Wherever you live, it’s a good bet that you know what the safest places to go are. You’re also probably familiar with weather patterns and the frequency of freak phenomena. This familiarity brings about a sense of security that pretty much vanishes when you travel somewhere you’ve never been. Because of this, you may be wondering…
Is Puerto Rico Safe for Tourists?
The short answer is yes. No place is 100% risk-free, and you should still keep your wits about you. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with this guide, and staying safe while on the island will be second nature.
Crime Rates and Trends
Crime rates are ever-changing, but there is one thing that pretty much any local will tell you: violent crimes like homicides, for example, are usually linked to gang violence and rarely, if ever, are tourists targeted.
Nearly half of all reported crimes are what the local police call crimes against property (e.g., thefts, break-ins, etc.). Most folks will agree that if you practice common sense and heed local warnings about where to stay away from, you should be fine.
- The crime rate in Puerto Rico is actually lower than the US national average.
- As a rule of thumb, rural areas have lower crime rates than more densely populated cities like San Juan or Bayamón.
- As stated previously, one of the most common crimes is theft. For tourists, this manifests as pickpocketing most of the time. However, theft isn’t exclusive to Puerto Rico; it is one of the most common crimes tourists can encounter globally.
Safe Areas for Tourists:
- Regarding safety, sticking to the most “touristy” locations is a safe bet. Places in the metropolitan area like Old San Juan, Condado, and Isla Verde are popular tourist spots for a reason. There are regular police patrols, and officers are likely to be bilingual. Having said that, there is no need to limit yourself to San Juan and nearby cities while on the island. Other popular tourist spots that have low crime rates include Fajardo, Luquillo, Rincon, and the island municipalities of Vieques and Culebra, among many others.
- The capital city tends to have a higher crime rate when looking at popular destinations such as San Juan, Dorado, or Rincon. Keep in mind, however, that San Juan is more densely populated than other towns, and due to this, the crime count will naturally be higher.
Government and Local Initiatives:
- Puerto Rico has a Police force of around 11,500 officers divided into state and municipal forces that work together to enforce the law and keep citizens safe. The police is overseen by the Department of Public Safety, also in charge of the Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services and other public safety offices.
- In the wake of the pandemic, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company enacted protocols that made the island the first US tourist destination to receive the World Travel and Tourism Council Safe Travels stamp for safety and hygiene. Although the pandemic is behind us and these protocols are no longer required, their expediency still illustrates how seriously we take the health and well-being of our visitors.
Health and Safety Concerns:
- There are currently no health advisories for Puerto Rico. One common problem island-wide is mosquitoes, which can transmit dengue, zika, and chikungunya. All three of these diseases have had varying levels of impact on the island in the past, so it would be advisable to procure a DEET-based bug repellent. Should any medical emergency arise, you can breathe easy knowing that PR has plenty of hospitals offering a standard of care similar to what you would find stateside. Check with your health insurance to find out what type of coverage you may have in PR.
- When it comes to natural disasters, hurricanes are probably the first thing that comes to mind. Hurricane season runs from June to November each year. While this is an active time of year for storms, Puerto Rico is only occasionally impacted directly by hurricanes, with storms frequently veering north or south of the island. Hurricane warnings and watches are usually issued several days out, and we normally have a pretty good idea when impact is imminent, so avoiding these storms is fairly straightforward. Check cancellation policies with your airline and hotels in the event of a hurricane. Still, if the idea of these weather phenomena is enough to dissuade you from visiting, then the best time for you to visit Puerto Rico might be the winter months.
5 Tips for Staying Safe in Puerto Rico
1. Common Sense Is Your Best Friend
Most crimes that impact tourists are crimes of opportunity, such as theft. If you don’t give criminals an opportunity, you are less likely to be a victim. Here are a few mini tips:
- Don’t leave items unattended.
- Avoid walking alone at night.
- Don’t leave valuables in your rental car.
- Don’t carry large amounts of cash.
- Spread your money around different pockets.
- Don’t get pass-out drunk.
- Be sure someone always knows where you will be.
- Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.
2. Learn Some Spanish
Puerto Rico has more bilingual citizens than ever before, especially in the metro area, but it is hardly the norm. Knowing Spanish will be an asset when it comes to staying safe in various scenarios, such as overhearing when a conversation is starting to turn into a fight or understanding instructions from security personnel in the event of an emergency. Besides, it’s more polite than speaking loudly and slowly in English when someone clearly doesn’t understand you. Don’t be that person.
3. Get a Rental Car
Unfortunately, public transportation in PR leaves much to be desired. Uber is an alternative, but it is not available across the entire island, and taxi cabs can get pricey. If you want to move around reliably and not be stuck waiting for a bus that may never come, rent a car.
4. Be Careful Around Bodies of Water
Be sure to check if riptides are common at any beach you may be visiting. They are definitely not all suited for swimming. If you do find yourself caught in a current, be sure to swim parallel to the shore. You should also be mindful of rivers as we experience flash floods here.
5. Pack Plenty of Sunblock and Bug Spray
Be sure to pack a sunblock that’s rated at least SPF30. Working on your tan while here can be tempting, but the sun is absolutely unrelenting, and burns can be nasty. As stated previously, mosquitoes are a problem here, and the best way to prevent a bite is with a DEET-based spray (many places will recommend using long sleeves, but good luck with that in this heat).
Conclusion
Puerto Rico has tons of great experiences to offer, but like any other place, it isn’t perfect. While crime certainly isn’t rampant, it isn’t non-existent either. Natural disasters and other health concerns are also a possibility. Understanding these realities and following the advice in this guide will go a long way to ensuring your stay here is a pleasant one.
