Understanding how you’re getting around will be a key part of travel for you and your guests.
If you’re staying close to San Juan, then transportation might be relatively simple. You’ll have access to a variety of options. In many instances, guests won’t need a car (taxis and Uber are convenient options in town) unless they want to extend their visit beyond the city for an adventure.
If you’re getting married somewhere beyond the metro area, then it’s likely cars will be necessary (unless you decide to transport all of your guests in a bus or fleet of vans).
All major rental car companies have a presence on the Island.
The metro area bus system has well-established routes.
San Juan’s trolley service stopping at the historic Castillo San Felipe del Morro.
Many towns around the Island have a public bus system.
The ferry system out of Ceiba makes multiple daily visits to the islands of Vieques and Culebra.
Puerto Rico receives daily non-stop flights from all major United States cities.
Rental Cars
Renting a car is the easiest way to experience the Island at your own pace. Companies like Avis, Enterprise, and Budget operate at the airports in San Juan, Aguadilla, and Ponce. The San Juan airport has the widest selection of rental car companies to choose from. You’ll also find rental car outposts across the Island. Operators with multiple branches will often let you rent from and return to different locations for an additional fee if you’re trying to get from point A to point B.
Some toll roads in Puerto Rico accept cash, however many just accept AutoExpreso, an automated, prepaid system. Most rental vehicles come with an AutoExpreso tag so that you can traverse the Island freely, and your operator will bill you after you return the car.
Rideshare Apps
Getting around shorter distances is comfortable with apps like Uber. Rideshare drivers abound in the San Juan metro area, becoming more limited in areas of the Island that aren’t as heavily populated.
Transportation Companies
There are various transportation companies on the Island if you’re looking for a limo, van, shuttle, or bus to transport yourself or your group. Options and prices vary by company.
Train
You can ride the rails across parts of the San Juan metro area, Guaynabo, and Bayamón. Tren Urbano, a single-line rapid transportation system, includes 16 stops throughout roughly 10 miles, making it a popular and affordable option for getting around the metro area.
Públicos, Taxis & Buses
Públicos are a popular method of transportation all over Puerto Rico. These spacious vans offer regulated rates and designated pickup points at airports and other highly trafficked sites. You might find yourself riding alongside a few strangers, but that’s how the rates remain affordable.
Depending on where you are on the Island, you might be able to call a private taxi. Most públicos and taxis don’t accept credit cards, so be sure you have enough cash before setting out on your ride.
If you’re looking to travel within the San Juan metro region, public buses follow well-trafficked routes throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Commuter Flights
Several commuter airports make it easy to travel between the islands of Puerto Rico. Vieques Air Link, Cape Air, and Air Flamenco are a few of the small airlines that fly to Vieques and Culebra. Other short-haul airports include Isla Grande (SIG) in San Juan, Ceiba (RVR), and Mayagüez (MAZ).
Ferries
Take a ferry from the Puerto Rico mainland to the offshore getaways of Vieques and Culebra. Ferries leave several times a day from Ceiba, and trips can take between 30 minutes and an hour and a half, depending on the boat and the water conditions.
Ferries have a limited number of spaces available for vehicles, and most rental car companies don’t let their fleet leave the mainland, so your best bet is to hire a públicos or rent a car or golf cart once your boat docks.
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