Car Rental in Puerto Rico is Worth it!
All my life I’ve been a public transportation lover, but as I researched our Puerto Rico trip in the weeks before we went, a theme kept recurring: “Get a rental car!” everyone “in the know” advised.
But why? Why is having a car so essential in Puerto Rico when we’ve traveled just fine to other locations without our own vehicle?
Once Colin, traveling baby, and I arrived on the island and picked up our car rental, however, it became clear why we needed it. Here are the nine reasons you should rent a car in Puerto Rico.
1. Car Rental Gives Freedom.
There is little public transport in Puerto Rico, so if you don’t rent a car, your options are to stay in one small area, to purchase package day tours, or to muddle through the public transport that exists. All of these are possible, but we felt so much more free and empowered in Puerto Rico with our own car.
Our trusty vehicle took us through the shockingly narrow cobblestone streets of Old San Juan (click here for info on our great San Juan hotel) to the far west coast, deep into the island’s interior, to the far east coast with zero problems.
2. Puerto Rico Beach Access!
Puerto Rico has phenomenal beaches, and the famous ones as well as the lovely hidden ones are easily accessible by car… and a big pain to get to without one.
3. Renting a Car Enables Adventure.
Many of the most thrilling parts of our Puerto Rico trip came when we decided on a whim to pull off the road into a small town, grabbing a yummy bite to eat or sipping the milk from a freshly chopped coconut by a random beach off the tourist trail.
This was far easier since we had our own wheels. Do not underestimate the quantity of charming hidden spots all around Puerto Rico.
4. A Rental Car Provides Comfort.
Puerto Rico is hot, constantly. How delicious it is to be in control of your own air conditioning in your own car! How nice not to have to load your stuff on and off of a bus, or share your space with a dozen other sweaty folks! Further, the main roads are in good condition, and even the twisty mountain ones in the interior are doable by taking it slow.
5. El Yunque Rainforest is Easiest by Car!
The rainforest in Puerto Rico is a must-see attraction, but did you know you can drive right into and through it, popping out of the car at various outlooks?
We took full advantage of this, since our baby is small, and we were advised that many of the hiking trails would be too slippery to take him on. Thanks to our car, we were still able to get a ton of fun out of El Yunque. (Click here for info on our nice hotel near El Yunque.)
6. Puerto Rico is the Perfect Size for Driving.
Puerto Rico is a delicious driving size. It took us just three hours to drive across the whole island the long way, so in the two weeks we had there, we were really able to explore a bunch of nooks and crannies, giving us a satisfying feeling that we were not missing out.
7. Nature is More Accessible by Car.
We adored how lush and natural Puerto Rico was, and most of the best nature is spotted on narrow side roads. Our favorite sights were the shockingly red “Flamboyant Trees,” and the lazy cows (both pictured below).
8. Arecibo Observatory is a Puerto Rico Gem.
The largest radio telescope in the world is located in Puerto Rico’s interior, down a winding series of country roads, and it is not to be missed.
It was even featured in the movies “Contact” and James Bond’s “Goldeneye!” Nearby are the famous Camuy Caves, but we didn’t get a chance to stop because of a certain baby diaper situation paired with exhaustion.
9. Smartphone GPS Works in Puerto Rico.
Did you know that U.S. smartphones work perfectly in Puerto Rico, with no extra fees? (At least in our experience — Double check with YOUR phone company.)
This means that Americans like us can roam around the island with no maps except for our little electronics, exploring and enjoying hither and yon. It made planning the trip and navigating a joy.
Important Note: Though we loved our Puerto Rico renal car, it’s important to remember that driving in a new place can be tricky, and PR can pose some different challenges than you’re used to. Please use caution while navigating on the island.
Logistics of Puerto Rico Car Rental
Now you’re convinced to get your own wheels, right? Lovely. So what else do you need to know about car rental in Puerto Rico? First, there are a number of rental companies to choose from, all located conveniently in the airport.
KAYAK has quality car deals (click to see via the affiliate link), as does Travelocity, and Expedia.
We ended up using CarRentals.co.uk and had a good experience, though Colin was mightily disappointed that I wouldn’t allow him to blow our vacation budget on a red Mustang sports car. Our snazzy silver non-Mustang served us just fine, though, thank you very much.
Vieques and Culebra with a Rental Car
Second, remember that you CANNOT take a rental car from the main island on the ferry to Vieques or Culebra — you have to either rent another car on those islands or just use taxis and other forms of transport. (Click for Vieques car rental deals.) This fact totally changed our plans when we realized it at the last minute, so heed it well!
In Short: DO Rent a Car for Puerto Rico!
In the end, all those people who told us to rent a car in Puerto Rico were right. I can’t imagine how much tougher our trip would have been without a car, schlepping the baby and all our stuff on various buses, but I do know that I would have missed out on a whole lot of chilled coconuts that we sipped along oceanfronts the whole island long, not to mention all the other goodies listed above!
Where to Stay in Puerto Rico:
- We liked this lovely San Juan hotel (click for info)
- We also enjoyed the Luquillo Sunrise Inn, just 15 minutes from El Yunque rainforest.
- For a ranking of the best hotels in Puerto Rico, click here.
- Another great option is to get a vacation rental in Puerto Rico (click for my favorite site for this).
Puerto Rico Tours and Guidebooks:
- Check out this awesome search engine for Puerto Rico tours of all kinds!
- Browse Puerto Rico travel guidebooks on Amazon.
Want more travel advice? Here are all the rest of my Puerto Rico articles. Buen viaje!
We were provided with our car by CarRentals.co.uk, but all opinions and cow rump photos are my own. Some links here are affiliates, providing a commission at no extra cost to you. Gracias!
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David Lambert says
Going to Puerto Rico on the 5th of November, I haven’t been there in 40 yrs. When I was 4yrs old in 1954 I lived on the west coast of the island for 13 yrs. Don’t ask me why I’m going there it’s something I’ve got to do. I’ve rented a car and a hotel room in Boqueron p.r. hope to see you there.
Lillie Marshall says
What a wonderful to revisit a place that has been important to you! Have a WONDERFUL trip!!!
Janet says
Thanks for the article. I know it is a few years old, but maybe you still monitor it. We are planning a trip to PR this summer and the only part of the trip for which I have not reserved a rental car is our 2-day stay in San Juan upon arrival. Is a rental car necessary to get around in San Juan or are the attractions walkable? Our hotel is in city center if that means anything. Thanks!
Lillie says
Hi Janet,
Thanks for your question! I think you could be fine in San Juan without a car. Even if you’re not right at the attractions, there are taxis and there’s public transport. Further, life is a little easier in San Juan without a car, because even though there are parking lots, some of the streets of Old San Juan are narrow, steep, and generally a challenge to navigate. In short: Either way should work. Hope this helps, and have a great trip!
Lexter Renzo says
I am planning a trip with my family and trying to figure out where is the best place to stay. I see so many hotels in San Juan, then Isla Verde I’m overwhelmed. We want a nice beach, with ocean views from the hotel, water activities nearby, shopping and site seeing with and a good price. Do you have any suggestions?
Lillie says
Hi Lexter,
We had a nice experience at this hotel: https://www.aroundtheworldl.com/2014/09/15/san-juan-kids-hotel/ but there are many great options!
Sushar says
Hi – What are your views on the safety and traffic situation in PR? Is it safe to travel around in the rental car? What are the places and times of day to avoid from a safety standpoint? Anything to watch out for on the traffic and roads side? Thanks much!
Lillie says
Hi Sushar,
I’ve repeatedly heard that it’s best to drive during daylight hours. We traveled during daytime and felt safe, but each experience varies. Good luck finding more current and specific information, and have a great trip!
Pam says
We were in Puerto Rico in August and also rented a car. The other tip is the car rental place told us we didn’t need the toll road pass, but we definitely did. If you want the freedom to go wherever you want, pay the few bucks to get the pass.
We heard a lot of horror stories about driving in Puerto Rico, but we didn’t have any problems. I would suggest going with the smallest vehicle you can because with an SUV you may find it difficult to get through some of the tighter roads.
Lillie says
Great tips. Thanks for taking the time to share!
Der says
Great article – thanks for sharing. Insurance wise, I assume that you need coverage? And if so how much does it cost? Thanks.
Lillie says
Hi Der,
Thanks for reading, and hope this helps! Insurance with rental cars is a funny thing. It can vary widely in cost, so make sure to look into it. That said, a good trick to save money is to check whether your credit card comes with rental car insurance coverage. If that’s the case, you may not need to pay the rental car company. Best of luck and keep us posted!
Janie says
We are leaving to Puerto Rico next Thursday. I’m doing my research on car rentals. Does CarRentals.co.uk provide a shuttle from airport to agency? Do they take credit cards? I’m getting a little nervous now about what agency to use after reading those nightmare stories about car rentals.
Lillie says
Exciting that you’re leaving soon! our trip was a few years ago so details are now hazy in my mind, but I seem to remember the agency was walkable from where we got off the airplane, and they did take credit cards. Give them a call or email to verify, though. Wishing you a dreamy, non-nighmare experience! Let us know your tips once you come back!
Anna J says
How was parking when going to all these places? Was parking free, or was it expensive? Also, I see that they have tolls, so how much would you say you spent on tolls? And does the price of a car compare to price of taxis/public transportation?
My friends and I are planning to go to Puerto Rico in March for our last spring break and being the adventurous college kids we are we are leaning towards getting a rental but also costs comes into a factor.
Lillie says
Hey Anna,
Your trip sounds exciting! Unfortunately, I don’t remember the exact costs of parking (there WERE quite a few good parking lots near major tourist attractions) or tolls, but I don’t think those costs were that high. In general, if you have a group of people, cars often come out to be much more economical and convenient than public transport. Further, since you say you’re adventurous, a car will open up better options for exploring a wider variety of areas. And if you want, you can do a combination: Rent a car, but for some things (ex: going out at night), take cabs or public transport. Enjoy, and have a wonderful trip! Let us know what you decide and how it goes!
Erin says
Who did you rent from? I’m going to Puerto Rico for a week and all I see is nightmare stories from the cheaper car rental companies. Should I just pay the extra money to go with Enterprise or another major company? Thanks.
Lillie says
Hi Erin! There’s a link in the article to the company I used, and was happy with them, but that’s worrisome to hear that there are horror stories. Best of luck and enjoy your trip!
Susan says
Thanks for the tips! We live in MA too with our almost 7 month old son. Did you bring a carseat or did the car rental company provide one for you?
Lillie says
Yay for Mass Mamas! We brought our own carseat, and I wrote up a detailed post about why and how in my Travel with Baby article here: https://www.aroundtheworldl.com/2014/10/12/how-to-travel-with-baby/ . Have a great time!
Lex @LexParadise says
What a lovely family trip at Puerto Rico! I think it is so convenient to rent a car, especially for the family trip. It really make the trip a lot more flexible! Wait! I love the baby smile!
Casey A Cruising Couple says
Love those photos! I’m definitely sold on the idea to visit Puerto Rico, and I couldn’t image a better way to do it than by car!
Aleah | SolitaryWanderer.com says
Gorgeous photos, especially the close-up one of your baby! If you’re traveling as a family, renting a car is infinitely more convenient.
Gabi@TheNomadicFamily says
aww look at the baby.. love has grown so big <3 <3 <3 lots of love for him and you dear.
we always prefer renting cars, we just enjoy it so much.. :)
Mary @ Green Global Travel says
Amazing photos! I’m glad you were able to do and see so much! Thanks for sharing!
Lillie says
Thanks for reading and commenting :)
Ramon says
I just stumbled upon this website looking for information on timesharings. I am from Puerto Rico and yes, you need a car to get around. Glad to see you enjoyed your visit!!
Lillie says
Thanks for your affirmation!
amelie88 says
Public transportation is great but it’ll only get you so far. You can do out of the way trips on tours but those don’t usually go everywhere you want to go. There are many places in this world you cannot visit without a car. I say this as someone who hates driving and will avoid it at all costs if possible, but I do have my license (you can’t get not use a car in the suburbs of NYC). Someday I’ll visit Puerto Rico and I will definitely rent a car. As beautiful as San Juan is, there are other places on the island I’d like to visit. Hopefully I’ll avoid England Scotland though–they drive on the wrong side of the road.
Lillie says
Well said.
Gran Canaria Local says
We’re big fans of renting cars on our travel too. You get to see so much more. It really is worth it.
Lillie says
Yuppo.
Wandering Educators says
We love renting cars – it makes so much sense! That coconut drink? Heaven!!
Lillie says
I forced Colin to pull over so many times to get more coconuts!