Cheap Car Rental in San Juan

Car Rental in San Juan: the beautiful capital of Puerto Rico

San Juan is an old city in a beautiful location, promising visitors the stunning combination of an excellent harbor with old and new architecture alike. The city undergoes constant change, making it attractive for return visits, particularly following Hurricane Maria’s destruction in 2017. Ask your hosts or hotel staff if they are in need of any items before you depart, as access to batteries and medical supplies continues to be limited in Puerto Rico. Ask locals how you can participate in the reconstruction of the island during your visit. Make the most of your visit by staying mobile and exploring the island thoroughly with a rental car. Book yours today.

Most people visit San Juan during the dry season, December through mid-April. It is recommended to avoid hurricane season, July through November. Temperatures remain fairly constant year-round, ranging from the low to high 80s Fahrenheit (21 to 32 degrees Celsius).

While both Spanish and English are the official languages of Puerto Rico, Spanish is the dominant language throughout the country. Taino is the original language of San Juan. Road signs are in Spanish and look similar to US road signs, though note that while speed limits are indicated in miles, distances are indicated in kilometers.

San Juan is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, UTC-4.

The currency is the United States dollar, and carrying cash for most of your financial transactions is recommended. ATMs are widely available throughout the island.

Car hire is available in 7 locations throughout San Juan, including downtown, at the San Juan Airport (also called the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, airport code SJU), and in the Santurce district.

Visa Regulations

Puerto Rico follows US entry requirements, meaning that Americans travel visa-free to Puerto Rico, and a further 38 nationalities can travel to the island as tourists without applying for a visa. If you are among these nationalities, you are still required to fill out the ESTA in advance. If your nationality is not included on the visa-waiver program list, you will be required to apply for a B-1 or B-2 visa in advance of your arrival.

Driving in San Juan

Roads may not be in great condition, and particularly in the historical parts of San Juan, roadways are quite narrow. Still, renting a car is the most convenient and independent way to explore San Juan and its surroundings.

Right-Hand Driving

• Traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road in Puerto Rico.

Speed Limits

• In the city: 25 miles per hour (circa 40 km/h)
• On country roads: 45 mph (circa 70 km/h)
• On highways: 55-65 mph (circa 85-105 km/h)
• Traffic in and around San Juan is especially affected by rush hours, which typically span from 8 to 10 am and 4 to 6 pm.

Other Regulations

1. Parking is regulated by time and fee throughout most of San Juan, though there is free parking available at the Puerta de Tierra beach.
2. An international driver’s permit is required for most visitors to Puerto Rico, in addition to a valid domestic driver’s license. A general exception to this rule is for drivers visiting Puerto Rico from the United States.
3. There are a number of toll roads in and around San Juan, with tolls typically ranging between 50 cents and $1.50. Ask your rental company if your car is equipped with an AutoExpreso transponder to electronically record your toll road usage.
4. The minimum driving age in Puerto Rico is 18 years, though most rental companies will require that you are at least 23 years old to rent a car, and you are likely to face young-driver surcharges until the age of 25.

Cheap Car Rental in San Juan

Car hire in San Juan typically starts at around $30 a day. Here are some of the best deals in San Juan:

• Toyota Yaris or similar (economy class) – $32/day
• Hyundai Accent or similar (compact class) – $37/day
• Nissan Sentra or similar (intermediate class) – $44/day
• Ford F150 or similar (standard class) – $63/day
• Hyundai Sonata or similar (fullsize class) – $64/day

Note that prices vary depending on the availability of each specific car and the season in which you rent. For the most accurate offers, use the search bar above.

Tips for Renting a Car Inexpensively in San Juan

There is some seasonal variation in price for rental cars in San Juan. During the popular and long tourist season, cars typically cost between $30 and $40 a day. During the wetter off-season starting in September, the price typically drops to below $30 a day.

For the best deals on rental cars in San Juan, book your car in Santurce or at the airport. At both of these locations, the car rental company Ace Rent a Car offers car hire prices a full $10 cheaper than at other locations throughout the city.

Keep an eye out for occasional discounts that make the price of rental cars in San Juan even cheaper. Depending on the company from whom you rent, you can also often save at least $2 a day by extending your rental period to over a week.