Public transportation in Puerto Rico
Feb 1st, 2012, 04:46 PM
#1
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Public transportation in Puerto Rico
Hi,
I will be in Puerto Rico for 4 days and will not be renting a car. I reserved the Gran Meler resort in Rio Grande because it was so beautiful and on the beach without first researching transportation options. I know the taxi ride from the airport will be expensive. I was wondering about using publc transportation to get from there to San Juan. I have done some research on this and the only thing The information I found so far said:
"In Puerto Rico, carros públicos ply set routes with several passengers sharing the ride and others picked up throughout the journey. The industry is regulated by the Puerto Rico Public Service Commission. While these cars do travel inter-city, they may not be available for longer, cross-island travel. Stations may exist in cities, and Puerto Rican carros públicos may congregate in specific places around town."
Does anyone have any information on this? Do they run from Rio Grande to San Juan? If they do, do they stop near the Gran Meler resort which is on Coco Beach Road?
I will be in Puerto Rico for 4 days and will not be renting a car. I reserved the Gran Meler resort in Rio Grande because it was so beautiful and on the beach without first researching transportation options. I know the taxi ride from the airport will be expensive. I was wondering about using publc transportation to get from there to San Juan. I have done some research on this and the only thing The information I found so far said:
"In Puerto Rico, carros públicos ply set routes with several passengers sharing the ride and others picked up throughout the journey. The industry is regulated by the Puerto Rico Public Service Commission. While these cars do travel inter-city, they may not be available for longer, cross-island travel. Stations may exist in cities, and Puerto Rican carros públicos may congregate in specific places around town."
Does anyone have any information on this? Do they run from Rio Grande to San Juan? If they do, do they stop near the Gran Meler resort which is on Coco Beach Road?
Feb 1st, 2012, 05:21 PM
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I'm sure the resort offers some kind of tours into San Juan and out on the island, but I don't think you'll find public transit into San Juan. At least nothing cheap. This resort is not really close to San Juan ... Perhaps 20 or 30 miles. If you want to be in San Juan, I'd advise moving to a hotel in Condado. There are plenty of comparably priced places.
Feb 1st, 2012, 08:02 PM
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Hi,
I can't change my reservation because I booked it through Priceline. I haven't called the resort, but from what I have found on message board forums that resort charges $80 per person for a ride into San Juan. That is a bit steep. Does anyone know if there are restaurants or any attractions worth seeing that are close to this resort?
I can't change my reservation because I booked it through Priceline. I haven't called the resort, but from what I have found on message board forums that resort charges $80 per person for a ride into San Juan. That is a bit steep. Does anyone know if there are restaurants or any attractions worth seeing that are close to this resort?
Feb 2nd, 2012, 02:13 AM
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If you do not mind taking bus kind of dodgy but very cheap.
Out that way before boots on the ground you will find local driver guides that hire out from $35-50 per half day unlimited # of people. Do this everywhere.You hotel marking up by at least 00% to you so wait relax negotiate boots on the ground for best deals always works for me. If I am traveling solo alwyas do public xport cheapest. insuremytrip.com for theft though been robbed once in 50 years of traveling.So pretty good odds.
Out that way before boots on the ground you will find local driver guides that hire out from $35-50 per half day unlimited # of people. Do this everywhere.You hotel marking up by at least 00% to you so wait relax negotiate boots on the ground for best deals always works for me. If I am traveling solo alwyas do public xport cheapest. insuremytrip.com for theft though been robbed once in 50 years of traveling.So pretty good odds.
Feb 2nd, 2012, 06:42 AM
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The price charged by the resort is not surprising, and tour companies not affiliated with the resort may be significantly cheaper, but this is not a short ride. You may or may not be able to get a collectivo ride into San Juan. I'm just not sure about that. But you are very close to El Yunque, but again, nothing is close enough to the resort that it can be reached without some form of transportation. And you may be able to get a cheaper taxi ride that's not affiliated with the hotel, but it's still going to be expensive. I'd suggest perhaps reconsidering a car rental, at least for 1 or 2 days. Or just relax and enjoy the beach and on-site activities if you don't want to pay to go into the city. Just be aware that meals onsite are also going to be expensive if you are on a strict budget.
