Driving in Puerto Rico, or any new place, can be a little scary, so I want to tell you all about it to help you feel more comfortable and give you some advice. Driving really is the best way to get around in Puerto Rico to see the island, especially if you use my 7-day itinerary that takes you all over.
Rental cars in Puerto Rico. I highly recommend renting from one of the companies at the airport. They’re technically right across the street from the airport, so a few steps away. Don’t rent from the ones that are nearby with a shuttle. The shuttle often takes a long time to arrive, and the wait times at the nearby office can be even longer. Save yourself the headache. Spend your time at the beach, not the rental counter. The off-site companies are usually cheaper when you book, but you’ll get hit with surprise add-on fees on arrival. Or worse, the car itself is rough. I have heard stories of roach infestations too many times. Just rent from one of the airport car rental companies: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, or Hertz.
- Kayak – this link has San Juan selected, just change to your dates, then click All Filters, scroll down and select only the companies listed above
- Priceline – this link has San Juan selected, just change to your dates, then on the left select the companies above
The tolls happen automatically. Your rental car comes with a transponder for the AutoExpreso tolls. You don’t stop and therefore you don’t pay anything at the booth. The rental company charges you weeks later for whatever you racked up. We did 9 days of driving all over the island and our total toll was $80. Not bad, but factor it into the budget.
Traffic. If you have never experienced a tapón (traffic jam) in Puerto Rico, you’re about to. San Juan is a small city with a lot of cars! Traffic is especially heavy heading into San Juan in the morning and then out of San Juan in the evening. Plan around that. Usually, I have found that while traveling, I’m heading out of the city in the morning to go somewhere else, so it’s not so bad.
Is it safe to drive in Puerto Rico? I mean, as safe as any place. Driving in Puerto Rico is a little creative. The shoulder of the highway is a full-on lane for many people in San Juan. In the country, you might share the road with a horse. There might be a party happening in the middle of road. Just go with it. Plan ahead, drive defensively, leave a little extra space and you’ll be fine.
Mountains. The roads can be a little adventurous for some people. They are very windy and narrow in la isla (around the island). I’m from the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia and my husband is from Ciales, in the mountains of Puerto Rico, so we’re used to it. Just take extra care (and Dramamine if you need it).
Parking. Parking in San Juan can be a huge headache and put a real damper on a good time if you don’t plan for it. Make sure you research parking before you go somewhere in the city. There’s always a way to do it, but it’s not like you can just roll up and park in a huge lot. Some places have small gated lots with attendants, like my favorite panadería, Kasalta, in Ocean Park. If you are going to Old San Juan, get my free guide for what to see, where to eat, scenic streets and parking!
Buen viaje!
7-Day Puerto Rico Itinerary
Ready to really experience Puerto Rico?
Hear live bomba music on the beach, fall asleep to the coquis in a jungle treehouse, taste Puerto Rican coffee on the farm where it was grown, swim in water that glows when you move through it.
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Erick was born and raised on the island. Whitney came as an exchange student, fell in love with Puerto Rico and with him, and married into the island for good. Fluent in Spanish, well-traveled across the globe and determined to squeeze every last drop out of a trip, she’s the planner. He knows every back road, every hidden beach and every family-run restaurant worth stopping for. Together they’ve built an itinerary that combines insider local knowledge with the eye of an experienced traveler.
