Transport and Driving in Puerto Rico

Públicos are public minibuses. This is the cheapest form of public transport, but offers little in the way of comfort. Públicos tend to leave only when full, so there is no set schedule.

Ferries 

Passenger ferries operate with limited capacity from the main island to the smaller surrounding islands. Tickets should be booked in advance.

Taxis in Puerto Rico

Taxis are available in larger cities. White tourist taxis with turístico logos congregate around tourist areas of San Juan and charge by zone rather than by meter. Non-tourist taxi drivers have meters but don't always use them, so it is best to establish a rate before the journey begins.

In larger cities such as San Juan and Ponce, ride-hailing applications like Uber are operational.

Driving in Puerto Rico

Expats moving to San Juan will find that a car is not a necessity. Driving can be dangerous, as local drivers are reputed to ignore traffic laws. However, if expats are interested in exploring the island and taking weekend trips, a car can certainly be useful. In Puerto Rico, cars drive on the right-hand side, and road signs are often in Spanish.

Expats in Puerto Rico will only be able to drive on their foreign licence for 120 days. After this, expats will need to obtain a local licence. The complexity of this will depend on where the initial licence was issued. In some cases, licences can simply be swapped, while in others written and practical tests may be necessary.