Puerto Rico Info
Joined: 16 Nov 2006
Posts: 17
Home Country: puertorico
|
 Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 10:59 pm Post subject: GETTING AROUND IN PUERTO RICO / PUERTO RICO TRANSPORT GUIDE |
 |
|
GETTING AROUND IN PUERTO RICO
AIR
You can fly to many of the cities and towns within Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra, by chartering a small plane or taking one of the regularly scheduled commuter-type flights from the Ribas Dominicci Airport in Isla Grande, San Juan, or other local airports. If you are staying in the west of the island, look into direct flights to and from the Aguadilla airport.
American Eagle (tel. 800/433-7300 or 787/791-5050; www.aa.com) flies from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport to Mayagüez, which can be your gateway to western Puerto Rico. Round-trip fares are $202 to $272.
ROAD
Car Rental
Most of the major car rental companies have offices at the airport, in San Juan and in the larger cities and towns. Roads are clearly marked and maps are available. Note that speed limits are indicated in miles per hour, but distances are shown in kilometers. Puerto Rico Tourism Company representatives at the airport will assist you in finding the right transportation. Major car rental agencies are located at the airport, and others offer free transportation to their off-airport sites.
Some local agencies may tempt you with special reduced prices. But if you're planning to tour the island by car, you won't find any local branches that will help you if you experience trouble. And some of the agencies widely advertising low-cost deals won't take credit cards and want cash in advance. Also, watch out for "hidden" extra costs, which sometimes proliferate among the smaller and not very well-known firms, and difficulties connected with resolving insurance claims.
Taxis
Taxis are available at the airport, hotels and major tourist points. In the tourism zones, rates are fixed and posted. Outside the zones, taxis are metered and can be hired by the hour.
Fixed rates - Tourist zones:
Airport / Isla Verde - $10.00
Airport / Condado / Miramar - $14.00
Airport / Pier Area in Old San Juan - $19.00
Piers / Old San Juan - $7.00
Piers / Condado / Miramar - $12.00
Piers / Isla Verde - $19.00
Piers / Plaza Las Américas Shopping Mall - $14.00
Piers / Plaza Carolina Shopping Mall - $24.00
Piers 1, 4, 6 & Navy Frontier / El Morro - $6.00
Panamerican Piers / El Morro - $10.00
Note: $0.50 per each piece of luggage, excluding hand pieces, and an additional charge of $1.00 per piece, after three pieces.
For any claim or help, please contact: lostandfound@prtourism.com, transportationclaims@prtourism.com
Taxi Metered Rates apply outside of Tourism Transportation Zones of San Juan - Isla Verde Area
Charges & Rates
* $1.75: Initial Charge
* $0.10: Charge for fraction of mile (1/19 mile)
* $0.10: Waiting Time (Every 25 seconds)
* $0.50: Charge for the first 3 pieces of luggage (each)
* $1.00: Charge for the fourth piece of luggage and thereafter (each)
* $1.00: Call charge
* $36.00: Hourly Rent Charge
* $1.00: Night Rate (10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.)
* $3.00: Minimun Charge per trip
* $2.00: Surcharge fee for the sixth and seventh passenger in vehicle
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Public transportation in the metropolitan San Juan area is convenient and practical, with regular bus service on established routes or if you wish you can use the train (Tren Urbano).
Público
Among the most interesting—and adventurous—ways of traveling in Puerto Rico is by público. Públicos are independently owned and operated vans that service hard to reach urban areas. They also travel between island towns; if you have the time and inclination, they can be an inexpensive and fascinating way to learn about the island. You may find yourself riding with a family on its way to see a grandmother on the other side of the island, or a half dozen ballplayers on their way to a game. All in all, públicos offer visitors a terrific opportunity to meet Puerto Rico and its people.
Fares vary according to whether the público will make a detour to pick up or drop off a passenger at a specific locale. (If you want to deviate from the predetermined routes, you'll pay more than if you wait for a público beside the main highway.) Fares from San Juan to Mayagüez range from $14 to $34; from San Juan to Ponce, from $20 to $32. Be warned that although prices of públicos are low, the routes are slow, with frequent stops, often erratic routing, and lots of inconvenience.
Information about público routes between San Juan and Mayagüez is available at Lineas Sultana, Calle Esteban González 898, Urbanización Santa Rita, Río Piedras (tel. 787/765-9377). Information about público routes between San Juan and Ponce is available from Choferes Unidos de Ponce, Terminal de Carros Públicos, Calle Vive in Ponce (tel. 787/764-0540).
FERRY
Ferry service to Culebra and Vieques is available at the small port of Fajardo on the east end of the island or from Old San Juan. Private boats can also be chartered at many of the marinas on the east coast. |
|
Register
Log in
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
