Taxis

Taxis from SJU: pay more, think less

From Terminals A and B at SJU, taxis are the straightforward way to get directly to Isla Verde or Old San Juan without transfers or apps. Rides leave from the official taxi stands just outside baggage claim, and cars line up most of the day so you usually roll out within 5–10 minutes of exiting customs.

Metered fares here follow a published zone system, with flat rates between the airport and main hotel areas like Isla Verde and Old San Juan plus a small per-bag charge (usually a few dollars per suitcase). You pay the driver in US dollars, and tipping around 10–15% is standard if the driver handles luggage or deals with late-night traffic.

From SJU to Old San Juan, plan on roughly 20–30 minutes by taxi in normal traffic along PR-26, and 5–10 minutes to nearby Isla Verde hotels just outside the airport perimeter. In heavy afternoon or cruise-day traffic that Old San Juan ride can stretch toward 40 minutes, but at least you’re not changing buses or waiting on a rideshare match.

The taxi stands by Terminals A and B operate roughly from the first inbound flights around 4:30–5:00 a.m. until the last arrivals closer to midnight, tracking the daily flight schedule. If you land on one of the late American or JetBlue banks after 10:00 p.m., you’ll still see cabs queued, but the line might move slower as drivers finish earlier runs.

Most airport taxis here accept cash only, so hit an ATM in the terminal for $20s before heading out to the curb. Some drivers do carry basic card readers, but don’t count on it; asking about card payment before loading bags into the trunk saves an awkward argument at your hotel curb at 11:30 p.m.

Watch out for anyone approaching you inside the terminal offering a “special taxi” or side deal; stick to the official curb queue with marked cabs and posted zone pricing signs. One practical tip: have your hotel name and street address written down or on your phone screen, and say “Isla Verde” or “Viejo San Juan” clearly so the driver plugs the right zone and you avoid a fare dispute at drop-off.