Recent Puerto Rico Shipping News

Jump to conclusion:
Getting your car’s body repaired in Puerto Rico
The best auto body shops in Puerto Rico
Tips for getting body work done on your car
Final Word
 

Getting your car’s body repaired in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico can be a very dangerous place to drive at times. Especially in areas such as San Juan. Some drivers drive very aggressively and ignore basic traffic laws such as stopping at stop signs. Odds are that if you stay there over the course of several years, you might end up needing to get body repair work done on your car.

Once you work out who is responsible for paying for any damage that your car might have incurred, you will need to take it to an auto body repair shop somewhere in Puerto Rico. You should find a shop that is not too far away from where you reside. However, you should also check to see what previous customers of each shop have to say about their experiences by reading reviews on Google.
 

The best auto body shops in Puerto Rico

The following is a list of the best places on the main island of Puerto Rico to get your car repaired if you need body work. The list is broken down by region.

1. San Juan area –
   • Las Lomas Body Shop – With mostly five-star reviews and no reviews lower than three stars, Las Lomas Body Shop tops our list for San Juan.
   • Specialist Auto Body – Specialist Auto Body has an overall 4.9 out of 5 stars on Google. They are located in the eastern part of San Juan.
   • Smile Collision Center – With mostly great reviews on Google, Smile Collision Center is another great choice for body work in San Juan.
2. East Coast area –
   • Birriel Auto Body – Birriel Auto Body has good online reviews. It is located in Luquillo.
   • Atlas Transmission Co. – Atlas Transmission Co. has a 4.6 out of 5 on Google and is conveniently located in Farjardo.
3. North Coast area –
   • Rodriguez Body Shop, Inc. – With a 4.5 rating on Google, Rodriguez Body Shop, Inc. is a convenient option for those of you in the north coast area of Puerto Rico as it is located in Hatillo right near the Arecibo border.
   • Auto Fix – Auto Fix is highly rated on Google and is in a bit of a better location for those of you on the eastern part of the north coast as it is located in Dorado.
4. West Coast area –
   • Teller Ruiz – Teller Ruiz has some glowing reviews and an overall 4.8 rating on Google. They are located right near Rincon.
   • Galloza Auto Body – With a solid 4 rating on Google, Galloza Auto Body is a safe choice for anyone with an auto body repair need. It is located in Aguada.
   • Mayaguez Auto Body – Mayaguez Auto Body is rated 4.3 out of 5 on Google. It is a bit of a better choice for those of you who are further south on the west coast of Puerto Rico as it is located in Mayaguez.
5. South Coast area –
   • Taller Vega – Taller Vega has a 4.4 star reputation on Google. It is located toward the northern part of Ponce.
   • Carly Auto Body – Carly Auto Body is another highly rated choice on the south coast of Puerto Rico at a 4.8 on Google. It is located in southern Ponce.
   • Gandia Auto Body Shop – Also located in Ponce, Gandia Auto Body Shop has a very respectable rating of 4.5 stars out of 5.
6. Central Island area –
   • Garage Max – Garage max is a good choice for auto body work in the center of Puerto Rico. It is located in Utuado and currently has 4.7 stars on Google.
   • Taller Junior – Taller Junior is another trusted auto body shop. It is located in Cidra, Puerto Rico.

Tips for getting body work done on your car

When you are getting body work done on your vehicle, there are a few things that you should know first:

• Get a couple of estimates for the work – This is essentially the same as comparison shopping. Do not just take it on blind faith that the first estimate you get will be accurate. We recommend that you get at least three estimates for the work first.
• See if paintless dent repair is a possibility – Paintless dent repair is a much less expensive alternative to traditional body work. You should ask to see if this is a possibility for your repairs as it will help you save some money.
• Research the body shops that you a considering first – Some body shops might have such a negative online reputation that you may not want to even get an estimate from them. Be sure you do this first before you take your car anywhere for an estimate.
• Be sure that you coordinate the work with the insurance company – Whether it is your insurance company that is covering or partially covering the work or another driver’s insurance company, you will want to be completely certain that they work will be covered. You do not want to get stuck with a massive bill.
• Do not be afraid to ask questions – Whether it is before you choose a particular auto body shop, when your car is being worked on or after you get the car back, do not be afraid to ask the mechanic whatever questions you might have.

Final word

There are a bunch of great, well-reviewed and trustworthy body shops throughout the main island of Puerto Rico. If you do end up needing to use one of them, be sure you take the time to weigh your options first. Once you do hand your car over to get repaired, keep in touch with the insurance company and feel free to ask the body shop any questions that you might have.

Jump to section:
Why changing the fluids in your car is important
How often should you change your cars fluids in Puerto Rico?
Fluid change tips
Conclusion
 

Why changing the fluids in your car is important

Simply put, changing your car’s fluids as often as you should will really improve the performance of the vehicle as well as how long the car could end up lasting you. Specifically, hydraulic fluids such as brake fluid, transfer power in the car from one point to another. Lubricants such as engine oil lessens friction between engine parts which helps them last for longer periods of time. Coolants such as engine coolant, are used to prevent the engine from getting too hot and overheating.
 

How often should you change your cars fluids in Puerto Rico?

Because of Puerto Rico’s warmer climate, you should consider changing your coolant fluid a bit more frequently in a place like Puerto Rico. On average, people get their engine coolant changed once every few years. However, we recommend getting it changed about once every year or year and a half in an area like Puerto Rico because the warm weather will cause the coolant to have to work harder. This does depend, however, on how frequently you use your car.

Other fluids like motor oil and brake fluid can be changed as often as your particular car’s manual recommends. These recommendations are almost always made on the basis of mileage. So, be sure that you are aware of exactly how many miles you have on your car when you are making the decision about which fluids need to be changed.
 

Fluid change tips

Before you dive into getting your cars fluids changed, take note of the following tips first:

• Always take note of when each fluid was changed last – It is extremely important that you write down the mileage that you have on your car each time that you get a fluid changed. You can even do so by making a note of it in your cell phone.
• See if you can get multiple fluids changed at once – If you can possibly save yourself an extra trip to the mechanic, you might as well do so. Reference the last time you got each fluid in your car changed, then see if it makes sense to get any of them changed when you are already getting one of them changed.
• If you have any doubt, use a mechanic – If you know how to change the different fluids in your car, then that is great because you can save yourself a few bucks and the trip to the mechanic. However, if you are not completely sure of how to do it, then do not. You can end up doing a lot of damage if you do not completely know what you are doing.
• If you can’t change a fluid yourself, you can still inspect it – Inspecting a fluid’s level or amount of use is much easier than actually changing it yourself. In most cases, you open the fluid container in your engine and remove a “dip stick” which will show you exactly how much of a particular fluid you have left. The color of the particular fluid could also tell you whether or not to get that fluid changed.

Conclusion

Getting your cars fluids changed in Puerto Rico holds a bit more importance than it does in other places based on the consistent warm temperatures. It just requires that you keep an eye on the mileage of your car as well as check the actual fluids themselves occasionally. You do not need to know how to change the fluids yourself, you can always get that done by your mechanic.

Jump to section:
Taking your car to the Island of Culebra
Alternative options
Advice for visiting Culebra
Conclusion
 

Taking your car to the Island of Culebra

Unfortunately, taking your car to the island of Culebra is as difficult as can be. We highly recommend that you choose to leave your car on the main island of Puerto Rico, rather than take it to Culebra. You can, technically, take your car to Culebra via a cargo ferry. However, this is not at all guaranteed. The cargo ferries that sail to Culebra are not at all intended to accommodate tourists.

You can get on the cargo ferry most times but realize that you could get a ticket and then get bumped off the transit due to a more important item (such as construction equipment) getting shipped. It is also advisable to book your trip and shipment as soon as you know you will be taking the ferry because it fills up quite quickly.

It is actually quite affordable to transport your car on the cargo ferry. On average, it will only cost you about thirty bucks as long as you are not transporting a large truck which will cost a bit more.

The worst part about the cargo ferry in Puerto Rico is that if it is deemed full enough, it will leave before the set departure time, and not just a few minutes either. The cargo ferry could leave hours before the set departure time. So, if you plan on taking your car to Culebra, get to the dock super early.
 

Alternative options

You do have a couple of other options in terms of getting around in Culebra. There are car rentals available on the island. It will cost you about $75 per day. You also have the option of getting a taxi. Taxis on Culebra are mostly independently run. During the day, you can find them driving around. At night, there are fewer of them on the roads. The best idea is to get some business cards from taxis during the day. This way you can call them whenever you need to get around.

Here are a couple of car rental options on Culebra:

• Carlos Jeep Rental
• Jerry’s Jeep Rental
• Avis

However, in Culebra, you will likely be close enough to the beach in order to walk there. You will likely also be close enough to town and all the restaurants. You will just need to walk a mile or two.
 

Advice for visiting Culebra

Culebra really is a wonderful place to visit. However, before you visit, read the following tips:

• Bring beach supplies – The main attraction of Culebra is the beaches. So, you will need towels, sun tan lotion, bottled water etc. These are in fairly short and expensive supply on Culebra. So, be sure that you bring these things along with you.
• Be aware of where you book your stay – Some spots are better than others. When you book your hotel, make sure that you are close to the area that you plan on spending the most time in. As we mentioned earlier, taxis can be in short supply at night, so, you might need to walk unless you choose to rent a car.
• Plan ahead for the ferries – The ferries in Puerto Rico are not known for sticking to their schedules. So, get you tickets as far in advanced as possible. Then, on the day of your departure, make sure that you arrive early at the dock.
• Keep an eye on the weather – It is no secret that Culebra is a beach spot. So, make sure that you pay attention to the forecast when you visit. You won’t want to trek out to the beach if the forecast has nothing but rain in it.
• Take a taxi to and from the ferry – The wait to get in and out of the parking lot for the ferry can be excruciatingly long. So, take a taxi there or get dropped off somehow. If you are taking your car with you prepare for the long wait by arriving super early.

Conclusion

Visiting Culebra in Puerto Rico is a fantastic way to get away for a few days. However, getting there is more difficult than you might initially think. You should plan your trip on the ferry ahead of time regardless of whether or not you plan on taking your car with you because the ferry schedules can be pretty unreliable at times. Also, be sure that you bring whatever you think that you will need for the beach with you.

Jump to section:
Why you should get your car waxed in Puerto Rico
Where you can get your car waxed in Puerto Rico
Tips for getting your car waxed
Conclusion
 

Why you should get your car waxed in Puerto Rico

You should always get your car waxed when you are in a tropical climate like Puerto Rico. By getting your car waxed you are preventing sun damage and water spots from fairly frequent precipitation.

There is also a considerable amount of salt in the air due to your constant proximity to the ocean. This salt air in combination with the sun can really damage a car’s finish.

The wax job creates an extra layer of protection for your car’s exterior. Getting your car waxed occasionally will be much less costly than repairing damage done by the sun or rain. So be sure you get your car waxed as soon as you have the chance.
 

Where you can get your car waxed in Puerto Rico

Just like most other countries, you will be able to get your car waxed in Puerto Rico at most car washes. You also have the option of waxing the car yourself. Doing so will take a bit more time out of your day but it will also save you a few bucks. You can go to a local auto parts store to buying a car waxing kit or you could always purchase one online as well. Either way, be sure that you follow the instructions on the package so that the waxing comes out right.

You can also ask your mechanic if they would be willing to wax your car for you when you bring it in for repairs for an extra fee.
 

Tips for getting your car waxed

Getting your car waxed is a pretty easy process but there are a couple of things that you should know first:

• Make sure you take care of any existing damage first – If you have scratches or chips in the paint, make sure that you get those taken care of before you wax your car.
• Do not skimp on the wax – Do not grab the cheapest wax that you can find. Better waxes will be more expensive but it is well worth the price. You can also comparison shop online and read reviews to see which wax other people like the most.
• Take your time – To properly wax your car or have it waxed for you, it will take a little while. Typically, waxing your car will take a little over an hour. Whatever you do, do not rush through the waxing, it might not come out as well if you do.

Conclusion

A car waxing in Puerto Rico is pretty close to being a necessity. This is because of the damage that weather elements in the tropical climate can do to your car’s finish. Taking the time to get your car waxed occasionally will save you money on getting your car’s finish fixed later on, plus, your car will look nicer.

Jump to section:
The current state of Puerto Rico’s roads
The most dangerous roads in Puerto Rico
Advice for navigating these roads
Conclusion
 

The current state of Puerto Rico’s roads

The condition of Puerto Rico’s roads is slowly improving. However, they are still notorious for having some worst “wear and tear” around. They are littered with cracks and potholes due to major weather events such as hurricane Maria. The roads also do not improve often because Puerto Rico currently lacks the infrastructure to repair them for the most part.

However, the roads are, for the most part, traversable. So, you can travel without interruption during which you might hit the occasional pothole but that would be it. Unfortunately though, some roads are considered dangerous because of the aggression of the average driver and/or the actual layout of the road.
 

The most dangerous roads in Puerto Rico

As with anywhere else, some roads are more dangerous than others in Puerto Rico. One such dangerous road is Highway 344 which is rural and located in Hormigueros. The danger is that the road wraps around a cliff and pretty much has no barrier which would otherwise prevent a car from accidentally driving off.

Another dangerous road to be aware of in Puerto Rico is Ruta Panoramica which is a collection of secondary roads. They are considered dangerous because oncoming traffic often seems extremely close and there are not dividers. So, you could easily get into an accident if someone doesn’t pay attention and crosses the line. It is also renowned for having terrible driving conditions when it gets when in the rain.

The final road we are going to warn you off in Puerto Rico is the Mata de Plátanos Bridge and the roads leading up to it at both ends. It is considered dangerous because of the fact that it is only one lane wide and overly aggressive drivers can make getting across difficult.
 

Advice for navigating these roads

If you are going to travel on these roads, safety should be your utmost concern. Use these tips to stay safe:

• Slow down – Nothing makes a dangerous road more dangerous than driving too fast. If you speed on a dangerous road you are really risking your safety.
• Watch the weather – Driving on a road that is considered dangerous during a storm is not a good idea. Rain can decrease visibility and decrease the likelihood of being able to stop quickly. Wind can make steering more difficult.
• Pay attention – If you drive while you are distracted on your phone or distracted by something else, accidents can easily happen.
• Obey the rules – Be sure that you obey basic rules such as completely stopping at stop signs and red lights.
• Keep a safe distance – Following another vehicle too closely, also known as tailgating, is both illegal and dangerous so do not do it.

Conclusion

There are a few roads in Puerto Rico which have become infamous for their dangerous driving conditions. If you must drive on them, do so cautiously. Most roads have at least some cracks and potholes, so always pay close attention when you are driving. On these roads and in general, avoid distractions like cell phone use and always obey traffic laws.

Jump to section:
How to get to El Yunque National Rainforest
What is there to do at El Yunque National Rainforest?
Advice for visiting El Yunque
Conclusion
 

 

How to get to El Yunque National Rainforest

The address for the visitor center is PR-191 Río Grande, PR 00745. The best route to get there can change depending om the time of the day or the time of the year.

From San Juan, you can take Route 66, which is a toll road, east to Route 3 East. Then, you can continue on that road until you see the signs that say EL PORTAL / EL YUNQUE. When you do, you can take the exit that leads to Route 191 and take that to El Yunque.

You can always use a GPS based app on your phone or you can check Google to find the best route there and home based on the amount of traffic at any particular time.
 

What is there to do at El Yunque National Rainforest?

There is no shortage of things to do at El Yunque National Rainforest. One of the most popular activities is hiking. There are a few different trails that vary in difficulty which you can choose from based on your level of experience. You can also opt to go on a guided tour if you are more of a beginner. We actually recommend this for anyone who does not already have specific experience hiking in El Yunque.

You normally can also try a few fun things over at the visitor center such as educational movies. However, because of damage from Hurricane Maria, the visitor center has been closed recently. There are plans to have it re-open at the end of the year but that is tentative.

As long as you bring a bathing suit, you can also even take a dip in the rivers and waterfalls that you come across. The two best and most popular spots to go swimming in El Yunque are La Mina Falls and Juan Diego Falls.

There is also ample opportunity to see various types of wildlife in the forest such as different types of birds and reptiles. This includes parrots, hawks and frogs. You can even choose a specific type of guided tour with a guide that is knowledgeable of where the exact best spots are to see wildlife. You can see some of the tours here.
 

Advice for visiting El Yunque

Before you head off to visit El Yunque, there are a few things that you should know first:

• You will need your own car – In order to get into and out of the park, you will need to have your own car. This is because taxi’s and Uber’s are not allowed into the park for drop-offs or pick-ups.
• Take a guided tour at first – It is advisable that you take a guided tour of El Yunque before you set out to explore it on your own. You can get hurt or lost fairly easily if you are not sure what you are doing.
• Check out the amenities – There are a few great places that you should make a point of stopping at on your way to or from the Rainforest. One such place is called Degree 18 Juice Bar which is an outdoor juice bar that has a great reputation for delicious juices as well as great food items including burgers and wraps.
• Prepare to spend most of the day, if not the whole day there – El Yunque is huge. Exploring just a few smaller parts of it will take several hours. So, plan to spend at least eight hours there.
• Do not miss the falls and the trails! – The hiking trails and waterfalls are what make El Yunque National Rainforest truly world-famous. You can find a list of the waterfalls here and a list of the hikes that you can take here.
• Bring an umbrella or a poncho – Do not forget, it is called a “rainforest” for a reason. There are seemingly sudden and random spells of fairly heavy rain at times, so make sure that you are prepared by bringing an umbrella or a poncho.
• Be ready for poor cell signals – There are not a lot of areas in El Yunque with much cell service, so be prepared to not be able to use your phone for a while.

Conclusion

When you are in Puerto Rico, whether you are just visiting or you have just moved there, you will not want to miss the chance to visit El Yunque National Rainforest. You will definitely need to have a car in order to get into El Yunque so, if you do not plan on renting one, you can always plan on shipping your car to Puerto Rico.

Jump to section:
How can I ship my motorcycle to Puerto Rico?
What will it cost to ship my motorcycle to Puerto Rico?
Advice for shipping your motorcycle to puerto-rico
Conclusion
 

How can I ship my motorcycle to Puerto Rico?

Shipping a motorcycle to Puerto Rico is just as easy as shipping a car to Puerto Rico. You just need to plan and prepare for your shipment in advanced and then you can rest easy knowing that you will have your motorcycle in Puerto Rico.

We recommend you contact an auto transport company such as Puerto Rico Car Transport at least a month in advanced. This way, you have the best chance at getting the pick-up and delivery dates that you want.

Once, you book your shipment, you will need to do a few simple things in order to prepare your bike for shipment. First, you will need to make sure it is running properly and that you have a spare set of keys to give to your transport driver when they arrive to pick the motorcycle up.

Next, and much closer to the date of the actual pickup, you will need to get your motorcycle washed. This is so that your transport driver can conduct a visual inspection of the bike when they arrive to pick it up. They will be looking for any pre-existing damage so that they can mark it on the bill of lading so that they are not liable for paying for the repairs to that pre-existing damage.

Finally, you should be sure that you do not have more than a quarter tank of gas in your motorcycle. This is the requirement according to fire regulations on-board the ship. However, your motorcycle may need to be driven at some points during the transport process (such as getting it on and off of the ship), so you will need to have some gas in your bike, just not more than a quarter tank.
 

What will it cost to ship my motorcycle to Puerto Rico?

The cost of shipping your motorcycle cycle will depend on several variables. A few of these factors are the time of year that you choose to ship your bike, where you are shipping the motorcycle from, and what kind of motorcycle it is.

You can get a free quote right here to help give you an idea of the cost of shipping your motorcycle to Puerto Rico.

You should be aware, however, that Puerto Rico enacts what is known as an “excise tax” on shipping items there. So, if you ship your motorcycle to Puerto Rico you will need to pay the excise tax (which is four percent of the overall value of the bike) in addition to the cost of shipping your bike. The cost of the excise tax is not included in the cost of shipping and will not be reflected in the quote.

Let’s say that you were shipping your motorcycle from New York to Puerto Rico in December 2019. The shipping of the bike cost $1,945 if you were shipping a 2015 Kawasaki H2R from Manhattan to the San Juan port.
 

Advice for shipping your motorcycle to Puerto Rico

The following is a few helpful tips on how you can ship your motorcycle to Puerto Rico safely and efficiently:

• Conduct your own inspection and take photos – You should conduct your own inspection and take pictures of the bike’s condition prior to the shipment. The pictures should be from a digital camera with date stamps on them. This is so you can protect yourself and your motorcycle just in case the bike is damaged during transport.
• Plan for the pickup – You will need to pick up your motorcycle from to port in San Juan. So, be ready to be there during the delivery window that you are given when you book your shipment.
• Keep it clean – Your motorcycle needs to be clean before your transport driver arrives to pick it up. So, make sure that there is not any dirt or grime on the body of the bike prior to your pickup date.
• Take off any detachable parts – If you have any parts that are detachable, you should remove them from your motorcycle prior to shipping it.

Conclusion

Shipping a motorcycle to Puerto Rico is not difficult at all. As long as you prepare and book your shipment ahead of time, your motorcycle will make it to Puerto Rico with ease. If you need your motorcycle or any other automobile shipped to Puerto Rico, you can trust the car shipping experts at Puerto Rico Car Transport to ship it with extra care.

Jump to section:
The guidelines for DUI and DWI in Puerto Rico
The penalties for being caught driving drunk in Puerto Rico
The statistics about drunk driving in Puerto Rico
Final Word
 

The guidelines for DUI and DWI in Puerto Rico

The rules for drinking and driving in Puerto Rico are not that much different from the laws regarding DWI and DUI in the United States. Keep in mind, that Puerto Rico is considered to be under US jurisdiction.

For example, the legal limit for driving while under the influence of alcohol is .08% in Puerto Rico, the same as the rest of the United States. However, underage drivers in Puerto Rico actually do have a very slight amount of leeway themselves. In Puerto Rico, 18-20-year olds are allowed to operate a motor vehicle with a .02% BAC or less. In the United States, anyone under 21 who registers any BAC above .00 will be arrested and receive a DUI or DWI depending on the severity of the infraction.

This essentially allows those under 21 to have a sip or two of wine with dinner and drive versus the US where any detection of alcohol under the age of 21 while driving is grounds for immediate arrest.
 

The penalties for being caught driving drunk in Puerto Rico

If you are caught driving drunk in Puerto Rico, you will face some stern penalties. For your first offense you will pay a five hundred dollar fine, lose your license for half a year and you might even need a breathalyzer installed in your car that will require you to blow before your car can start.

Your second DUI offense in Puerto Rico will incur you even stricter consequences. You will pay a seven hundred dollar fine, lose your license for a year and you will have to spend about a week in jail. After that you will need to complete at least a month of community service. It is also almost a certainty that you will have a breathalyzer installed in your vehicle.

If you are a three-time offender, you will be charged with a felony this time. You will also spend a minimum of ten days in jail which could possibly end up being a full year depending on the judge’s discretion. You will pay a one thousand dollar fine and you will lose your license for at least a year.

The worst penalties for DUI in Puerto Rico are if you cause an accident. If you get into an accident in Puerto Rico when you are drunk driving, you will pay fines of up to five thousand dollars and will also likely get sentenced to more than a year in jail.
 

The statistics about drunk driving in Puerto Rico

The stats and facts about drunk driving in Puerto Rico are saddening, just as they are in many places in the United States.

In the past several years in Puerto Rico, at least one third of all car accidents resulting in a death were found to be alcohol related. Of those the majority (over three quarters each year) were found to be involving a driver who was over the legal limit.
 

Final Word

Driving drunk in Puerto Rico, or anywhere for that matter, is incredibly irresponsible and, at a minimum, will result in your arrest. At the worst, it could result in someone’s death. To make matters worse, those deaths do not just affect the person that was killed, it affects all of their families and friends as well.

Jump to section:
Can you take your own car to Vieques?
Is renting a car an option on Vieques?
Facts about driving in Vieques
Conclusion
 

Can you take your own car to Vieques?

You can technically take your car to Vieques. However, it is a hassle. The passenger ferries that travel Vieques as well as another small Puerto Rican island, Culebra, do not carry cars. So, you will need to buy tickets for a cargo ferry.

The cargo ferries travel much more infrequently than the passenger ferries. More importantly, the cargo ferries often do not stick to the schedule, so you would need to arrive very early to ensure you do not miss whichever cargo ferry that you end up choosing.

In addition to that, you will need to make a reservation for the cargo ferry of your choosing in order to be able to travel on it with your car. Worse, even if you have a reservation and arrive on time, you could end up getting “bumped” for something that is deemed “more important” such as large construction equipment.

Overall, almost anyone will tell you that it is not worth it to take your own car to Vieques.
 

Is renting a car an option on Vieques?

Thankfully, renting a car is an option on Vieques. So, you can take a passenger ferry and then rent a car when you get to Vieques which is much easier than trying to take your own car there.

You should be aware too that you are not allowed to rent a car on the main island of Puerto Rico and then take it to Vieques or Culebra. Technically you can but that would violate your rental agreement. So, if you did that and something happened to the car such as an accident, you would be responsible for 100% of the cost of the damages.

As we mentioned, there are a few places where you can rent a car on Vieques. These are in order of their review rating on Google:

1. Maritza’s Car Rental, Inc.
2. Avis Rent-A-Car
3. Vieques Car Rental

Facts about driving in Vieques

Driving in Vieques is a different experience than driving anywhere else in the Caribbean. Before you set out driving on Vieques you should be prepared for the following:

• Not many tourist amenities – There are not any golf courses, casinos or any sort grand pit stops for tourists. The island is primarily known for its beautiful beaches. There are hotels for overnight stays.
• There are not a ton of options when renting a car – The car rental companies that you will come across in Vieques will generally offer only a handful of types of cars including Jeeps and golf carts.
• Once you arrive at the beach, it will still take some time to get to the beach – The entrance to the beach in Vieques is usually at least a few miles of driving from the actual beach. So, expect the drive to take ten or fifteen minutes at that point.
• Gas is scarce – Unfortunately, there are only two gas stations in Vieques. So, obviously the gas stations can get crowded and the wait for gas can be long. If you see a gas station at a time when it is not too crowded, we suggest that you stop and get some gas. There are also times when these two gas stations will run out of gas because of how difficult it is to get the gas from the main island to Vieques.
• There are alternative ways of getting around in Vieques – If you do not feel like renting a car, you can always rent a bicycle or scooter. There are also taxis available, you can call for a taxi in Vieques by calling 787-741-8294.

Conclusion

Do everything in your power to avoid trying to take your car to Vieques. There are a bunch of viable alternatives including renting a car, taking a taxi, or renting a scooter or bike. The main thing to remember about Vieques is that the main attractions are the remote and beautiful beaches.

Jump to section:
Driving in Puerto Rico
11 things that you need to know about driving in Puerto Rico
Final word
 

Driving in Puerto Rico

Driving in Puerto Rico is definitely different than most places in the world. It can be confusing and frustrating if you are not used to it or at least prepared for it. Overall, other drivers in Puerto Rico can be very aggressive.

The other general thing that will stand out is that many of the typical laws such as stopping at stop signs are not enforced very much. Sometimes it might seem like they are not being enforced at all.

It is definitely not a typical driving experience in Puerto Rico. Our advice is to read this post carefully and prepare yourself as best you can so that you do not end up getting into an accident.
 

11 things that you need to know about driving in Puerto Rico

There are a seemingly endless amount of differences between driving in Puerto Rico and anywhere else. However, before you start driving there, focus on these eleven:

• Speed limits tend to be suggestions – This is not THAT different from the United States, where you could routinely see some people driving above the posted speed limit. However, if they are seen by the police, they will get pulled over and ticketed. In Puerto Rico, the police routinely ignore this so people really tend to take advantage. People also drive way under the speed limit which I technically illegal but not really enforced. Watch out for both of these extremes when you are on the road in Puerto Rico.
• The left lane is actually for slower traffic – In America, and many other places in the world, the left lane is the “fast lane” and is for passing only. Oddly, in Puerto Rico, things are reversed. The right lane is the “fast lane” and the left lane is the slowest lane. Be mindful of this when you are trying to merge onto a highway because it can be tricky.
• People turning across multiple lanes of traffic – That is as bad as it sounds, people driving in the right-most lane of three lanes will turn left without getting over lane by lane or even signaling first and vice versa. The best way to avoid getting into an accident with one of these drivers or because of them is to keep a safe driving distance between you and the driver in front of you.
• Unexplained stops – You seem this sometimes in the United States, albeit rarely, but people will routinely stop in the middle of the road for seemingly no reason. All you can do is drive around them.
• Numerous potholes – Much like places like New York there is an abundance of Potholes in Puerto Rico. The difference is that these potholes seemingly NEVER get repaired, so they just get more and more numerous. Try to avoid hitting them if you can because doing so can significantly damage your vehicle but also be sure you do not get into an accident in trying to do so.
• Police cars will always have their lights on – If you see a cop behind you with his lights on but no siren, do not worry, you are not getting pulled over. Police in Puerto Rico drive around with their lights constantly on. Their lights do not mean they are trying to get you to pull over. Just be sure to yield to them when you see them (in other words, get out of their way).
• Signaling will seem like its optional – Drivers in Puerto Rico rarely use their turn signals, so be prepared for people to make unexpected turns frequently when you are driving. As we mentioned earlier, be sure you keep a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you.
• Animals appear on the road more often than other places – In Puerto Rico, there are abundance of animals that might wander onto the road such as dogs, cows, donkeys, and horses. It is just the way it is. If you drive slowly and cautiously, you can more easily avoid hitting one of these animals.
• Highly aggressive driving – We mentioned this towards the beginning of the post, but it is worth reiterating, other drivers in Puerto Rico can drive very aggressively a large amount of the time. They will routinely cut you off and honk at you and other drivers. Just remain calm and drive safely yourself and this should not be an issue.
• The shoulder is an active lane at times – In the United States, you will sometimes see people use the shoulder to drive up to an exit. In Puerto Rico, if there is considerable traffic, you will see other drivers using it as an active lane to travel multiple miles. Police sometimes enforce the “no driving on the shoulder” laws but other times they do not.
• Speed bumps are seemingly placed randomly throughout Puerto Rico – Speed bumps are all over Puerto Rico, namely in the neighborhoods because speeding is such an issue due to the lack of enforcement by police. Keep it slow and you will not end up getting too surprised by these.

Final word

Driving in Puerto Rico can be confusing and difficult during much of the time. You can do your best to avoid any accidents by driving cautiously and defensively yourself. That will likely go a long way in terms of your own safety.

However, you should not let the driving conditions and behavior in Puerto Rico discourage you from visiting or moving there. Puerto Rico is a beautiful country full of wonderful people and sights.