San Juan Airport Car Rentals

Exploring San Juan and the rest of Puerto Rico is truly liberating with a rental car. It gives you the freedom to discover the island's extraordinary diversity, from colonial streets and Caribbean beaches to a tropical rainforest, surf towns, and quiet mountain roads, at your own pace and on your own schedule.

San Juan International Airport (SJU) is a modern, well-established gateway with a centralized rental car facility on the first floor of the parking garage, directly across from baggage claim. Nearly every major international and local agency operates here, so picking up your vehicle and starting your Puerto Rico adventure is quick and convenient.

San Juan is a vibrant capital with a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Old San Juan, a lively restaurant and nightlife scene, and a mix of colonial and modern architecture. Before finalizing your accommodation, verify the parking situation; many guesthouses in Old San Juan have limited or no on-site parking, though secure paid lots are available nearby.

Peak traffic in the San Juan metro area typically builds along Muñoz Rivera Avenue, Baldorioty de Castro (PR-26), and the Condado/Ocean Park corridor during morning (7:00–9:00 AM) and evening (5:00–7:00 PM) rush hours. For a smoother experience, plan your city drives for mid-morning or early afternoon.

The average daily rate for a rental car at San Juan Airport can range from $30 USD to $95 USD, depending on the season and vehicle type. A rental car is ideal for travelers wanting to visit Old San Juan, El Yunque National Forest, the surf beaches of Rincón, the southern city of Ponce, the ferry terminal in Fajardo for Vieques and Culebra, or the resort community of Dorado, all reachable by road from San Juan.

Important driving notes for San Juan and Puerto Rico:

• Puerto Rico drives on the right-hand side of the road, the same as the U.S. mainland, and speed limits are posted in miles per hour (mph) rather than km/h, unlike most of Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Major highways such as PR-22 (north coast), PR-52 (San Juan to Ponce), and PR-26 (San Juan metro area) are well maintained; rural and mountain roads, including the route to El Yunque, can have potholes and minimal lighting at night.
• Puerto Rico's toll roads use the AutoExpreso electronic system; most toll booths no longer accept cash. Rental vehicles are typically equipped with an AutoExpreso tag, and charges (roughly $0.75–$4 per toll) are billed to your rental agreement or credit card.
• The minimum age to rent a car in Puerto Rico is typically 21, though drivers under 25 may pay a young-driver surcharge of about $20–$30 per day at most agencies.
• Liability insurance is required under Puerto Rico law (minimum coverage around $100,000 per person / $300,000 per accident). Many credit cards offer secondary rental coverage; confirm with your provider before declining the agency's optional protection.
• A valid driver's license from your home country is accepted for visitors; U.S. citizens can use any valid state driver's license, since Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory.