Puerto Rico is the perfect tropical paradise for a winter vacation. The beaches, food, historic sites, and people result in a fantastic culture everyone should experience. That said even paradise can have problems and it’s always important to consider safety when choosing a travel destination. This is important whether you travel alone, as a couple, or in a group. This article will answer the question is Puerto Rico safe to travel.
What we cover:
Is Puerto Rico Safe to Travel
Yes, overall we felt very safe in Puerto Rico. This is especially true if you’re spending most of your time in high volume travel areas like Condado, Old San Juan, Ocean Park, and Isla Verde.
In fact Puerto Rico’s crime rate, including violent crimes, is lower than some of the larger US states. The FBI reports that most serious crimes occur in low travel volume neighborhoods. If you don’t know the area well, or you don’t have a guide you can trust, remain in the well populated areas to maintain safety.
As is often the case when you are in tourist areas, you need to stay alert to avoid petty theft from pickpockets.
Stay Safe in Puerto Rico with these Tips
Basically every travel destination has some element of crime with very few exceptions. Puerto Rico is no different, and so it’s important that you remain aware of your surroundings especially in more populated areas, like San Juan.
General Safety Tips:
- Don’t leave valuable items unattended if you’re staying in a hostel. We always bring locks for our backpacks.
- Stay in reputable neighborhoods. If you’re unsure, ask your hotel concierge, hostel employees, or Airbnb hosts.
- Be careful in crowds that you don’t get pickpocketed.
- Don’t drink too much alone, or with people you just met.
- Remain aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Puerto Rico Natural Disasters
Some of the biggest safety hazards in Puerto Rico are natural disasters. The island is in a primary location for hurricanes and earthquakes which is important to keep in mind when scheduling your trip. While Puerto Rico has mostly recovered from Hurricane Maria, there are still signs of the devastation, so you’ll want to schedule outside of hurricane season.
The best time to travel to Puerto Rico is from December to the end of April to avoid hurricane season. This timeframe works perfectly if you’re planning a winter vacation.
Wrap Up
Puerto Rico is safe for solo, couple, or group travelers. Most tourists don’t encounter serious crime on a Puerto Rico vacation. Stay in good areas, use smart habits, and act respectfully towards others.
If you aren’t sure about something ask your host. As a local they likely know more about the area. Also, if you find yourself in an unfamiliar neighborhood, return to a more populated area. Better safe than sorry!