Is There Uber In Puerto Rico? (From An Expert 2024)
I traveled around in Puerto Rico for over a month, and I feel compelled to answer the very important question: “Is there Uber in Puerto Rico?” Well, yes and no.
The short answer to that is “Yes, there is Uber in Puerto Rico,” but the thing is that it is only found in the capital city of San Juan area, Puerto Rico.
Uber is the only one of the most common ride-hailing apps that exist in Puerto Rico; you do not find Lyft here.
There is one more important travel tip I really need to share with you before you go to Puerto Rico. The public transportation situation across Puerto Rico is nonexistent, and I found that out the hard way.
There are no buses, trams, or trains in Puerto Rico. Which, in combination with Uber’s limitations, means something for your travel planning. Read on to find out the issue and how to best travel in Puerto Rico!
Is There Uber In Puerto Rico?
Yes and no, there is ONLY Uber in the capital, San Juan, and NOT in any other destination on the whole island.
This means you can book an Uber from San Juan to wherever you want to go (including long distance), but when you want to return to San Juan, you will not find anyone available on the Uber app.
And as there is no public bus service outside of San Juan, your transport options are quite limited as soon as you leave the capital apart from rental cars.
Also read: Is Puerto Rico Safe For Female Travelers Going Solo?
Is There Uber In San Juan?
Yes, there are Ubers in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the island’s capital city!
But that is also the only place on the island where you find Uber. In the smaller towns in Puerto Rico, in the countryside, and along the coast, you DO NOT find Uber service, so you need to plan for another mode of transportation.
Uber is probably the easiest way to get around Capital, San Juan, and you can also opt to book an Uber to travel from San Juan.
Be advised, though, that you will not be able to book an Uber to return to San Juan from destinations outside the capital as long as you have the app outside the capital city limits.
What you also need to know is that in Puerto Rico, outside of San Juan, public transportation is non-existent!
There are no public buses going around the island. I found out about this the hard way, so now, you don’t have to.
There are options for getting a local cab driver to take you where you want to go next, where you can negotiate a price or fixed rate for taking you where you want to go.
You also have pre-booked online private transfer services available that can get you conveniently from A to B.
How To Travel Around Puerto Rico!
If you want to go exploring outside of Puerto Rico and outside of organized tours of Puerto Rico, your absolutely best option is probably to rent a car.
Secondly, you can get a pre-booked private transfer. This is a super predictable, although pricier, and also a super convenient option.
Thirdly, you can take a chance to find a local taxi that might take you from A to B when you are traveling outside of San Juan.
Be advised, though, that it might be a challenge to find, and also, as the service is scarce, you are not in a great negotiating position for the taxi fare..!
How To Rent A Car In Puerto Rico!
When I visited Puerto Rico, I rented a car for a few days to take me around from San Juan, via Isabela, to the beaches of Rincon, Ponce, and then back to San Juan.
I wanted to check out the most popular destinations in Puerto Rico, and I love road trips! Apart from being a bit unlucky with the weather, this was a great way to explore Puerto Rico hassle-free.
Renting a car online in Puerto Rico is a good option. If you book a pick-up and drop-off in San Juan, the price of your rental will simply depend a lot on supply and demand.
And do yourself a favor; buy the car rental insurance, even though you don’t plan to crash your car! Better safe than sorry!
Prices can be quite high in the high season starting in November, while on shoulder seasons, you might get a small rental for under $50 a day.
Pre-Booked Transfers in Puerto Rico
If you like to plan ahead and don’t mind paying a little extra for predictability, online payment, and having everything sorted, you can book private transfers in Puerto Rico.
You can even do this from the San Juan Airport terminal when you arrive if you prefer someone to wait for you with a sign with your name on it.
This private transfer option has over 50 top-rated reviews.
You have a book now, pay later option, as well as the possibility to cancel if anything unforeseen happens. There is also a phone number to call if you have any questions!
Best Tours In Puerto Rico From San Juan
As Puerto Rico is a super small Caribbean island, it is both possible and quite easy to reach any destination on the island with short trips from the capital, San Jose.
Starting in November in Puerto Rico, the island is entering the tourism peak season.
This Caribbean island is formally a part of the United States, so it is a super popular destination among American citizens who don’t need a passport to travel here.
If you prefer a done-for-you holiday, there are a variety of organized tours starting from San Juan.
You will be picked up in the morning at your hotel or holiday home, and everything is organized and catered for the entire day, dropping you off in the afternoon or evening.
No extra transport administration is needed!
Ready for adventure? Here are 4 Top-Rated Tours From San Juan:
Quick Guide: Puerto Rico In A Flash!
This beautiful Caribbean island is full of rich culture, stunning landscapes, and endless activities. But what truly makes Puerto Rico stand out from other tropical destinations?
Puerto Rico has become a genuine melting pot of cultures influenced by Spanish, African, and the unique indigenous TaÃno traditions. This cultural blend can be seen in everything from the architecture to the food.
The island’s capital, San Juan, boasts colorful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets, while the countryside is dotted with quaint villages and vibrant street art.
From lush rainforests to white sandy beaches, Puerto Rico has it all.
It’s home to three of the five bioluminescent bays in the world, where you can witness the mesmerizing glow of tiny microorganisms in the water.
The island also has over 270 miles of coastline, offering a variety of beaches.
For adventure-seekers, the El Yunque National Forest is a must-visit with its stunning waterfalls and hiking trails.
Indulge in delicious local cuisine like mofongo and arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas), explore centuries-old forts and museums, or try your hand at surfing on the island’s world-renowned waves.
Whether you’re a foodie, history buff, or outdoor enthusiast, Puerto Rico has something for everyone.
Except, perhaps, Uber!
FAQs Puerto Rico Uber
Is Thre Uber In Puerto Rico San Juan?
Yes, there is Uber in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. But there is no Uber anywhere else in Puerto Rico outside the capital.
Is There Lyft In Puerto Rico?
No, the Lyft ride-sharing app is not active in Puerto Rico.
Is Uber In Puerto Rico Safe?
Uber in Puerto Rico is considered safe. Using the Uber ride-sharing service in Puerto Rico San Juan, is exactly like using the app anywhere else. All data are registered online, and payment is electronic.
Taking Uber in Puerto Rico is not a risky choice.
Is Puerto Rico Part Of US?
Yes, Puerto Rico is considered a part of the United States. American citizens do not need a passport to visit Puerto Rico and San Juan!
Wrap-Up: Is There Uber In Puerto Rico!
Yes, in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, you will be able to find Uber transport.
From San Juan, you can also book Uber transport to travel out of the city, but make sure you have a plan for the return trip as your Uber app is not active outside the capital.
The best, most flexible, and probably also the best budget option is to rent a car and explore Puerto Rico on your own!
The reason for this is that there are no public transport options across the island outside the capital, San Juan, and getting taxi services, a taxi driver, or private transfer bookings for every leg is probably going to cost you a bit.
It might also be tricky to find car rental companies and taxi drivers outside the city that take longer fares.
I found ONE local company with a taxi rental in Isabela village (thank you, Google Maps!). Although I was able to rent a car there (phew!), I had to pay in cash, as they did not accept a credit card.
The prices naturally were a lot higher than if I had booked online and picked the car up in San Juan. So the best practice really is to book online and pick up your car in the capital!
Or you can just stay in San Juan and do organized day trips from there! Good Luck, I’m sure you will love the island (I certainly did!).
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