Recent Puerto Rico Shipping News

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How the weather will affect your battery in Puerto Rico
Advice for keeping your battery running well
Conclusion
 


 

How the weather will affect your battery in Puerto Rico

Your car will not run if your battery is not working. If your battery stops working while you are driving, your car will abruptly stop running which can be extremely dangerous for you and your passengers. This is why you need to take care of your battery. In Puerto Rico, the constant warm or hot weather can negatively affect your car battery health, so you need to make sure that you pay special attention to your car battery if you are in Puerto Rico.

The way that the warm weather will affect your battery is simply that heat significantly increases the amount of corrosion inside the battery. When this happens the lifespan of the battery gets decreased, the battery holds less of a charge and it might even lose the ability to start at some point.

In fact, according to AAA, battery-related calls nearly double annually during summer months. IT is for this reason you pay close attention to your battery and do whatever you can to keep it running well leading up to and during the summer months.
 

Advice for keeping your battery running well

There are a few things that you can do to off-set the effect of Puerto Rico’s heat on your battery. The easiest is to make sure that you use the car fairly often and do not leave it sitting in the sun for extended periods. That also means you should do whatever you can to keep the car out of increased temperatures such as keeping your car in a garage or at least in the shade when you are not using it.

You should also keep the battery clean and wipe it free of dirt, grim and whatever corrosion that you can. You should do that at least every other week. Finally, you should get you car serviced frequently. You should do that at least every few months and when you do be sure that you get your battery tested.
 

Conclusion

Battery health is crucial to the function of your car. You need to be vigilant about keeping your battery working at its highest efficiency. This means doing a few things yourself such as keeping the battery cleand and the car as cool as you can. You need to also be sure that you get your battery tested when you bring your car in for service which you should do at least every few months. If you need your car transported into or out of Puerto Rico you can always get a quote or find out more on Puerto Rico Car Transport’s website.

Jump to section:
The danger of the traffic in Puerto Rico
The roads in Puerto Rico
Tips to stay out of a car accident
Conclusion
 


 

The danger of the traffic in Puerto Rico

The traffic in Puerto Rico is a bit more difficult to navigate than it is anywhere else. Many drivers do not pay close attention to traffic laws and regulations. That means you will regularly see other motorists go through a red light, turn left from the right lane, or even just stop and park in the middle of the road.

This is obviously problematic in terms of avoiding car accidents. Each year, Puerto Rico has well over 200,000 car crashes. That is with a population of about 3.1 million people. When you compare that with a state like Connecticut that has a comparable population of 3.5 million people, you will find that there are only slightly over 100,000 car crashes per year on average.

So, Puerto Rico has twice as many car accidents on average than a state with a similar, yet higher, population each year. This is what you can expect when few people obey the rules of the road.
 

The roads in Puerto Rico

The roads in Puerto Rico have been in rough condition since Hurricane Maria several years ago. The storm caused chunks of roads to be destroyed all over the island. Other parts of the roads that survived still suffered some serious damage such as cracks and potholes.

Even before the storm hit years back, the roads were in poor condition and full of cracks and potholes. In the years since, Puerto Rico has been working to improve and repair the roads. However, there still many large potholes and cracks throughout the road system in Puerto Rico.

It is not a big possibility but hitting a crack or pothole just the right way could cause you to momentarily lose control of your vehicle and possibly get into an accident. You can also drive over one of these hazards and have your car damaged just from the contact. When this happens, you will likely need to pull over. Having your car on the shoulder on the road in Puerto Rico is a risk for an accident because of the unsafe way that many other drivers drive.

The condition of the roads in Puerto Rico poses another risk of getting into an accident as does the actual traffic itself.
 

Tips to stay out of a car accident

With the risk of a car accident being so high in Puerto Rico, you should do whatever you can to try and avoid that. Use the following tips to stay safe and out of an accident when you are driving in Puerto Rico:

• Be alert – Never let yourself get distracted by your phone or anything else while you are driving. Be sure you never drive when you are too tired or under the influence of alcohol.
• Keep a safe distance -Always make sure that you allow one car length of distance between you and the car in front of you for every ten miles of speed you are traveling.
• Know where you are going – If you are stopping in the middle of traffic to read street signs, you are putting yourself at risk of getting rear-ended by other drivers. So, plan and know your route before you start driving.
• Do your best to avoid heavy traffic – If possible, avoid driving during times when there is a heavy amount of traffic out on the road. For example, do everything you can to avoid rush hour traffic.

 

Conclusion

Puerto Rico has a history of having some dangerous roads and a high number of car accidents. Traffic often does not obey basic traffic laws and the roads are not in great shape. If you are driving there you need to make sure that you do everything in your power to keep yourself and your car safe and out of any accidents. If you need your car transported to Puerto Rico, you can do so at any time with Puerto Rico Car Transport.

Jump to section:
How you can have a car in Puerto Rico
Your options for getting around Puerto Rico without a car
Final Word
 


 

How you can have a car in Puerto Rico

There are a few ways you can have your own car in Puerto Rico. You can rent a car when you get there, you can buy a car when you get there, or you can ship your car there. These options are far from equal, especially when it comes to cost.

Renting a car is the quickest option once you arrive in Puerto Rico but that is about the only upside there is. Unfortunately, renting a car will leave you with a bunch of irritating restrictions on where you can drive and how you can drive. It will also quickly become quite expensive. If you rent a car in Puerto Rico it will cost you about ten dollars per day.

That does not sound like a lot but if you are staying in Puerto Rico for any sort of longer duration it will add up. In just six months, the cost of renting a car will add up to over two thousand dollars when you factor in rental insurance costs.

In addition to that, there will be restrictions on how and where you can drive the car. For example, many rental agreements will not allow you to take the car off the island to other islands such as Culebra. You can still do that, but if something goes wrong, you will be completely liable for the cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle.

The cost of buying a car is simply astronomical when compared to the other options. You could possibly get a cheaper used car for five or so thousand dollars. However, the cost is much greater when you factor in things like repairs and depreciation.
Finally, you can ship a car that you have in the United States to Puerto Rico. This way you can avoid paying for the car every day and save several thousand if not tens of thousands of dollars. When you ship a car to Puerto Rico, it will cost anywhere between $1,000 and $2,500 depending on several factors including what time of year you ship, what model car you are shipping, what shipping options you choose, and how far you are shipping.
 

Your options for getting around Puerto Rico without a car

If you do not have a car in Puerto Rico because of the expense or for any other reason you will have several other options for getting around. This includes ride-share apps, public transportation and old-fashioned walking.

If you are staying in San Juan or near a beach and do not plan on venturing far beyond your area, walking can actually be a pretty good option. Puerto Rico’s weather is ideal for walking places and much, if not all, of everything you need will be located quite close because of Puerto Rico’s overall small size. Plus, you can always use this option in conjunction with the other options such as public transportation.

Public transportation is another option if you do not have a car in Puerto Rico. There are busses, yellow cabs and even a train. Unfortunately, the train only runs over about a ten-mile area near San Juan, but it is quite useful and convenient. You can learn more about Tren Urbano here. Busses are a good option too but its not perfect as there is no island-wide bus service in Puerto Rico. However, you can get busses in San Juan, Carolina, Cataño, Guaynabo, Trujillo Alto and Bayamón. You can also hail yellow cabs throughout Puerto Rico although you will typically find them in and around populated areas like San Juan.

Finally, there is limited availability of ride-share apps in Puerto Rico. You can get an Uber in various places in Puerto Rico. Just be aware that it might take some time to find a driver in the more remote areas.
 

Final Word

You have so many great options for getting around Puerto Rico. Renting a car should only be a short-term fix, with the other options you have it does not make any sense to pay for a car every single day that you have it. If you want to have your own car in Puerto Rico, shipping one you already own will be your best option. You can also take advantage of public transportation as well as Uber.

Jump to section:
The different types of accessories for your car
Which car accessories are useful in Puerto Rico?
Final word
 


 

The different types of accessories for your car

In Puerto Rico, you might notice that some cars making use of different accessories. You should consider doing some of the same. For example, some cars will have a net it the back with the purpose of keeping your groceries upright while you drive.

There’s a ton of different accessories that you will be able to choose from. In the end, it is up to you to address your own individual needs. Some of the more popular and useful accessories include dashboard grip pads for your phone and GPS, Bluetooth key finders, car trash cans, car battery power banks and much more. These things can only serve to improve your overall driving experience.
 

Which car accessories are useful in Puerto Rico?

In Puerto Rico, the accessories that will be most useful will vary. However, we tend to recommend any accessories that will help you out in a jam such as a car battery power bank as roadside assistance is limited there and traffic as well as road conditions are pretty bad. Many traffic laws are generally viewed as suggestions and the island also has a terrible pothole issue.

If you do not speak much Spanish, you should also consider getting a GPS or at least a GPS based app because asking for directions will be difficult and reading road signs will be as well. On top of that, you should consider accessories that optimize the function of your car’s entertainment. This includes Bluetooth radio adapters and USB port adapters because the radio signals in Puerto Rico are not the best and much of the entertainment is in Spanish.
 

Final word

Car accessories are in no way necessary, but they can make help driving around Puerto rice a bit easier. They can help keep your car clean, your radio or satellite signal strong, your cell phone use hands free and your trips easy to navigate.

If you need your car transported to or from Puerto Rico, you can always do so with the auto transport experts at Puerto Rico Car Transport. You can get a free quote today by calling (904) 322-7644!

Jump to section:
License plate requirements in Puerto Rico
Types of license plates you can get in Puerto Rico
Final word
 


 

License plate requirements in Puerto Rico

License plates in Puerto Rico are as easy to get as they are anywhere in the United States. You will need to take a trip to their version of the DMV which is known as the Department of Transportation and Public Works (Departamento de Transportación y Obras Públicas) which is DTOP for short.

Before you get your Puerto Rican license plates, you will need to get your car registered. Once you do, getting your license plates will be one of the last steps in the registration process.

At first, you will get temporary tags while you wait for your new plates to come in the mail. This will take about a week or two. Once you get your plates, you should put them on your car right away. They must be affixed to the appropriate and designated spots on the front and back of your car.

Most importantly, they must be completely visible. So, no tinted visors or anything placed over them or hanging in front of them. Otherwise, you can be ticketed by the police.
 

Types of license plates you can get in Puerto Rico

There are several different types of license plates that you can get in Puerto Rico:

• Standard plates – The most common plate that you will see in Puerto Rico are the standard ones. These cost the least and do not require any additional approval or verification.
• Government plates – Government plates will only be given to government officials or those working for a Puerto Rican government agency such as the Senate. They will specifically designate the government agency that the driver is a part of. Some different types of Puerto Rican government plates include legislator, assembly, senator, and municipal.
• Handicapped plates – Handicapped plates are obviously for those with a condition that will impair their ability to move from their car to a destination. These plates are clearly marked with a handicapped symbol in Puerto Rico. Handicapped in Puerto Rico spots are always designated by a sign that includes a warning of the price of the fine for parking there without a handicapped pass or plate.
• Personalized – You can also get personalized plates in Puerto Rico. These are most commonly known as “Vanity plates”. With these plates you can get a custom license plate number that resembles a word or phrase. You only have seven letters/numbers, so many plates have something like this one them “PTORICO”
• Antique and historical vehicle plates – There are also special plates for antique and historical vehicles in Puerto Rico. You must have a legitimate antique or historical car along with all the other necessary typical paperwork. These are commemorative and will have a design that pays tribute to these types of cars.

 

Final word

Getting your new Puerto Rican license plates will not be any more complicated than it is anywhere else. You might have to wait for a while at the DTOP office so plan to spend a few hours getting your car registered and getting your plates. Before you can get your license plates in Puerto Rico, you will need to have your car there. You can always ship your car to Puerto Rico by calling us at (904) 322-7644.

Jump to section:
Window tinting laws in Puerto Rico
Where you can get your car windows tinted in Puerto Rico
Advice for tinting your windows
Final Word
 


 

Window tinting laws in Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico you are allowed to get your windows tinted so long as you do not block thirty five percent or more of light. Most shops where you get your windows tinted will let you know exactly how far you can go with your tints. We do not recommend getting the maximum level of tints on your car because a police officer could consider that borderline and then decide to issue a ticket if you are pulled over.
 

Where you can get your car windows tinted in Puerto Rico

You can get your windows tinted at the majority of auto glass shops across the island. Some mechanic shops may even offer the service.

The best reviewed places to get your car windows tinted in Puerto Rico are:

• Solar Tintes
• Black Tint 5/50
• Tint Solutions

 

Advice for tinting your windows

Before you get your windows tinted in Puerto Rico, read these tips:

• Know what your options are – Before you take your car into a shop or auto glass location to get tinted, you should educate yourself on all the options that you will have. Do your research online. Compare online reviews about providers on sites like Google.
• Ask questions – Once you have a window tint provider picked out from your online research, give them a call, and ask them any questions that you might have. See how their pricing works as well as how scheduling an appointment works.
• Cleaning your tints – You should exercise caution when you clean your tinted windows. If you are having someone else clean them, you should make sure that they are aware your tints will need special care while they are being cleaned. They should not be cleaned with any sort of blade. Use something gentle such as a cloth.
• Do not use any cleaning products that have ammonia in them – Ammonia can do a ton of damage to your tints, so, be sure to avoid using any cleaning products that are ammonia-based.
• Get it cleaned ASAP – If you get anything on the tints like the sap from a tree, get it cleaned off as soon as possible.

 

Final Word

Getting your windows tinted is definitely useful in a place like Puerto Rico that has an abundance of sunshine. The tints will help you see and concentrate on the road much more easily by blocking some of the excess sunshine from entering your car. However, you need to do your research before your get your car windows tinted. Then once you do, you need to make sure that you take care of them.

Jump to section:
Regular radio
Auxiliary entertainment
Satellite radio
Additional forms of in-car entertainment in Puerto Rico
 


 
Although it is far from a necessity, in-car entertainment can make your driving experience much more tolerable and enjoyable. This is especially true in high stress driving environments such as the ones that exist in Puerto Rico. However, it is critically important to the safety of yourself, your passengers and everyone else on the road that you always keep your eyes on the road and do not let yourself get distracted while you are driving.
 

Regular radio

Puerto Rico has a variety of regular FM and AM radio stations. The FM stations tend to be music focus and includes mostly salsa and pop music. However, AM stations are much more popular in Puerto Rico than they are anywhere else. The AM programming in Puerto Rico includes mostly news and talk programming.

There are nearly a hundred a fifty terrestrial radio stations in Puerto Rico currently. That includes over seventy AM stations and nearly seventy FM stations.
 

Auxiliary entertainment

So, long as your car has the necessary hook-in, you also have the option to use auxiliary forms of entertainment in your car in Puerto Rico. For example, this includes hooking your smart phone into your car stereo in order to play music from streaming services like Spotify and Pandora.
 

Satellite radio

SiriusXM satellite radio is also available in Puerto Rico through the Sirius XM app. If you have a certain type of Sirius radio installed in your car you can listen through that as well. You will need to contact SiriusXM to see what your options are which you can do here.

Sirius has hundreds of channels with various forms of entertainment including talk radio, every genre of music, comedy, sports and more. There are currently three plans to choose from when you decide to sign up. The plans range from $10.99 per month to $21.99 per month. The packages vary with what they include. The most expensive package includes all channels, while the less expensive packages include a limited number of channels.
 

Additional forms of in-car entertainment in Puerto Rico

There are additional options when it comes to in-car entertainment in Puerto Rico. Here are a few of them:

• In-Car Internet – Many cars now have the ability to have in-car internet installed. This is useful for the driver if you have the ability to switch to voice dictation for internet browsing. However, it will also make the ride experience better for your passengers as well because they will not have to rely on cellular data to use the internet on their phones.
• CD Players – Some cars will still have CD players or will at least have the ability to have a CD player installed. Newer model cars might not have the ability to have one installed. You can find out if this is possible by contacting your car manufacturer or your mechanic.
• DVD Players – Some cars will come with the ability to play DVDs for your backseat passengers. The screens are typically installed in the back side of the driver and front passenger head rests. This type of entertainment serves as a good distraction for children thus allowing you to drive while being less distracted by them.

Jump to section:
Washing your car in Puerto Rico
The best car washes across Puerto Rico
Conclusion
 


 

Washing your car in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has areas with tons of rain. It also has areas with average amounts of rain. Overall, Puerto Rico has more rain than most places. For example, San Juan gets almost seventy inches of rain per year while a place like New York gets about forty-five inches of rain per year.

The roads in populated areas are also just as clean or dirty (depending on how you look at it) as any other populated area in the world. Thus, you have your first to reasons two get your car washed in Puerto Rico.

Moreover, Puerto Rico is surrounded by the ocean which is all salt water. This could end up being responsible for the corrosion of a car’s finish if it is exposed to coastal winds. These winds carry what is known as salt air. Ocean air picks up both moisture and salt when it passes over the water. Then when the air hits your car later on, the moisture and salt end up sticking to your car. The salt then slowly corrodes the finish unless you get your car washed.

You also need to consider that if you have your car in Puerto Rico and you are going to ship it somewhere, you will need to get it washed. The reason for this is that when you drop the car off at the port, a thorough visual inspection of your vehicle will take place. If your car is dirty, this will take much longer and could possibly end up delaying your shipment. So, be sure you get your car washed right before you drop it off for shipping.
 

The best car washes across Puerto Rico

Here are some of your very best options when it comes to washing your car in Puerto Rico:

• Xpress Lube – Located in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Xpress Lube has a 4.4-star rating on Google.
• Dream Team Car Wash – Located in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Dream Team Car Wash has a 4.5 rating on Google.
• El Túnel Car Wash – Located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, El Túnel Car Wash has a 4.2 rating on Google.
• Fast & Furious Car Wash – Located in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Fast & Furious Car Wash has a 4.5 rating on Google.

 

Conclusion

Getting your car washed in Puerto Rico is important for several reasons. It will prevent dirt building up from the rain and street, it will prevent corrosion from salt air and it will help you ship your car as smoothly as possible.

If you do intend to ship your car from Puerto Rico to the United States or vice versa, you can call us anytime time at (904) 322-7644 to get a free quote and book your shipment.

Jump to section:
Why you should do whatever you can to keep your car safe in Puerto Rico
The safest cars for driving in Puerto Rico
Advice for driving safely
Conclusion
 


 

Why you should do whatever you can to keep your car safe in Puerto Rico

Driving in Puerto Rico can be dangerous at times to say the least. Many drivers do not follow several driving laws on a routine basis. This includes speeding, coming to a stop at red lights, coming to a complete stop at stop signs, or not parking in the middle of the road. Moreover, the police rarely tend to enforce these rules on violators unless the infractions are blatant.

It is because of this that you are at a higher risk than normal of getting in an accident when you are driving in Puerto Rico. Thus, you should make sure that you are doing everything you can to make your car as safe as humanly possible in Puerto Rico.
 

The safest cars for driving in Puerto Rico

You can always increase your chances at safety while driving in Puerto Rico by choosing to drive a safer model car. Hybrids tend to be safer than normal cars but will be pretty pricey even if you buy one when it is used.

The following cars have been deemed the safest for driving in 2020 according to the IIHS: Nissan Maxima, Honda Insight, Toyota Camry, Subaru Forester, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, and the Nissan Altima.

Some of those cars will cost more than others. Always stay within your budget. Buying a used vehicle could help you get both a great price as well as a safer vehicle.
 

Advice for driving safely

Many of you will not have the choice to buy a new car. So, you can use the following advice to drive safely when you are on the road in Puerto Rico:

• Obey traffic laws even if other drivers are not – As we mentioned earlier, many other drivers in Puerto Rico tend to break the simplest rules of the road such as driving over the speed limit and running red lights. Do not follow their example and obey all traffic laws.
• Space is important – People often drive too closely to the car that is in front of them. This poses a great risk for an accident because if the car in front of them stops suddenly they will not be able to react in time to avoid hitting them. Always keep a safe distance from the car that is driving in front of you.
• Always check your blind spots – It seems like a simple piece of advice but many people forget to check their blind spots. This is particularly dangerous in Puerto Rico where there is dense traffic in certain areas. Never forget to check your blindspot before you change lanes in Puerto Rico.
• Keep your car in tip-top shape – Be sure that your engine is running properly so you can avoid any sudden breakdowns. Make sure that your tires are always properly inflated so you can avoid any blowouts. Regularly get your car serviced by a mechanic.
• Stay on the defensive – Defensive driving is always a great way to stay safe while driving. This is especially true in Puerto Rico where other drivers can tend to be aggressive.

 

Conclusion

Keeping your car as safe as can be should be a priority no matter where you are. However, in an area like Puerto Rico where drivers tend to drive a bit more aggressively and haphazardly, it should be a top priority. If you have the opportunity to get a new car you should consider one that is considered safest. Either way, you should do whatever you can to drive more safely and keep your car safe at all times.

Jump to section:
Getting your car to San Juan
Picking your car up in San Juan
Driving and parking in San Juan
Where to take your car in San Juan
 


 

Getting your car to San Juan

Since San Juan is obviously located on the island of Puerto Rico, the only way that you can get your car there will be to ship it. This process is much easier than you might think. You just need to contact a car shipping company and book your car transport in advanced. In order to get your preferred shipping dates, you should book your shipment at least a month in advanced.

When you do book your shipment, your car will be able to be picked up at your door in the United States. However, when it arrives in Puerto Rico, you will need to pick your car up at the port in San Juan.
 

Picking your car up in San Juan

As we mentioned above, you will need to pick up your car at the port in San Juan. From the day that your car arrives in the port you will have five days to pick it up before you start getting charged fees for storage. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as going to the port and showing your license.

When you get to the port in San Juan you will need your license, social security card, your shipment’s booking number, your excise tax document and proof of payment of the excise tax.

You might ask what is excise tax? Well, excise tax is a special type of tax that Puerto Rico enacts on any imports into the country. That includes personal cars. You can read more about it here.

In order to pay the excise tax and prove that you paid it, you will need to visit the port office when your car gets dropped off at the port. They will give you the excise tax document there. After that, you can pay the excise tax by paying online here or by visiting the Hacienda Centro de Servicios.
 

Where to take your car in San Juan

There are a few great spots in San Juan that you will not want to miss while you have your car there:

• The streets of old San Juan
• Restaurants
• Paseo de la Princesa
• San Juan Cathedral

 

Driving and parking in San Juan

Driving and parking in San Juan are both pretty difficult in comparison to most places. Driving can be tough because many native Puerto Rican drivers choose not to obey many traffic laws. You will see people turn left from the furthest right lane and other people deliberately stopping in the middle of the street and walking out of their car to a store on the side of the road.

Parking is difficult for the same reason as any other crowded city, there just are not enough spaces available. There are also the typical restrictions that you will see in any other major city. The restrictions include handicapped parking, timed spots and more. You can find out more about parking in San Juan here.