You'll most likely arrive at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (tel 787/791-4670), 14km east of San Juan in the suburb of Carolina. The Puerto Rican Tourism Company (PRTC) has three offices here; the main one is outside terminal C on the first level. Friendly staff will assist you in arranging transportation and lodging, going so far as to call around for the best deals.

San Juan is about twenty to thirty minutes' drive from the airport along Rte 26 W (Avenida Baldorioty de Castro). Major car rental agencies operate airport offices. By taxi , the cost is US$8 to Isla Verde, US$12 to Condado and US$16 to Old San Juan. The public bus (#C45) is air-conditioned and cheap - just 25 or 50 cents - but it takes about an hour to get to the city and requires a transfer to the #A5 in Isla Verde if you're staying in Condado, and another change to the #B21 in Condado if you're staying in Old San Juan.

If you arrive by público from another part of the island, you'll arrive via the bus terminal at the base of Old San Juan, on the bay side, not far from the cruise ship port; buses and taxis are plentiful from here.

The PRTC also has offices in Old San Juan, both housed in restored colonial structures: La Casita , the pink building on Calle Comercio near the docks (Mon-Wed 8.30am-8pm, Thurs & Fri until 5.30pm, Sat & Sun 9am-8pm; tel 787/722-1709), and La Princesa on Paseo de la Princesa (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; tel 787/721-2400).