Fort Buchanan

Moving to Fort Buchanan

Fort Buchanan in Guaynabo is the only Army installation in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean, hosting Army Reserve and Puerto Rico National Guard headquarters. It is a small post with a commissary, golf course and on-post DoDEA schools, close to the San Juan metro area. Puerto Rico counts as overseas for allowances, so expect OHA, English and Spanish leases and tropical weather.

Official installation website

Where families live

Schools

Three DoDEA Antilles schools (elementary, middle and high) serve Fort Buchanan families on post. Off-post public and private schools offer English and Spanish programs. Fort Buchanan School Support Services can help with enrollment questions.

• DoDEA Antilles Schools — On-post DoDEA elementary, middle and high schools for command-sponsored families.
• Puerto Rico Department of Education — Local public schools, instruction primarily in Spanish.

On the installation: Antilles Elementary School, Antilles Middle School, Antilles High School

Fort Buchanan School Support Services / School Liaison Office

Things to do near Fort Buchanan

• Old San Juanmuseum
  Historic forts, colorful streets and plazas.
• Casa Bacardi tourfamily
  Distillery tours near San Juan.
• La Ruta del Lechon (Guavate)food
  Roadside roast-pork restaurants in the hills.
• Puerto Rico beachesoutdoors
  Over 270 miles of coastline.
• Hiking trailsoutdoors
  About 143 trails, including forest and mountain routes.
• Fort Buchanan golf and outdoor rentalssports
  On-post golf, horseback riding, kayaks and camping gear.
• Puerto Rican coffee toursfood
  Coffee farms in the mountains.

Realtors & local services

Real estate offices

• Fort Buchanan Family Housing Division (off-post housing referral)Fort Buchanan / Guaynabo
  Gives off-post rental listings, lease review, English and Spanish rental agreements, loaner furniture and OHA/TLA orientation.

Listings come from public sources and are not endorsed or vetted. Own a business that serves families at Fort Buchanan? Claim or add a listing.

Local programs & support

• Newcomers Program
  Fort Buchanan runs a newcomers program for incoming families.
• Relocation Readiness Program
  Helps arriving soldiers and families with the move; phone 787-707-3682 per a guide.

PCS tips for Fort Buchanan

• Request concurrent or deferred travel for dependents before leaving your current station.
• Check in with your command first, then finance, housing and TRICARE.
• OHA requires an English lease (or certified translation) with utilities in your name; TLA and OHA cannot overlap.
• Government housing is limited and not available to dependents of those not assigned to Puerto Rico.
• Prepare for hurricane season and consider generator and storm-supply planning.

Benefits to use on this move

• Dislocation Allowance (DLA)
  Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
• Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)
  Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
• Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)
  Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
• VA Home Loan Guaranty
  Service members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
• Pet Transportation Reimbursement
  Families moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
• Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
  School-age children of active duty families changing schools
• School Liaison Program
  Parents choosing schools and transferring records

See every program and benefit