From the airport to the city centre Puerto Rico

All international flights arrive at the Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (LMM - SJU), located in Isla Verde in the municipality of Carolina, east of San Juan. Not to be confused with the airport of Isla Grande, Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci, this one is close to Old San Juan and reserved for domestic flights. To reach the center of San Juan by bus, take the B40 line. The bus stop is located at the exit of the arrivals hall. It goes to the neighborhoods of Isla Verde and Rio Piedras. If you want to go to Old San Juan or El Condado, you will have to take another bus. The bus stops are marked with " parada " signs. The cab companies are present at the arrivals. In the second line, Uber cabs have a pick-up zone. Two dedicated " paradas " are officially established at the Terminal A and JetBlue Terminal arrivals. Some hotels also have a shuttle service to the airport. It takes about 20 minutes to get to downtown San Juan, depending on traffic.

Arrival by train Puerto Rico

There are no train lines in operation between the different cities of Puerto Rico. The only one that currently operates is the San Juan urban train. The Tren Urbano, which opened in 2004, runs through the southern part of the capital. It has only one line and there are no other trains, streetcars or subways in San Juan. This underground and aerial railroad connects Bayamón, in the south of the capital, to Santurce, passing through the university area of Rio Piedras and the business center of Hato Rey. There are currently a total of 16 stations, starting from Sagrado Corazón. The Tren Urbano operates from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm. The ticket costs US$ 1.50, the daily pass is US$ 5. Eventually, extensions are planned to connect Old San Juan to the SJU International Airport and to Carolina.

Arrival by boat Puerto Rico

The easiest way to reach the beautiful islands of Vieques and Culebra is by ferry from Fajardo on the east coast of Puerto Rico. There are also ferry services in the bay of San Juan, to reach the old town in Cataño, for example. The Dominican Republic is also accessible by boat from San Juan

Puerto Rico has two cruise terminals in San Juan Bay, which handle approximately 500 cruise ships per year. Most companies that organize cruises in the Caribbean include a stopover in Puerto Rico

Public transport Puerto Rico

From a tourist point of view, public transportation is the biggest problem in Puerto Rico. If they work relatively well in San Juan and surroundings (Bayamón, Carolina, Cataño and Guaynabo), to circulate outside, the rented car is essential. The public transport, Públicos, these shared cabs, often resembling large vans, remain very random from one region to another. They only run during the day, from Monday to Saturday, and only start when they are full

In addition to the Tren Urbano, which serves the San Juan area (as far as Bayamón), the city has a bus service run by the Autoridad Metropolitana de Autobuses (AMA) to get its citizens from one end of the city to the other. These AMA "metrobuses" operate until 10 pm. The stops (paradas) are marked with red, orange or white signs

Bike, scooters & co Puerto Rico

Bicycle. Except for the two small islands of Vieques and Culebra, it is not advisable to try to tour Puerto Rico by bicycle. The national roads are of poor quality. Cycling through the heart of the island on the scenic route can be a hectic trip if you are the adventurous type. In the city centers, there are few, if any, bicycle paths. However, there are some places that are quite suitable for cycling (Cabo Rojo, for example), where you can rent mountain bikes and take guided tours. Some municipalities have bicycle paths, and in San Juan there are also some possibilities for cyclists. Mentalities are not easily changed, but the bicycle is slowly becoming part of the lifestyle of a small part of the population.

Motorcycles and scooters. There are few rental addresses, especially in San Juan. On the island, you can count them on the fingers of one hand. A French driver's license is sufficient to rent a 125cc motorcycle. On the other hand, a motorcycle license is required for larger bikes. On the islands of Vieques and Culebra, this is a good alternative.

Scooter. New in San Juan, some companies (Bird, Kick) have made available a fleet of self-service electric scooters. These scooters can be rented via dedicated applications. A good option for getting around the neighborhoods of El Condado and Ocean Park, for example.

With a driver Puerto Rico

There are cabs all over the island, but they are becoming increasingly rare, overtaken by the international company Uber also present in Puerto Rico since 2016, especially in the San Juan area. Here are some private cab companies that can provide transfers between the airport and your hotel in San Juan or elsewhere on the island: San Juan Taxis (+1 877 288 8294), Taxi Service Puerto Rico (+1 787 382 6220), CityCab Puerto Rico (+1 787 633 3327), Wilbert Taxi Service (+1 787 479 9767). The cost of a trip in the San Juan area from the SJU airport is between US$12 and US$22. Trips around San Juan are charged by the meter. In the so-called "tourist zones", fares are fixed and posted. Payment is made in cash only directly to the drivers. There are also cabs for tourists from the company Metro Taxi. These have already established prices for certain routes. If you are staying in the San Juan area, carpooling is still the best option for daily trips: the Uber application works very well locally

By car Puerto Rico

The car is the best way to get around Puerto Rico freely, from city to city. But not in San Juan, where you may have to deal with traffic jams and parking problems. In San Juan, traffic jams can occur in the morning from 8:00 am to 10:00 am and from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. During these times, the entrances to San Juan are jammed in the morning, and the exits are jammed in the evening. It is therefore best to avoid rush hour.

In San Juan, almost all the major international car rental companies have an address at the airport, or rather at the airport exit. Shuttles pass every 15 minutes in front of the exit of the main hall to take customers to the desired agency. They are open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm every day, in principle. In Puerto Rico, you must be at least 21 years old to rent a car and prices are approximately US$60 per day, including taxes and insurance. However, there are local agencies with cheaper and equally reliable rates. Most are located along Avenida Isla Verde

Driving. As in the United States, you drive on the right side of the road. On the highways, traffic is usually heavy and it is imperative to keep an eye on both mirrors: you can be passed on the left as well as on the right. In the countryside, location and directional signs are usually non-existent. Overall, the road network is generally in good condition. On the scenic route through the heart of the country, beware of winding roads. You should pay particular attention to hairpin bends, which can be surprising, especially since the lanes are narrow, and do not hesitate to use the horn when entering bends. On many roads, including expressways, it is not uncommon to see iguanas coming to seek the heat of the asphalt... This can be dangerous in case of a sudden deviation, which is why these poor creatures often end up being run over by motorists.

As everywhere, wearing a seatbelt is mandatory. It is forbidden to have an open bottle of alcohol in the car, either in the driver's seat or in the back. The use of a telephone while driving is also penalized.

Parking. In San Juan, more than anywhere else, you must be particularly careful about where you park. The absence of any sign or marking does not necessarily mean that it is possible to park and it is easy to have your vehicle impounded. To avoid this kind of inconvenience, do not hesitate to ask people to confirm that parking is permitted at the desired location or to use the guarded, paid parking lots in the downtown area. There are many paid parking lots. Hotels sometimes have them, whether free or not.

Signage. This is the same signage used in the United States. On the signs, distances are indicated in miles (1 mile = 1.6 km). Note, however, that on the side of the road, mile markers indicate hundreds of meters and kilometers. It's also good to know that the sign that looks like an upside-down yield sign is actually a stop sign! In most cases, it is possible to turn right even if the light is red and when the lane is clear, of course. Finally, as in the United States, traffic lights are systematically placed on the other side of the lane. You must therefore think about anticipating to stop if the light is red.

Finding your way around. The Puerto Rican road system is organized like that of the United States, in that all roads and highways have numbers. Single and double numbers designate the most important roads, such as PR-2, which circles the West Coast. County roads have three numbers, and smaller roads have four numbers. Avenues and major roads are well marked; GPS navigation systems generally work well.

Tolls. There are no tolls as such, but a subscription system attached to the vehicle registration, with an automated payment method. Car rental agencies offer to include the pass in the rental package. This allows the use of lanes with electronic toll collection

Gasoline. Finding fuel is easy on the island. The steep roads of central Puerto Rico burn up a lot of gas very quickly. However, filling up the tank is very cheap: 1 liter costs about 1 US$. The gas stations are usually open until 7 pm. An automatic service then takes over. Texaco stations are the most common, but not the cheapest.

Accessibility Puerto Rico

Travelers with limited mobility can take advantage of a number of facilities that make it easier for them to get around. In Puerto Rico, U.S. laws prevail in this regard. For example, all supermarket parking lots are equipped with reserved spaces. And most hotels have dedicated rooms for people with disabilities.