Thanks for watching! Here are the key moments: 0:00 Intro & Us 0:45 Getting Around Puerto Rico 1:21 Do you Need A Rental Car? 3:23 Driving in Puerto Rico 4:01 Renting a Car in Puerto Rico 5:43 What do you Need in Order to Rent a Car in Puerto Rico? 8:10 Toll Roads 10:19 What are the Roads Like? & Hazards 15:46 Parking 17:46 Bonus Car rental Tips Watch more from our Puerto Rico Playlist... th-cam.com/play/PLRQeRgAkY6bVBj8je5GpFXbUKApYD_rS1.html
Nice info!! Was born in PR and vacation there often. You might also mention serious lack of road lighting. If you are driving at night away from from metro areas, you’d better have gps or know where you are going. You can’t stop and ask the coqui’ for directions. It gets pitch black on a moonless or overcast night on country roads. Also, not as critical to know, but the local police often drive with rail lights on especially at night.
Rudy, Yeah we missed the road lighting! It got pretty dark where we stayed out near Rincon. Google maps was our friend, and downloading an offline version to your phone ahead of time is a must especially for spending any time in the mountains. Thanks for your suggestions!
Thank you - that was thorough. Irritated about insurance - I had that trouble in Florida where they wanted to see my car insurance. And I had no idea about the collision damage - thank you!
In PR you cannot use your mobile phone while driving. Its totally illegal and you will get a huge ticket if you get caught. It happened to me. I recommend to use a Bluetooth if you must use your phone .
Hello and thank you for this very informative video. Two questions: can I rent a car with a debit card? What if i do not have insurance since i do not own a car?
Branden, you should be able to rent a car with a debit card, but I would not recommend it. There could be a large hold placed on your funds for the deposit, and if there is any damages, you could see those charged to your debit card. We recommend using a credit card, preferable one with a rental car damage insurance benefit. As for insurance, you can always pay for the car rental company's insurance. Although it will be at a high cost. I recommend contacting the rental car company you're considering to verify.
I would add that besides the lack of street lights, be on the look out for stray cows and horses in more rural areas on the west side of the island... On the weekend you may see young men riding bareback horses in large groups so be cautious. Because of the dark streets, many people drive with their brights all the time so don’t be surprised.
Thanks for being on the island and for the good information! I lived in Lares, a very small town in the center of the island, and seeing a horse on the road was very rare, and an attraction, so I do not think that people go to work on a horse. Maybe they ride them as past time, not to go to work. Maybe I did not understand what you said well.
Tazzy 0101 Thanks for you reply. We would see people riding horses usually on the weekends in a small groups. I think it was for pleasure or as a tour. But we have encountered horses a few times while driving around the island. I agree, I don't think they're riding to work. Glad you enjoyed the video. We are trying to help educate people unfamiliar with the lovely island and encourage them to visit thoughtfully. There is not a lot of information on the mainland about Puerto Rico.
Can you share your experience if it is safe to leave rental car at Ceiba ferry paid parking lot overnight? Going to Vieques via ferry not taking the rental.
Hi Mona, that's a great question and we have not parked overnight at Ceiba Ferry terminal but perhaps there is some good info on Trip Advisor? maybe try a search for "Ceiba". Wish we could be more help with this. Vieques sounds amazing! Wishing you a wonderful trip!
Hi Maggie, according to budgets website for the SJU airport you do not need a shuttle: General Directions COUNTER: **Airline Passengers** Customer should exit terminal with luggage and cross the two sidewalks going towards the New Rental Car Facility in the Parking Garage on the 1st floor. **Local Renters** Follow Car Rental Return signs to the Avis Car Rental facilities in the Parking Garage across from the Arrival Terminal. CARS: Cars will be located right outside the Budget facility.
We didn't see any but we also never stayed out late and remained mostly outside of the San Juan Metro area. We absolutely do not condone driving while being intoxicated.
I'm afraid I cant really help with this one. We spent our time in long term VRBO's and those are not a cheap option. Do you know which areas you are wanting to live or work in? You could try staying a few weeks in a couple different parts of the island to see which you like the best before commit long term. We lived in Fajardo on the east side and Rincon on the west side. loved them both for different reasons. I would suggest looking up Spanish & Go on TH-cam or Jen there done that. They have several videos about housing costs and utilities.
Hi Dean that is a great question! I would assume that it would work the same for a Canadian DL in Puerto Rico as it would in the U.S. for a Canadian DL since it is a U.S. territory but I am not certain. you may have to confirm with your rental car company and insurance provider. My U.S. insurance provider covers us in the U.S. & territories as well as Canada and Mexico. I hope that helps!
Hi Amy, there are lots of gas stations all over the island and the prices are by the liter. We saw prices of .68 to .75 per liter or just under $3 a gallon, as of March. One note is that most gas stations use proprietary apps for contactless payment or you can pre pay with cash or credit card at the counter.
I'm listening to dude at the moment inside of thrifty right outside the airport...and pissed off they are telling us after our booking which was months ahead they are dropping secretive cost on us...the estimate was 327.00 when we get here there bringing out different cost for tolls fees/other fees...now my choices is with debit card 750.00 and or with credit card 950.00...with a 500 deposit that gets credited back but just make sure you don't rely on that BS estimate...because even the better known companies are not reliable
Oh that sucks, sorry to hear that. The toll pass is a real thing, but you dont need it as you can bypass the toll hwys, but it will take longer to get certain places.
Correction: The Main Island of Puerto Rico is 110 by 40 Statute miles yes Indeed a territory an Autónomos Commonwealth since 1952 who's citizens are born American Citizens since the 1917 Jones Act ☝🏾
Thanks for watching! Here are the key moments:
0:00 Intro & Us
0:45 Getting Around Puerto Rico
1:21 Do you Need A Rental Car?
3:23 Driving in Puerto Rico
4:01 Renting a Car in Puerto Rico
5:43 What do you Need in Order to Rent a Car in Puerto Rico?
8:10 Toll Roads
10:19 What are the Roads Like? & Hazards
15:46 Parking
17:46 Bonus Car rental Tips
Watch more from our Puerto Rico Playlist... th-cam.com/play/PLRQeRgAkY6bVBj8je5GpFXbUKApYD_rS1.html
Thank You so much this is very helpful
You're very welcome!
Im a pr native and you guys are extremely generous and professional bc the roads really suck drivers are terrible and it’s exceptionally beautiful
Lol. Thanks!
Thank you so much!! You guys are great!! Enjoyed watching every minute of this video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
A great share of the "Ins & Outs" of car rentals in PR!
We are glad you found it helpful! 😀
Nice info!! Was born in PR and vacation there often. You might also mention serious lack of road lighting. If you are driving at night away from from metro areas, you’d better have gps or know where you are going. You can’t stop and ask the coqui’ for directions. It gets pitch black on a moonless or overcast night on country roads.
Also, not as critical to know, but the local police often drive with rail lights on especially at night.
Rudy, Yeah we missed the road lighting! It got pretty dark where we stayed out near Rincon. Google maps was our friend, and downloading an offline version to your phone ahead of time is a must especially for spending any time in the mountains.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Thank you so much for this informative video! Very well thought out and put together.
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome video!! You guys did a great job explaining the details of driving a rental car in PR.
Thanks! So glad it was helpful!
Thank you - that was thorough. Irritated about insurance - I had that trouble in Florida where they wanted to see my car insurance. And I had no idea about the collision damage - thank you!
We're glad it was helpful 😀
All we want to hear is that is a beautiful place
It is just like we say in all of our PR videos. Who is "we"?
Good.Job.nice.
Thank you! Cheers!
Very helpful thank you
Your welcome!
In PR you cannot use your mobile phone while driving. Its totally illegal and you will get a huge ticket if you get caught. It happened to me. I recommend to use a Bluetooth if you must use your phone .
That is great advice!! Thanks for sharing
Great job guys, this was really helpful thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Very helpful thanks even we are not from your mainland and dont have any us driver license etc. as europeans ;)
We are glad that this video was helpful.
Thank you for commenting. It helps our channel grow.
Hello and thank you for this very informative video. Two questions: can I rent a car with a debit card? What if i do not have insurance since i do not own a car?
Branden, you should be able to rent a car with a debit card, but I would not recommend it. There could be a large hold placed on your funds for the deposit, and if there is any damages, you could see those charged to your debit card. We recommend using a credit card, preferable one with a rental car damage insurance benefit.
As for insurance, you can always pay for the car rental company's insurance. Although it will be at a high cost.
I recommend contacting the rental car company you're considering to verify.
I would add that besides the lack of street lights, be on the look out for stray cows and horses in more rural areas on the west side of the island... On the weekend you may see young men riding bareback horses in large groups so be cautious. Because of the dark streets, many people drive with their brights all the time so don’t be surprised.
Thank you for the insights, very helpful and thanks for watching!
Thanks for being on the island and for the good information! I lived in Lares, a very small town in the center of the island, and seeing a horse on the road was very rare, and an attraction, so I do not think that people go to work on a horse. Maybe they ride them as past time, not to go to work. Maybe I did not understand what you said well.
Tazzy 0101 Thanks for you reply. We would see people riding horses usually on the weekends in a small groups. I think it was for pleasure or as a tour. But we have encountered horses a few times while driving around the island. I agree, I don't think they're riding to work. Glad you enjoyed the video. We are trying to help educate people unfamiliar with the lovely island and encourage them to visit thoughtfully. There is not a lot of information on the mainland about Puerto Rico.
Can you share your experience if it is safe to leave rental car at Ceiba ferry paid parking lot overnight? Going to Vieques via ferry not taking the rental.
Hi Mona, that's a great question and we have not parked overnight at Ceiba Ferry terminal but perhaps there is some good info on Trip Advisor? maybe try a search for "Ceiba". Wish we could be more help with this.
Vieques sounds amazing! Wishing you a wonderful trip!
You said not all rental car company are located at the airport... Is budget rental at the airport and will I need to call a shuttle bus??
Hi Maggie, according to budgets website for the SJU airport you do not need a shuttle:
General Directions
COUNTER: **Airline Passengers** Customer should exit terminal with luggage and cross the two sidewalks going towards the New Rental Car Facility in the Parking Garage on the 1st floor.
**Local Renters** Follow Car Rental Return signs to the Avis Car Rental facilities in the Parking Garage across from the Arrival Terminal.
CARS: Cars will be located right outside the Budget facility.
Actually the island is 110 ×40 at its longest and widest,but the average is 100 ×35.
What about D.U.I. checkpoints are there any?
We didn't see any but we also never stayed out late and remained mostly outside of the San Juan Metro area. We absolutely do not condone driving while being intoxicated.
Im a local at PR,we usually have them on friday and weekends, but randomly. So be prepared for it, take a designated driver.
I'm moving to Puerto Rico in july. What is a good and cheap to live?
I'm afraid I cant really help with this one. We spent our time in long term VRBO's and those are not a cheap option. Do you know which areas you are wanting to live or work in?
You could try staying a few weeks in a couple different parts of the island to see which you like the best before commit long term. We lived in Fajardo on the east side and Rincon on the west side. loved them both for different reasons.
I would suggest looking up Spanish & Go on TH-cam or Jen there done that. They have several videos about housing costs and utilities.
Would a Canadian License work as well?
Hi Dean that is a great question! I would assume that it would work the same for a Canadian DL in Puerto Rico as it would in the U.S. for a Canadian DL since it is a U.S. territory but I am not certain. you may have to confirm with your rental car company and insurance provider.
My U.S. insurance provider covers us in the U.S. & territories as well as Canada and Mexico. I hope that helps!
Can you offer any insight into the fuel situation (pricing and station availability)?
Hi Amy, there are lots of gas stations all over the island and the prices are by the liter. We saw prices of .68 to .75 per liter or just under $3 a gallon, as of March. One note is that most gas stations use proprietary apps for contactless payment or you can pre pay with cash or credit card at the counter.
They tolde.iys very expensive to rent a car ..and they charge takes are high. Is it true ???
Rigoberto, Yes car rentals are currently very expensive. There has been a rental car shortage world wide.
@@TheWanderingHartz wow
Hey i am going to PR in a couple days. I have seen good rates for Next Car rental in PR. Have you tried this company?
No, we haven't used Next Car rental. We have used Sixt at the San Juan and Aguadilla airports.
Wishing you a great trip!
As of July, the ferries to the islands are closing 😭😭😭
Oh bummer, Thanks for the Update!
Any info on bayamon Puerto Rico ?
Thanks for asking but no we don't have any tips yet about Bayamon as of now.
Have to let you go
Ok, have a great day and here's a cookie 🍪
I'm listening to dude at the moment inside of thrifty right outside the airport...and pissed off they are telling us after our booking which was months ahead they are dropping secretive cost on us...the estimate was 327.00 when we get here there bringing out different cost for tolls fees/other fees...now my choices is with debit card 750.00 and or with credit card 950.00...with a 500 deposit that gets credited back but just make sure you don't rely on that BS estimate...because even the better known companies are not reliable
Oh that sucks, sorry to hear that. The toll pass is a real thing, but you dont need it as you can bypass the toll hwys, but it will take longer to get certain places.
Correction: The Main Island of Puerto Rico is 110 by 40 Statute miles yes Indeed a territory an Autónomos Commonwealth since 1952 who's citizens are born American Citizens since the 1917 Jones Act ☝🏾
I think you criticize a little bit to much
We disagree, we love PR and this video is for people wishing to travel to PR. Do you have anything helpful to add to the conversation?
pot holes, you mean like in NYC ???
Never been to NYC but I can assume those are pretty bad 😉