Puerto Rico to other Islands?
 

I am planning a trip to Puerto Rico and will stay at the Rio Mar on the East side of the island, and then plan to travel to Rincon on the West side of the island. Are there options to go to other Caribbean islands from Rincon via air? I see there is an airport in Aguadilla and also Mayaguez. Do either of them have routine flights to other islands? e.g, Dominican Republic or USVI/BVI? I know there is a ferry that goes from Mayaguez to Dominican Republic but it looks like a long ride.

Also, is it safe to rent a car on Puerto Rico to get around? Otherwise we will be relying on taxis.

Thanks in advance for your advice!
JoniC

Puerto Rico is the main gateway to the rest of the Caribbean. You will find there are numerous flights to other islands every day, but mostly from the main SanJuan/LuizMunez airport. There are also boat/ferry service to other islands.

You have to rent a car in Puerto Rico unless you are staying in San Juan. Signage is bad, but it's perfectly safe to drive around. There's no other realistic alternative.

As Tuxedocat said, there are many flights to other islands from Puerto Rico (though not quite as many as there were a few months ago), just not from Aguadilla or Mayaguez.

If you're planning on traveling to the smaller islands to the east (Culebra, Viequest and even the USVI) a good option is to fly out of the newly opened airport in Ceiba ... http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/ceiba-airport/

We were there years ago and stayed in a private house in Palmas Del Mar. We flew a twin Cesnea out of Humaco airport to St. Thomas one day. We went down to the small airport a couple of days prior and talked to a charter owner and discussed a price. There were six of us and the price was very reasonable and the schedule was what ever we wanted. As I recall we had to be back at St. Thomas prior to dark as flying back in the dark was an issue.