The US territory of Puerto Rico is a popular holiday destination situated in the Caribbean Sea. Located some 1000 miles east of Florida, it is impossible to drive there as Puerto Rico has no road connection to the US mainland or any of the neighboring Caribbean islands. The only way to reach Puerto Rico is by either taking a flight to San Juan or by taking a ferry from the nearby Dominican Republic.
In this guide, we will explore these travel options in more detail. We’ll also look at the practicalities of driving in Puerto Rico, as well as looking at some of the best attractions on the island.
Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean Sea, in the northeastern Caribbean region. It is an unincorporated territory of the United States. Puerto Rico is situated to the east of the Dominican Republic and to the west of the British Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico is southeast of Florida and to the north of Venezuela in South America. The capital city of Puerto Rico is San Juan, which is on the northeastern coast of the island.
While it is not possible to drive to Puerto Rico, the island is accessible by both plane and boat.
The island has two international airports, San Juan International Airport (SJU) and Rafael Hernandez International Airport (BQN). International direct flights from North America, Central America, Europe, and other Caribbean Islands serve both airports.
These airports are also well served by domestic flights from the USA. Florida, in particular, is especially well-connected. Daily flights are available from Tampa, Miami, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale. There are also regular direct flights from other cities that are further afield, including New York, Boston, Washington, and Chicago.
While Puerto Rico is well served by airlines, there is only one ferry connection. Operated by Ferries Del Caribe, the ferry travels between San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Santo Domingo on the neighboring island of the Dominican Republic. The ferry sails thrice per week, with each crossing taking around 13 hours to complete. The ferry carries both passengers and vehicles.
There is currently no direct ferry service between Puerto Rico and the USA. A regular stream of cruise ships travels from Fort Lauderdale in Florida to Puerto Rico. While you can’t bring your vehicle, it’s a spectacular way to travel to the island.
Puerto Rico is a significant distance from the US mainland, situated in the northeast Caribbean Sea. Even when traveling from Miami, the closest major US city, you’ll need to travel over 1000 miles. It’s a flight that will take at least 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete.
Starting Point | Destination | Flight Time | Distance |
New York | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 3 hours 15 minutes | 1607 miles |
Miami | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 2 hours 30 minutes | 1039 miles |
Chicago | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 4 hours 25 minutes | 2056 miles |
Washington | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 3 hours 10 minutes | 1557 miles |
Boston | San Juan, Puerto Rico | 3 hours 40 minutes | 1674 miles |
Puerto Rico is a large island at 100 miles in length and 35 miles in width. Hiring or owning a car is therefore essential to getting around and seeing the island’s best sights. Similar to the US, cars drive on the right-hand side in Puerto Rico. Visitors from the US can use their American license to drive on the island as can visitors from other countries, if it is written using the Roman alphabet. Otherwise, visitors will require an international driving permit, alongside the driving license from their home country.
Puerto Rico has a good network of roads, including a ring road that runs around the whole island. Several roads crisscross the island’s interior, although these roads can often be of dubious quality with potholes and indifferent surfaces. Driving is generally safe in Puerto Rico, but you should try to avoid driving at night as there’s limited street lighting.
If you wanted to drive around Puerto Rico, it would take you between 4 and 5 hours if you traveled non-stop. This is based on the assumption that you don’t stop at any attractions along the way, stick to the major roads, and don’t exceed the speed limit.
While driving around the perimeter of Puerto Rico gives you a good sense of the island, there’s often no need. Several roads run from north to south across the middle of the island. The best and most direct of these is Highway 149, which connects Manati in the north with Juana Diaz in the south. It takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to drive Highway 149.
Depending on your starting and end points, it can take between 2.5 and 3 hours to drive across Puerto Rico. For example, if you started in one of the most western points, such as Aguadilla Pueblo, and ended at Fajardo, one of the most eastern points, it would take 3 hours. The total distance by road for this route is 114 miles.
As mentioned, you can cross Puerto Rico from north to south in 1 hour and 45 minutes. This is using Highway 149 between Manati and Juana Diaz.
If you’re driving around or across Puerto Rico, there are some amazing things to see. The following attractions are some of the finest on the island, but there’s plenty more to see. It’s worth stopping at one or more of these attractions as part of any trip around Puerto Rico.
Cayo Icacos – Just off the coast of Fajardo in eastern Puerto Rico, this small island is a picture-perfect destination. As the island is uninhabited, there’s nothing except white sands, blue seas, and green jungle. This is about as close to paradise as you can get.
Cabo Rojo Lighthouse – This picturesque colonial-style lighthouse occupies a spectacular location on Puerto Rico’s most south-westerly point. Perched on the cliff top, it provides wonderful views across the Caribbean Ocean.
Coamo Thermal Hot Springs – Nestled into the hills in Coamo on the island’s southern side, this thermal spring is a lovely spot to spend a few hours relaxing. It’s the only hot spring on the island, so it can get busy. It’s best to visit in the morning or evening as the warm water and heat of the day can get a bit much.
El Yunque National Forest – Located in the island’s northeast, El Yunque is a tropical rainforest. It has excellent paths and trails, including an elevated walkway through the tree canopy. You can expect to see waterfalls, tropical birds, and many insects.
Cueva Ventana – A cave in the western part of Puerto Rico, you’ll experience an excellent climb and view across the surrounding countryside. Armed with a hard hat and torch, this is a humid but rewarding experience.
It’s best to visit Puerto Rico during the first half of the year. The weather is warm, and rainfall is light. However, the wet and hurricane season ensues from mid-June onwards, making the weather unpredictable at best and destructive at worst. The effects of Hurricane Maria from 2017 are still apparent on the island.
Within the first half of the year, the period from January to April is considered peak season as U.S. and European tourists look to escape the cold of winter. During this peak season, accommodation options can be limited, and prices rise. A good compromise is to visit in May or early June with good weather but fewer visitors and lower prices.
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