Taxis in San Juan

Because so many tourists choose to forgo renting a car during their stay in San Juan, taxis serve as a great backup for destinations that are simply too far to reach on foot, for rainy days, or if you just aren't up for walking. Taxi services in this town are a little different that in the United States and even in other parts of Puerto Rico, so it is important to learn all you can before you go.

Taxis

Taxis can almost always be easily found lined up in popular tourist destinations, such as outside of the airport and ferry terminals, by hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers, and even around attractions such as museums and historical sites. If for some reason you don't see a taxi on the street, you can call and have one pick you up.

Take a look at the following chart to reach local taxis whenever you are needing a ride.

There's something unique about a group of taxis in San Juan that you'll want to be on the lookout for. These are the Painted Taxis, which were starting to age and look less than pristine, so local artists were hired to spruce them up by painting them. The paintings range from graffiti-style art to classical, and the entire body of the cab is used as the canvas. Tourists and drivers have almost unanimously agreed that it brightens up the busy landscape of San Juan to see these unique creations zipping down the street.

Rates

Taxis in San Juan are unmetered. Instead, the city operates on a government flat rate system based on zones. The zones are listed below.

Drivers have a rate chart in their cab, which will allow you to see how much the trip will cost before you take off.

The table below shows some cab fares for the area.

In other parts of Puerto Rico, taxis often operate on meters, but drivers typically prefer to negotiate the fare rather than turn the meter on. If you do use the meter, it will cost $1(USD) for the ride, plus $0.10(USD) for every one-thirteenth mile traveled.

Taxis are a popular way to get around San Juan, and thanks to the friendly drivers and flat rate system, many more tourists feel comfortable utilizing this service. Now that you know more about how taxis work in this busy town, you'll be able to decide if this is a mode of transportation you'd like to use during your stay.