Flying to San Juan for car pickup. Do I need a hotel to stow luggage?

To late to edit ..what would be the latest you would want to arrive on a Friday to the port to make sure you have enough time to clear that day and be able to drive away?

Noon? 2pm? Thanks!

@Blueslab

Hello, well I suppose it depends on what time of day you arrive and what service you used to transport your vehicle. If you get there first thing in the morning it's very possible to retrieve the vehicle. Since you have time ( about a week or so)

to get it inspected, registered and new plates ( it may be 30 days now but I'm not sure anymore) also, just be sure you have insurance on it before you go driving around prior to registration with the DMV.  Anyway it took me about 4 hours to retrieve mine a years ago. I got to the station at 7am and was 4th or 5th in line. I did my registration at the DMV a few days later, I had my insurance already as well as my local drivers lic. Best of luck

Thanks techdispatch!  I'm using Crowley. It looks like their car terminal is on North side of the bay, about 10 mins from the 2 Avenida Juan Ponce de Leon, which I think is where I must go to pay tax.   I've got a 6.30am arrival flight, so I should be able to

-Uber from airport to Crowley before 8am Friday, then

-walk to the tax assessment office which is in the same port if I'm correct, then

-Uber over to where you pay tax (2 Avenida ...) .  Then Uber back to the port and I should be good to go I guess.   A car rental is $100 for the day and would put me back at the airport, needing an uber back to the port anyway.  The only reason I'd do that is to have a lockup for the luggage.   

    Should I carry my luggage around while I do all that?  I would put them in the shipped vehicle, but I don't think Crowley will let me anywhere near it before the tax is paid.  It's an SUV so they'd be visible but in port shouldn't be an issue. 

   Trying to sign up for insurance from here but everyone is closed today, Sat.  Do you have a recommendation? I was going to try Mamfre, was the only one I saw but I don't even know if they sell car insurance or not.  Thank you for the info, it's very helpful.   

Hi there Blueslab...Not sure I'm being helpful here since I cannot confirm or deny mine was with Crowley. When I picked up mine it was all in the same walking area, admin/dispatchers office, tax collection, vehicle lot etc. Less than half a block. Your right, they will not release your vehicle without all forms and taxes have been completed. I payed a gal there she had a small van with a mini office inside, she was offering her service to process part of the paperwork for me, I believe she charged about $80.00 at the time. It was worth it she got it all done pretty quickly and I was in and out in no time. Regarding your luggage, it's up to you, as far as I saw, people there to pickup there vehicles were only concerned with getting thru the process, plus it's all gated up with posted security, but again, it's up to you. Best if luck!

Hello...Oh, about the insurance, you can buy car insurance over the phone, liability is $99.00 a year, I went with "Seguros Multiples" which was recomended by the family. They speak english. But thinking back, ask at the dock when you pickup your suv, they may have someone there. Best if Luck!