Passport for Puerto Rico

Many travelers ask Cruise Planners travel agents, "do you need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico?". With travel regulations and policies constantly changing, it's hard to keep ahead in knowing when and what documentation is needed when traveling to Puerto Rico from the United States. We know many travelers are concerned about bringing the correct documentation while on vacation. Please read the below information to find out if you need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico.

Are passports required to travel to Puerto Rico?

Many cruise lines require travelers to provide at least one compliant document listed by the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). Cruise lines also require photo identification such as a driver's license, driver's permit, government-issued ID. U.S. citizens traveling directly to Puerto Rico and returning directly from Puerto Rico are not required to show their passports, although it may expedite the process of gaining clearance on return. The same goes for other U.S. territories and associated states. Non-U.S. Citizens and U.S. permanent residents must ensure that they have the necessary travel documentation by contacting the appropriate authorities such as the U.S. Embassy, or U.S. Immigration office. U.S. permanent residents are required to travel with a valid Permanent Resident Card.

Cruises to Puerto Rico from a United States Port

It is strongly recommended that you travel with your passport when taking cruises to Puerto Rico. Cruise lines such as Carnival strongly suggest that travelers have their passports on hand while traveling. One of the added values of using the cost saving travel agent service of a Cruise Planners travel agent is that we allow travelers to upload a copy of their passport on a secure server in the event that it is ever needed. No worries about misplacing, or losing your passport when it is available via the cloud. Find a Cruise Planners travel agent today to get additional answers about traveling to Puerto Rico. Below is a list of approved Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative trusted document.

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Compliant Documents

When traveling to Puerto Rico you will need to bring one of the below documents with you. U.S. citizens traveling to and from U.S. ports are required to travel with at least one Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative compliant document.

• Valid U.S. Passport
• Passport Card
• Original or suitable quality copy of a Birth Certificate (Issued by a government agency: state/county/city)  and a government issued photo ID if 16 years of age and older.
• Original Certificate of Naturalization
• Trusted Traveler Program Membership Card,  e.g., Nexus Card, Sentri Card or Fast Card
• Enhanced Tribal Card
• A Consular Report of Birth Abroad
• Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) - only acceptable at land and sea ports of entry.  It cannot be used for air travel outside the U.S.  The word 'Enhanced' must appear on the driver's license. The following five states currently issue an EDL:     Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington.

Copies of U.S. passports and naturalization papers, hospital and baptismal certificates are not WHTI compliant documents, therefore, are NOT acceptable.

Travel Agents for Cruises to Puerto Rico

For additional questions on traveling to Puerto Rico, please use our personalized travel agent services. Our travel agents can assist you in planning and booking your next vacation. Not only can our travel agents provide you with great cruise specials, they can also provide you with valuable reviews and feedback that will make your travels to Puerto Rico enjoyable! Contact a travel agent directly by calling 1-800-683-0206.