Planning a trip to Puerto Rico but unsure about the best way to navigate this beautiful island? We've got you covered! As meticulous travelers who have spent countless hours researching and personally testing transportation options throughout Puerto Rico, we're here to save you valuable planning time.
We've experienced the frustrations of missed connections, unexpected road closures, and confusing public transit systems so you don't have to. In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover the most efficient, budget-friendly, and convenient ways to get around Puerto Rico, with insider tips that only come from firsthand experience.
Table of Contents: How to Get Around Puerto Rico
1. Renting a Car in Puerto Rico
Renting a car in Puerto Rico offers unparalleled freedom to explore the island at your own pace. During our week long visit, we found that having your own vehicle is particularly valuable if you plan to venture beyond San Juan or visit remote beaches and rainforests. Most major rental companies like Enterprise, Hertz, and Budget operate at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, but we recommend booking in advance, especially during high season (December-April).
When selecting a vehicle, consider that while compact cars are sufficient for city driving and paved roads, you might appreciate an SUV for adventures to El Yunque Rainforest or the more remote western beaches. Driving in Puerto Rico follows US traffic laws, but be prepared for narrower roads in Old San Juan and mountainous regions. GPS navigation works well in most areas, though we always keep offline maps downloaded as backup for rural explorations.
Cost-wise, expect to pay $40-80 per day depending on the vehicle type and season, plus insurance. Many credit cards offer rental car coverage, but always verify the details before declining the rental company's insurance options.
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2. Navigating Puerto Rico's Public Transportation
Since we wanted to exercise extreme caution in the city, we decided not to use public transportation and instead took Ubers (never more than $10 per ride). However, we looked into the public transportation options and will provide them below, although we recommend never using public transportation at night, keeping your belongings close, and traveling in groups of 2+ for your own safety.
Public transportation in Puerto Rico varies significantly depending on where you are. In San Juan, the Tren Urbano (Urban Train) provides service between key points in the metropolitan area, including Bayamón, Guaynabo, and Santurce. With fares at just $1.50 per ride, it's incredibly budget-friendly, though limited in its reach. The train operates from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM weekdays, with reduced hours on weekends.
Complementing the train system are públicos (public vans/buses) and AMA buses. Públicos connect San Juan with other towns across the island and typically operate from designated terminals. While inexpensive ($1.50-$3.00 depending on distance), they run on flexible schedules and only depart when full. AMA buses serve routes throughout San Juan and nearby areas for just $0.75 per ride.
Planning to use public transportation requires patience and flexibility. Routes and schedules can change, so we recommend asking locals for current information. For language barriers, having Google Translate or basic Spanish phrases handy has proven invaluable when navigating these systems.
3. Ridesharing Services
We used Uber throughout much of Puerto Rico, particularly in tourist areas and larger cities. The service was really reliable in San Juan and we also heard it’s reliable in Ponce and Mayagüez, although we had a car in these locations. Rides cost about 30-40% less than traditional taxis - a trip from Luis Muñoz Marín Airport to Old San Juan was approximately $20-25 compared to $30-35 for a taxi.
One thing we loved about using ride sharing was being able to track our route and share our location with friends and family, which made us feel safer when traveling in unfamiliar areas. Most drivers spoke some English, but knowing basic Spanish phrases for giving directions really came in handy during our trips.
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4. Taxi Services
Traditional taxis are super reliable throughout Puerto Rico, especially at airports, cruise terminals, and major hotels. Unlike taxis back home, Puerto Rican taxis typically don't use meters but instead charge set rates between common destinations. You’ll pay about $25-35 for a ride from the airport to Condado or Old San Juan, regardless of traffic.
Always make sure to confirm the fare before getting in, and kept small bills handy since drivers sometimes didn't have change for larger bills. When traveling at night or to more remote spots, we’d recommend taking a quick photo of the taxi's license information just to be safe.
5. Ferry Services
The ferry system was our lifeline to Puerto Rico's smaller islands, especially Culebra and Vieques. The main terminal is in Ceiba (they moved it from Fajardo in 2018), about an hour's drive from San Juan. These ferries are definitely the cheapest way to reach the islands—we only paid $2-3 per person for one-way tickets compared to $50-80 for flights.
We learned the hard way to buy ferry tickets online in advance through their official website, especially during high season when they sell out fast. The ferries ran multiple times daily to Culebra and Vieques, but schedules sometimes changed due to weather or mechanical issues. We built some flexibility into our itinerary after our host on Vieques warned us that the ferries don’t always depart on time.
The ride took about 45 minutes to Vieques and an hour to Culebra. The ferries were pretty basic, but the views of the Caribbean and approaching islands more than made up for it. We made sure to arrive at least an hour before departure to find parking and get through the boarding process without rushing.
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6. Exploring Old San Juan
Old San Juan's narrow cobblestone streets and limited parking made walking our go-to transportation choice in this historic district. The entire area was only about 7 square blocks, so we found it super manageable on foot. We definitely recommend comfortable walking shoes - those cobblestones got slippery and uneven in places!
We learned quickly not to drive into Old San Juan. Parking is super limited and the streets are incredibly narrow. Instead, we took an Uber when staying elsewhere. There were several parking garages around the edges of Old San Juan and we found one that was only $5 for the entire day on a weekend which we pinned to our Puerto Rico Google Map.
7. Island Hopping via Flights
While we didn't personally try the flights to Puerto Rico's smaller islands, we thoroughly researched regional airlines as a backup option to the ferries. Cape Air, JetBlue, and Silver Airways regularly fly from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport to Vieques, Culebra, and the US Virgin Islands.
From our research, these flights cost more than ferries ($60-120 one-way), but offer some time savings - just 20 minutes to Vieques or Culebra compared to almost 2 hours via ferry including transit time to the terminal. This could be particularly valuable if you're short on vacation days or when ferry schedules don't align with your plans.
The planes are small (8-12 seats), offering spectacular aerial views, though this might not be ideal for travelers prone to motion sickness. Based on our research, booking at least a month ahead is recommended for better rates, especially during high season when tickets sell out quickly.
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8. Puerto Rico Road Trip Tips
A road trip around Puerto Rico gave us the ultimate flexibility to discover hidden gems and local experiences. The island's main highways were pretty good - PR-52 connects San Juan to Ponce, while PR-22 runs along the northern coast. These highways reminded us of US interstates, just a bit narrower in spots. We were warned that we'd need to practice defensive driving in Puerto Rico and that was definitely true, especially near the cities. Once you venture off these main roads, you'll encounter numerous potholes. We learned to drive slowly, stay alert, and always carry a spare tire - thankfully, we never needed to change one!
We did a counter-clockwise route starting from San Juan, heading west toward Rincón and Cabo Rojo, then east through Ponce and back up through Humacao. The landscapes were incredible - we went from pristine beaches one day to misty mountain views the next.
We learned quickly to keep our gas tank at least half full when exploring more remote areas. Gas stations were everywhere in cities but got pretty sparse once we hit the mountains. Our phone navigation worked most places, but we lost signal a few times in the mountainous center. We had maps downloaded on both of our phones offline just in case.
9. Transportation Between Puerto Rico Cities
Traveling between Puerto Rico's major cities requires planning, as intercity public transportation is limited. The most reliable options for city-to-city travel are rental cars, públicos, or organized tours. Públicos connect San Juan to Ponce, Mayagüez, Fajardo, and other municipalities, departing from designated terminals once vehicles reach capacity.
For travelers without a rental car, tour companies offer day trips from San Juan to popular destinations like Ponce, Arecibo, and El Yunque. These typically cost $75-120 per person but include transportation, guided experiences, and sometimes meals. You may find these tours particularly valuable for destinations like the Charco Azul Canyon or Cueva Ventana, where public transportation options are minimal.
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10. Getting To and From Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
At Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), we had several options to get to our hotel. Taxis used a zone system with set prices – about $25 to Old San Juan, $20 to Condado, and $15 to Isla Verde. We found these rates posted right at the taxi area outside each terminal.
We saved a bit using Uber, which typically ran 20-30% cheaper than taxis, though we had to walk a short distance from the terminal for pickup. You could also schedule a Go Puerto Rico Shuttle if traveling in a larger group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it necessary to rent a car in Puerto Rico?
A: A car rental is not absolutely necessary but highly recommended if you plan to explore beyond San Juan or visit multiple regions. While public transportation exists, it's limited outside major cities and can significantly restrict your flexibility and ability to visit remote attractions.
Q: Do I need an international driver's license to drive in Puerto Rico?
A: No, US driver's licenses are valid in Puerto Rico. International visitors from countries not covered by reciprocal agreements should obtain an International Driving Permit before arrival.
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Q: How reliable is the ferry service to Vieques and Culebra?
A: The ferry service operates daily but can experience cancellations due to weather or mechanical issues. We recommend building flexibility into your itinerary and considering flight options as backup, especially if your visit to
these islands is a priority.
Q: Is Uber available throughout Puerto Rico?
A: Uber operates reliably in San Juan, Ponce, and other urban areas, but service can be limited or unavailable in rural regions. Always check the app for coverage before relying on ridesharing in remote locations.
Q: How much should I budget daily for transportation in Puerto Rico?
A: Budget travelers can explore San Juan for under $10 daily using public transportation. Car rentals average $50-100 daily including insurance and fuel. Island-wide exploration using taxis or rideshares could cost $40-100 daily depending on distances traveled (within San Juan our Uber never cost more than $10 per trip).
Getting around Puerto Rico wasn't as tricky as we thought it might be. We just needed to plan ahead and stay flexible. Whether we splurged on a rental car for ultimate freedom, or went the convenient route with Ubers, we found ways to reach every corner of this beautiful island.
Each of these options had its pros and cons. The rental car gave us the most freedom but came with parking headaches. Public transport is cheap but sometimes unreliable. What really made our trips smooth was our willingness to go with the flow - when a road was closed or a ferry was delayed, we found that the detours often led to our favorite unexpected discoveries.
Want more details on where we stayed, what we ate, and our favorite hidden spots in Puerto Rico? Check out our other travel guides on the blog. And if you're looking for daily travel inspiration and behind-the-scenes moments from our trips, follow us on Instagram @Noms.Brews.Views. ¡Hasta la próxima!
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