I'm planning a move to San Juan, PR. Do I need a car?

Question

I will be moving to Puerto Rico in about 7-8 months. I am the type of person who likes to plan way in advance so I've already started to look at areas to live in, apartment rentals, etc. I have a car right now, but it would take about $2000 to ship it, plus another $2000 to pay the taxes once I get there. Is it more economical to sell my car and buy one once I get there? Do I even need a car at all? Any help would be appreciated. Also, do I need to get a PR driver's liscence and tags if I do ship my car? Thanks in advance!

I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I need a car...so, is it better to buy one in San Juan or bring mine from home(which including exsise taxes and shipping will be about $3500). Also, if anyone knows how much it costs to get tags, that would be helpful. So far I've found that to get a license would be $10-$20, a title is around $10, how much are the tags?

so I've been asked why I'm moving...I graduate from college in May, my major was InterCultural Studies and my concentration was Afro-Hispanic literature. Some of my favorite works have come from P.R., I'd just like to experience that for myself.

Answer 1

PR is a very small island, but having a car is crucial. That is not an option. I will sell my car in the states and buy a new one when you get to PR. It won't be hard. It will be like buying a car here in the US. There are colors and sizes for every budget. One true thing is that the same car might be a bit more expensive in PR. Not a big difference, but it is going to be more. Regarding the drivers license you should get one from PR. But if you drive with yours and the police stops you... you will be fine. They might give you a slip saying how many days you have to get a new one (from PR).

This link will take you to current postings of vehicles on sale on PR newspaper. It will help you to have an idea.
http://www.clasificadosendi.com/index.php?page=search&s_res=AND&hw_cat2=461&hw_cat3=465&multicombo=&precio_min=Desde&precio_max=Hasta&hw_cat1=328&cid=465

This is the application form to get a license in Puerto Rico.
http://www.dtop.gov.pr/disco/Formas/dtop-775a.pdf

To register the vehicle and get the tags it will be about $47.50.
http://www.dtop.gov.pr/disco/vehiculos.htm

Answer 2

Everyone in the San Juan area drives, unless they live close enough to their work and grocery store to make a quick walk. One reason is the heat. It can get very hot and humid in PR any day of the year so most people choose the air conditioning of their car over anything else.

There has been a railway added to the region since I've been there -- about five years -- so I don't know for sure how much that has helped, but I really doubt too many people use it.

Driving in PR can be a nightmare (the highways are always jammed) but everyone I've known who didn't drive was forced to depend on other people to pick them up and drive them where they wanted to go anyway. You're better off having your own transportation.

There often appears to be no rules on the roads anywhere on the island. This can be horribly frustrating or fun, depending on what you make of it. You do have to drive defensively though. And expect other drivers to cut you off, run stop signs or turn unexpectedly at any time. Not everyone does this, but someone will so you might as well be prepared for it.

I have a few examples of the experience:

My first night in PR my sister in law, a native, drove me around for a tour. On a major road, one with limited access points, she turned left on a red light after stopping to make sure it was safe. I questioned her about it and she said, "Oh, it's OK after midnight." The next day, as we were heading to another destination, she did the same thing at the same intersection. It was about 10:00 am at this point so I said, "Hey, I thought you could only do that at night!" She said, "No, I was joking. We do it whenever we want!"

A few years later, feeling confident in knowing the ropes after driving rental cars around the city many times, I was in an unfamiliar town and pulled up to a stoplight that was red. I was the first in line, waiting to turn left across a divided highway, and it seemed take forever for the light to change. In fact, it never did. Cars backed up behind me, some honking, some cutting onto the shoulder to turn right. Finally, one kind woman got out of her car and walked up to mine to tell me, "The light never changes, you just have to turn when there's an opening."

So you see it is an adventure. But Puerto Rico is a lovely place, so don't change your mind about living there. I'd suggest you either ship your car or sell it and buy one when you get there.

Feliz!

Answer 3

If you buy the car in Puerto Rico, the car automatically comes with tags. I don't know about buying the tag seperately but I am guessing around $10- $20. I will tell you one thing, since you are planning to move here and get registrations and things, make sure you get official copies of your birth certificate. I would bring 4-5 to be sure. I moved here a year ago and so far have had to give 3 official birth certificates out. One was given to the DTOP (DMV). So, come prepared to show your bc!

Answer 4

I recently moved from Ohio to PR (utuado). Cars are a lot more expensive in PR but usually in better conditions than Ohio. your annual plates are $175 plus tax which includes liablity insurance on the vehicle. If you are going to only be in san juan for most of the time, you probably don't need a car. Everything there is within walking distance, plus they have taxis and are used to alot of tourists. Good Luck, I am curious, why did you decide to move. Also you can check out www.clasificadosonline.com, they have apts., houses, cars and jobs on this bilingual website. It's what I used before I moved.

Answer 5

every thing in pr is either uphill or downhill..walking is not an option especially because of the sun and the heat...the winter months are cooler but are still in the 70s or 80s summer is even worse so you have to have a car

Answer 6

it truly is a tad mild on data. expenditures can decision in reaction to all varieties of factors. I were given tickets from the east coast for Nov in July of very last year, and paid $350 non-end. by September, they were right down to $280 non-end out of my favored airport. it truly is a recreation.