Rico, including Canadian citizens, will must still show a valid passport enter.
Why should you visit San Juan in 2024?
San Juan is the largest conurbation in tropical Puerto Rico, and like any Latin city it is full of vibrant colors, lively street markets and historic monuments: the cobbled Old Town (Viejo San Juan) is full of Spanish colonial buildings, some date back to the 16th century.
Viejo San Juan is a fascinating maze of brightly painted facades and narrow, leafy streets leading to ornate Catholic shrines. It is even bordered by a monumental fortress – aptly titled ‘La Fortaleza’ – that Spanish colonists built to assert their control over the area.
Unlike the east coast of mainland North America, San Juan was colonized by Spanish, and local traditions and heritage are unmistakably Spanish in nature, and this is reflected in the local cuisine – heavily influenced by the Iberian diet – and the ethnic makeup.
Despite Spanish dominance, Puerto Rico was originally inhabited almost exclusively by residents of the Caribbean Taino peoples, and several local foods contain indigenous elements, especially yuca (better described as bitter cassava).
Strolling around San Juan you will find an abundance of local restaurants serving regional favorites such as plantains mofongofilled with meat pastels or wraps, and our personal favorite, arroz con gandules (rice, pigeon peaks and pork).
It is the national dish of Puerto Rico and based on Google Reviewsthe best restaurant in San Juan to try is Molini’s (1857 C. Loíza).
San Juan is also a short drive from a number of pristine beaches, the best known of which is Playa Condado, a luxurious stretch of golden coast lined by resorts and bordered by crystal clear wateralthough there are quieter, more relaxing options in Piñones and Playa Escondido.
San Juan may be beautiful and probably one of the most historically charged cities in the New World, but by Latin American standards it is far from affordable.
Why is San Juan more expensive than the average Latin city?
The currency is the US dollar, so don’t expect to land on the island and see the value of your money double – or even triple – and consumer prices rise. (somewhat) similar to those in mainland America.
Food can be relatively cheaper as there is an abundance of local produce, seafood and fresh tropical fruits, and based on Budget Your Trip’s estimates, you’ll spend an average of $36 on meals per day in San Juan, but accommodation can be quite pricey.
A single room in Old San Juan can set you back eye watering $171 per night – we are not talking about all-inclusive – and the cheapest options nearby are ‘beach dormitories’.
These start from $27 (they’re great alternatives for budget travelers, but hostel living isn’t what most people have in mind when planning a Caribbean getaway).
Overall, a week’s trip to San Juan for one person costs on average $1,342 per personincluding accommodation, food, tourist activities and transportation (not that bad actually, as long as you don’t compare it to other Latin American destinations).
Despite the costs, San Juan has recently been booming in popularity among tourists and is among the top 20 for the first time most wanted destinations on Google (at number 18), alongside tourist favorites Athens in Greece, New York, Cancun in Mexico, Orlando and Vegas.
It accommodates average 5 million tourists per yearand based on the latest booking trends, it looks like it’s going to be its biggest year yet.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
