Travel Information
Travel Notices
Passport and Visa Requirements
There is no passport requirement for U.S. citizens for direct travel between the mainland United States and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Please note, however, that if you do not travel DIRECTLY between the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico (e.g. stop first in Mexico or Bermuda), or if you intend to visit a Caribbean island that is not a territory of the U.S., you WILL need a valid U.S. Passport. Travelers who are not U.S. citizens will experience the same visa requirements as if they were traveling to the mainland U.S.
Hurricane Season
The SCSC October 2013 Conference is scheduled to take place at the end of hurricane season. Historically, Puerto Rico is rarely hit by a hurricane so late in the season. Puerto Rico's peak hurricane season is in September. Travelers might consider airline trip insurance; check with your airline.
Air Travel
The SCSC has has partnered with both Delta Airlines AND American Airlines to offer discount travel to Puerto Rico for the 2013 conference.
Delta Airlines Group Travel
The Sixteenth Century Society Conference Delta Meeting Event Code ticket designator is NMFE3.
Reservations and ticketing is available via www.delta.com. When booking online, select Meeting Event Code and enter the meeting code in the box provided on the Search Flight page.
Reservations may also be made by calling our Delta Meeting reservations at 800 328 1111 Mon-Fri 7am-7pm CDT. BUT please note that there is a direct ticketing fee for booking through the reservation number above.
International travelers using KLM/Air France/Alitalia must book their flights through the Delta.com website to get the discount.
American Airlines Group Travel
The Sixteenth Century Society and Conference American Airlines meeting Promotion Code is 75H3AB.
Reservations and ticketing is available via www.aa.com/group. When making your reservations enter the code in the Promotion Code box on flight reservation form. Reservations using the Promotion Code cannot be made by phone.
Ground Transportation
Taxi Service
Taxi service between the San Juan airport and the Caribe Hilton Hotel will cost approximately $20.00. Taxi service is regulated so service is usually good.
Shuttle Service
Shared shuttle service using Puerto Rico Shuttle requires advance reservation. Roundtrip charges for Airport to Caribe Hilton are about $18.00. To make a reservation visit Puerto Rico Shuttle website or by phone at: (787) 400-2100. Puerto Rico Shuttle also offers private car service at a considerable charge.
City Bus Service
The least expensive, but most frustrating transportation option from the airport to the hotel is the San Juan city bus service. Fares are 75ยข, but you usually cannot take luggage on the bus, so plan on traveling light. San Juan city buses do not run on time (so don't bother looking at the schedule). There is no direct bus service from the airport to downtown or Old San Juan. Take the bus that stops at the airport to Isla Verde to transfer. ASK THE DRIVER if s/he is going to Isla Verde BEFORE boarding the bus (and you might need to know Spanish). At Isla Verde, transfer to bus C53. The ride will take about 30 to 50 minutes. Good luck!