Uber Launches in Puerto Rico

Uber, the global power player in ride-sharing, is expanding in the Caribbean.

After first launching last year in the Santo Domingo, the company has officially launched operations in Puerto Rico.

“We are proud to celebrate Puerto Rico, with its streets full of history, its clear and its countless tourist attractions,” the company said in a release.

The launch of the ride-sharing app could be a big boost for travelers in the capital, San Juan

The company said it had come to Puerto Rico to offer a “new option for safe and efficient transportation that will allow Puerto Ricans to visit every corner of the streets.”

While it has unsurprisingly met some opposition from taxi drivers, the service could be a boon for both tourists and locals in a destination that has often made it hard to find taxis outside of standing taxi zones or at the airport.

Thousands of drivers have reportedly signed on to partner with Uber ahead of the launch.

Thus far, the ride-sharing app is only offering its UberX service, its lower-cost option. In most of its markets, the company has launched some form of luxury and SUV option like Uber LUX and Uber XL, although that varies from city to city.

Uber has not yet announced plans to enter any other Caribbean markets, although in most of the Caribbean high car import duties and insurance rates will likely keep them out for some time.

Puerto Rico’s tourism officials have not yet commented on the launch and its potential impact on tourism.