Frequently Asked Questions
Why are we holding the conference in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is an appropriate site for this year’s conference theme of “DestiNations.” As a tourist site and as a territory/colony of the US, it raises many interesting opportunities for the exploration of our theme both within and beyond the conference hotel.
Won’t that be expensive, especially for graduate students?
Early November is a good time to visit Puerto Rico in economic terms (including flights) because it is just before the opening of the tourist season. The Graduate Student Caucus (GSC) conducted a price check and confirmed the Conference Committee’s findings that the costs for flights to Puerto Rico are comparable to those of flights between most major US cities.
The cost of the hotel is the same as it was in Boston, but there are also cheaper housing options in San Juan for students (please check with the GSC). Puerto Rico also offers many smaller and less expensive guest houses and smaller hotels. There is a government tax of 9% on hotel bills.
Where can I eat?
Eating in San Juan offers many options: inexpensive “fonditas” with native dishes (though these may be hard to find for tourists), beach kioskos with speciality “fritura” that include crab, lobster, shrimp, octopus, conch, codfish, meat, chicken, etc. (these are mainly in areas away from the large hotels). Puerto Rico also has a full range of fast food outlets from Subway and Quiznos to KFC, Burger King, Pollo Tropical, Church’s, Wendy’s, etc. (plus restaurant chains and buffets), as well as the Old San Juan and Condado bistros and restaurants, which tend to be more expensive. Ashford Avenue, where the hotel is located, is a long walkable street filled with chain and local restaurants as well as a variety of fast food options. All of this, and especially the upscale eateries, can be checked out on-line. There are also many good dining alternatives outside of the tourist areas, which provide good food for low prices. The Ponce de Leon Avenue in the Santurce area, for example, is near the hotel and offers a great variety of sit down restaurants that are good on the tongue and gentle on the pocket. Some restaurant bills do not include tips. A 15% tip is standard.
How do I get around the Island?
To get around the metro area, your best bet is to take a taxi, as public transportation can be slow and unwieldy. Cabs range between $12 and $15 for up to five passengers—you can split the bill—around the Isla Verde-Condado-Old San Juan area. You can hail a taxi in the street, or you can call one to come pick you up. Taxis are generally available at the airport, hotels, and major tourist attractions. For trips anywhere in San Juan, except to/from the SJU International Airport and the tourism piers in Old San Juan, you will pay the rate indicated on the meter. Within the “tourist zones,” taxi rates are fixed and posted. A tip of 10-15% is customary, and there is an additional charge ($1/suitcase) for luggage (http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/getting-around-by-taxi/). Check out this website for a good idea of the price range, and our hotel’s taxi zone. Our to-and-from “zone” would be #3, Condado.
What can you tell me about the location we’ll be staying in?
The conference hotel is on the Condado strip, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the Condado lagoon, five minutes from historic Old San Juan and close to museums, historic landmarks, and the city’s nightlife. On the weekends social venues and restaurants are likely to stay open until after hours. Since it is a common destination for locals as well as tourists, the street where the hotel is located is sure to be packed with high transit of cars and people. The Condado Plaza is 10 minutes from the Luis Muñoz Marin (SJU) International airport and 45 minutes from the El Yunque rainforest.
Will I need a passport?
If you need a passport to travel to the US, you will need one to travel to Puerto Rico; if you need a Visa to travel to the US, you will need one to travel to Puerto Rico. US citizens do not need a passport to enter Puerto Rico.
What’s the currency in Puerto Rico?
US dollars.
What is the weather like in Puerto Rico in November?
Bad weather is very unlikely. Our conference comes just before the opening of the tourist season, and just at the end of the hurricane season, so it may rain a little more than usual. Average highs for November are 86F, lows 74F, with average rainfall of 5.8 inches. It tends to be humid in Puerto Rico, and it is wise to keep light on layers of clothing. The AC tends to be cranked up indoors, but the air is thick outside. On any given day during November in Puerto Rico, you can expect early morning temperatures to be around 78 degrees. The temperature will rise over the course of the typical November day, reaching somewhere around 84 degrees by early afternoon. By early evening, temperatures in Puerto Rico generally decline to around 78 degrees. For the month of November as a whole, temperatures in Puerto Rico average around 79 degrees. Rain is least likely to occur in Puerto Rico during November around 11:00 AM, and it is most likely to occur around 8:00 PM. In Puerto Rico during November, thunderstorms—when they occur—are most likely sometime around 2:00 PM.
What languages are spoken in Puerto Rico?
The official languages of Puerto Rico are English and Spanish. Puerto Rico is a Spanish-speaking US territory/colony, but it is also a tourist destination, and English is widely spoken for most services.
