Puerto Rico updates entry rules for US visitors: here's what you need to know

Puerto Rico is set to make it easier for US travelers to visit when entry rules are relaxed on Wednesday (February 2).

Currently visitors from the US have to show a negative test to enter Puerto Rico, but that rule will be scrapped on February 2 for vaccinated arrivals.

Rules are changing for unvaccinated US passengers too: the unvaccinated currently have to quarantine for seven days upon arrival, but that timeframe will be reduced to two days starting this week if unvaccinated visitors present a negative COVID-19 test result.

Puerto Rico is also easing some domestic measures too, including increasing restaurant capacity for indoor and outdoor dining.

If you're planning a trip to Puerto Rico, here's what you need to know about the latest rules.

Beginning on February 2, all vaccinated passengers arriving on domestic flights no longer have to present a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of departure. Instead, they need to show their vaccination card by uploading it to the Travel Declaration Form portal before traveling. Passengers who arrive in Puerto Rico without proof will have to take a COVID test.

Curfew scrapped for businesses

All businesses (not related to health services) are currently required to close between midnight and 5 am, but this will end on February 2, with businesses returning to normal operating hours.

As of December 30, there's a 50% indoor capacity and 75% outdoor capacity for all restaurants, bars, theaters, stadiums, convention centers and any establishment that serves prepared food or drinks. Booster shots are required for all restaurant and public employees. 

From February 2 to 16, these establishments will be able to operate at 75% capacity for indoor operations and at full capacity for outdoor operations. Bars and venues that primarily serve alcohol will operate at 50% capacity, according to the tourism board. After February 16, restrictions could be eased again.

Customers will continue to be required to show either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter any establishment serving food or drink.

For travelers arriving on international flights, non-US citizens have been required since early December to show proof of vaccination and a negative test result taken within one day of travel to all states and territories within the US. This rule has not changed.

All unvaccinated travelers are currently required to quarantine for seven days after their arrival⁠ – even if they’ve tested negative for COVID-19.

Starting February 2, this will change for unvaccinated domestic arrivals who can reduce their quarantine timeframe to 48 hours if they produce a negative test result. Non-US travelers who are unvaccinated are banned from entry. 

Any travelers who arrive without a test result will have 48 hours to take one upon arrival or be subject to a fine of $300. 

All travelers, regardless of where they are coming from, must fill in the Traveler Declaration Form.