Recent Puerto Rico Shipping News

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Can you take your own car to Vieques?
Is renting a car an option on Vieques?
Facts about driving in Vieques
Conclusion
 

Can you take your own car to Vieques?

You can technically take your car to Vieques. However, it is a hassle. The passenger ferries that travel Vieques as well as another small Puerto Rican island, Culebra, do not carry cars. So, you will need to buy tickets for a cargo ferry.

The cargo ferries travel much more infrequently than the passenger ferries. More importantly, the cargo ferries often do not stick to the schedule, so you would need to arrive very early to ensure you do not miss whichever cargo ferry that you end up choosing.

In addition to that, you will need to make a reservation for the cargo ferry of your choosing in order to be able to travel on it with your car. Worse, even if you have a reservation and arrive on time, you could end up getting “bumped” for something that is deemed “more important” such as large construction equipment.

Overall, almost anyone will tell you that it is not worth it to take your own car to Vieques.
 

Is renting a car an option on Vieques?

Thankfully, renting a car is an option on Vieques. So, you can take a passenger ferry and then rent a car when you get to Vieques which is much easier than trying to take your own car there.

You should be aware too that you are not allowed to rent a car on the main island of Puerto Rico and then take it to Vieques or Culebra. Technically you can but that would violate your rental agreement. So, if you did that and something happened to the car such as an accident, you would be responsible for 100% of the cost of the damages.

As we mentioned, there are a few places where you can rent a car on Vieques. These are in order of their review rating on Google:

1. Maritza’s Car Rental, Inc.
2. Avis Rent-A-Car
3. Vieques Car Rental

Facts about driving in Vieques

Driving in Vieques is a different experience than driving anywhere else in the Caribbean. Before you set out driving on Vieques you should be prepared for the following:

• Not many tourist amenities – There are not any golf courses, casinos or any sort grand pit stops for tourists. The island is primarily known for its beautiful beaches. There are hotels for overnight stays.
• There are not a ton of options when renting a car – The car rental companies that you will come across in Vieques will generally offer only a handful of types of cars including Jeeps and golf carts.
• Once you arrive at the beach, it will still take some time to get to the beach – The entrance to the beach in Vieques is usually at least a few miles of driving from the actual beach. So, expect the drive to take ten or fifteen minutes at that point.
• Gas is scarce – Unfortunately, there are only two gas stations in Vieques. So, obviously the gas stations can get crowded and the wait for gas can be long. If you see a gas station at a time when it is not too crowded, we suggest that you stop and get some gas. There are also times when these two gas stations will run out of gas because of how difficult it is to get the gas from the main island to Vieques.
• There are alternative ways of getting around in Vieques – If you do not feel like renting a car, you can always rent a bicycle or scooter. There are also taxis available, you can call for a taxi in Vieques by calling 787-741-8294.

Conclusion

Do everything in your power to avoid trying to take your car to Vieques. There are a bunch of viable alternatives including renting a car, taking a taxi, or renting a scooter or bike. The main thing to remember about Vieques is that the main attractions are the remote and beautiful beaches.

Jump to section:
Driving in Puerto Rico
11 things that you need to know about driving in Puerto Rico
Final word
 

Driving in Puerto Rico

Driving in Puerto Rico is definitely different than most places in the world. It can be confusing and frustrating if you are not used to it or at least prepared for it. Overall, other drivers in Puerto Rico can be very aggressive.

The other general thing that will stand out is that many of the typical laws such as stopping at stop signs are not enforced very much. Sometimes it might seem like they are not being enforced at all.

It is definitely not a typical driving experience in Puerto Rico. Our advice is to read this post carefully and prepare yourself as best you can so that you do not end up getting into an accident.
 

11 things that you need to know about driving in Puerto Rico

There are a seemingly endless amount of differences between driving in Puerto Rico and anywhere else. However, before you start driving there, focus on these eleven:

• Speed limits tend to be suggestions – This is not THAT different from the United States, where you could routinely see some people driving above the posted speed limit. However, if they are seen by the police, they will get pulled over and ticketed. In Puerto Rico, the police routinely ignore this so people really tend to take advantage. People also drive way under the speed limit which I technically illegal but not really enforced. Watch out for both of these extremes when you are on the road in Puerto Rico.
• The left lane is actually for slower traffic – In America, and many other places in the world, the left lane is the “fast lane” and is for passing only. Oddly, in Puerto Rico, things are reversed. The right lane is the “fast lane” and the left lane is the slowest lane. Be mindful of this when you are trying to merge onto a highway because it can be tricky.
• People turning across multiple lanes of traffic – That is as bad as it sounds, people driving in the right-most lane of three lanes will turn left without getting over lane by lane or even signaling first and vice versa. The best way to avoid getting into an accident with one of these drivers or because of them is to keep a safe driving distance between you and the driver in front of you.
• Unexplained stops – You seem this sometimes in the United States, albeit rarely, but people will routinely stop in the middle of the road for seemingly no reason. All you can do is drive around them.
• Numerous potholes – Much like places like New York there is an abundance of Potholes in Puerto Rico. The difference is that these potholes seemingly NEVER get repaired, so they just get more and more numerous. Try to avoid hitting them if you can because doing so can significantly damage your vehicle but also be sure you do not get into an accident in trying to do so.
• Police cars will always have their lights on – If you see a cop behind you with his lights on but no siren, do not worry, you are not getting pulled over. Police in Puerto Rico drive around with their lights constantly on. Their lights do not mean they are trying to get you to pull over. Just be sure to yield to them when you see them (in other words, get out of their way).
• Signaling will seem like its optional – Drivers in Puerto Rico rarely use their turn signals, so be prepared for people to make unexpected turns frequently when you are driving. As we mentioned earlier, be sure you keep a safe distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you.
• Animals appear on the road more often than other places – In Puerto Rico, there are abundance of animals that might wander onto the road such as dogs, cows, donkeys, and horses. It is just the way it is. If you drive slowly and cautiously, you can more easily avoid hitting one of these animals.
• Highly aggressive driving – We mentioned this towards the beginning of the post, but it is worth reiterating, other drivers in Puerto Rico can drive very aggressively a large amount of the time. They will routinely cut you off and honk at you and other drivers. Just remain calm and drive safely yourself and this should not be an issue.
• The shoulder is an active lane at times – In the United States, you will sometimes see people use the shoulder to drive up to an exit. In Puerto Rico, if there is considerable traffic, you will see other drivers using it as an active lane to travel multiple miles. Police sometimes enforce the “no driving on the shoulder” laws but other times they do not.
• Speed bumps are seemingly placed randomly throughout Puerto Rico – Speed bumps are all over Puerto Rico, namely in the neighborhoods because speeding is such an issue due to the lack of enforcement by police. Keep it slow and you will not end up getting too surprised by these.

Final word

Driving in Puerto Rico can be confusing and difficult during much of the time. You can do your best to avoid any accidents by driving cautiously and defensively yourself. That will likely go a long way in terms of your own safety.

However, you should not let the driving conditions and behavior in Puerto Rico discourage you from visiting or moving there. Puerto Rico is a beautiful country full of wonderful people and sights.

Jump to section:
Why reviews are important when shipping your car
What sites to trust for reviews of Puerto Rico Car Transport
The truth about Yelp reviews
Tips for using reviews to choose an auto transport company
 

Why reviews are important when shipping your car

Reviews are the best way for a consumer to see which companies have the best reputations and histories of customer service, whether in the auto transport industry or any other industry. They are firsthand accounts from customers of their dealings with a particular company.

However, not all reviews are equal. Some dishonest companies have paid for positive reviews. Some review sites unfairly filter reviews, leaving many companies reputations look much worse than it actually is.

So how do you know which reviews to trust?

This guide will explain which review sites to trust, which individual reviews to trust and why so that you can make the most informed decision possible when you are shipping your car to Puerto Rico.
 

What sites to trust for reviews of Puerto Rico Car Transport

1. Google – Google is the most trusted search engine in the world. The reviews and ratings are highly trusted as well.
2. Transport Reviews – Transport Reviews is a car shipping specific review site and is extremely strict about fake reviews so you know you can trust it.
3. Shopper Approved – Shopper Approved is another great option for reading reviews about a company because they collect reviews only from actual verified customers.

The truth about Yelp reviews

Yelp has had an unfortunate history of suppressing positive reviews in order to create a false sense of “trust” for consumers. The unfortunate truth is that their review platform is as inaccurate as any other misleading review site. You can read more about Yelp’s controversial review filtering here.

Yelp also removes true positive reviews from real customers because they are trying to coerce businesses to advertise with them and individuals to use their platform much more frequently.

Here is proof of that; Yelp suppresses reviews from users who do not have much previous activity on Yelp. This includes previous reviews, Yelp friends, a completely filled out profile etc. Thus, they are forcing people to use Yelp as much as possible if they want the reviews they leave to stick.

Keep in mind, Yelp was created for the purpose of users reviewing only restaurants and hotels and grew into reviews for any sort of business over the years. That is why they only tend to trust those with lots of previous reviews, because they expect users leaving reviews for every single restaurant they visit.

Puerto Rico Car Transport is unfortunately not exempt from Yelp’s biased practices. We currently stand at a 1.5 out of five-star rating on Yelp. On any other review site you can find, including the ones listed above, we stand at a 4 out of 5 stars or above.

The issue is that Yelp has removed ALL of our five-star reviews. Yelp left us with 17 total reviews. 15 of which are one-star reviews. They removed all 29 of our five-star reviews. You can actually view the reviews they removed here. We also had 2 four-star reviews and one 3-star review removed without explanation.

If you factored in all the reviews that Yelp removed as a result of their “filter” (including an additional 14 1-star reviews for the purpose of our data being unbiased) Puerto Rico would have the following review counts on Yelp:
5-star: 27
4-star: 4
3-star: 1
2-star: 0
1-star: 29

When you do the math with that updated review count, Puerto Rico Car Transport would have a 3-star rating rather than 1.5 that we have after those reviews have been “filtered”.
 

Tips for using reviews to choose an auto transport company

Here are some helpful tips that will help you properly use reviews to choose an auto transport company:

• Use a trustworthy review site – We know that we already mentioned this, but it is worth repeating, make sure that the site your using to read reviews on is a reliable source such as Google.
• Filter the reviews – Most review sites will have options where you can filter the reviews by rating and date. So, you can see what customers have been saying most recently or back when the business first opened with just a click of a button.
• Check out the user profile – Take a look at the user profile of the person who left a particular review that you are reading. If most of their reviews are near the same geographic location, then you can trust that the review is real. If they have reviews in a bunch of random locations across the globe then there is a decent chance that the review is fake.
• Check out a few different review sites – Be sure to check out more than one review site to see if the company that you are considering shipping with has fairly consistent reviews across the web.

Puerto Rico’s best restaurants

If you are going on vacation or will be staying in Puerto Rico for an extended period, you will want to know where the best places to eat are located. Puerto Rico has a bunch of wonderful places where you can eat that offer the chance to try some of the delicious native cuisine.

• Que PezCa’o – This restaurant is likely the top spot in Puerto Rico for seafood. It also features some great but mellow live music as well. It is a must-not-miss stop in Puerto Rico.
• Sage Steak Loft – The Sage Steak Loft is located inside of the o:live Boutique Hotel in Condado. It is widely regarded as the best steak house in all of Puerto Rico. It features Chef Mario Pagán of Iron Chef fame as well.
• 1919 Restaurant – The 1919 Restaurant is located in the Condado Vanderbilt hotel in Condado. It is another fancy and delicious spot to stop at while you are in Puerto Rico. This is the best spot on the island to get some local, fresh and delectable Puerto Rican dishes.
• Bodegas Compostella – This restaurant is unlike anything else that you will come across in Puerto Rico. It is a fusion wine cellar and restaurant with some incredible wine and very unique yet delicious dishes. From suckling pig to octopus, they have it all when it comes to authentic Puerto Rican food.
• El Quenepo – El Quenepo is a quaint but great little spot on the smaller island of Vieques. So, you will need to travel off of the main island of Puerto Rico, but it will be worth it. The food is some delectable and interesting Caribbean-style seafood.

Facts about dining in Puerto Rico

If you are going to be dining in Puerto Rico, there are a few things that you should be aware of first. One such thing is that some of the menus will only be available in Spanish, so make sure you have an available method of translation.

Also, be aware that most people eat pretty late in Puerto Rico. Many restaurants, including the ones listed above tend to open around 6 PM. If you choose to eat dinner before 8 PM you can expect that the restaurant will not be that busy.

Many restaurants can get quite busy at times. So, be sure to call ahead at any restaurant you plan on dinning at. Some might even require a reservation several days in advanced.

It is generally a good idea to dress nicely when you go out to eat. Puerto Ricans often dress quite nicely when they go out to eat. This means a dress for women and a suit jacket and possibly even a tie for men. You can ask the restaurant about their attire when you call to see if any tables are available.

If you are driving your car there you you should leave early because parking on the street in Puerto Rico can be difficult at certain times. You can always find a local garage or lot and park there for a small fee as well.

Finally, unlike the United States, in Puerto Rico you are expected to find your own table when you enter a restaurant. So, if you see an open table you can likely take it. If it does happen to be reserved for someone else, there will likely be a sign.
 

Final word

When you are deciding where you should eat in Puerto Rico keep in mind that there are several options to choose from. You should try to visit and dine at all of the wonderful restaurants in the area in order to help support the local economy. You should also be aware of the local dining customs such as eating later on and dressing up.

Jump to section:
Parking in Puerto Rico can be difficult
Where can you park in Puerto Rico?
Advice for finding parking in Puerto Rico
Conclusion
 

Parking in Puerto Rico can be difficult

Parking in Puerto Rico can be quite difficult much of the time, especially in areas such as San Juan. However, if you know what you are doing and do not mind spending a few bucks, you can avoid driving around looking for parking for an extended period.

Parking in Puerto Rico primarily depends on how far you are willing to walk from your car to your destination. You can end up having a mile or more walk which depends on where you are going and what day it is.

There are over three million citizens in Puerto Rico and that does not include the constant influx of visitors that the beautiful island constantly has. Considering the census-only data, there are over one thousand people per square mile in Puerto Rico.

So, parking can obviously be a pain to navigate.
 

Where can you park in Puerto Rico?

There are several options when you are looking for parking in Puerto Rico. Some options are more conducive to proximity while other options tend to be more conducive to expense.

• Parking Garages – There are many parking garages in the more populated areas of Puerto Rico such as San Juan. You can usually spot them when you see a big sign with the word “Parking” accompanied by an arrow .
• Parking lots – There are a bunch of open public parking lots in Puerto Rico, you just need to make sure that you have at least twenty dollars on you. The price will likely be lower depending on how long you are parking for.
• Off-street parking – There are some spots that you can find on the street. The only issue is timing. If you arrive later on in the day, you will likely need to make use of the parking garages or lots.

Advice for finding parking in Puerto Rico

AS we have mentioned, parking in Puerto Rico can be difficult at times. So, use the following tips to avoid unnecessary difficulty and frustration when you are parking:

1. Get an early Start – If you get there first, you have nothing to worry about. You will need to leave at dawn, but you will be able to find off-street parking with ease as long as you arrive at your destination prior to rush hour.
   

2. Expect to pay – As we mentioned, there are several options that require payment. So, have some cash handy. In general, the cost to park in Puerto Rico will be less than thirty bucks per day, so make sure you have at least that much with you.
3. Check the news – You will always want to be sure that there is not a holiday or accident that is holding traffic up, thus making parking more difficult. If there is, you will want to leave earlier because you will need the extra time.
4. Use an app – Apps such as MyPark can help make your parking search incredibly easier. This app allows you to make reservations for public parking spaces.

Conclusion

Parking in Puerto Rico is often not easy. However, if you plan ahead and are willing to spend a couple of dollars then it will not be too bad at all. Just be ready to walk a couple of blocks if need be. Odds are that you will end up having to park a couple of blocks away.

If you are on your way to Puerto Rico and would like to have your car shipped there, you can contact Puerto Rico Car Transport today to book your shipment!

Jump to section:
Basic information about shipping your car to Puerto Rico from the United States
The requirements to ship your car from the United States to Puerto Rico
These requirements are different than shipping your car to the United States from Puerto Rico
Conclusion
 

Basic information about shipping your car to Puerto Rico from the United States

Shipping a car to Puerto Rico from the United States is easier than it might initially seem. The vast majority of the process will be handled by your car shipping company. However, there are a couple of things you will need to do before you ship your car to Puerto Rico in order to make sure that your shipment goes as smoothly as possible.

Before we jump into the details of what you need to do in order to ship your car to Puerto Rico, lets go over some basic information about shipping your car there.

The top question we always get is “How much will it cost to ship my car to Puerto Rico?” The answer is that it depends on several things such as when you are shipping your car, what kind of car it is and where in the US you are shipping it from.

Let’s say that you were shipping a 2012 Nissan Sentra to Puerto Rico from Orlando, Florida in the middle of September 2019, which is about a month from when this post is being published. It would cost about $1,500.

People also tend to wonder how long it will take for their car to get to Puerto Rico when they ship it. In the case that we mentioned above, it would usually take between five days and a week.

Now remember, when you get quoted a price as we did to get the above price, those prices are estimates which could change moderately based on a few things such as carrier availability. The transit time is also an estimate which is subject to change based on factors like weather.

Unfortunately, cars that have badly cracked windshields or cars that are not running can not be shipped by Puerto Rico Car Transport at this time. You can call us with any questions at (904) 322-7644.
 

The requirements to ship your car from the United States to Puerto Rico

There are some requirements for you if you want to ship your car from United States to Puerto Rico. They are:

• The car must be clean – Whether you are dropping it off at the port or getting your car picked up, it must be clean when you hand it over so that a thorough inspection can be conducted.
• Valid photo identification, registration and title – You will need to have valid photo ID as well as the registration and title for the vehicle when you drop off the car or have it picked up.
• Take all of your stuff out of the car – You cannot ship any personal items in the vehicle. You can only leave things that are normally attached to the vehicle as well as car seats.
• Gas – When your car is either picked up by your driver or dropped off by you, you cannot have more than a quarter tank of gas in the car. However, there must be enough gas for the carrier to drive the car on and off the truck/ship. So, aim to have as close to a quarter tank of gas as possible. There is not a siphoning service available, so do not forget this.

These requirements are different than shipping your car to the United States from Puerto Rico

These requirements are not the same as if you were shipping your car FROM Puerto Rico TO the US. For instance, you would need several Puerto Rican government issued documents in order to ship from Puerto Rico. When you are shipping to Puerto Rico, you do not need these.

For the list of requirements to ship your car from Puerto Rico to the United States, you can click here.
 

Conclusion

It is a good idea to plan in advanced and to get these things done ahead of time. You do not want to end up rushing around completing these things the day before you are dropping your car off or having it picked up. Otherwise, those few simple tasks are all that you need to worry about yourself during your car shipment.

Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, you can call Puerto Rico Car Transport at (904) 322-7644.

Jump to section:
Hiking basics in Puerto Rico
The best hiking trails in Puerto Rico
Tips for hiking in Puerto Rico
Conclusion
 

Hiking basics in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has some of the best weather in the world, so enjoying a hike here is easy as long as you have hiking experience or hike with someone who does. There are several great trails in various areas of the island for you to enjoy a hike on.

You can find a guided hike in Puerto Rico by visiting this site.

For the most part, Puerto Rico has great weather throughout the year, but you should always keep an eye on the forecast just in case. Keep in mind, many of these trails are located in the rainforest which lives up to it’s name because it can rain up to four times a day. So, bring a poncho when you do venture out.
 

The best hiking trails in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has no shortage of great hiking trails with beautiful views. Some are more difficult than others to traverse, so we recommend getting some experience with the easier trails before you jump into hiking the more difficult ones.

Here are the best hiking trails with links to directions in Puerto Rico:

• Guanica State Forest – Guanica State Forest is in the southwest of Puerto Rico and has great views as well as a bunch of animals and plant species to check out.
• Rio Camuy Cave Park – Rio Camuy Cave Park is one of the best hikes on the list. You can hike inside the incredible and wonderous caves of Camuy which are a sight you will not want to miss while you are in Puerto Rico.
• Toro Negro Forest – The trails at Togo Negro Forest are fantastic. However, the main draw here is what you have in addition which includes camping areas, rivers and waterfalls.
• Guajataca Forest – Another well-known set of trails, Guajataca Forest has great views and lead to a couple of wonderful beaches so bring your bathing suit if you want to take a dip at the end of your hike.
• Caimitillo Trail – Caimitillo Trail is located within El Yunque National Forest. This is one of the shortest hikes you can take in Puerto Rico, so it is ideal for beginners.

Tips for hiking in Puerto Rico

Before you go on a hike in Puerto Rico or anywhere else for that matter, you should review the following list to ensure that you are properly prepared.

• Get familiar with the trail that you choose – You will want to make sure that, if you do not have a guide, that you get familiar with the trail before you head out on it. Review maps and pictures of the trail before you start your hike.
• Keep up with the weather – As we mentioned before, many of the trails in Puerto Rico are in the rainforest, so you can expect rain on most days on those trails. However, you should still keep an eye on the forecast because more extreme weather can occasionally occur, such as a hurricane.
• Pack everything that you will need – During the hike, you could be out on the trails for several hours, make sure you bring the following:
  • Water – You will be out on the trail walking and possibly climbing for hours. It is important to stay hydrated while you do.
  • Food – You need to maintain as much strength as possible during the hike and having something to eat during the hike is a great way to do that.
  • Compass and a map – Your phone might not get service in certain areas along the trail, so having a good old-fashioned map and compass is vital to having a successful hike.
  • A charged phone – Now, your phone might not be of much use at some points during your hike because it might not have service out on the trail. However, you can still use it for taking pictures and videos of your experience.
  • First aid kit – Just in case you get cut or bruised during your hike, you will want to have the right supplies with you.
  • Flashlights – If you have an overcast day, end up in a cave, or part of your hike is at dusk or night, you should bring a flashlight so you have the highest visibility.
  • Climbing equipment (if you plan on climbing) – You will need the appropriate climbing equipment if you plan on climbing anything. You can find a list of the specific climbing equipment right here.
  • Sunblock – The sun in Puerto Rico is warm, bright and strong. You could easily get sunburned if you do not put on some SPF.
• Let someone know where you will be and when you expect to return – Just in case something happens and you get stuck somewhere on the trail and your phone is not working, having someone out there who knows where you are can allow them to call for help on your behalf if you do not arrive back by the time that you said.
• Dress correctly and safely – You will want to wear durable and protective clothing during your hike. We recommend pants and something with long sleeves so that your arms and legs are protected from bugs and potentially harmful plants.

Conclusion

A hike is a great way to experience some of the incredible beauty that Puerto Rico has to offer. You could just take one of the hikes, enjoy them all or pick and choose whichever hikes suit you and your group best.

Public transportation is not great in Puerto Rico, the taxi and ride-share situation is even worse. So, if you want to get to these trails without a huge hassle, you can either rent a car or ship your car there.

Jump to:
Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority and their issues
Puerto Rico and it’s future with solar power
How electric car batteries can help solve the energy issue in Puerto Rico
Conclusion
 

Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority and their issues

Puerto Rico’s Electric Power Authority has had a history of issues and is generally not well liked. One of the biggest problems has been that over the years there have been several island-wide power outages. There are various reasons for these outages, but the worst part has been the seemingly slow recovery each time by the power authority.

After hurricane Maria, full power restoration took months. Then, after power was essentially restored to everyone, an accident during the repairs cost the island another 36 consecutive hours of power.

Since then many of its board members have resigned. The company is also in a massive amount of debt which they are currently weighing options to get out from under.

The people of Puerto Rico have long been trying to find an alternative to this company and they may finally have one. Solar power.
 

Puerto Rico and it’s future with solar power

Since Hurricane Maria decimated Puerto Rico’s power grid, the country has been looking for an alternative to the Power Authority. Eventually, many people in Puerto Rico realized that solar power and other renewable energy sources could power much of the island of Puerto Rico.

In fact, a new law stipulates that Puerto Rico will be getting half of all of its power from renewable sources by 2035. The law also says that Puerto Rico’s energy will be completely from renewable sources by 2050.

This plan will cost Puerto Rico over $400 million dollars to complete, but it seems as though both government and citizens are committed to seeing this plan through.
 

How electric car batteries can help solve the energy issue in Puerto Rico

Once an electric car battery has had its run in a car, they can be used to help facilitate solar energy collection. This is exactly what a company called Rivan is doing with its used electric vehicle batteries.

In fact, these batteries are even designed with this “second-life use” in mind. At first, these batteries will be used to aid solar energy initiatives in just a few towns in Puerto Rico in what is known as “microgrids.” If all goes well, the use of these batteries will then expand to a larger portion of the Puerto Rican power grid.

The only concerns are over safety but those are unfounded as people are just being cautious in considering every possible outcome.
 

Conclusion

Right now, the situation in Puerto Rico regarding energy and power is not very good at all. However, the future is bright. Puerto Rico has undertaken several renewable energy initiatives, so this will help force the country improve its power situation in the future. Part of this future could very well be aided by the use of used electric vehicle batteries in solar power grids.

Jump to:
Why you need these basic phrases when you are driving
Helpful phrases translated from Spanish to English
Helpful phrases translated from English to Spanish
Apps and websites that can help you with a translation
Final word
 

Why you need these basic phrases when you are driving

It can be overwhelming moving to or visiting a country where a language you don’t speak is the primary language used. This can also complicate things when you are driving and need help with something like directions.

Apps and websites on your phone can certainly help but you might not always have service to be able to access those. A language translation book can help too but it can take time to look up the exact words or phrase that you are looking for.

That is why we made this list, so you can print it out and keep it handy with you in your car.
 

Helpful phrases translated from Spanish to English

If you speak English and you are visiting or living in Puerto Rico, you should know some basic phrases in Spanish before you hit the road.

• Pardon me, I am lost – Por favor, estoy perdido
• Where is the closest gas station? – ¿Donde es la gasolinera la más cercana?
• I need directions – Necesito direcciones
• Where is the parking lot? – ¿Dónde está el estacionamiento?
• Can you show me on the map? – ¿Me puede mostrar en el mapa?
• What does that traffic sign say? – ¿Qué dice esa señal de tráfico?
• Where do I turn? – ¿Dónde giro?
• How can I get to the airport? – ¿Cómo llego al aeropuerto?
• I need help, my car broke down – Necesito ayuda, mi carro se averió
• Am I allowed to park here? – ¿Se me permite estacionar aquí?
• Thank you for the help – Gracias por la ayuda

Helpful phrases translated from English to Spanish

If you speak Spanish and you are visiting or living in the United States, you should know some basic phrases in English before you hit the road.

• Por favor, estoy perdido – Pardon me, I am lost
• ¿Donde es la gasolinera la más cercana? – Where is the closest gas station?
• Necesito direcciones – I need directions
• ¿Dónde está el estacionamiento? – Where is the parking lot?
• ¿Me puede mostrar en el mapa? – Can you show me on the map?
• ¿Qué dice esa señal de tráfico? – What does that traffic sign say?
• ¿Dónde giro? – Where do I turn?
• ¿Cómo llego al aeropuerto? – How do I get to the airport?
• Necesito ayuda, mi carro se averió – I need help, my car broke down
• ¿Se me permite estacionar aquí? – Am I allowed to park here?
• Gracias por la ayuda – Thank you for the help

Apps and websites that can help you with a translation

Once you have that list printed, you can rest assured that it is only a back-up just in case you do not have service on your phone. When you do have service, you can use the following app to translate Spanish to English or English to Spanish:

• Google Translate – Google Translate is likely the most popular translation app/website in the world right now. The app is very easy to use and includes translations of 103 languages and camera translation in almost 40 languages where you can take a picture of something and Google will scan and translate any text in the photo.
• iTranslate – iTranslate can translate 100 languages. The pro version of the app includes voice mode and conjugations for verbs.
• TripLingo – TripLingo is another widely popular app and has both a free version and a more extensive pro version. On top of the regular translations, this app includes a voice translator which will translate your voice into Spanish and an image translator too.
• SayHi – SayHi is a translation app where you speak into your phone and then a translation is transcribed which is displayed and played by audio.

Final word

You should always be ready to be able to communicate with locals if you are moving to or visiting Puerto Rico or the United States. Doing so can really help facilitate much more ease and comfort during your stay in one of those countries.

Jump to:
Common traffic violations and fines in Puerto Rico
How can you pay a traffic fine in Puerto Rico
Tips for avoiding traffic fines
Final Word
 

Common traffic violations and fines in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico has all the same traffic violations that you could commit as in the United States. However, the price of committing one of these violations here is different. Here is a list of the most common violations and the price of the fine that accompanies them:

• Driving with a suspended license – $300
• Driving with a headlight out – $50
• Speeding – $100 plus $10 for every mile over the speed limit you were.

  So, if you were going 20 miles over the speed limit, your fine would be: $10 X 20 = $200. Then add that to the original fine: $200 + $100 = $300 total. For school zones the base fine is $200 and in construction zones the base fine is $150.

• Not yielding to an emergency vehicle – $100
• Street racing – $3000
• Driving on the shoulder – $500
• Cell phone ticket – $100
• No registration – $100

How can you pay a traffic fine in Puerto Rico

If you end up with a traffic ticket in Puerto Rico, you will need to pay it in a timely fashion just like anywhere else. Otherwise, you could end up with a much higher fine or even possible jail time.

In Puerto Rico, if you need to pay a traffic ticket, you should visit the CESCO office. Unfortunately, the CESCO office is usually very busy so you will need to wait a while in line before you can pay your ticket. Our advice is to make sure you have a free morning or afternoon or, better yet, avoid getting a traffic ticket in Puerto Rico altogether.

There are a bunch of CESCO offices located throughout the island of Puerto Rico. There are several in the San Juan area, although there are also a few on the eastern part of San Juan as well as the southern portion too. You can find your local CESCO office as well as directions here.

The hours of operation are different for each individual office. So, you will want to check online before you visit one of them to make sure that you do not end up getting there too late. The hours for opening range between 7 and 9 AM for each branch. The hours for closing are even less predictable ranging between 3 and 7 PM. Always call ahead just to be sure.
 

Tips for avoiding traffic fines

Obviously, your best bet is to avoid getting a traffic ticket in Puerto Rico or anywhere else for that matter. Getting one is Puerto Rico is especially bad because, on top of the fine, you also must deal with and wait at the CESCO office.

Here are a few tips so that you can avoid getting a traffic ticket in the first place in Puerto Rico:

• Stay alert – Other drivers in Puerto Rico are known for not driving so well. Always be sure to stay alert so that you can avoid needing to do something illegal to steer clear of a bad driver.
• Know the rules – The rules of the road are what dictate whether or not you are going to get a ticket. How can you avoid a ticket if you don’t know the rules?
• Do not take chances – In Puerto Rico, the traffic enforcement might seem lax at times. However, anytime you run a red light or change lanes without signaling could be the time a police officer decides to write a ticket. Do not take the chance, it is not worth it.
• Make sure your car is in good running condition – Sometimes, your car not operating properly can directly cause a ticket. For example, if your car stalls in an intersection, you will very likely end up with a ticket.
• Keep calm – Road rage is a great way to end up with a ticket or even worse. Just take a deep breath and do whatever you can to calm yourself in the event that you are frustrated by someone else’s bad driving.

Final Word

Driving in Puerto Rico can be difficult and frustrating. It can be even worse if you end up with an expensive traffic ticket that you will possibly need to wait in line for hours to pay at your local CESCO office. Do everything in your power to avoid getting a traffic ticket in Puerto Rico in the first place.

If you are heading to Puerto Rico and want your vehicle shipped there from the United States or vice versa, the car shipping pros at RoadRunner Auto Transport can get the job done without a hassle – get a free quote today!