Is There Uber In Puerto Rico? Easy Guide! (2024)

So, I just traveled around in Puerto Rico for over a month in the last half of 2023, and I feel compelled to answer the question: “Is there Uber in Puerto Rico?”

The short answer to that is “Yes, there is Uber in Puerto Rico,” but the thing is that it is only found in the capital city of San Juan area, Puerto Rico.

Uber is also the only one of the most common ride-hailing apps that exist in Puerto Rico; you do not find Lyft here. There is one important travel tip I really need to share with you before you go to Puerto Rico!

The public transportation situation across Puerto Rico is nonexistent, and I found that out the hard way.

There are no buses, trams, or trains in Puerto Rico. Which in combination with the Uber limitations, means something for your travel planning. Read on to find out the issue and how to best travel in Puerto Rico!

Puerto Rico In A Flash!

This beautiful Caribbean island is full of rich culture, stunning landscapes, and endless activities. But what truly makes Puerto Rico stand out from other tropical destinations?

Puerto Rico has become a genuine melting pot of cultures influenced by Spanish, African, and indigenous Taíno traditions.

This unique blend can be seen in everything from the architecture to the food.

The island’s capital, San Juan, boasts colorful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets, while the countryside is dotted with quaint villages and vibrant street art.

From lush rainforests to white sandy beaches, Puerto Rico has it all.

It’s home to three of the five bioluminescent bays in the world, where you can witness the mesmerizing glow of tiny microorganisms in the water.

The island also has over 270 miles of coastline, offering a variety of beaches.

For adventure-seekers, the El Yunque National Forest is a must-visit with its stunning waterfalls and hiking trails.

Indulge in delicious local cuisine like mofongo and arroz con gandules (rice and pigeon peas), explore centuries-old forts and museums, or try your hand at surfing on the island’s world-renowned waves.

Whether you’re a foodie, history buff, or outdoor enthusiast, Puerto Rico has something for everyone.

Except, perhaps, Uber!

Is There Uber In San Juan?

Yes, there are Ubers in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the island’s capital city!

But that is also the only place on the island you find Uber. In the smaller towns in Puerto Rico, in the countryside, and along the coast, you DO NOT find Uber service, so you need to plan for another mode of transportation.

Uber is probably the easiest way to get around Capital, San Juan, and you can also opt for booking an Uber to travel from San Juan.

Be advised, though, that you will not be able to book an Uber to return to San Juan from destinations outside the capital as long as you have the app outside the capital city limits.

There are options for getting a local cab driver to take you where you want to go next, where you can negotiate a price or fixed rate for taking you where you want to go.

And then you also have pre-booked online private transfer services that can also get you conveniently from A to B.

What you really need to know is that in Puerto Rico, outside of San Juan, public transportation is non-existent!

There are no public buses going around the island!!

I found out about this the hard way, so now, maybe you don’t have to..! 😀

Is There Uber In Puerto Rico?

Yes and no, there is ONLY Uber in the capital, San Juan, and NOT in any other destination on the whole island.

This means you can book an Uber from San Juan to wherever you want to go (including long distance), but when you want to return to San Juan, you will not find anyone available on the Uber app!

And as there is no public bus service outside of San Juan, your transport options are quite limited as soon as you leave the capital.

How To Travel Around Puerto Rico!

The options for travel around Puerto Rico are limited by the fact that the island does not have any public transport system operative outside the island’s capital.

There are no buses or trains taking you around Puerto Rico.

Hence, if you want to go exploring outside of Puerto Rico and outside of organized tours of Puerto Rico, your absolutely best option is probably to rent a car.

Secondly, you can get a pre-booked private transfer. This is a super predictable, although pricier, and also a super convenient option.

Thirdly, you can take a chance to find a local taxi that might take you from A to B when you are traveling outside of San Juan.

Be advised, though, that it might be a challenge to find, and also, as the service is scarce, you are not in a great negotiating position for the taxi fare..!

How To Rent A Car In Puerto Rico!

When I visited in August 2023, I rented a car for a few days to take me around from San Juan, via Isabela, to the beaches of Rincon, Ponce, and then back to San Juan.

I wanted to check out the most popular destinations in Puerto Rico, and I love road trips! Apart from being a bit unlucky with the weather in early August, this was a great way to explore Puerto Rico hassle-free.

Renting a car online in Puerto Rico is a great option. If you book a pick up in San Juan and drop off in San Juan as well, the price of your rental will depend a lot on the supply and demand!

And do yourself a favor; buy the car rental insurance, even though you don’t plan to crash your car! Better safe than sorry!

Prices can be quite high in the high season starting in November, while on shoulder seasons, you might get a small rental for under $50 a day.

Pre-Booked Transfers in Puerto Rico

If you like to plan ahead and don’t mind paying a little extra for predictability, online payment, and having everything sorted, you can book private transfers in Puerto Rico.

You can even do this from the San Juan Airport terminal when you arrive if you prefer someone to wait for you with a sign with your name on it.

This private transfer option has over 50 top-rated reviews.

You have a book now, pay later option, as well as the possibility to cancel if anything unforeseen happens. There is also a phone number to call if you have any questions!

Best Tours In Puerto Rico From San Juan

As Puerto Rico is a super small Caribbean island, it is both possible and quite easy to reach any destination on the island with short trips from the capital, San Jose.

Starting in November in Puerto Rico, the island is entering into the tourism peak season.

This Caribbean island is formally a part of the United States, so it is a super popular destination among American citizens who don’t need a passport to travel here!

If you prefer a done-for-you holiday, there are a variety of organized tours starting from San Juan.

You will be picked up in the morning at your hotel or holiday home, and everything is organized and catered for the entire day, dropping you off in the afternoon or evening.

No extra transport administration is needed!

Read more: 6 Best Tours In and From San Juan, Puerto Rico (top-rated)

FAQs Puerto Rico

Is Thre Uber In Puerto Rico San Juan?

Yes, there is Uber in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. But there is not Uber anywhere else in Puerto Rico outside the capital.

Is There Lyft In Puerto Rico?

No, the Lyft ride-sharing app is not active in Puerto Rico.

Is Uber In Puerto Rico Safe?

Uber in Puerto Rico is considered safe. Using the Uber ride-sharing service in Puerto Rico San Juan, is exactly like using the app anywhere else. All data are registered online, and payment is electronic.

Taking Uber in Puerto Rico is not a risky choice.

Is Puerto Rico Part Of US?

Yes, Puerto Rico is considered a part of the United States. American citizens do not need a passport to visit Puerto Rico and San Juan!

Wrap-Up: Is There Uber In Puerto Rico!

Yes, in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, you will be able to find Uber transport.

From San Juan, you can also book Uber transport to travel out of the city, but make sure you have a plan for the return trip as your Uber app is not active outside the capital.

The best, most flexible, and probably also the best budget option is to rent a car and explore Puerto Rico on your own!

The reason for this is that there are no public transport options across the island outside the capital, San Juan, and getting taxi services, a taxi driver, or private transfer bookings for every leg is probably going to cost you a bit.

It might also be tricky to find car rental companies and taxi drivers outside the city that take longer fares.

I found ONE local company with a taxi rental in Isabela village (thank you, Google Maps!). Although I was able to rent a car there (phew!), I had to pay in cash, as they did not accept a credit card.

Also, as there technically was a monopoly for car rental in tiny Isabela, the prices naturally were a lot higher than if I had booked online and picked the car up in San Juan. So the best practice really is to book online and pick up your car in the capital!

Or you can just stay in San Juan and do organized day trips from there!

Now you know what your options are and can plan accordingly. There are plenty of options apart from the public kind! Find out what is the best way to explore Puerto Rico for you!

Good Luck, I’m sure you will love the island (I certainly did!).

Related blog posts:

What You Need To Know About Drinking Age In Puerto Rico: A Guide for Young Travelers!

Is The Airport Hotel San Juan Puerto Rico Worth A Stay? (2023)