Is San Juan Safe for Travel? Here’s What You Need to Know

👉 Jump to: Is San Juan Safe? | Advisories | Safe Areas | Crime | Scams | Weather | Female Traveler | Water | Safety Tips | FAQ

San Juan is Puerto Rico’s capital city and the first destination many people venture to on the archipelago, but the question on everyone’s mind is: is San Juan safe?

Despite some alarming crime rates you might find online, San Juan is one of the safest cities in Puerto Rico for tourists. Neighborhoods like Condado are no different than Miami, and Old San Juan has a very safe nightlife. 

I’ve been to San Juan countless times at different hours and I’ve never had a negative experience. Of course, there are some tips you should know before you go. As a local, I’ve put together the best advice and information for staying safe in San Juan.

Is San Juan Safe?

San Juan is generally a safe destination for tourists. While the crime rate is higher than in some other Puerto Rico cities, violent crime rarely affects visitors. If anything, travelers should take precautions against petty crime and the potentially hazardous weather that can occur during hurricane season. 

San Juan is the safest city for tourists in Puerto Rico. Although there are some dangerous and sketchy areas, it features extensive public transportation, some of the best attractions in Puerto Rico, and beautiful beaches. Taking common precautions should be enough to stay safe.

The drug crime rates are high, but they don’t affect travelers if they don’t go looking for trouble. Rarely, visitors could experience petty crimes like pickpocketing and theft, but these events are mostly preventable by locking valuables away in a hotel safe.

What could be more concerning is Puerto Rico’s hurricane season, as there is a major risk of natural disasters. But, even during this season, travel is still common as hurricanes don’t affect the archipelago every year.

If you’re concerned about safety in San Juan, you may research whether travel insurance is right for you.

Things to Know About Safety in San Juan

San Juan Travel Advisories

Although there is also a travel advisory for terrorism in the United States, the risk for terrorism in San Juan is low. Since San Juan is the capital city and the center of politics, demonstrations and protests of different kinds are common, but they’re harmless for tourists.

Petty theft is common in San Juan as in any other capital city in the world, and travelers need to take precautions against it.

Safe Neighborhoods and Areas in San Juan

Old San Juan and Condado are the top tourist-friendly neighborhoods in San Juan. You’ll find dozens of hotels, stores, and restaurants, and lots of police presence. These are also the areas with the best and safest nightlife.

Ocean Park, Hato Rey, and Miramar are also safe neighborhoods during the day. In Santurce Rio Piedras, and Puerta de Tierra, you’ll find great museums, bars, and pubs, but you should take some extra safety measures, especially at night.

👉 Need a safe place to stay? Check my guide to the best neighborhoods to stay in San Juan!

Crime in San Juan

While violent crime is present in San Juan, it is mostly related to drug and gang activity and rarely affects travelers. Tourists should be more aware of petty crimes like pickpocketing and robbery and take precautions against them like locking their cars, not walking around deserted streets at night, and not leaving their belongings unattended.

If you are concerned about pickpockets, consider bringing an anti-theft bag and also getting good travel insurance for your trip.

📚 Bookmark for Later: Is Puerto Rico Safe for Travelers?

Common Scams in San Juan

Since San Juan is such a tourist city, scams do happen. Here are some common ones tourists should watch out for:

🚕 Taxi scam – Common taxi scams include drivers taking longer routes, not turning the meter on, or claiming they don’t have any change for a higher-value bill. Always ask your driver to turn the meter on to avoid paying higher rates.

🚗 Rental car scams – If you’re renting a car in San Juan, watch out for companies with inflated deposits or hidden fees. Sometimes they’ll try to get you to pay for details like sand inside the car or wet seats.

🗺️ False guides – “False guides” usually take you to shops where you’ll have to pay an inflated price and your “guide” will get a commission without your knowledge. Always use a trusted company or website to book your tours.

Hazardous Weather and Natural Disasters

Due to its location and tropical climate, Puerto Rico is prone to natural disasters and hazardous weather during certain seasons of the year. Consult our guide on the best seasons to visit Puerto Rico, and keep the following in mind: 

⛈️ Hurricanes – Puerto Rico experiences a hurricane season from June to November. Hurricanes are most likely to affect the peak in September, but it’s not a yearly occurrence. The last hurricane to affect Puerto Rico directly was in 2022.

🌊 Rip tides and swimming conditions – Depending on the season, beaches in San Juan might have strong tides and rip currents, especially during winter. Always check the local weather before swimming in Puerto Rico.

Female Travel Safety

San Juan is mostly safe for female travelers, but women traveling alone could expect some catcalling on the streets. It won’t usually escalate beyond that, so just keep walking and ignore anyone saying something. If you’re drinking outside, keep an eye on your drinks to avoid anyone spiking them, and don’t leave bars with strangers if you’re not in your best senses.

For more tips, see Sky’s guide to safe solo travel for women.

Drinking Water Safety

Water in San Juan is safe for drinking. It is processed by Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AAA), a government company that controls the water supply and sanitizes it as per the standards of the Environmental Protection Agency.

5 Safety Tips

Tip #1 – Stay Out of La Perla

While many visitors venture into La Perla, it’s not the safest neighborhood in San Juan for travelers, especially at night. La Perla has its own rules and code of conduct, like not snapping pictures of the people living there. Sometimes, even Puerto Rico locals feel uncomfortable in the area so it’s best practice for tourists to just stay away. If you still want to visit, get a local guide and visit only during daylight hours.

Tip #2 – Lock Your Car

Cars are the main targets of thieves in San Juan. Never leave valuables in your car, park in well-lit areas whenever possible, and always lock your doors. Thieves will often break the windows if they see something valuable inside.

Read my guides to driving in Puerto Rico and renting cars in Puerto Rico if you’re planning to drive on the island.

Tip #3 – Don’t Swim with High Tides

While San Juan is home to some of the best beaches on mainland Puerto Rico, they have strong tides during the fall and winter seasons, and are even used for surfing and windsurfing. Use common sense when visiting the beaches and stay out of the water if the swells are too strong. As a general safety rule, if the locals aren’t swimming, you probably shouldn’t either.

Tip #4 – Don’t Leave Your Things Unattended

The crimes that affect most tourists are theft and pickpocketing. Never leave your belongings unattended at restaurants and beaches, and don’t get distracted when someone is talking to you. Use your hotel safe to secure important documents and valuables. 

📚 Continue Reading: Where to Stay in San Juan

Tip #5 – Walk in Groups

If you’re planning on partying at night, go out with company. Most crimes and theft happen at night, but large groups are always a dissuasive factor for criminals. 

FAQs

Is San Juan unsafe?

San Juan is a safe city for tourists. Old San Juan and Condado are safe even late at night and they have a strong police presence and a lively ambiance.

What parts of San Juan should be avoided? 

Travelers should avoid walking around the streets of Santurce and La Perla late at night if there isn’t a special activity like a concert.

How safe is San Juan right now?

San Juan is one of the safest cities in Puerto Rico for tourists. Visitors should always take common safety precautions against petty crimes, and occasional hazardous weather.

Can I drink the water in San Juan, Puerto Rico?

Travelers can safely drink tap water in San Juan. Water in San Juan is potable and follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards for safe drinking water.

***

Thanks for reading my guide! San Juan is such an amazing city to explore with lots of things to do and beautiful beaches. If you’re adventuring beyond San Juan, read my full Puerto Rico safety guide next.