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

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How safe is Puerto Rico?

Safety at night:

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:

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:

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:

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.

Is Puerto Rico worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 26 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

4.2/5

Food

4.3/5

Budget-friendly

3.7/5
Alastair

Alastair

United States

Rincón, Group travel

Spent the day in Rincón with my new friend! We got Mexican food at Vatos Locos Taqueria (delicious and affordable) and acaí bowls and the beach was beautiful and the water was warm! Highly recommend Rincón, hoping to visit again tomorrow :)

Posted: January 25, 2025Experienced: January, 2025
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Puerto Rico, Solo travel

I stayed in several areas of Puerto Rico; from Rio Grande (near El Yunque, one of the world’s largest rainforests), Old San Juan, Miramar, Condado, Rio Piedras to Carolina. My favorite area out of all was Rio Grande-I stayed behind Coco Beach Reserve, which has a PGA Golf course. Puerto Rico overall is absolutely gorgeous, many beaches around and amazing stuff to do and see. However, the food is on the bland side (at least for me) but freshness is usually top tier. I prefer shopping and cooking at home. It is quite expensive-expect to spend anywhere from $50 and up a meal. Ubers are inexpensive if you’re in an area you can get a ride. Otherwise, you’ll need to rent a car-that and gas can add up quickly. People are generally friendly and helpful. I never once felt unsafe or worried; again use common sense when traveling and do listen to the locals about where and where not to go. I think everyone should visit at least once, given the opportunity.

Posted: August 26, 2024
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Monica

Monica

United States

San Juan, Family travel

The Condado area felt very safe. We stayed at an Airbnb on the beach. It was nice but my son got bed bugs from the sofa bed. I would recommend renting a car. We went to Old San Juan which was beautiful and renting jet skis. We went to sit down restaurants throughout the trip and it got very expensive. Food is overpriced.

Posted: August 20, 2024
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Mariangel

Mariangel

United States

San Juan, Solo travel

SAN Juan was my first official solo travel (with no friends in the destination) and it was incredible fun. Never felt more safe than in San Juan, puertorricans are kind and respectful, they take care of their tourist and travelers, they’re open to share local gems and tips. You have a bunch of different activities where to choose and it’s definitely a piece of paradise in the earth. I made amazing friends, I would do it again a million times

Posted: August 8, 2024
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San Juan PR, Group travel

San Juan Puerto Rico has some of the most beautiful beaches and hiking spots. The locals were super friendly and most people there speak English. If you stick to well lit populated areas you should be more than safe at night. I wouldn’t recommend going to alley ways or dark areas in some of the less touristy areas. The less touristy areas were a bit sketchy but overall I felt very safe for the most part.

Posted: July 27, 2024
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Leslie

Leslie

United States

Puerto Rico, Family travel

My eldest Son ( and his large family) took me on a completely paid for all inclusive vacation to Puerto Rico. We had a blast. My youngest Granddaughters and I shared a room and that was great. There's a lot to do if you love the beach and hiking or any outdoor activities. My Son's friend caught a baby Iguana!! There were crabs around the resort pools. Our resort was on the beach. There was a huge iron fence separating the resort from public beach. I was very surprised at people sleeping on beach and even the sidewalks in town! I found out from a policeman on bicycle that it was legal but if they manhandled anyone they got kicked out. We had delicious food and tried their native Mofongo and tostones. I didn't care for either! My Son tried to eat all of his with a funny looking expression! LOL. But their homemade chocolate cake and lasagna was delicious! I felt fat as I was starving and ate too much. We saw wild horses, and the beaches weren't crowded at all. We usually had the pool and beach to ourselves. We stayed Monday thru Saturday. It got more busy on Saturday. The shops were reasonably priced. The food a little high. I didn't get to go to any clubs as I babysit. If you get the chance, go !!

Posted: June 27, 2024Experienced: June, 2020
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Is Puerto Rico safe for women?

Safety index

3.6 /5

Based on 9 local experiences

Crime index

1.8 /5

Based on 9 local experiences

Puerto Rico

As every place around, Puerto Rico has its issues with safety. In here I haven't had any situations regarding it because im always aware of my surroundings and the people I go out with. If I feel something odd Im not gonna stay there. So really thats my only advice. Always talk to the locals about a place you want to go and follow their advices. We are very good in hospitality and we love out country too mucho so we want people to have a great time and experience visiting our places and taking care of them firstly.

Posted: June 14, 2025
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Yuyza

Yuyza

00926

I live in the intersection between Cupey, rio piedras and San Juan, a big and diverse area , and honestly, I feel safe here. I’m comfortable walking alone at night, especially in residential neighborhoods like El Señorial or Los Paseos. Like in any city, you should stay aware—sometimes at gas stations or stoplights, a homeless person might approach and raise their voice, but I’ve never had an actual issue or felt in danger. Some parts of Cupey, especially near public housing areas, can have more noise or activity, but it really depends on the street. Public transportation isn’t very reliable around here, so if you’re visiting, I’d definitely recommend renting a car.

Posted: June 7, 2025
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Safety in Puerto Rico