Puerto Rico Travelers With Disabilities

Puerto Rico is just as accessible to travelers with disabilities as the rest of the US. In big cities, most hotels and restaurants are wheelchair-accessible, though this may not be the case in smaller towns or rural areas. All hotels endorsed by the Puerto Rican Tourism Company (listed in ¡Qué Pasa!) are required to have at least one wheelchair-accessible room. However, these hotels tend to be more expensive than guesthouses. Also, handicapped visitors will likely have to rent a car, as the público system does not accommodate such passengers, making travel around Puerto Rico more expensive. Those with disabilities should inform airlines and hotels of their disabilities when making reservations; some time may be needed to prepare special accommodations. Call ahead to restaurants, museums, and other facilities to find out if they are wheelchair-accessible. Guide dog owners should inquire as to the quarantine policies of each destination country.

Accessible Journeys, 35 West Sellers Ave., Ridley Park, USA (☎800-846-4537; www.disabilitytravel.com). Designs tours for wheelchair users and slow walkers. The site has tips and forums for all travelers.
Flying Wheels Travel, 143 W. Bridge St., Owatonna, MN 55060, USA (☎507-451-5005; www.flyingwheelstravel.com). Specializes in escorted trips to Europe for people with physical disabilities; plans custom trips worldwide.
Mobility International USA (MIUSA), P.O. Box 10767, Eugene, OR 97440, USA (☎541-343-1284; www.miusa.org). Provides a variety of books and other publications containing information for travelers with disabilities.
Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH), 347 Fifth Ave., Ste. 610, New York, NY 10016, USA (☎212-447-7284; www.sath.org). An advocacy group that publishes free online travel information. Annual membership US$49, students and seniors US$29.