So you’ve arrived in San Juan, you’ve checked into your hotel, and you’re ready for your Caribbean vacation. Now, should you rent a car or trust taxis? Is everything the tourist wants to see and do within walking distance? How about public transportation? Here are some tips, the ones you know.
Rent a car
If you plan wisely, you can avoid this option. For one, you have to pay parking fees along the Condado and Isla Verde tourist strip (or drive for hours looking for a spot), and parking in Old San Juan is no less fun. Second, traffic can be a nightmare in the capital, especially on the way to the old city. However, if you want to tour the city and plan to jump between neighborhoods (visit the mall in Hato Rey, then the beach in Isla Verde, followed by dinner in Old San Juan, etc.) then a car will be cheaper than continuous taxi rides
All the big agencies are located in the city, at the airport and in various hotels.
Take taxis
Taxis in San Juan aren’t cheap, but the taxi union is pretty strong, so don’t expect fares to drop anytime soon, or hotels to start providing transportation services for their guests. The white tourist taxi that you will find in each hotel and designated taxi ranks charge by zone, with rates ranging from $ 10 to $ 20 (plus $ 2 per suitcase if you have luggage). In other words, a taxi from your resort hotel to Old San Juan and back will cost you around $ 30, depending on where you are.
However, they are reliable, safe, and comfortable. You can also take metered taxis from the road, which can be a cheaper alternative.
I can walk?
Distances in San Juan can be misleading. Walking from Isla Verde to Old San Juan will easily take you a few hours, so unless you’re really on a budget, I wouldn’t recommend this option. Even from the closest neighborhood in the County, it’s still a good hour for the city on foot. However, while in Old San Juan, walking is the best way to travel, but if you get tired, there is a free tram from the Plaza de Armas that will take you around the city.
What about public transportation?
There are public buses in San Juan (they call them guaguas ) that cover all tourist areas. For example, the A-5 bus will take you from Avenida Isla Verde to Old San Juan in about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on stops and traffic. At 75 cents, it’s a much cheaper way to get around, if you don’t mind the extra time and a bit of a walk to your final destination.
Regardless of what you choose to do, my advice is to spend as much time as possible within a particular neighborhood, so you don’t spend time and money traveling from one area of San Juan to the other. Neighborhood guides for the various areas of the capital will help you find restaurants and activities that will keep you in one place longer. Of course, if you have your heart set on a particular restaurant for dinner or a nightclub in another part of town, hop in your taxi, bus, or car and enjoy!
