Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Caribbean Islands
Reload this Page >

Returning to the US customs question

Search

Returning to the US customs question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 8th, 2008 | 11:56 AM
  #1  
OO
Original Poster
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,593
Likes: 0
Returning to the US customs question

Return trip flying from Grenada, change planes in Puerto Rico, change planes in Miami, final destination Tampa.

I am SO SO SO hoping that it's not Miami, but Puerto Rico, where we can go through customs. In discussing another aspect with AA reservations, I asked the question and she said Puerto Rico...but somehow I wasn't comfortable with whether or not she actually knew, or was guessing. In 3 trips through Miami customs, my bags have yet to arrive at our final destination the same day we do. I despise Miami airport! Anyone know if it might be Puerto Rico instead?
OO is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2008 | 12:07 PM
  #2  
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
No doubt about it, you'll clear customs in San Juan. FYI - when travelling internationally you always clear customs at your first "port of Entry" into that country. Since Puerto rico is a US Territory, you'll clear customs there when you come back from Grenada.
A_Traveller is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2008 | 01:24 PM
  #3  
OO
Original Poster
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,593
Likes: 0
THANK GAWD!!! I am a happy person!
OO is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2008 | 01:32 PM
  #4  
OO
Original Poster
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,593
Likes: 0
Except now I'm worried that the scheduled 2 hr layover in Puerto Rico might not be long enough. We needed very bit of the 4 hrs we had each time we cleared in Miami. It was total chaos there every time though...perhaps Puerto Rico is better?
OO is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2008 | 02:19 PM
  #5  
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 5,764
Likes: 0
san juan airport is a small joy compared to giant awful miami. i think you'll have time.
virginia is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2008 | 02:34 PM
  #6  
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 0
2 hours is plenty of time to clear Immigrations, Customs & Security in SJU. We make the trip through SJU 8 to 10 times a year and it usually takes about an hour. We always allow at least 90 minutes between flights and have only had difficulties on one occasion and that was when our inbound flight was delayed due to weather problems, not because of crowds in SJU.

You'll be just fine.
A_Traveller is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2008 | 03:38 PM
  #7  
KVR
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 0
Since PR is considered the first American entry point that is were you will clear customs. We cleared through PR once coming back from St. Lucia. 2 hours was plenty of time. We spent most of our time waiting in the bar for our flight.

We've been through Miami customs 6 times and never once experienced any problems. No delays or issues with not getting a bag. 2 hours there was also plenty.
KVR is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2008 | 03:59 PM
  #8  
OO
Original Poster
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 10,593
Likes: 0
Thanks you all. I appreciate your input. I'm resting easy now.

KVR, You are lucky! After never receiving our luggage until the next day going through Miami, each time with a 4 hr layover, I'm gun shy. It has been the absolute worst experience, not just from that standpoint, but personnel attitude-wise as well. IE..after a long flight in from France, Miami personnel going around yanking people's cell phone chargers out of the pillar electrical outlets, saying, "You can't use our electricity" as they waited (interminably) to get through immigration. Geez Louise. Welcome home! (It wasn't ours by the way, and I despise cell phones, so I'm coming from an unbiased position.) Ugly airport, ugly experiences every time. I'm happy we are getting it over with in Puerto Rico.
OO is offline  
Old Jun 8th, 2008 | 06:27 PM
  #9  
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 0
We cleared customs in P.R. after a cruise and my77 year old husband (he was going through i a wheel chair)) was just about strip seached..he has metal in his knee from a replacement.. Fortunately, we havent had to clear ever in Miami because of our itineraries. But i am convinced the TSA agents love hasseling senior citizens..especially in Boston., thats how they get their thrills. We will be cruising into Bayonne, N.J. from Europe and rather than go through the hassle again we will ake a cruise bus home.. I just dont like being humiliated by these.........Once a trip is enough..
ParrotMom is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Morton
United States
3
Jul 7th, 2014 08:36 AM
dani_t
Caribbean Islands
7
Oct 14th, 2007 05:07 AM
floridadventurist
Caribbean Islands
4
Aug 19th, 2005 02:33 PM
AGC
Caribbean Islands
6
Feb 14th, 2005 03:25 AM
Mango
Caribbean Islands
7
Aug 6th, 2002 08:39 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement -