Those traveling between San Juan and Fajardo in Puerto Rico may wish to consider their transportation options.
Fajardo is a city in eastern Puerto Rico that attracts many visitors. But, as it’s located an hour from the capital city, numerous visitors ponder how to easily and efficiently get between the two cities to explore Fajardo`s best attractions.
As a local from Puerto Rico who has been to Fajardo, this article contains my best tips to help travelers experience traveling between San Juan and Fajardo to enjoy their vacation.
Now, let’s break down the best ways to get to Fajardo and back to San Juan!
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4 Ways to Get From San Juan to Fajardo (& Back)
There are four different ways for visitors to travel from San Juan to Fajardo including rental automobiles, private shuttles, taxis, and carros públicos.
Although all these options are by land, which method you choose will depend on your budget, time constraints, and flexibility.
Let’s break them down:
From San Juan to Fajardo by Car
🚍 Best for: Independence to explore, and comfort
💵 Cost: $$
👉 Where to Book:Discover Cars
Renting a vehicle in Puerto Rico is your best option if you want to explore and make stops at some enjoyablePuerto Rico attractions like El Yunque National Forest before arriving in Fajardo.
The driving organization in Puerto Rico is fairly similar to that of the United States so it`s relatively easy to move around and, relying on the time of the year you visit Puerto Rico, you can discover moderately priced fares for rental cars.
Advantages of Travelling to Fajardo by Vehicle:
- Flexibility to explore
- Cheapest way in the long run
- Not being limited by transportation hours
Disadvantages of Travelling to Fajardo by Vehicle:
- Pricey if only one person is paying
- Differences in driving norms in Puerto Rico
From San Juan to Fajardo by Private Shuttle
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Inspect Resorts in Buena Vista on Booking
For those who dislike driving in an unfamiliar place and would prefer to relax and admire the scenery, using a San Juan to Fajardo shuttle is a good choice.
Private shuttles depart from various points in San Juan, like the San Juan Airport and Old San Juan.
But, you can arrange differing hours and location pick-ups depending on the company you choose.
Shuttle vehicles can carry larger groups than a taxi, which is convenient if your party exceeds the typical number permitted in a taxi.
Benefits of Travelling to Fajardo via Private Shuttles:
- Stress-free trip to Fajardo
- Great for large groups
- Cheap if paid by multiple persons
Disadvantages of traveling to Fajardo via private shuttles:
- Limited stops
- Pricey if it’s for one person
From San Juan to Fajardo by Taxi
🚍 Best suited for: Comfort
💵 Cost: Moderate to expensive
Taxi vehicles are similar to private shuttles when traveling to Fajardo as they offer flexibility with pick-up and drop-off locations and hours, but they can be somewhat more expensive.
Taxis base their costs on distance and charge extra charges for late hours, baggage, and extra travelers, so a ride from San Juan to Fajardo can rapidly include up.
Benefits of Traveling to Fajardo by Taxis:
- Flexibility with pick-up and drop-off
- Stress-free trip to Fajardo
- More private than a large shuttle
Drawbacks of Traveling to Fajardo by Taxis:
- Can be pricey
- Additional fees for extra luggage
- Additional fees for extra passengers
From San Juan to Fajardo by Guagua Pública
🚍 Best suited for: Saving money
💵 Cost: Inexpensive
Visitors sometimes struggle to comprehend how the carros públicos transportation system operates in Puerto Rico.
While they don`t run on a fixed schedule and can be unreliable at times, you can take public transportation known as a carro público from San Juan to the Fajardo town center for under $50.
The fare could even be under $20 if you have good negotiating abilities and you catch a full van, as the price lowers if there are more passengers.
If you want to journey to Fajardo by public vehicle, then you’ll must head over to the Terminal de Public Vehicles del Este in Río Piedras earlier than 7 am and search out the van heading to Fajardo.
The vehicles make between two and three journeys a day. Don’t let the Carolina drivers convince you the route isn’t still available. But if you do miss the Fajardo route for the day, you’ll have to negotiate with them a trip to Fajardo.
Keep in mind that guaguas depart only when full, regardless of how long people have been waiting to depart.
Benefits of Going to Fajardo via Guagua Pública:
- Cheapest way to get from San Juan to Fajardo
- Daily routes
Drawbacks of Going to Fajardo via Guagua Pública:
- Don’t run after 3 pm
- Don’t run on weekends
- Big luggage isn’t allowed on board
- Lack of comfort
- Drivers hardly speak English
3 Tips For Getting Between San Juan and Fajardo
Stop at El Yunque National Forest
On your route to Fajardo, make a stop at one of the top attractions in Puerto Rico, El Yunque National Forest.
El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the National Forest System and it houses beautiful waterfalls, rivers, flora, and fauna.
Examine my nearby guidebook for El Yunque National Forest for additional details.
Stay a Few Days
If you’re traveling to Fajardo from San Juan, then I recommend taking a few days to tour the northeastern area.
Plan an evening at the highly esteemed El Conquistador Resort to tour the seaside locales of Fajardo, renowned for their light blue waters, and Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve, perfect for viewing local wildlife and kayaking in one of Puerto Rico’s luminous bays.
👉 Read Further: Weekend Excursions from San Juan
Take a Tour to an Outside Island
Once in Fajardo, take a Puerto Rico boat journey to offshore islands like Icacos.
You can also find boat trips during the day to Culebra and Vieques if you don’t want to spend a few days at these offshore municipalities. The boat trips to Culebralast a single day, allowing visitors to experience the islands without an overnight stay. Similarly, day trips are available via boat to Vieques for those seeking a brief offshore excursion.
Find the ideal trip departing from Fajardo’s multiple marinas, including snorkeling trips and scuba diving tours to some of the most famous places for diving in Puerto Rico.
Escape to Vieques and Culebra
After exploring Fajardo, make your way to the new ferry terminal in the neighboring town of Ceiba.
📍 Google Maps | Website
You can also find shuttles that offer transportation directly to the Ceiba terminal from San Juan if you don’t plan on stopping in Fajardo.
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Negotiate the Fee
Travellers using carros públicos to travel from San Juan to Fajardo should prepare for a true local experience that demands patience, basic Spanish skills and bargaining competence.
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The fee will depend on how many passengers are on the bus and how skilled you are at negotiation.
The more occupied the transport, the cheaper your journey will be. Regardless, you shouldn’t be paying anything over $60 so be sure to negotiate if it’s more and be prepared to pay in cash.
Drivers from Carolina will try to persuade you that the route to Fajardo is no longer operational so you make special (and more expensive) arrangements with them.
Even if you don’t see the van at the terminal, know that the route exists and that you might have missed it.
Learn more in my guide to moving throughout Puerto Rico.
👉 Local Tip: If you miss the van to Fajardo, depending on the hour of the day, you may wait for the next trip (which can take hours) or negotiate a trip with another driver.
FAQs About Getting from San Juan to Fajardo
How do I get from San Juan to Fajardo?
Visitors arriving in San Juan by air can reach Fajardo by renting a vehicle, taking a private shuttle or taxi, or using public transportation from the Terminal de Carros Públicos del Este in Rio Piedras.
Is there a bus from San Juan to Fajardo?
There was a van that traveled directly between the Terminal de Carros Públicos in Río Piedras, San Juan and Fajardo. Though inexpensive, it often lacked reliability, mostly being used by local citizens. Visitors should opt for other means of transportation like a taxi or private shuttle.
Is Fajardo worth visiting?
Or immerse yourself in the renowned Flamenco Beach, which has repeatedly earned recognition as one among the premier beaches in the USA and worldwide.
How much is a taxi from San Juan to Fajardo?
Taking a taxi from San Juan to Fajardo in Puerto Rico would cost between 120 and 180 US dollars. The ultimate price is influenced not only by the meter but also factors like the number of passengers, amount of luggage, and pickup location in San Juan.
Map of How to Get Between San Juan and Fajardo
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Thank you for reading my guide on traveling between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Fajardo!
If you want to explore additional attractions on the island, browse these famous activities available in Puerto Rico.
Happy exploring!
