Mountain roads
Steep grades, blind curves, and narrow pavement can arrive together in the Cordillera Central.
Slow before the road asks you to
Reduce speed before sharp bends and narrow sections, not once you are already in them. Hold your lane, scan beyond the next curve, and expect an oncoming truck or bus to need more room than a car.
Who yields on a narrow grade
When opposing vehicles meet on a grade where the roadway cannot accommodate both at once, Puerto Rico law says the vehicle traveling downhill yields to the vehicle climbing. This is a specific rule for a constrained meeting—not a blanket claim that uphill traffic always has priority.
Use the transmission downhill
Select a lower gear before a long descent and never coast in neutral. Let the drivetrain help control speed, brake smoothly, and leave extra space on wet pavement.
After heavy rain
Watch for fresh soil, rocks, standing water, and a damaged shoulder. If debris or water blocks the lane, turn back rather than squeezing past an unstable edge.
