Recent Puerto Rico Shipping News

Jump to:
The benefits of moving to Puerto Rico
The drawbacks of moving to Puerto Rico
The best places to move to in Puerto Rico
Tips and info for moving to Puerto Rico
 

The benefits of moving to Puerto Rico

Moving to Puerto Rico is a great experience for those that enjoy tropical weather and living near the beach. The weather in Puerto Rico is one of the primary reasons to consider moving there. It is warm or hot year-round in Puerto Rico. Temperatures average at around eighty degrees for the year. However, what should jump out at you is that the average low temperature in January is seventy degrees Fahrenheit. Puerto Rico is has such consistently pleasant temperatures because of its proximity to the equator.

There are many sunny days to enjoy in Puerto Rico as well as a nice cool sea breeze. However, the weather isn’t the only reason to consider moving to Puerto Rico. There are also incredible tax breaks for Puerto Rico that aren’t available anywhere else in the United States.

Long story short, the Puerto Rican Government wanted to encourage businesses, business owners and working individuals to move to Puerto Rico. So, these benefits include no double taxation, any profits you make do not have any income tax, and more.

Puerto Rico also has an incredibly rich and unique culture that you won’t find anywhere else. There is a ton of art, music, local activities, and great food. There is no shortage of things to occupy yourself with in your free time.

Also, don’t forget, Puerto Rico is a US territory, so when you move there as an American the transition is much easier than if you were moving to a completely different country. The currency is the US dollar, so no need to worry about having to exchange your money. You won’t even need a passport to travel there.
 

The drawbacks to moving to Puerto Rico

Unfortunately, there are also some drawbacks to moving to Puerto Rico. The cost of living there is one of those drawbacks. The cost of living in Puerto Rico is about thirteen percent higher than the US overall average.

Another drawback to moving to Puerto Rico is that the actual price of property in Puerto Rico is just about as expensive as property is in Los Angeles or Miami. Fortunately, property taxes are way lower though.

Sales taxes are fairly high in Puerto Rico. They usually fall between 10 and 12 percent depending on where you are exactly. There is also an excise tax to be aware of as well. The excise tax is a tax on merchandise that you are importing into Puerto Rico. The rate is 4%.

Puerto Rico is also currently still in the process of rebuilding after Hurricane Maria in 2017. Some roads and buildings are still damaged but there has also been a lot of progress since then.
 

The best places to move to in Puerto Rico

If you are going to move to Puerto Rico, consider moving to one of the following places:

• San Juan – The most popular and renowned city in Puerto Rico, San Juan has landmarks, great views of the ocean, fantastic beaches, nightlife and much more. It also has some of the best job opportunities in all of Puerto Rico.
• Fajardo – A small boat town on the eastern side of Puerto Rico, Fajardo is a wonderful place to re-locate to because it’s a great place to fish and enjoy boating life. It also has the biggest marina in the Caribbean.
• Culebra – Culebra has some of the absolute best and most stunning beaches in the entire world. It is also less populated and more remote than the other places on this list.
• Guaynabo – Guaynabo is one of the larger metropolitan areas in all of Puerto Rico but it also includes a very nice suburban area as well. It has a bunch of affordable housing and is in close proximity to San Juan.
• Mayaguez – Located towards the center of the island of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez is pretty similar to US cities in that it has a lot of urban development and will offer lots of opportunity in terms of finding a job and various things to do.

Tips and info for moving to Puerto Rico

Moving to Puerto Rico does not need to be difficult. Use these helpful tips to help ease your move as much as possible:

• Be prepared for the cost of living – As we mentioned earlier, the cost of living is noticeably higher in Puerto Rico than it is in the United States. So, you will need to be prepared for that by having the right amount of money set aside and saved.
• Ship your car to Puerto Rico – You obviously can’t drive to Puerto Rico. So, you will need to rent a car, buy a car when you get there, or ship your car there. Save yourself money and headaches by shipping your car to Puerto Rico.
• Buy, don’t rent – In many cases in Puerto Rico, monthly rent can be higher than a monthly mortgage payment. So, it really makes sense to buy.
• Excise tax – Before you start your move to Puerto Rico, you should be prepared to incur the excise tax. Puerto Rico’s excise tax is four percent of the value of the piece of merchandise that is being shipped.
• Finding a job – It could be difficult to find a job here for a non-native Puerto Rican. Unfortunately, in a lot of cases Puerto Ricans only want to hire other Puerto Ricans. You also won’t find too many job listings online either. We suggest you check the classifieds in the paper or go to businesses that you figure you might qualify for a job with and knock on their door to ask if they are hiring.
• Learn at least some Spanish – 95% of the population speaks Spanish in all capacities of their lives. This does not mean that some of them do not understand some English, but it will make your life easier to learn at least basic Spanish.

Jump to:
Basic info and history about hurricanes in Puerto Rico
How to keep your car safest during a hurricane
General hurricane safety information and tips
Conclusion
 

Basic info and history about hurricanes in Puerto Rico

Hurricane season just began with the first of June and will run through the end of November. So, it is important to be on your toes and prepared for a possible hurricane, especially if you are in a hurricane-prone area like the Caribbean.

Believe it or not, Hurricanes do not frequently hit Puerto Rico. On average, Puerto Rico gets hit with a tropical storm twice a decade and gets hit with a hurricane less frequently than that. However, there always is the possibility that a Hurricane could hit Puerto Rico as it is in the middle of prime hurricane territory.

A couple of years ago, Hurricane Maria absolutely devastated Puerto Rico, causing nearly three thousand deaths during the storm or in the aftermath. Almost the entire island was without power for at least several weeks. There were widespread landslides throughout the island in the aftermath. Recovery efforts are still continuing.

Prior to Maria, only one other category 5 hurricane had hit Puerto Rico in the past hundred years. That hurricane was San Felipe Segundo and it occurred in 1928. Three hundred people were killed during that hurricane.

In 1899 the San Ciriaco hurricane, which was weaker than Maria and San Felipe, killed about three thousand people.
In the past couple hundred years Puerto Rico has actually only been hit with about fifty tropical storms or hurricanes. However, some, such as Maria and San Ciriaco have been absolutely catastrophic in terms of both damage and death. So, you should always be prepared, just in case.
 

How to keep your car safest during a hurricane

You might be worried about your car and its safety during a hurricane. Your worry is justified because many cars end up damaged during even lower category hurricanes. However, there are a few things that you can do in order to prepare your car for a hurricane and to give you the best chance to prevent any damage from occurring.

Here are some tips to keep your car as safe as possible during a hurricane:

• Gas up – Fill your car with gas prior to the storm hitting. If you need to drive to get help or supplies after the storm passes, you will be able to avoid the mess at the gas stations.
• Park somewhere safe – If you have a garage, put your car in it. If not, try to park near a sturdy building that will have at least partial protection from winds and debris. At the very least, do not park under trees and power lines as they can fall fairly easily during hurricanes.
• Take pictures before the storm – If your car does happen to get damaged during the storm, having pictures of the cars’ condition before the damage will go a long way to help with any insurance claims.
• Don’t use your car during the storm – Simply put, if you drive during the storm, your car is likely going to incur some damage.

General hurricane safety information and tips

Most importantly during a hurricane, you should worry about your own safety. The following are some tips to help keep you safe just in case of a hurricane:

• Evacuate if instructed to do so – This may seem obvious, but you would be surprised at the number of people that choose to ignore evacuation directives. If you are told to evacuate, do so. You are risking serious injury and even death if you do not. At the very least, you might end up having to be rescued if you do not evacuate. Be sure to learn all evacuation routes prior to a storm hitting.
• Listen for updates however you can – This can actually be more difficult than it sounds sometimes, especially if the power goes out during the storm. However, make sure your phone is fully charged before the storm and try to have a battery powered radio available.
• Stay away from windows – At points during the storm, you might be tempted to take a peek at the chaos, do not do so. With hurricane-force winds, debris can fly at a high rate of speed and crash through windows causing injury to anyone near them.
• Have the right supplies – Make sure you have extra bottled water and food that won’t spoil without being refrigerated. You should also have an emergency kit with extra basic medical supplies just in case.
• Cover your homes windows – If you do not have storm shutters, use plywood boards and board up the windows. In addition to not looking out your windows, take the extra step and prevent any debris that might break through your window from entering your home.

Conclusion

Hurricanes do not hit Puerto Rico often, but when they do, they can be very dangerous and even deadly. It is important that if you are going to be living in Puerto Rico that you are prepared for a tropical storm or hurricane to hit. Your best bet is always to evacuate prior to the storm arriving.

Auto transport basics

Shipping your car somewhere takes the difficulty of getting your car from point A to point B. In many cases, you will have the decision to ship your car or drive it yourself. Unfortunately, when you are talking about getting your car from Puerto Rico to the United States, that is not the case as you need to have your car shipped in this direction.

However, you won’t need to worry though because vehicle shipping is an easy enough process.

The process generally goes as follows when shipping from Puerto Rico to the United States:

1. You book your shipment online or by phone
2. You prepare for your shipment by getting the necessary documents ready, removing personal items from your car, making sure there is not more than a quarter tank of gas in the vehicle and getting your car cleaned.
3. Your car is dropped off at the port and loaded on the ship.
4. Your car ships and arrives at the port where it is either picked up by you or loaded onto an auto carrier truck where it will be shipped to your delivery address.

Depending on your specific shipment details, your shipment will take several days up to several weeks. Your specific transit time estimation will be provided to you when you get a quote or speak to a representative over the phone.
 

Shipping your car from Puerto Rico to the United States

The overall process for shipping your car from Puerto Rico to the United States is pretty straight forward. You also won’t need to worry about any “excise tax” when you are shipping in this direction.

You will book your shipment, get your documents ready, take your car to the port and then the rest is on your car shipping company. Your car can be delivered either to your home or business in the United States or to the Jacksonville, Florida port or Pennsauken, New Jersey port. If you choose to only have the car delivered to the port, you will need to go pick it up. So, we do recommend having it delivered to your door, although the choice is yours.

Generally, any vehicle shipment to the United States will take between a week and two and a half weeks, approximately. This is primarily dependent on where you are shipping your car to.

For example, shipping your car to Florida from Puerto Rico will take about 6 to 8 days, depending on the exact delivery location as well as things like carrier availability. However, if you were shipping your car to Vermont it would take approximately 14 to 18 days for your vehicle to arrive. Keep in mind all shipping dates are just approximations and it could take an extra couple of days for your car to arrive. You can get a free quote here with a more specific approximation of transit time here.

While your car is shipping to the US, it will be secured safely inside the hull of ship to make sure it has the maximum amount of protection from the elements outside of the ship. If you chose to have it delivered to your door, it will be placed on an auto carrier truck once it arrives at the American port and will then be driven the rest of the way.

Tips for shipping your car from Puerto Rico to the United States

Here are a few tips for shipping your car from Puerto Rico to the United States so that the shipping process will be as smooth as possible:

• Have all your documents ready when you drop your car off at the port – When you are dropping your car off at the San Juan port, you will need your documentation. So, be sure that you take the following with you to the port:
  • License
  • Booking confirmation
  • Vehicle title
  • Proof of ownership
• Be sure your car is empty before you drop it off – Unfortunately, you aren’t allowed to ship anything in your vehicle when you are shipping from Puerto Rico to the US. So, be sure your car is empty. Things like CDs or a GPS might not break the rules, but they won’t be covered by the shipping insurance if they are damaged or lost so be sure to remove those sorts of things as well.
• Make sure the car is clean prior to dropping it off – When you drop your car off at the San Juan port, it will need to be inspected for pre-existing damage. It makes it much more difficult and takes more time to do this if the car isn’t clean.
• Prepare to be without your car for the appropriate amount of time – As mentioned earlier, your car shipment could take between 6 and 18 days. Be sure that you make arrangements that allow you to get around for that time without your vehicle.
• Be sure you will be there for your delivery – You will need to make sure that you are at your delivery location, wherever it is in the US, when your car arrives for drop-off. If you are not, you could end up without your car for an extended period of time.

Conclusion

Shipping your car from Puerto Rico to the United States is the only way to get it there. Thankfully, you won’t need to worry much at all because the car shipping process is made easy by people like the experts at Puerto Rico Car transport. You will need some minimal involvement and preparation but that is a small price to pay for getting your car where it needs to be.

If you need to ship your car from Puerto Rico to the US or from the United States to Puerto Rico, give us a call today at (904) 322-7644.

The history of trains in Puerto Rico

The history of trains in Puerto Rico is a long and, ultimately, unfortunate one. As far back as the 19th century, Puerto Rico had rail travel with a horse-drawn passenger system and then a tramway in the early 20th century.

Then in the 20th century, when the sugar cane industry took off, the national railroad system in Puerto Rico did the same as a direct result. The system flourished for years until a terrible train crash resulted in the tragedy of multiple deaths and injuries in 1944.

This coupled with the rise of other forms of public transportation as well as automobile ownership caused the railroad to go bankrupt and finally cease passenger travel in 1953. Freight service primarily ended just a few years after that.

Rail transit did not officially return to Puerto Rico until 2004. Although discussion about it had been on-going for years resulting in the allowance of permits for Tren Urbano in the late 90’s.

After nearly a decade of constructing the first phase of the system took place, Tren Urbano debuted in 2004.

When the train first debuted, the service was free in order to build popularity and general use. Then, in 2005 the paid service started. As the popularity and use of Tren Urbano grew, plans were made to expand the system, however those plans fell apart in more recent years and there are not any other plans to expand the system in place at the moment.
 

Tren Urbano’s route

Tren Urbano’s route only spans a distance of a little over ten miles. However, it is a part of a much larger network of public transportation in the San Juan Metropolitan Area which also includes busses, ferries, taxis and shuttles. With the combination of all this public transportation, you can travel between Bayamón, Carolina, Cataño, Guaynabo and Trujillo Alto with relative ease.

These are the current stops on the Tren Urbano route:

• Sagrado Corazón
• Hato Rey
• Roosevelt
• Domenech
• Piñero
• Universidad
• Río Piedras
• Cupey
• Centro Médico
• San Francisco
• Las Lomas
• Martínez Nadal
• Torrimar
• Jardines
• Deportivo
• Bayamón

 
Some of the stops on the route have a bunch of parking spaces available. Those stops and their respective parking availability is as follows:

• Sagrado Corazón has three hundred and sixty parking spaces
• San Francisco has five hundred and thirty-five parking spaces
• Martínez Nadal has twelve hundred parking spaces
• Torrimar has forty-five parking spaces
• Jardines has a hundred and twenty-eight parking spaces
• Bayamón has four hundred parking spaces

Additional information about Tren Urbano

Information regarding routes and schedules for Tren Urbano can be found here.

As it is a subway, the trains run pretty frequently and close to schedule. Most stops have trains arrive every few minutes. Most trips on Tren Urbano take less than two minutes, however, some can take up to half an hour.

However, there are no trains from 11:30 PM until 5:30 AM. There are also no trains for the entire day on January 1st, January 6th, Presidents’ Day, March 22nd, Good Friday, Memorial Day, July 4th, July 25, Labor Day, October 12th, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Fares are very reasonable and only cost $1.50 for a regular adult. Seniors from 65 to 74 years of age, students, and people with disabilities only need to pay 75¢ per trip. Those who are 6 years old and younger as well as those 75 years old and older can ride for free.

Finally, you can buy tickets at any of the stations with cash, credit or debit. Free transfers to buses are also available at the stations.
 

Conclusion

Tren Urbano only services a small portion of San Juan but it can be used in conjunction with the larger public transportation system in Puerto Rico to get around. Plans to expand Tren Urbano have unfortunately fallen through in recent years.

Having your own car will always be the most convenient option for getting from place to place in Puerto Rico. So, if you do not have your car there currently, we suggest you have it shipped there.

The wildlife of Puerto Rico

There is a seemingly endless amount of wildlife to see when you are in Puerto Rico, from exotic birds and bugs to monkeys and manatees. Some are native to Puerto Rico, while others were introduced by humans. However, they are all a rich part of the Puerto Rican landscape today.

Bats are the only native land-based mammals in Puerto Rico, and there are thirteen different species you can encounter while you are in Puerto Rico.

Non-native mammals, mammals that were introduced by people, include donkeys, pigs, horses and monkeys. The monkeys are primarily secluded to a small island off the coast of Puerto Rico called Cayo Santiago. The rest of these mammals are scattered throughout Puerto Rico.

Some of the most sought-after mammals in terms of sight-seeing are of the marine variety. The native marine mammals of Puerto Rico include manatees, dolphins and whales. The whales which are humpback whales and dolphins can be seen via several different sight-seeing tours which you can check out here.

The birds of Puerto Rico are probably the easiest to see of all the wildlife. There are so many types and they are all over the place. The types of birds you can see in Puerto Rico include: hummingbirds, bullfinches, owls, todys, mangos and more.

There are also a bunch of insects and reptiles in Puerto Rico. The insects of Puerto Rico include butterflies, spiders, scorpions, ants and mosquitos. The reptiles are limited to snakes, frogs and iguanas. These can generally be found in the more remote and natural environments such as the rainforest. However, it is possible to see one or two of these make their way to more populated areas. Be careful around these creatures, as some could be poisonous.
 

The best places to see wildlife in Puerto Rico

If you are interested in seeing any of the wildlife, you will likely need to venture out to different parts of Puerto Rico to do so.
These are the best places to see the wildlife in Puerto Rico:

• Cayo Santiago – This is known as the island of monkeys in Puerto Rico. This is where most of the monkeys you can see are. The water around the island is shallow, so one of the better viewing experiences is to kayak around the island. Unfortunately, recent hurricanes have taken their toll on the island so the ability to actually get there for viewing might be impacted depending on when you go.

  As this is an island, you cannot get there by car. However, you can take an easy half hour-long kayak trip over to the island. You will be able to see some of the monkeys from your kayak.

• El Yunque National Rainforest – Easily the best place in Puerto Rico to see the exotic birds and insects, the El Yunque National Rainforest is even a sight of its own. There are a ton of walking tours that you can take to see whatever you would like. Just be sure to research which walking tour will show you what you are particularly looking to see. Different tours go to different areas in the rainforest.

  Most people recommend driving to the rainforest yourself. You can get directions to do so here.

• Guanica State Forest – You can see a variety of Puerto Rican wildlife in the Guanica State Forest. The environment is dry, so it is different from the rainforest for example. This is a great place to see various birds.

  You can drive to the rainforest and you can get directions here.

• Rio Camuy Cave Park – Rio Camuy Cave Park is where you will be able to see the various different bats that dwell in Puerto Rico. The types of bats you can see include fruit bats, bulldog bats, brown bats and more.

  The cave park is located on the main island of Puerto Rico so you can drive there. You can find directions here.

• Cueva Ventana – Another great place to see the various bats of Puerto Rico, Cueva Ventana is also home to several species of snakes and insects. True wildlife enthusiasts won’t want to miss this experience.

  The best way to get there is also by car. Its located just north of the Guanica State Forest, so you might want to consider catching both in the same day. You can get directions here.

Tips for seeing wildlife in Puerto Rico

• Do not get too close – Some of the insects, such as spiders, might be poisonous. So be sure that you do not get so close that you could end up getting bitten.
• Be quiet! – You won’t want to scare any of the wildlife off. Be sure that you remain as quiet as possible at all times so that you can avoid doing so.
• Do not bring your dog – Dogs will scare other animals off, leave your pets at home when you go out to see wildlife.
• Bring binoculars – With binoculars, you will be able to see animals from a distance without scaring or otherwise disturbing them.
• Go out with a guide – Unless you are experienced at viewing wildlife in the specific area that you plan on visiting, you should get a guide of some sort who knows exactly where they are going and what they are doing.

Conclusion

Puerto Rico is a fantastic place to see some incredible wildlife. There are a bunch of great spots to check out the animals, birds and marine life.

It does help to have a car in Puerto Rico to get to most of these places. You can rent a car but that will limit you on where you can go and it could get costly pretty quickly. If you have a car in the United States, you can always ship your car to Puerto Rico with the help of the experts here at Puerto Rico car transport.

Basics about the show

Tuner Evolution is a car show specifically dedicated to custom made models and builds. The show features cars, entertainment, vendors, music, models and much more. Tuner Evolution will make stops in Portland, Chicago, Charlotte, Myrtle Beach, Miami, Anaheim, and, most importantly, San Juan.

This year will be the very first time that Tuner Evolution has come to Puerto Rico. After a few of the Tuner staff members visited and saw the overall culture in Puerto Rico surrounding custom car builds, they knew it was the perfect place to hold one of the shows.

The show will take place on June 30th, 2019 at the Centro de Convenciones de Puerto Rico which is located at 100 Bulevar Saint John in San Juan. The show will run from 1 PM to 8 PM.

You can get more information by visiting the official Tuner Evolution – Puerto Rico website or by e-mailing them at info@tuner-evolution.com.
 

Rules and ticket information

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through their website. The tickets you can get for the event are priced as follows:

• General Admission – $20 – This is for anyone thirteen years of age or older, children twelve and under are free. This will admit you to the event without a vehicle as a spectator.
• Ruckus/Scooter Registration – $35 – This ticket will allow you to enter the event and enter your scooter or ruckus for display at the show. Registration rules will apply which are listed below.
• Vehicle Registration – $50 – This ticket will allow you to enter the event as well as enter your car for display at the show. Registration rules will apply which are listed below.

As mentioned above, if you are planning on displaying a vehicle or scooter at the show, several rules will apply.

The following are the rules for showing a vehicle at Tuner Revolution:

• All vehicles will be pre-screened prior to registration being completed. If your vehicle is deemed unfit for the event, you will not be charged.
• In addition to the admission price, you will be charged a two-dollar registration fee. These fees are not refundable so make sure that you are certain that you can make the event before you register to avoid losing this fee.
• You can park with your auto club, team or friends but you must enter the show together. Spot-saving is not allowed.
• Cars in the show will get a pass for the driver only. You can buy four more passes at the rate of $20.
• When your car is at the show it can only have a maximum of a quarter tank of gas. You also must have the battery disconnected. During the event you may not move or start your vehicle for any reason.
• No burnouts are allowed on the property. If you are caught doing so, you will not be allowed into the show.
• No alcohol will be allowed at the event. All bags and coolers will be searched.
• Pets will not be permitted into the event.

Conclusion

Tuner Evolution – San Juan is shaping up to be an incredible event that you won’t want to miss! Make sure you register as soon as possible because the pre-approval process during registration can take several weeks.

The auto transport professionals at Puerto Rico Car Transport can get your vehicle down to San Juan in time for the show with ease. If you need your car shipped to Puerto Rico for Tuner Evolution call us today at (904) 322-7644!

Basic information about driving in Puerto Rico

Driving in Puerto Rico is definitely a different experience than driving anywhere else in the world. The most noticeable difference is probably the aggressive driving habits many Puerto Rican drivers seem to have. Many people will do things like rolling through stop-signs, stopping abruptly as well as turning left from the right lane and vice versa. Just stay aware and pay close attention and you should be fine.

You should also be aware of the fact that some tolls in Puerto Rico are now completely cash-less. So, if you do not have their version of EZ-Pass known as AutoExpreso, you will not be able to pass through these tolls without getting a hefty ticket. You can visit the AutoExpreso website if you want to get your own tag so that you will have no issues with tolls while you drive in Puerto Rico.

Road signs are in Spanish in Puerto Rico even though many people in the country speak English as their first language. Road signs with distance on them measure distance in kilometers. You can find common translations for some of the road signs in Puerto Rico here.
 

The best scenic drives in Puerto Rico

The following are some of the very best scenic drives that you can take in Puerto Rico:

• Rio Grande to Fajardo to Guavate to Ponce – Driving from Rio Grande to Farjardo, Guavate and Ponce is a wonderful excursion to take when you are in Puerto Rico. This route includes stops at Luquillo Beach, the Las Cabezas de San Juan nature reserve, a bioluminescent bay and much more.
• San Juan to Loiza to Rio Grande – Cruising from San Juan to Loiza, then to Rio Grande is a nice little trip where you will be able to enjoy some amazing experiences while taking the trip at whichever pace you want to. The drive will include spectacular views of colonial forts, quaint churches, a few smaller beaches, and the mesmerizing El Yunque National Rainforest.
• Ponce to Guanica to Sabana Grande to Cabo Rojo – Taking a trip from Ponce through Guanica and Sabana Grande to Cabo Rojo is another fantastic way to spend part of your time in Puerto Rico. During this drive you will get chances to experience trolley tours, forests, religious sanctuaries and much more.
• Ponce to Corozal to San Juan – Going from Ponce to Corozal and then San Juan by car is a trip we highly recommend. Along this trip you will have the opportunity to experience mountains, caves, and even an observatory.
• Cabo Rojo to Rincon – Driving from Cabo Rojo to Rincon is a great route to drive if you want to skip the sightseeing for the most part and get to the beach and enjoy the surf and the sun.

Tips for scenic driving in Puerto Rico

If you do decide to take one of these driving trips, you should keep the following tips in mind while you do:

• Pay attention – As we mentioned earlier, driving in Puerto Rico can get a little complicated because other drivers tend to not obey the rules of the road so well and end up driving pretty aggressively. If you want to avoid getting into any accidents as a result of this, you just need to pay close attention to the road and you will be fine.
• You might need to drive off-road, make sure your car can handle it – We do not recommend you taking these scenic routes with just any old car. We suggest that you make sure your car is ready for some mild off-road driving. However, you can take these routes without going off-road. You just might be tempted to as it increases the amount of enjoyable sightseeing you can do.
• Take care of your car – Your car will be doing a lot of driving if you choose to take one of these trips. Make sure that your car is ready to have some miles put on it. We recommend getting an inspection right before you take one of these trips.
• Bring extra supplies – Make sure that you have extra supplies for any of your Puerto Rican excursions. This includes food and water as well as things like extra sunscreen, umbrellas, insect repellant and whatever else you might think you need. Some of the areas on the list can be pretty remote, so finding extra supplies at the store might not be an option.
• Check the weather – It is important to check the weather forecast before you venture out on any sort of long drive in Puerto Rico because the weather can get very bad occasionally. Of course, this depends on the time of year that you choose to take one of these trips in Puerto Rico. The tail-end of the summer has the rainiest weather.

Conclusion

Taking any of these scenic routes is a great experience and you would be well-advised to do so yourself. Just take your time, take in the sights and drive with caution and your trip will be a memorable success. Be sure to check the weather before you leave too. You do not want to get stuck out on the road in a remote area during a bad storm. Try and take a GPS or an old-fashioned road-map with you too because there won’t always be cell service where you are so a GPS app on your phone might not work.

Car care doesn’t end with weatherproofing!

You should always take care of your car. Weatherproofing is just the start. You should regularly get your car washed. Take your car in a few times a year for service such as oil changes and general maintenance.

Being proactive and keeping up with these things could end up saving you a bunch of money in the long-run on repairs you won’t need. As always, its better to be proactive rather than reactive especially when it comes to your car.
 

Get ready for sunny, warm and wet weather

When you have your car in Puerto Rico, you will need to make sure your car is ready for warm and sunny weather as well as a considerable amount of rain. There are a few ways that you can go about doing this.
The humidity and dew from this sort of weather can damage internal parts of your car. That is why it is important to get your car serviced and checked out regularly.

You can also make sure you keep your car covered so that the sun and humid weather will cause a minimum amount of damage.
 

Defend your car from salt-air

One of the most potentially damaging parts of weather for your car is salt air in areas near the ocean. Puerto Rico is no exception to this. Salt air is when the combination of the hot suns makes a cars finish more porous (makes the microscopic holes in the paint increase in size) and this allows salt, which has made its way into the air from the ocean, to absorb into the cars finish which causes a much higher level of corrosion than normal.

In order to prevent this, you can always keep your vehicle covered. You can do this by getting a cover for your car or by parking in a garage. You should also wash and wax the car on a regular basis, at least once a month if not more frequently. Also, try avoiding driving too close to the ocean and beach as much as you can.

Finally, if you have parts on your car that have already rusted or corroded you should replace them with new parts as soon as possible. If you leave rusted or corroded parts on your vehicle you could end up with even more damage as a result. It’s not worth it to chance it, just get those parts replaced and take proper care going forward.
 

Conclusion

Weatherproofing your car is another task to add to your already busy list of things to do to prepare for your journey to Puerto Rico, but it is well worth it. Properly weatherproofing your car could end up saving you a considerable amount of money in repairs down the line. It will also keep your car looking like new. Take the necessary steps to weatherproof your vehicle today!

Decide when you want to go to Puerto Rico

The first step in planning for a trip to Puerto Rico is figuring out when you want to go. Many people feel April through the first couple of weeks of June is the best time to visit Puerto Rico because the weather is nice and usually around seventy or eighty degrees. This time frame is also before the rainy summer where there is the ever-present threat of a hurricane.
 

Figure out where you want to go and what you want to do in Puerto Rico

Next, you will want to figure out where you will want to visit. This is no easy task as there are tons of incredible sights to see in Puerto Rico.

For starters, these are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Puerto Rico:

• El Yunque National Rainforest – A world-famous rainforest, the beauty of El Yunque National Rainforest will take your breath away. The rainforest routinely has guided walking tours which can focus on either geography, wildlife or both. This is a must see if you are visiting Puerto Rico.
• Old San Juan – The city of Old San Juan is over five centuries old and is one of the more memorable sights in all of Puerto Rico. Old colonial style architecture and sights like hundreds of year old forts make it an experience that you won’t soon forget.
• Vieques – An island a few miles off the coast of mainland Puerto Rico, Vieques is one of the most talked about attractions in Puerto Rico due to its Bioluminescent Bay in which the water glows bright blue at night due to the glowing phosphorescent organisms that live in the bay in a large concentration. In general, it is also an amazing beach experience. You can get there from the mainland via Ferry.
• Culebra – Culebra is another island off the shore of mainland Puerto Rico. It is much smaller in size and is known because of its gorgeous and tranquil waters with barely any waves. If you visit Culebra, be sure to visit its world-famous wildlife refuge as well.

Figure out what you need to bring

You should be prepared to bring all the usual vacations supplies like a bathing suit, sunscreen and towels but you should also consider bringing some other things as well:

• A roadmap of Puerto Rico – If you have your car shipped to Puerto Rico, you will need to know how to get around to the places you want to visit. Unfortunately, cell service can be unreliable in certain areas, so you will need a roadmap as a backup just in case.
• Mosquito Repellant – Like any other tropical place, bugs and mosquitos are rampant. You should get some spray on repellant as well as a repellant wrist band, so you are covered on two fronts.
• A Virtual Private Network – A virtual private network, or VPN for short, is a must have in places like Puerto Rico. Many of the free Wi-Fi networks are not secure and could result in some of your personal information being stolen such as your credit card number. Don’t risk this happening, it’s very cheap to get a VPN, only a few bucks a month. We recommend Nord VPN.
• A portable phone charger – You might want to spend an entire day out at the beach or wherever you are headed to and there aren’t always readily available places to charge your phone. Take a portable charger with you so that you can charge your phone on the go!

Decide where you will want to stay

You also must decide where exactly you will want to stay during your Puerto Rican excursion. This is another difficult choice because there are so many great places in Puerto Rico for you to choose from.

Here are some of the best spots to stay while you visit Puerto Rico:

• San Juan – San Juan is easily the most popular tourist destination in Puerto Rico and is the capital of Puerto Rico. It has an awesome old colonial feel in much of the city and is near some of the other great sights and attractions in Puerto Rico as well.
• Ricon – A gorgeous beach town in the western part of Puerto Rico, Rincon is an amazing place to stay while you are in Puerto Rico. It is one of the best places to surf in the country and is a popular place for weddings and honeymoons due its perceived tranquility and beauty.
• Rio Grande – Rio Grande is Puerto Rico’s number one tourist resort area. The reason for this is that it is a gorgeous beachfront community and it also has the El Yunque National Rainforest. You can spend one day at the beach here and the next taking a rainforest tour.
• Isabela – Isabela is considered a “hidden beauty” because there won’t be too many other tourists there. It is a tucked away beach community with just as much beauty as any other beach in Puerto Rico if not more.

Take the necessary steps to prepare

You will want to make sure you have thought about everything above before you start making your travel arrangements. This way, the amount of time you spend actually making the arrangements will be kept to a minimum.

Once you do start making your arrangements be sure to shop around for the best deals on things like hotels and flights. If you spend the time looking, you should be able to get these arrangements at significant discounts. Consider using sites like Trivago, Hotels.com, Travelocity and more for the best possible comparison rate shopping on travel arrangements.

You could also consider shipping your car to Puerto Rico if it is an extended trip where you will be driving to various places and attractions. The public transportation can be very unreliable, Uber is essentially non-existent, and cabs can price-gouge. The only issue with shipping your car is the cost of shipping does not factor in the Puerto Rican excise tax. So, you will need to calculate that yourself.
 

Conclusion

There is a lot to consider if you are going to be visiting Puerto Rico. You will need to plan the details of your trip very carefully so that you ensure that you have the very best experience possible.

You need to keep your eye out for the best deals and savings on your travel arrangements as you wouldn’t want to end up paying more than you had to.

You will need to bring whatever you can think of that is necessary for your trip like bathing suits, phone chargers etc.

Most of all, be sure you choose the amenities and details of the trip that you most want. You wouldn’t want to see something just because it is cheapest or has the best proximity to your hotel.

Basics about Puerto Rican ferries

The ferry in Puerto Rico is a cargo ferry which is not really intended for passenger use. If you are traveling with a vehicle on-board you should have no issue getting on. The problem is the boat doesn’t offer much cover from adverse weather like sun or extreme heat. So, prepare accordingly.

You MUST make a reservation ahead of time to get a spot on one of these ferries as well. It is nearly impossible to do so online or in person. So, unfortunately, you will need to drive to the Ferry location before you plan on leaving and make a reservation in-person. We recommend you do this at least a week in advance.

The only issue with these reservations is that they are not ironclad. This basically means if a cargo truck needs to take your spot on the ferry, you will get bumped, possibly to the next day. In the end, its just the luck of the draw.

This is the only way for you to get your car to these islands unless you can find an auto transport company that can ship your car to these places. So far, we have not heard of such a company. Also, then you would need to take a flight yourself to the island.

Also, the ferries don’t always stay on schedule. They depart when they are filled. This includes if they fill early. So, be sure you get there earlier than you might expect to need to.
 

Popular ferry routes people bring their car on

The two places that people in Puerto Rico travel to with their cars via ferry are Culebra and Vieques. These are both wonderful places to visit as they are both incredibly beautiful.

However, be careful about what types of vehicles you travel there with. Some of the roads are unpaved, bumpy and dirty. A Jeep would be fine driving on these roads whereas a really nice luxury car might not be.
Here are the ferries you can take in Puerto Rico:

• Ceiba to Culebra (the main island to Culebra)
• Culebra to Ceiba (Culebra to the main island)
• Ceiba to Vieques (the main island to Vieques)
• Vieques to Ceiba (Vieques to the main island)

These ferries leave several times a day, seven days a week. The issue is that the schedule changes quite frequently. If the ferry is gets filled, even if you have a reservation it will leave. So, be sure you get there early.

These ferries all depart several times a day any where from 4 AM to 9:30 PM. The best idea is to arrive early in the morning and expect to wait up to a couple of hours. It is unfortunate, but that is they way it is right now.

The schedule for departures is: (Remember, these times are VERY subject to change – arrive as early as possible)

• Ceiba to Vieques
  • 4:00 AM
  • 9:00 AM
  • 1:00PM
  • 4:45PM
  • 8:15PM
• Vieques to Ceiba
  • 6:00 AM
  • 11:00 AM
  • 3:00 PM
  • 6:30 PM
• Ceiba to Culebra
  • 4:00 AM
  • 9:00 AM
  • 1:00PM
  • 4:45PM
  • 8:15PM
• Culebra to Ceiba

  • 6:00 AM
  • 11:00 AM
  • 3:00 PM
  • 6:30 PM

Also, please take note of the fact that Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba is where the ferries depart from now. They used to depart from Fajardo but that is no longer the case.
 

Don’t take that rental car on the ferry

Unfortunately, most rental companies will not permit you to take a rental car onto the Ferry. If you do anyway and damage occurs to the rental car while it is on the ship or the island you traveled to, you will void the rental agreement and be responsible for paying for a hundred percent of the damage yourself.

It can’t hurt to ask your rental company if they allow people to travel on the ferry with their cars, but the answer is likely no. That is another reason to ship your car to Puerto Rico with Puerto Rico Car Transport.
 

Conclusion

You can ferry your way to the best and most attractive islands in Puerto Rico. However, it will be a complicated experience to say the least. Plan ahead to avoid unnecessary delays and problems.

Regardless, if you are on your way to Puerto Rico and need your car shipped there, the car shipping professionals at Puerto Rico Car Transport can help.