Here’s some practical, useful information for you to know exactly what to expect and how to best plan for a trip to Puerto Rico.
Heading to San Juan, Puerto Rico? You may be envisioning Old San Juan, the popular, 7-square-block landing spot for cruise passengers and first-time visitors to the island. The City of San Juan, however, is a much larger metropolitan area with multiple municipalities and neighborhoods. Beyond its walkable historic portion, transportation isn’t necessarily easy or affordable. Here is everything you need to know about getting around San Juan, with or without a car.
Old San Juan Is Walkable
There’s a reason Old San Juan serves as a welcome center of sorts. It’s simple to navigate and quicker to do so on foot. The roads of Old San Juan are very narrow and can be tough to maneuver by car. Moreover, they’re one-way streets so any block in traffic can cause cars to get stuck with no alternative way to exit until the block is cleared. This is the one place on the island where walking is more efficient.
You can find restaurants, a U.S. National Park site, live music and dancing, farmer’s markets, shops, and museums all within a 15-minute walk of each other. The weather is almost always pleasant, and the breeze from San Juan Bay balances out any high temperatures. The city even has a dedicated promenade for strolling called Paseo de la Princesa.
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Scenic Bike Trail in Old San Juan
If you’re a cyclist, check out the Paseo Puerta de Tierra. It’s a bike path that connects Old San Juan with Condado, one of San Juan’s most posh and lively neighborhoods. The 18-mile trail goes from Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the well-known fort that serves as a lookout point, to Piñones in Loiza, known for its boardwalk and food kiosks. There are several places in Old San Juan where you can rent bikes, e-bikes, motorcycles, mopeds, and motorscooters to start your route.
Limited Parking Lots and Garages in Old San Juan
If you’re driving into Old San Juan, chances are slim you’ll find street parking, so it’s best to head for one of the parking lots or garages. Take the first open space you find as availability is limited. Multipiso Doña Fela and Covadonga are above-ground garages with multiple floors. La Puntilla is a flat parking lot. Ballaja Parking is an underground garage found beneath Plaza del Quinto Centenario.
If you opt to park in one of the flat parking lots by the cruise port, or try your luck at parallel parking, be aware the area is full of unofficial “helpers” that will guide you into the spot and expect a tip after.
Public Transportation Is Not Convenient
There is limited public transportation around the San Juan metro area, and it is not convenient or reliable. They’re mainly buses and a light rail to residential areas. It would be frustrating and take up valuable vacation time needlessly trying to sightsee in this way. Outside the metro area, public transportation is practically non-existent.
You Need a Car to Get Around Generally
Beyond Old San Juan, you’ll need wheels of some sort to get around. It is recommended you rent a car. You can do so at the airport or in Isla Verde. The rental car companies outside the airport have shuttle services to get you to their offices and can sometimes offer better rates. Renting a car is costly, so reserve well in advance, the minute you make plans to visit. The low season for rental cars is hurricane season, between June and November.
Renting a Car Is Easy for U.S. Residents
Renting a car in Puerto Rico is like renting a car in any U.S. state. You do not need a passport or international driver’s permit. Traffic drives on the right side of the road so rental cars are not generally excluded from insurance policies because of geographical location. Renters just need a valid driver’s license and credit card.
Roads Can Be Challenging to Navigate
Driving around Puerto Rico can be challenging. There are big potholes when you least expect them. Use of turn signals is sporadic at best. The island is mountainous throughout the entire center, and certain roads in remote areas have such a steep incline you’ll need four-wheel drive. This is especially the case if you’re visiting Vieques or Culebra, which is why Jeep rentals in particular are so common.
You Can Rent a Golf Cart in Vieques or Culebra
Puerto Rico is an archipelago of over 100 small islands. Vieques and Culebra are two inhabited islands off the coast of Puerto Rico’s main island. Here, you can opt to rent a golf cart. It is more affordable than the Jeeps offered and can get you into certain places a car might not. However, consider that a golf cart is open so you do not have the added element of safety or a place to leave a change of clothes or beach equipment. Be vigilant with your belongings as thieves target tourists. Also, be aware that a golf cart is open to the elements, and in a setting with a tropical climate, it’s been known to rain once a day for 15 minutes or so.
Rideshares Are Available–to an Extent
Rideshares are widely available throughout the San Juan Metro area. The problem is when you want to go further. For instance, you may have a hard time finding a ride from the San Juan airport to Fajardo or Isabela, both popular lodging areas, because the driver won’t be able to pick up a passenger on the way back so they decline the ride.
Similarly, if you’re going to El Yunque, Puerto Rico’s tropical rainforest about a half hour from San Juan, you may be able to find a rideshare to take you there, but it’s unlikely you’ll find one to bring you back. It’s not feasible to get up or down the main driving trails by foot and you can feel unsafe or stranded. People either rent a car or book a tour to go in the tour provider’s car.
The San Juan Metro Area Is Large and Crowded
Over half the island’s residents live in the San Juan metro area, and driving a car is the most common way to get around so there are a lot of vehicles in the streets. The scenery and wait times can be comparable to Miami traffic. Allow yourself more time than expected to get to your destination, particularly during rush hour.
Don’t Trust Google Maps
Sometimes the address you put into Google or Apple Maps doesn’t take you to your destination on the island, especially if you’re traveling somewhere rural. Use Waze for more accurate directions.
Opt for the Highways on Road Trips
When you’re making a cross-island road trip, opt for the highways as much as possible over local roads. As mentioned, the topography in the center of the island makes it challenging to take a straight line from point A to point B. You may look at a map and wonder why you have to traverse the entire north or south coast of the island just to go west, but that’s because local roads are often windy, take longer, and can be intimidating to those unfamiliar with them.
For Accessibility, Book a Tour
There are wheelchair-accessible tour companies that operate in and around the island. Make sure to call and confirm availability since booking online can be unreliable.