San Juan Local Transportation

• Elevated Train: A commuter rail runs from Bayamón to Hato Rey (see All Aboard, ). Tourists may be most interested in its stops in downtown Río Piedras and at the Universidad de Puerto Rico. Customer service ☎866-900-1284. $1.50; students, disabled, and ages 60-74 $0.75; 75+ free.
• Buses: Metropolitan Bus Authority (☎250-6064; www.dtop.gov.pr/ama/rutas.htm), runs a comprehensive system throughout San Juan. Line A5 leaves from Covadonga station in Old San Juan, follows Av. Ponce de León through Miramar, turns left on Av. José de Domingo, continues along C. Loíza and Av. Isla Verde, and finally ends in Iturregui (last bus 8:45pm). A6 goes from Río Piedras to Carolina. Route B21 leaves from Old San Juan, crosses Puerta de Tierra, follows Av. Ashford through Condado, and continues south to Hato Rey and Plaza Las Américas shopping center (last bus M-Sa 9pm, Su 7:45pm). B29 leaves from Río Piedras, heads through the University of Puerto Rico, and ends up in Guaynabo. B40 and C45 both run from Isla Verde to the airport. Metrobús M1 leaves from Old San Juan and passes through Santurce and Hato Rey en route to Río Piedras (last bus 11:15pm). A map on the wall of the Covadonga station in Old San Juan provides a complete route list. There are 2 main bus stations: one in Old San Juan, near Pier 4, and another in Río Piedras, 2 blocks north of Paseo de Diego. Metrobuses come every 10min., “A” routes come every 15min., “B” routes come every 20min., and “C” routes come every 30min., but only Metrobuses regularly run on schedule. All buses run less frequently on Su. Buses stop at green signs marked “Parada.” When a bus passes, make sure the driver sees you or he may not stop. $0.75, students $0.60, ages 60-75 $0.35, 75+ free. Exact change required.
• Taxis: Most licensed taxis in San Juan are called taxis turísticos and are identifiable by the yellow lighthouse logo on the side. Fixed rates include: airport to Isla Verde $10; airport to Condado, Miramar, or Convention Center $14; airport to Old San Juan and the cruiseship piers $19; within Old San Juan $7; Old San Juan to Condado or Miramar $12; Old San Juan to Isla Verde $19; Old San Juan to the Plaza las Americas Shopping Center $14. Outside tourist areas, all taxis should use a meter, or you should agree on a price before leaving. In Old San Juan, taxis gather around the Plaza de Armas, outside the El Convento and Sheraton hotels across from the piers, and behind the Teatro Tapia. Late at night, try the latter two options. In Condado, try one of the big hotels or just flag down a taxi along Av. Ashford. In Santurce, Miramar, Ocean Park, Hato Rey, and Río Piedras, taxis wait on the Plaza de Armas near the públicos. You can also call: AA American Taxi (☎982-3466), Cooperativa Major Taxi Cabs (☎723-2460), Metro-Taxi Cab (☎725-2870), or Rochdale Radio Taxi (☎721-1900).

• Car rental: All major American car rental companies have booths in the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. Some of the less expensive companies are listed below. Unless otherwise stated, all price quotes are for compact cars with unlimited mileage.
• • AAA Car Rental (☎791-1465 or 791-2609), Av. Isla Verde 5910, Isla Verde. From $29-49 per day (cheaper on weekdays). $750 per month. 21+. Under-25 surcharge $10 per day. Open M-Sa 9am-6pm. AmEx/D/MC/V.
  • Hertz, in the terminal at the Luis Muñoz International Airport (☎791-0840), Carolina & downtown San Juan at Av. Ashford 1365, Condado (☎725-2027 or 800-654-3030; www.hertz.com). From $35 per day. 21+. Under-25 surcharge $27 per day. Open daily 7am-5pm. Old San Juan office located in the lobby of the Sheraton Hotel (☎721-5127). Open daily 7am-noon and 1pm-4pm. AmEx/D/MC/V.
  • Charlie Car Rental, Av. Isla Verde 150, Carolina and Av. Ashford 890, Condado (☎728-2418, toll-free 800-289-122; www .charliecars.com). In high season $32 per day, $230 per week; in low season about $24/164. Rates vary according to availability. 21+. Under-25 surcharge $10 per day. Open 24hr. AmEx/D/MC/V.
• Bike Rental: Hot Dog Cycling, (☎791-0776) in the Plazoleta Isla Verde, Isla Verde, rents 21-speed bikes, $5 per hr.; $25 per day. 21+. Under 21 must have adult accompaniment. Open M-F 10am-5pm, Sa 10am-6pm. MC/V.
• Ferries: AcuaExpreso (☎729-8714) sends a ferry from Pier 2 in Old San Juan to Cataño daily (10min., every 30min. 6am-9:40pm, $0.50) and Hato Rey (15min., $0.75). Handicapped and ages 60-74 $0.25 to Cataño, $0.35 to Hato Rey. Ages 75+ free.
• Trolleys: A free trolley (trole) passing all the major sites in Old San Juan departs regularly from the Covadonga bus terminal (daily 8am-10pm). Wait at any one of the marked trolley stops throughout the city (yellow signs that say “Parada” and have a picture of a trolley). The north route passes both forts and the museums along C. Norzagaray. The south route passes the Plaza de Armas and the piers.