North America > Puerto Rico > San Juan (SJU)
The Car or no Car advice for San Juan can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in San Juan ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in San Juan ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in San Juan?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
📍 Getting Around San Juan — the Reality
San Juan is not one single place, but a collection of distinct areas.
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Old San Juan is compact, historic, and walkable
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Condado and Isla Verde are linear beach districts
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Modern San Juan spreads inland and eastward
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Distances add up quickly once you leave the core
You can enjoy parts of San Juan easily without a car — but not all of it.
🚶♂️ Old San Juan: No Car Needed
For many visitors, Old San Juan is the highlight — and it’s best experienced on foot.
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Cobblestone streets and steep gradients
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Traffic restrictions and limited parking
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Major sights clustered tightly
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Walking is faster than driving
A car here is actively inconvenient.
🚇 Public Transport: Limited but Useful in Places
San Juan’s public transport is patchy rather than comprehensive.
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The Tren Urbano serves limited corridors
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Buses exist but are not tourist-oriented
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Services are infrequent compared with European cities
Public transport works for specific routes, not general exploration.
🚕 Taxis and Ride-Hailing
For city-based movement, taxis and ride-hailing often fill the gap.
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Widely used by visitors
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Practical for short hops between districts
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Easier than self-driving in busy areas
This supports a no-car stay if plans are well contained.
🚗 When Renting a Car Makes Sense
The logic shifts quickly once you leave central San Juan.
A car is very useful for:
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Exploring beaches beyond Condado and Isla Verde
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Visiting El Yunque National Forest
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Coastal drives and rural areas
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Seeing more of Puerto Rico beyond the metro area
Public transport outside the city is extremely limited.
🌴 San Juan as a Gateway to Puerto Rico
San Juan functions as the island’s main gateway.
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Many visitors arrive, then travel outward
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Distances are manageable but not walkable
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A car opens up flexibility and quieter areas
Puerto Rico rewards independent exploration.
⚠️ Downsides of Renting in the City
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Traffic congestion at peak times
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Parking challenges in historic areas
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You may not use the car every day
Some visitors choose to delay renting until they leave San Juan itself.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in San Juan?
No for Old San Juan — yes for the rest of Puerto Rico.
San Juan’s historic core works best on foot and by taxi. But if you want to explore beaches, forests, and the wider island, a rental car becomes essential.
💡 Rule of thumb:
Walk Old San Juan. Drive Puerto Rico beyond it. 🚶♂️🚗
