Metered cabs sit just outside Terminals A and B exits
Arrivals at Luis Muñoz Marín (SJU) can walk from baggage claim in Terminals A or B straight to the official taxi ranks in under 3–5 minutes. Dispatchers in yellow vests line you up into licensed cabs, which is the move if you land late, have two or more checked bags, or are heading straight to a hotel or Airbnb with an exact address.
Taxi service at SJU runs 24/7, with most traffic peaking between 6:00 and 22:00, and cars thinning out after midnight but still available. Rides use a government-regulated zone fare table plus a small luggage surcharge per bag and a set airport fee added to each trip. From SJU to Old San Juan usually runs in the $25–$30 range including the $1–$2 baggage add-ons, paid in US dollars.
The taxi stand for Terminal A sits directly outside the arrivals exit doors near carousel 1, while Terminal B’s stand is just beyond the customs exit near carousel 5. Look for the white “TAXI” signs and the numbered dispatch booth; that booth assigns your cab and logs the license number. Walk there in under 2 minutes instead of following anyone inside the terminal offering you a ride.
Fares from SJU use a combination of a fixed zone price (for example, Isla Verde, Condado, and Old San Juan each have their own band) plus extras like $1 per large suitcase and a fixed airport pick-up fee of a few dollars. Drivers typically accept cash only, so plan on carrying at least $40 in small bills for a family ride from SJU to most San Juan hotel areas, and confirm the zone price with the dispatcher before you load bags.
Taxis are best when you’re heading to a specific address, like a guesthouse in Condado or an apartment in Santurce that’s 7–10 miles from the airport, because the driver drops you at the exact door. For late-night arrivals after 23:00, taxis save you from dealing with app wait times, multi-stop shuttles, or trying to figure out public transit while carrying two suitcases and a carry-on.
Watch out for unlicensed drivers trying to solicit inside the arrivals hall, especially near the exit from customs in Terminal B. Stick to the official line, check the cab’s roof number, and ask the dispatcher to write the approximate fare on a slip; then snap a photo of the cab number and that note before you leave the curb.
One practical tip: before you exit baggage claim, screenshot your hotel or Airbnb address with ZIP code (00901, 00907, etc. around San Juan) so you can hand it to the driver; that keeps the ride smooth even if your phone data drops a minute after leaving SJU.