Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island located in between the Dominican Republic and U.S. Virgin Islands with diverse influences. The island is a U.S. territory, which means that tourists who are American citizens do not need a passport to visit. The tropical destination is a place where English (along with Spanish) is commonly spoken and the U.S. dollar is used, so it is particularly accessible for people coming from America. But all travelers going to Puerto Rico will appreciate the island for its rich history, vibrant (Spanish, Indigenous and African) culture, naturally beautiful scenery and welcoming community. The landscape of Puerto Rico is unique, since the island has lush forests, bioluminescent beaches, mountains, caves, valleys and desert.
Travelers visiting Puerto Rico will have plenty to do since it’s home to the largest shopping center in the Caribbean, Plaza Las Américas. The island also has the most extensive rum factory in the world, Casa Bacardi, and a legal drinking age of 18 years old, making it a popular party destination. With a diverse and complex culture, historical gems can also be found there, like the Caparra Archaeological Site, which contains some of the oldest evidence of the “New World”. For adrenaline junkies, some of the most popular attractions and activities in Puerto Rico include beach fun and watersports. Snorkeling, surfing, kayaking and sailing are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to adventurous things to do in Puerto Rico.
While all of these attractions are enticing, of course travelers want to know that they can enjoy their excursions without worry. The safety level of a destination is of utmost importance to travelers. Puerto Rico has a somewhat questionable reputation for safety, so some travelers may feel hesitant to travel there. We have compiled an overview of the safety in Puerto Rico, which will help travelers decide for themselves if they want to travel there.
Official Travel Advisories
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a great resource for travelers to gauge the threat levels of a destination. Through its world factbook the CIA shares travel facts, recommendations for emergency situations, suggests safe tourist destinations and provides information on local culture. These tips can help travelers feel more comfortable during their stay in Puerto Rico.
For health concerns, travelers can depend on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its website keeps people up to date on travel health notices and relevant recommendations. Like drinking bottled water and washing any produce before eating it, while in Puerto Rico. Travelers can utilize the CDC website to track local illnesses, environmental risks and ways to avoid contracting anything while abroad. Before, during and even after travel are ideal times to use this resource to maintain health. WHO also has reports that provide important information on the health of Puerto Rico. Its specialized health agency Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) has a regional office and provides country health profiles.
Is Puerto Rico Safe for Tourists and Solo Travelers?
Yes, Puerto Rico is an overall safe place to visit. While crime in Puerto Rico is lower than most places in the mainland United States, there still is some crime that travelers may be concerned about. The island also technically has a lower crime rate than similarly sized metropolitan areas. The densely populated island’s primary safety concerns have to do with the drug trade which in turn increases the violent crime rate. But, if travelers stay away from criminal activity they should be safe, according to local police.
Solo travelers are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and to not go out at night alone, to avoid robberies. Plenty of solo travelers have gone to Puerto Rico and felt safe, but it is also important to note that they stayed diligent about their personal safety. Rural areas that may have either low or no lighting may pose a risk to solo travelers. But the majority of solo travelers are concerned about environmental threats when preparing to travel to Puerto Rico. Bug bites, sunburn and dehydration are all concerns that travelers should prepare for.
How To Stay Safe in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is a welcoming destination that does not pose a great risk to travelers. But, as is common, travelers can run into trouble if they are not careful. Tourists should be wary about theft and mugging, particularly in the large metropolitan areas of Puerto Rico. Theft is the number one issue to be concerned about as a tourist of Puerto Rico. There are also many ways to avoid having possessions stolen, like keeping money in concealed pockets or pouches while out in public. Highly valuable personal items like cameras, computers and jewelry should be secured, or better yet stored in a safe at a travelers accommodation.
Transportation safety is important to take note of while in Puerto Rico, even if a visitor is a domestic traveler. For those that anticipate that they will be riding on public transportation, the buses are considered safe. As in many places though, nighttime can increase the amount of danger on public transportation so travelers should be cautious. Keeping possessions within arms reach and not falling asleep in public are good ways to avoid unwanted attention. If travelers want to stay on the safe side they can take government sanctioned taxis per the national tourism office’s recommendation. This would keep tourists safe from scams and drivers that look to take advantage of tourists.
Where to Stay in Puerto Rico
There are a total of 78 barrios (neighborhoods or districts) in Puerto Rico that all have differing safety levels, which can be difficult to sort through for potential tourists. These are the most tourist-friendly areas with low crime rates, that tourists will love exploring. It is important to note that the east coast of Puerto Rico is heavily frequented by tourists. San Juan is Puerto Rico’s capital and its largest city. It is a popular place for tourists to stay since it has a lot of the main attractions that tourists want to visit. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Puerto Rico and is also considered one of the safest. Old San Juan, Miramar, Isla Verde and Condado areas are San Juan’s safest neighborhoods. Old San Juan has historic importance since it is the oldest city in the U.S. that was settled in 1521. There is an abundance of colonial architecture and history in Old San Juan that history buffs will be delighted to see. The area is heavily guarded by policemen so its safety level is very clear for locals and tourists alike. For travelers with a more modern taste, “new San Juan” includes other areas like Condado and Miramar.
The south and west sides of the island are full of locals. Ponce is a south-central coastal city, which is the second most populated area besides San Juan. It is a small yet popular residential area that is known to evade the impact of seasonal hurricanes. This location may be preferable if visiting during stormy seasons. In western Puerto Rico, there are plenty of beautiful beaches and safe beach towns. Rincon and Cabo Rojo are peaceful beachside towns that tourists frequent. But the west side of Puerto Rico is notably more vulnerable to natural disasters, so travelers should be cognizant of that.
Best Time To Visit the Island
Puerto Rican is tropical all year round, so really the best time to visit depends on a traveler’s preferences. But surprisingly, winter is the best time to visit Puerto Rico. The island experiences temperatures around 70 to 80 degrees during its “cold” season. Winter runs from December to March and is considered the most pleasant time for weather, although the weather in Puerto Rico does not vary extremely.
There are tropical storms that impact life in Puerto Rico. Natural disasters happen occasionally near Puerto Rico, with most being hurricanes. During hurricane season, between June and November, travelers should keep an eye out for weather forecasts and trends. Prices for travel to Puerto Rico are generally lower from August to November but the affordable prices come at a cost since that is during hurricane season.
People Also Ask
Is it cheaper to go to Puerto Rico or Hawaii? Puerto Rico is less expensive to travel to and visit than Hawaii. Puerto Rico has more affordable prices on accommodations and activities, so budget travelers often opt to travel there.
Do I need a passport to visit Puerto Rico? U.S. citizens can travel to Puerto Rico without a passport. It is a U.S. territory so any government issued identification is enough to take a trip there.