Originally Posted by
squawk7500
If you're that concerned, better print out copies of each -- or pick up a real map beforehand from AAA or a decent bookstore.
Once you're
in the car, leave the mi/km selector alone -- you'll likely find it's already set correctly, from the LAST renter.
Thanks for your extremely helpful response, from which I gather you have no clue what the answer is.
To provide some information that may actually be useful to others in the future, the answer is that our Jeep Patriot came in standard US configuration, with MPH on the major scale, KM/H on the minor scale, and the odometer reading Miles. Thus, one should print out online directions denominated in miles.
Stores and hotels often give directions to a specific km marker, but it's still fine navigating based on miles, then just looking for the markers when you get close.
Oh, and we did have a real map, which was not at all helpful on the small roads on which we traveled. Google Maps, on the other hand, was great, as I could print out not only the directions, but also expansions of local areas.
Finally, worry less about the pickup arrangements, and *more* about the kamakazi drivers you'll find on the roads -- NYC hacks have nothing on those whackjobs
I found driving in PR to be quite fun. In general, we found that people obeyed the speed limits, since you'd have to be a total maniac to drive any faster than that on most roads. Indeed, it was hard to travel at the limit on the Autopista during the day due to traffic. The left lane on the highway is certainly not reserved for passing, but that's true in many places. Exits on smaller roads are often marked with only a single sign a few hundred feet before the turn, and do not always have a second sign right at the turnoff. Narrow single-lane roads are common in rural areas, although the shoulders are usually marked reasonably well. Inspection enforcement appears to be a bit lax as there were a significant number of cars on the highway with a single headlight, poorly aimed (blinding) headlights, and/or one or no tail lights. Police travel with lights flashing at all times during the night, so don't get excited when one shows up behind you. Note that all road signs are in Spanish, so a knowledge of the cardinal directions (norte, sur, este, oeste) is helpful.