If you’re wondering whether you actually need to rent a car, how safe driving is, or what to expect when driving in Puerto Rico, this guide will answer all those questions.

I’ve driven in Puerto Rico on four separate trips, including at night, during rainstorms, and in rural areas and overall, each time, I found it comparable to driving in many US cities, with minor differences.

Quick Answer: Is Driving in Puerto Rico Easy?

Yes – if you drive frequently and have no major issues at home, driving in Puerto Rico will be easy and doable for you. Having a car to yourself will allow you to explore more of the island and see places that tours or taxis won’t take you to.

Here’s what to generally expect:

• Most roads are well developed – you shouldn’t have problems getting from point A to point B, especially as a tourist visiting the more popular places
• Signs are comparable to US signs – many are in Spanish but you shouldn’t have issues understanding what they mean
• A US license is valid in PR – since Puerto Rico is a US territory, you won’t need an international license to rent a car
• Things to watch out for:
  • Drivers can be a little more aggressive
  • Potholes in more remote areas can be common
  • Weather can change quickly at times with rain sneaking up on you

Renting a Car in Puerto Rico

Renting a car when traveling might seem intimidating no matter where you travel. There are lots of things to consider: where to rent it, safety, navigation, parking, tolls, and road conditions. Below you’ll find my honest opinions on each of the topics based on the experiences I had in Puerto Rico after numerous rentals.

Do You Need a Car in Puerto Rico?

Well, that will depend on what you want to do on the island. If you’re coming on a cruise or are simply planning to stay in one area like San Juan or any bigger city, Ubers will be sufficient for you. There are also many arranged tours that can take you to popular spots like El Yunque Rainforest or neighboring island excursions. While public transportation is not Puerto Rico’s strongest suit, Uber is pretty developed and reasonably priced for shorter distances.

If you’re planning to explore the island, do things on your own schedule or get a more local, authentic experience, then you’re much better off renting a car.

Don’t know if you’ll be exploring many locations in Puerto Rico? Check out my full Puerto Rico itinerary to see what this beautiful island has to offer.

Uber pick-ups are clearly marked at the airport or you can easily pick up a car at the airport as well.

Best place to rent a car in Puerto Rico

For most travelers, the easiest rental pickup will be the airport in San Juan. They have many options for vendors, so choose the provider you trust the most.

I personally have rented with Hertz (4 times in Puerto Rico), and they have yet to fail me. One of my travel card perks is the Hertz Gold+, which allows me to pre-book a car in the app and simply picking it up in my assigned parking spot (picture above). It’s the easiest way without the need to wait in any counter lines. I have also rented the car in San Juan and dropped it off in Aguadilla (BQN) airport without any issues.

They’re quick to assist you, and their pricing is pretty fair compared to all others. And no, this is not a sponsored or a commission link; I simply find them very reliable and have never had a bad experience with this company in any country I have rented with them (15+ car rentals).

What type of car should you rent in Puerto rico?

Renting a normal-sized car (sedan) is more than sufficient when driving in Puerto Rico. Roads are pretty developed, and unless you’re doing some off-road trip, you will not need anything bigger.

Do you need insurance when renting a car?

You need insurance for any car rental. Whether that comes from your credit card or the car rental company is up to you. If you have a travel credit card like Capital One Venture, for example, check what type of coverage it includes. If you have primary coverage, use it for your rentals; it’s one of the biggest underrated perks your card has. Just make sure to decline the company’s offered insurance and book the on that specific card in order for it to be active.

Don’t let car companies bully you into insurance or tell you it’s not valid. It is valid and it will cover you if anything happens. However, if you have never used it before, make sure to confirm that your coverage includes.

I personally had an incident in Spain where someone broke into my rental car, smashed the window, and stole all of my belongings. My credit card insurance covered all the damages will all the proper paperwork (police report) and I had no issues with them. Just make sure to read the fine print of what your insurance entails or simply call your card benefits and ask.

If you’re nervous about your credit card options, there is also travel insurance that can include car rental insurance at an additional fee or you can simply choose it as an add-on with the company you are renting with.

Seasoned traveler tip: Whatever you choose as your option, do your homework before you come up to the rental desk so you know what route you’d like to go with. Those guys can be very pushy and pressure you into more coverage than you need. I personally had rental staff tell me that I would get arrested if I didn’t purchase their insurance 😂

Can you drive in puerto rico with a uS license?

If you’re from the U.S., you can drive in Puerto Rico with your normal U.S. driver’s license.

What Driving in Puerto Rico Is Actually Like

Is It Safe to Drive in Puerto Rico?

Generally, driving in Puerto Rico is safe, and there is no reason to be afraid to drive there if you’re a regular driver. With that said, you have to use the same amount of caution you normally use anywhere else.

I personally felt safe driving during the day, at night, in the mountains, and on the highways. My driving experience was a lot different in the Dominican Republic, just to compare, where I did not feel that same confidence.

Highways vs. Local roads

Puerto Rico has highways that feel similar to US highways, multiple lanes, exits, and clear signage. Drivers are fine but you can get an occasional crazy one. Signage is clear and most destinations are reachable via main roads.

Local roads vary. If you’re going in the middle of the island, you’ll encounter a lot of windy roads that can make you car sick. They also get much narrower than the highways. For the most part, they’re pretty easy to drive on, but watch out for potholes, animals or people in the road. Speed bumps or “muertos” can be a little intense so be on the lookout for them as well.

Tolls in Puerto Rico (AutoExpreso Explained)

On the highways, you’ll encounter AutoExpreso or toll roads. They are very similar to an “EZPass” system, charged via a little device instead of a cash toll booth payment. You can avoid them by taking more local routes, but those can be much longer in distance. The tolls themselves are not that expensive so my advice would be just to pay them, especially if you have limited time on the island.

If you have a rental car, ask the company how they’re charging the tolls.

A lot of companies will propose the pay-per-day unlimited system, but I find that to be a waste. For most tourists, you won’t be driving multiple toll roads per day, so you won’t need that. Instead, ask if you can simply pay as you go and get charged at the end for all the tolls you have accrued. This is the option I have repeatedly chosen with Hertz, and it ended up being the most economical choice for me.

Best Navigation Apps for Puerto Rico (Google Maps vs Waze)

Navigating the roads should be fairly easy with all the modern tools we have on our phones. Simply use Waze for real-time driving updates with traffic, accidents, police checks etc. If you don’t like Waze, Google Maps is just as good in 2026 too.

No matter which tool you choose, I’d recommend downloading an offline map in case you lose service. And you can lose service in the mountains very easily. And don’t forget your car phone charge either!

Driving Rules in Puerto Rico

Most rules will be similar to those in the US. The main difference that people might not be used to is that red lights can be treated as stop signs between 12 am and 5 am.

Other than that, these are the main things to know:

• Speed limits exist – 55-65 mph on highways & 25-35 on more local roads
  • This doesn’t mean people won’t speed past you on the road 🙂
• Don’t drive in the left lane – let people pass you
• You can turn right on red unless posted otherwise
• No drinking and driving – 0.08 is the limit as it is in the US
• Seatbelts are mandatory
• No phone usage
• Some signs are in Spanish:
  • Pare = Stop
  • Desvío = Detour
  • Salida = Exit
  • Velocidad = Speed
  • Ceda el paso = Yield

Parking in Puerto Rico (San Juan + Beach Areas)

Parking can be stressful, especially on narrow streets in San Juan. There is limited street parking, lots of people walking around, and signage that might be confusing. My biggest tip for parking in San Juan is to get into a garage and walk to wherever is that you’re going. The city is not that big, and having peace of mind is more important than trying to squeeze into a tight spot. For example, there are a couple of garages on Recinto Sur which give you a central location for walking the city.

If I were only staying in San Juan and not venturing out much, I wouldn’t rent a car, as Ubers are abundant and cheap. I only rent one if I know I will be exploring a lot outside of the city itself.

Parking near the beaches is mostly straightforward. You can either park in a designated spot, a paid lot or near the side of the road if allowed.

No matter where you park, make sure not to leave any valuables in the car or anything else that can call attention to petty theft.

Gas Stations in Puerto Rico: What to Expect

As someone who grew up in New Jersey and very rarely pumps their own gas, I always stress about gas stations in other places. Puerto Rico’s gas stations can function a little differently than what you’re used to, but it’s more than manageable.

Stations closer to the airport can have an attendant help you out, but it’s not the case for most. Since you can’t always pay at the pump, you’ll need to pay inside. First, you’ll choose your pump, look at the number on it, go inside, and tell the cashier how much you want on that specific pump. You’ll say “$20 on pump 7” for example, and you’re all done. You might have to leave your card in there if you’re filling up.

The prices are shown in liters, not gallons, so make sure you know that. As of 2026, gas prices are under ~$1 per liter at 3.8 liters in a gallon, which is around ~$3.5 to $3.8 per gallon.

Vocabulary to be aware of at the gas station:

• La gasolinera – gas station
• Pagar – pay
• Tarjeta – card
• La bomba – pump
• Llenar el tanque – fill up the tank

Remember to fill up your tank completely before you return your rental car to avoid crazy refueling fees.

In terms of gas station scams, which are common in the world, I didn’t hear or hear about anything unusual that happens in Puerto Rico. Simply follow general safety rules: if someone is filling your tank, check that they zeroed it out. If someone is too friendly and eager to help you at the pump, be cautious and don’t fill up your tank in the middle of the night alone.

What to do if you get pulled over

If you’re following the rules, there is no reason for you to get pulled over. In case you do, do as you would back at home: stay calm, be respectful, and follow instructions. If you’re renting a car, keep your rental paperwork accessible.

What to do in case of damage to your car rental

Shit does happen, so if it does, make sure you’re aware of what to do next.

I had two incidents with rental cars: one was a robbery where the car window was smashed and all my belongings were stolen from inside the car in Spain (a lesson to never ever leave your valuables in a visible view), and the second incident was car damage in Mexico.

Both times I followed the simple steps below and have gotten reimbursed by my credit card travel insurance.

• First, as easy as it sounds, stay calm. Things happen and you need to be clear-headed to figure everything out.
• Take photos – make sure to have all the videos and photos that you will later submit to your insurance company.
• Contact the rental company ASAP – they will likely arrange your towing or if you can drive the car, you’ll have to go pick up a new one.
• Contact the police – You will need to have a police report to submit to your insurance company.
• You will figure it out! – You’re certainly not the first person to cause damage to a rental car or get robbed. This is why having insurance is important.

Final Thoughts: My Best Advice for Driving in Puerto Rico

If you’re debating whether you should rent a car in Puerto Rico, don’t be nervous. If reading this article reassured you about everything you need to do and didn’t give you anxiety, then renting a car sounds like a good option for you.

If reading this gave more travel anxiety than you had before, maybe reconsider your choice. If you’re not planning to venture out too much out of your base, you will be fine with Uber and tour transportation, too.

Don’t be too confident, know what you’re getting yourself into, and most importantly, enjoy your vacation.

And once you get comfortable behind the wheel, Puerto Rico becomes the kind of place where a “quick drive” turns into the best part of your day.

With that said, I am here to bring you an awesome one-week Dominican Republic itinerary that doesn’t involve staying at an all-inclusive resort! It will let you see three different sides of the country and give you a small glimpse into life there.

Traveling the more local way in the Dominican Republic requires some preparation, especially if you’re going to rent a car. The island is pretty big and there is a good chunk of places to visit in the Dominican Republic. People fall in love with this destination, especially a lot of older European men if you catch my drift. For me, it was probably a one-time stop but nonetheless, I did have an awesome time here. Today, I am here to give you an awesome itinerary on how to spend 7 days in the Dominican Republic!

Note that you may encounter some affiliate links in this post. They will not make anything more expensive for you but rather provide a small commission for me should you choose to book it via the link I provide. Since I do not charge for any of my awesome travel advice and don’t make you sign up for anything to download my stuff, I appreciate any link clicks and bookings through here 🙂

Let’s get to the logistics

Tips on traveling to the Dominican Republic

• DR ain’t cheap. I’m not sure why but I imagined that I would be spending very little money there. Although some things were indeed pretty cheap, things added up quickly at the end of the trip. FYI the currency is the Dominican dollar and the conversion between USD is about 55:1.
• Renting a car is an adventure and gas costs a shit ton. More on that below.
• Restaurant bills are confusing. First, you pay an additional 18% tax, and then a 10% service charge. That charge is supposed to be a tip but from talking to locals, I learned that a lot of times that amount doesn’t even go to the waiter. So if you really did like your service, some people leave an extra tip on top of that. When you think your beer is only $3 because of the menu price, think again.
• Speaking of restaurants, the service is honestly the worst I have EVER experienced. And in every corner of the island too. Only at a couple of places, I had amazing and friendly waiters but at most, it was just plain annoying. The locals have no problem snapping and yelling at the waitstaff but I just couldn’t do it. Patience will be your best friend when eating out.
• DR is a poor country so don’t be shocked at the number of ladies/gentlemen for hire there. An older European gentleman accompanied by a young local girl is a total norm there. Walking on certain beaches you might also be offered unsolicited services.
• While you should always be purchasing travel insurance anywhere you go, make sure to purchase it for the Dominican Republic. I always personally use Allianz as they came in clutch when I got robbed in Spain 🙂

Best time to go to the Dominican Republic

February to April is a good time because the temperatures are decent and it’s not hurricane season but it’s also peak season with a good chunk of tourists. May and June get hotter, drop a little in crowds, and chances of rain increase (most of the rain is very quick to pass through). After July the months are known for lots of rain. A detailed list of the best months along with national holidays can be found here.

I visited in March and the weather was perfect, although tbh I expected the ocean water to be slightly warmer than it was. Whenever it rained, it would pass by quickly and didn’t affect my exploring too much. The nights would be summer chilly meaning I’d have to wear a light sweater at night.

How to get to the Dominican Republic:

There is no shortage of airports in the Dominican Republic. If you’re traveling during peak season and Punta Cana flights are crazy expensive, try flying to other airports instead. I personally flew into Puerto Plata (POP) airport in the north and flew out of Santo Domingo (Las Americas SDQ). It saved me about $400 in airfare and allowed me to see more than just touristy areas of Punta Cana! There are a couple of other smaller airports on the island too, depending on your origin/destination connections. Things to consider:

• Puerto Plata Airport: Located in the north part of the island. Not very crowded and easy to fly into from the NYC area. It’s close to Puerto Plata and Cabarete.
• Santo Domingo Airport: This is a very local airport and I did not see many tourists there the two times I was there. Flights are early in the morning and late at night which makes it a little more difficult to get to. I had to drive to this airport at 3 am despite all advice not to drive at night. It’s located about 30-45 min from Santo Domingo and 2 hours from Punta Cana.
• Airport in Punta Cana: As a tourist, this is probably the most convenient location as almost all people who stay at Bavaro area resorts fly here. It’s also the most expensive.

To rent or not to rent a car in the Dominican Republic

For most countries that I visit, unless I know that the public transport is amazing, I always rent a car because I like the freedom of getting around. Before my trip, I went into the deep hole of the travel forums on the safety of renting a car in the Dominican Republic. The majority of online people tell you that it is a horrible idea due to crazy drivers, lack of rules, corrupt police, and the danger of driving at night. Naturally, I wanted to see whether everything that was said was true and rented a car there. Even after arrival when we talked to locals they were surprised that a young tourist (and a woman) would rent a car and go on a driving adventure.

Was it all true?

Yes. Yes, it was. Driving in the Dominican Republic is nuts. There are cars, motorbikes, animals, and people, sometimes not even going in the correct direction of traffic. Would I do it again? Absolutely. While driving there isn’t for the nervous driver, if you follow the rules, stay aware, and are super careful, you will be ok. However, this is coming from someone who drives in New Jersey and New York in her day-to-day life. If you’re not a confident driver and you tend to get nervous and stressed, skip the rental. Otherwise just know that while driving won’t be easy, it will give you the freedom to see more than you would otherwise.

Car Rental in Puerto Plata airport

At Puerto Plata airport, I rented my car with Europcar from Booking. I never had bad rental experiences until my trip to Mexico and since then, now I always triple-read the fine print and make sure to have all my paperwork ready. The agent was nice but he did try to pull a couple of tricks to get more $$ out of me. I used my credit car insurance which includes putting down a hefty $3k deposit. My Chase Saphire has not failed me yet with car rental coverage even when my car got broken into in Tenerife, so I always decline all coverage and go with the card one. A person in front of me said she waited over 1 hour to get the car but I got mine in about 15 minutes after finishing the paperwork.

Car Rental in Santo Domingo Airport

Even though I picked up my car in Puerto Plata, I was flying out of Santo Domingo so I had to drop off the car there. This, by the way, includes a one-way fee that you will need to pay with the rental company. Dropping off the car rental in Santo Domingo was not a great experience as the agent tried to tell me that a dime-sized imprint on the car is subject to damage. Although I took many initial pictures, the size of this was so small you couldn’t see it. He insisted on filling out a damage report in Spanish and blaming me for the “dent.” I refused to sign anything and left. It’s a shame that even after paying a ton of money (peak season rates) the car companies still try to screw you over, leaving you with a bad taste in your mouth. So, shame on you Europcar.

Gas Station Scams

Another thing that can royally piss you off is