Driving in Puerto Rico (A Local’s Guide, for First Timers)

🚗 Rental Car Warning: Make sure the price for your rental includes insurance, and Autoexpreso to avoid paying more on the counter. And read the contract for hidden fees! Learn more in my guide to renting a car in Puerto Rico.

Car Insurance Rules

Overall, renting a car in Puerto Rico is easy if you have a credit card and a driver’s license.

But, there are two types of insurance you’ll need to pay for: Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI), and the CDW/LDW (Collision Damage Waiver and Loss Damage Waiver). 

The SLI is mandatory and it covers the costs of an accident that affects a third party.

The CDW/LDW insurance is optional, but this insurance covers any damage to the vehicle, robbery, or an accident so you don’t have to pay for it yourself.

If you’re under 25 years old or you want to include a second driver in your contract, you may need to pay an extra fee for renting a car. If an accident occurs while someone else besides the person in the contract is driving, insurance will not cover you.

Keep in mind you need to be over 21 to rent a car from most rental companies in Puerto Rico.

🚗 Pro Tip: Check if your credit card offers rental car insurance as a benefit, and bring the proof of coverage to your rental company. If not, you can add insurance when renting your car through Discover Cars Puerto Rico.

Driving in the Rain in Puerto Rico

It’s not uncommon to find yourself driving under a pouring sky in Puerto Rico.

If you’re driving while it’s raining, reduce your speed and use your intermittent lights if the visibility is poor.

Know that, in Puerto Rico, when it rains too much in a short time some streets and neighborhoods get flooded. Needless to say, never try to cross flooded areas.

Nighttime Driving in Puerto Rico

If you drive during the night in Puerto Rico, you’ll find some poorly lit areas while driving, most of them a product of Hurricane Maria.

Always keep your eyes on the road and take common safety measures when driving around, like keeping your doors locked.

After midnight, you can drive past the red lights with precaution if there is no traffic. That way you don’t have to stay alone at the intersection.

As a local myself, I recommend doing so and it’s one of my tips to stay safe in Puerto Rico.

Mountain Driving in Puerto Rico

While the mountainous region has breathtaking landscapes and some of the best activities in Puerto Rico, the main island’s mountain roads aren’t for the weak-hearted.

The rural area sports very narrow roads, sometimes wide enough to fit a car, with little lightning and signs. In narrow roads, the car going up has the right to transit first by law.

Always double-check your destinations with local guides, and know some Spanish phrases in case you need to ask for directions.

Avoid taking sudden shortcuts that the GPS recommends. Even as a local, I constantly find myself asking for directions when I visit Puerto Rico’s mountains, as the GPS suggests hard-to-follow routes.

Don’t venture into too steep roads if you aren’t in a 4×4 vehicle and check the reviews of destinations you’re visiting to see recommendations from the other travelers who have been to the area.

If you’re driving in the mountainous region during the winter you’ll have limited visibility due to the fog.

Always drive slowly and keep your eyes open for upcoming cars. By the way, I go over this tip and so much more in my Puerto Rico ebook— it’s great reading if you’re planning a trip!

🚗 Pro Tip: You may lose your phone signal in some areas of Puerto Rico, so make sure to download your GPS map to access it offline.

Tips for Driving in Puerto Rico

Tip #1 – Keep Your Eyes on the Road

Driving in Puerto Rico is usually safe, but it’s true you will find some crazy drivers, changing lanes without blinkers, speeding, and crossing red lights.

You should be fine as long as you keep your eyes on the road and ALWAYS drive safely. If you are confident about your driving skills, consider other ways to get around Puerto Rico.

Tip #2 – Watch Out for Potholes and Speed Bumps

Some streets in Puerto Rico are in bad condition. Watch out for potholes on the street, as they’re often the cause of flat tires.

You’ll also find multiple speed bumps in urbanizations so that drivers keep the speed limit.

Tip #3 – Check the Traffic Direction

Some Puerto Rico areas like Old San Juan, Hato Rey, and mostly the cities’ old town centers have a complicated one-way driving system.

This means parallel streets allow traffic in opposite directions. In other words, one street goes in one direction and the next street goes in the other.

If you’re in doubt, check for do not enter signs, the direction cars park, or imitate what local drivers do.

Tip #4 – Avoid Peak Hours

Peak hours in Puerto Rico are a nightmare, especially if you’re staying in San Juan.

Traffic jams can triple the time to get to a destination plus you’ll see more cases of road rage, people turning without turn signals, and drivers ignoring traffic lights.

If you’re driving during the rush hour, just make sure to leave your hotel with enough time to arrive at your destination.

Tip #5 – Prepare for Toll Roads

If you’re going outside Old San Juan, you will find multiple toll roads on your way.

Tolls in Puerto Rico work with an electronic stamp your car rental company can provide to you.

Although you can pay some tolls in cash, most are already changeless, so it’s easier to ask for your rental car with an Autoexpreso stamp.

Some rental car companies will ask for a fixed fee for the stamp, others will make you responsible for recharging in each station.

👉 Read Next: How to Drive in the US Virgin Islands

Tip #6 – People Will Approach Your Car at Intersections

Very few guides mention the fact that you will commonly find people asking for money on intersections, especially in San Juan, and the metro region.

You might feel intimidated, but I assure you they’re usually harmless.

If you don’t feel like giving them money, you can just keep your window up and say no with your head when they approach your car.

👉 Be sure to bookmark my full list of my best travel tips for Puerto Rico here!

Tip #7 – You Might Get Caught Up in “Corridas”

During the weekends and special holidays, it’s usual to find groups of motorcycles, in what is known as corridas, invading the main streets.

If you find yourself surrounded by a large group of motorcycles and ATVs that aren’t respecting traffic rules, don’t panic.

Just patiently wait until they are gone, or continue moving with them cautiously in the same direction.

Although annoying, the local authorities don’t do much to stop them.

Tip #8- Watch Out for Pedestrians

Although legally pedestrians should use the pedestrian crossing, in reality, you’ll face a different scenario in Puerto Rico.

Many pedestrians cross wherever they can whether it be urban streets, avenues, highways, or rural areas. Sometimes you could even find pedestrians crossing the street with your traffic light green.

Always stay alert on the road and watch out for pedestrians, especially when driving at night.

FAQs About Driving in Puerto Rico

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You’ve reached the end of the driving guide for Puerto Rico! If you aren’t confident about driving, just stay in the capital city, where you can enjoy great things to do in San Juan without the need for a car.