Is Puerto Rico Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Puerto Rico is generally safe for solo female travelers. The island has a friendly culture, and the locals are usually very helpful and welcoming. The tourist areas, where many amenities and attractions are located, are especially secure. However, like any other destination, it's recommended to take standard safety precautions. Be aware of your surroundings, avoid isolated areas, especially at night, and always keep your belongings secure.

Safety rating

4.6 /5

Based on 12 experiences

3.5 /5

Based on research and crime data

Safety overview

Safety at night:Moderate

Puerto Rico can be reasonably safe provided precautions are taken. This Caribbean island is tourist-friendly, and locals are generally welcoming. However, safety levels may vary based on the area and time of night. Some urban areas like Old San Juan or Condado might be safer due to their high tourist activity, whereas quieter, less frequented areas can have increased safety risks after dark. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid isolated areas and stay in well-lit, populated sectors. Moreover, always trust your instincts, avoid displaying expensive belongings, use reliable transportation, and be aware of your surroundings. Lastly, isolating yourself as a female traveler at night may not be the best option, hence moving in groups is recommended when venturing out after dusk.

Public transportation: Moderate

Public transportation in Puerto Rico is generally reliable and safe, especially during daylight hours. The main modes of public transportation are buses, the Urban Train (Tren Urbano), and taxis. The buses and train are well-maintained and the routes cover most of the major tourist areas. However, service can be infrequent and unpredictable due to traffic or route diversions. Taxis are a more convenient but pricier option. Always stay alert and be aware of your surroundings, particularly after dark.

Street harassment: Low

While Puerto Rico is generally welcoming and respectful towards female tourists, occasional incidents can occur. Always stay alert and aware of your surroundings. While catcalling can sometimes occur, most locals are friendly and helpful. Still, it's recommended to ignore any unwelcome approaches and continue on your way.

Petty crimes:Moderate

Puerto Rico is generally safe but petty crimes like pickpocketing and purse snatching do occur, particularly in busy tourist areas and crowded places. Being vigilant about your belongings and avoiding flashy displays of wealth can significantly reduce the likelihood of becoming a target.

Tap water:Safe

The tap water in Puerto Rico is generally considered safe to drink as it is supplied by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) and they adhere to quality standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, there might be some incidents of inconsistency, so if you have a sensitive stomach, it's better to opt for bottled water. Always use your discretion and observe the local's water-drinking habits.

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Travel experiences

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 12 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

4.6/5

Food

4.5/5

Budget-friendly

4/5

Solo travel experience

I traveled solo to Puerto Rico and loved it. I did not rent a car. Stayed in a hostel and Ubered or walked everywhere. Ubers were cheap. Went to El Yunque, which was a 45-minute drive organized by the hostel. Felt very safe day and night.

Posted: October 3, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Old San Juan is amazing. An absolute must-see. I stayed in Condado and went to some amazing waterfalls and beaches. There’s an amazing lighthouse, Arecibo, and a beautiful waterfall in Gozalandia. Crashboat Beach is fabulous. I loved the vibe, people, culture, and food.

Posted: August 9, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I solo traveled to Puerto Rico for a month. I lived in old San Juan. I always felt safe. I walked/scootered/ubered alone and was always totally fine. The men were surprisingly respectful.

Posted: July 30, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I spent two weeks in Puerto Rico. I stayed ten days in San Juan on Calle Loiza, a five-minute walk from Playa Ocean Park, and four in Rincon. I felt very safe in both places at all times, including after dark. My only regret is that I didn’t spend more of my time on the west side of the island, as I felt there are better beaches and I don’t really do nightlife. That being said, San Juan does have great food, history, architecture, and beaches as well. I also kayaked Condado Lagoon at night which was a blast.

Posted: July 19, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I went to Puerto Rico solo and it was great. I didn't find the men aggressive at all and didn't have any troubles. Uber was great and it was my primary way of getting around. I stayed in a lovely hotel in San Juan that was not really close to anything except the beach, and it was fine. Staying in Old San Juan would have been handy, except I didn't want to pay the extra for that convenience.

Posted: June 25, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Couple travel experience

It was good for a beach vacation, but it is pretty loud with unpredictable power for working remotely. The rainforest hike and bio bay were the best experiences on the island. I didn't participate in night life.

Posted: May 28, 2023Experienced: April, 2023
Things to do: 3/5Food: 3/5Budget-friendly: 2/5Safety: 4/5
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Solo travel experience

Loved Puerto Rico. Spent a few days in Fajardo and a few in San Juan (Parque neighborhood near the beach). Did a day in old San Juan and visited one of the forts and ate some good food. I hiked in El Yunque rainforest, drove to Cueva Ventana, and went snorkeling which was pretty but didn't have too many fish. The highlight was kayaking the bioluminescent bay on Vieques. It was so magical. The food was great and the trip was affordable overall.

Posted: April 10, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I've been to Puerto Rico and loved it. El Yunque National Forest was beautiful to hike and explore. The Forts in Old San Juan were also great to explore. The nightlife and shops in San Juan were also fun.

Posted: April 1, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Family travel experience

I was there for 10 days in May. I loved Old San Juan and the feel of the city. I didn't feel unsafe although I was traveling with my sister. We took the ferry to Vieques and did some snorkeling and stayed there a couple of nights. I plan on returning someday since there are so many things to do and see!

Posted: February 18, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I went to Puerto Rico solo and felt completely safe. I stayed in Santurce (not sure if that's spelled correctly but it's close). It's a bedroom community in San Juan. I felt completely safe the entire time. I did a tour of old San Juan and our tour guide was an architect there. I learned so much and toured a lot of great buildings. I didn't get to do my ocean excursions because of high tide warnings.

Posted: February 15, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Meet locals in Puerto Rico

Cindy

Cindy

Speaking

About Me

Hi! I am a Caribbean-based writer and voracious reader who loves to travel and learn new languages and about new cultures.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇨🇷 Costa Rica, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇨🇺 Cuba, 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇸🇻 El Salvador, 🇫🇷 France, 🇭🇹 Haiti, 🇮🇸 Iceland, 🇯🇲 Jamaica, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico, 🇲🇫 Saint Martin, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇵 Guadeloupe, 🇻🇪 Venezuela

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Madeline

Madeline

Speaking

About Me

Hi!, I'm Madeline and I'm interested in dancing, cinema, culture, events & social, food & cuisine, live music, nature, nightlife, photography, shopping, sightseeing and solo travel

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇸 Bahamas, 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic, 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico, 🇲🇫 Saint Martin, 🇻🇮 U.S. Virgin Islands, 🇺🇸 United States

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Ester

Ester

Speaking

About Me

Hi! I'm Ester from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇼 Aruba, 🇧🇧 Barbados, 🇧🇶 Bonaire, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇻🇬 British Virgin Islands, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico, 🇺🇲 U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇺🇸 United States

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Stay with locals in Puerto Rico

Ester

Ester

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

About me

Hi! I'm Ester from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇼 Aruba, 🇧🇧 Barbados, 🇧🇶 Bonaire, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇻🇬 British Virgin Islands, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico, 🇺🇲 U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇺🇸 United States

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Madeline

Madeline

Speaking

You can stay for:

1 day

About me

Hi!, I'm Madeline and I'm interested in dancing, cinema, culture, events & social, food & cuisine, live music, nature, nightlife, photography, shopping, sightseeing and solo travel

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇸 Bahamas, 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic, 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico, 🇲🇫 Saint Martin, 🇻🇮 U.S. Virgin Islands, 🇺🇸 United States

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Lucia

Lucia

Speaking

You can stay for:

7 days

About me

Hi, My name is Lucia and I'm interested in culture, events & social and sightseeing

Countries I’ve Visited

🇩🇴 Dominican Republic, 🇬🇹 Guatemala, 🇳🇮 Nicaragua, 🇵🇷 Puerto Rico, 🇹🇨 Turks and Caicos Islands, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇵🇪 Peru

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Local discussions

Solo travelWhat unique experiences can I do to learn more about Puerto Rico's culture?

Going solo this month to Puerto Rico and I love to be fully immersed in the culture wherever I go. Looking for recommendations on unique experiences to learn more about the culture and country.

Posted: August 15, 2023
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TravelDo you have tips for avoiding tourist traps in Puerto Rico near Christmas?

Hoping to go to Puerto Rico near the Christmas holidays and wondering if you have tips that will take me away from standard tourist traps? Especially hiking opportunities

Posted: November 19, 2022
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Safety in Puerto Rico