For six 22 year olds who want to travel all over Puerto Rico, what is the recommended form of transportation?

Question

Rental Car (which has the obvious, ridiculously large extra fee) or are "publicos" the way to go?

Answer 1

Once you get out of the Metro area, you really have no option besides renting a car.

While in the city, definitely use the public transportation. Buses and even the train can get you around cheaply.  Even taxis are not too bad in the Metro area when you divide the rate by 6 people.

But out of the metro area, Publicos have a limited route system, no fixed schedule and they are used by locals- all 6 of you might not fit on the same one. You may spend hours each day of your vacation just waiting for them, and then, they won't go to exactly where you want to go.  You end up walking miles or taking a taxi anyway.

With your own car, you can go where you want, when you want. Sure it will cost more, but when you divide it by 6, it isn't so bad.  And the convienence is well worth it.

Answer 2

Renting a car is still the best. Just try to rent from a place outside of the airport, wich are more expensive.    If that's not Possible, take the train to Rio Piedras, and there there are many 'publico' buses, wich take you to most places in the island.    Also the regular buses (ATI)   take you all over the metro area.    there are also the public boats, wich take take you through the water ways.  there's a terminal in Hato Rey.

Answer 3

Yeh sorry but rental car is really the only way to explore the whole island. Publicos will take u to only certain places & for 6 people it will be just as expensive as a rental car anyway. The whole island of PR is only 100 miles x 35 miles & you can drive anywhere within a few hours. If you really plan your time & map your travel you can hit multiple locations each day, like Camuy Caves & the Arecibo telescope. The only problem is that you are only 22 so you will be charged an extra fee but its not that much. Also make sure you have a credit card to use that covers the insurance so you do not need to purchase the insurance. Most major credit card companies do, as long as you have car insurance on a car at home. Here are some cheap car rental places near the SJU airport:

http://www.thrifty.com/

http://www.paylesscarrental.com/

http://www.dollar.com/

Answer 4

Car Rental vs Public transportation

* You will expend much time waiting for public transportation and for some places in "all over PR" you will need to change routes (adding more waiting time).

* Car Rental is obviously more expensive than the public transportation but it will get you faster to any place you want to go.  You will be able to see multiple locations the same day if renting a car vs limiting yourself to those places close by to the routes of the public transportation and the wasting of time.

Six?  You need to rent a van.

Answer 5

Rent a van or large SUV.  Public transportation is very limited in PR, and if you want the freedom to go where you wish, when you wish - you really need your own vehicle.  Some of the best places in P.R. are off the beaten path, and many of these areas don't even have taxi's or anything along those lines.

As for the cost of rental cars - I usually hit priceline.com and get a great deal on rental cars.  I bid about 50% of the best price I find on other locations, and usually get a hit.

Answer 6

rent a car and discover the Island! I recommend Angelo's Car Rental in Rincon. 787-823-3438.  Rincon has the best beaches in the caribbean. There are many beach bar and grills. Enjoy your stay!

Answer 7

Rent, definitely. Public cars will be too slow and confusing, and honestly I think you'll find it a waste of time. Split the fees into 6!

Answer 8

Rental

Publicos it takes forever, and those little public vans ask for more than 10 bucks per head in longer trips from pueblo to pueblo (gas over here its not cheap, so they are raising the fees for passangers).

so if u want to go from rio piedras to cayey u have to pay 10 bucks per person and if u want to go from cayey to another far pueblo y have to pay 10 bucks more per person. so renting a car comes out less expensive than paying 10-12 bucks per person to go around the island, and public buses take u to certain parts, not the mountains. i live on top of a mountain and if i had to walk, i rather rent a plane!