Is Puerto Rico Safe for Tourists?

[@hungoverbear]

Whenever visiting an area with beautiful beaches please remember this piece of advice: If there are no locals in the water then YOU do not go into the water!

[@TropicLifePR]

Lol exactly

[@estopasoayer]

hey im from PR. some locals are very good swimmers and like to swim in rough water. my advice is to go to the shore and if you feel its pulling you hard dont go in.

[@alexacdc1234]

This is great advice, you have no idea what is lurking in the water and if the locals stay clear then you bet there’s something lurking in there!

[@BG-ej5fy]

@@alexacdc1234 unfortunately every year tourist drown because of strong ocean currents in some beaches . It’s very rare to se a shark attack here.

[@OtayBuckwheat]

Yes, there can be things under the water like concrete and pieces of rusty metal or bad riptides that day that the surfers are all aware of. The North Shore can be deadly. The Atlantic ocean does not play.

[@17thwhiteprince]

I was raised in Puerto Rico and my parents still live there (in Hatillo). My mother always said "if you can learn to drive in Puerto Rico, you can drive anywhere" 🤣

[@juancarlosgonzalez7067]

Saludos desde Hatillo ✌🏼

[@jorgeroig2877]

That is very true

[@pauldegregorio6432]

I held a Massachusetts license for years. Probably reciprocated.

[@ESeda-lo1dv]

Totally. I learned to drive in Ohio and won’t drive when I go to PR (unless absolutely necessary) because of how different it is

[@carmenburgos1616]

Hell no , I left Orlando 16 years ago and I’ve been thru some nasty events with locals .. I’m sorry but it can be confusing for some , and not always these locals will be to understanding of who you are regardless of your smile and assertiveness coming from the U.S..

[@ysanta97]

I've lived in PR my whole 25 years of life, it is overall safe, you just have to avoid the shady areas and you'll be fine

[@TropicLifePR]

True

[@Gio-m]

Any advice on where the shady areas are? I really want to book an Airbnb soon. Thanks for any advice!

[@TropicLifePR]

​@@Gio-m What part of the island are you planning on going? as far as shady, well the recidencial areas(projects)

[@italianlifestyle7911]

Nowhere on this earth is 100% safe these days, but this place is really stunning and worth visiting that's for sure!💙🌅💙

[@TropicLifePR]

exactly

[@OtayBuckwheat]

We don't have racist mass shootings.. and what are you going to hunt here, iguanas?

[@zurcfamily]

Nice to hear some positive comments!🇺🇲🇵🇷

[@franknunez]

Puerto Rico certainly a must visit in the caribbean. Love from the DR!!!

[@sandrathomas6161]

Love Puerto Rico!! Old San Juan is stunning!! Great place to visit.

[@woltersworld]

PR is incredible

[@TropicLifePR]

:D

[@normagonzalez7470]

Also Puerto Rico is full of history and traditions. Do you know it?

[@lolitamorris2943]

I’m from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷… I love my 🏝 Island 🥥 🇵🇷 Good video :) Don’t forget to taste : Mofongo Alcapurrias Bacalao tos Empanadillas Sancocho Rellenos de papa Piñon Guineo tos en escabeche Lechón 🥥 🌴 🇵🇷♥️🇵🇷

[@TropicLifePR]

Yes :D

[@andariegos9466]

You’re not wrong about the driving. When I go visit my mom in PR it doesn’t take long to remember how aggressive the driving there can be. But I’m used to it. Thank you for saying positive things about PR. Like anywhere, there’s crime but overall the people, food and culture are wonderful. Miss my island. 🇵🇷

[@gabrielrivera8750]

Accurate advise!! Thank you. Puerto Rico is amazing for everyone. Just have to know where you go. Especially the beaches. Not all beaches are good for swimming and tourist tend to ignore that. Overall PR is safe.

[@TropicLifePR]

Exactly

[@erickvazquez771]

I love your enthusiasm, but as someone from PR it always funny to see the gringos talk about sunblock and sun burns

[@jamesthomas6659]

One thing I would like to add is always carry some water. I walked all over old San Juan and drank a whole bottle of water and still bought another bottle. Puerto Rico is a great place and like your videos, Thanks!

[@BoloSpectre]

Gracias Dr. Wolter por visitar a Puerto Rico. Cuando regreses a la isla invito a tu familia a un café ☕️!!

[@davidhulka]

You are correct that the people of Puerto Rico are amazing.

[@ericjuli6576]

We’ve gone to PR the past two years with our kids (7, 13) and have loved each time. Looking forward to more videos! Hope you got to check out Playa Sucia (spelling?) in Cabo Rojo. One of our favorite spots!

[@TropicLifePR]

:D

[@danee305]

I just to leave in Cabo rojo 30 years ago when you can drive quad thru the beach and fish from the shore lobsters and conch. I miss growing up there but my family move back to miami and i never got the chance to go back there to live and i miss it very much. It was my favorite place as a kid

[@bkyms]

I'm from PR🇵🇷🎉🎉🎉 Gracias Wolter for your video!

[@sugarskullchick6239]

I loved Puerto Rico when I visited with my daughter last year. Absolutely beautiful with friendly people

[@woltersworld]

it is amazing

[@Manuel421]

Yes it absolutely is. My grandma lived there and have always enjoyed my trips there. Hopefully someday I get to return:) Thanks for the video!

[@crystalkarinaxo]

Funny you posted this, I’ll be leaving to PR next week! So perfecting timing!! Thank you

[@solidus_snake_]

Hello Walter. Great to see you in the Island. I hope you had a great time!

[@rafaelalvarez3512]

Thank you for taking your time to advice about beach safety. It is really sad to see the local news when tourists pass away due to drowning in the beaches.

[@woltersworld]

I know. It is so sad. And they have all those signs to warn people but they don't take it seriously. Very sad

[@cappy1.890]

im a puertorican and im gonna say yes this man is right boricuas are welcoming and not bad people

[@jennyoshea1958]

Beautifully painted buildings. Looks very pretty. Puerto Rico is on my wishlist 🌻🌷👒☀️

[@woltersworld]

It's wonderful

[@jennyoshea1958]

@@woltersworld 😊

[@leyenda6149]

I was there solo for 2 weeks in '21. I felt very safe. I do make a practice to leave digital breadcrumbs of pics & texts throughout the day for my family whenever I travel offshore from home solo. Always share your itinerary (privately) with someone you trust back home. Also, I limit my activities to daytime

[@SylvetteTravels]

Hi Wolter that is so true everything you said, tourist don't see the ocean with fear and it happen a lot that people drown. Also we as Puerto Rican protect ourselves from the sun we used big hat and long sleeve at the beach and walking. Have fun in Puerto Rico!!!

[@walkingeverywhere4k831]

What a valuable advice. Thanks so much Wolter! Been a fan of your practical, straight to the point informative videos since over a decade!!! ❤️😍👍👌

[@julieromero7204]

Loved Puerto Rico, had a great time

[@woltersworld]

Same here

[@sagedorantes2766]

went to pr a couple months ago, beautiful place and the people were awesome! obviously be cautious of your surroundings and if the locals tell you to stay out of an area listen to them. overall pretty safe

[@babsr8479]

True about the bug spray. The mosquitoes there loved me. They bit me 2 & 3 times in the same spots on my legs. I had huge red welts all over my legs when I came home.

[@woltersworld]

Ouch!!!

[@giovalae845]

Very, VERY important the issue with non-swimming beaches. There have been some recent deaths and unfortunately, usually tourists. The best bet is to look out for beaches with "balneario" in their name.

[@hippydragon13]

I spent 4 wonderful days in San Juan never ran into any trouble or shady characters and I was out walking at night. This was a solo trip. I felt safe there than I do walk alone at night at home most times

[@deejayk5939]

Enjoyed every time we went! Always went with a group,never any problems

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

Harriet and i have been to Puerto Rico. Enjoyed Old Town and certainly the beaches. The advice you gave about safety was spot on. WE might add that like any city in the world try not to wander about the nightclubs after midnight. Mom and Dad used to say to us when we were young adults that nothing good happens after midnight. As always, you are the master of good advice. All the best to You , Jocelyn and Family 😍😍 Harriet and Jim. Richmond, Va.

[@ceej6615]

Old Town?..where is that in Puerto Rico?..or do you mean '' Old San Juan '' ?

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

@@ceej6615 old San Juan

[@mstandish]

I just returned from visiting Puerto Rico and spent some time in Vieques. We had a wonderful time.

[@jayhulrs1435]

We just stayed 3 days on vieques! Loved it! Much more than the main island

[@mstandish]

@@jayhulrs1435 We had an airbnb right next to Playa Negra. The Biobay was the most unworldly thing I have seen. It is so hard to describe how weird it is to see in person.

[@jayhulrs1435]

@@mstandish definitely!! One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen!

[@travelmateprince2693]

Puerto Rico is a safe Territory I’ve been there 2 months ago people are so kind welcoming it’s a great places be there.

[@TropicLifePR]

:D

[@gnomeway2]

Yay! Loved the video review on Puerto Rico! Hopefully, next time, we can go together!

[@woltersworld]

Fingers crossed

[@ecurewitz]

1:39 those waves look like the waves at the beach I regularly go to (Horseneck Beach MA) they usually have green or yellow flags. Though that particular PR beach might have some weird currents you can’t see

[@jturie]

Spent several weeks there (and on Vieques) for a project a number of years ago. Worst thing that happened to me was a taxi driver trying to take me on a long ride to bump up the fare. Native drivers are no worse than Boston or NY drivers. People were fabulous, and the food and coffee are to die for.

[@ericpizarro3084]

Next time rent a car if not use Uber.

[@jturie]

@@ericpizarro3084 Uber (and smart phones) didn’t exist back then. I had rented a car, but took a cab from Condado into old San Juan as I was not sure about parking and city driving. We settled on a reasonable fare. Not much of a tip though 😎

[@gisellerivera2952]

Awesome 👌 👏 thank you Mark. Representing my cultural Puertican heritage!!!

[@filb]

I noticed over the years of travelling, the real danger is in my home city and not elsewhere.

[@denicecarlagordon611]

Ponce, Puerto Rico Borikèn is another historic city in this island wee ny mother was born very beautiful place too

[@broadcastdave]

make sure you bring plenty of power banks for your phone. when i visited before i moved here, we had a tropical storm that took out the power in the building for a couple days.

[@Lydia-vg8pw]

it’s like you read my mind about making this video!

[@tobiojo9454]

Awesome video

[@henrydamiani1507]

just want to ad... go to the beach in cabo rojo, boqueron , or guanica and there wouldn't be rought tides... i love Ricon , but sometimes beach would get roug. greetings from puerto rico 🇵🇷 ... i still live here, is the ethernal vacation paradise.

[@Charlesfernandez0]

Enjoy and have fun guys =)

[@lovelisa3305]

Thank you! So pretty. I hope to visit! ❤

[@mikewilliams4947]

Most of this advice is universal to any destination. I have never seen or heard of anyone getting pick pocketed. Ever. And I’m a born and raised rican. If you get an Airbnb check the reviews and for sure do google street view to see the area. Have fun the place is miraculous

[@bcs3948]

The beach behind the hotels in El Condado is not safe. Every month a tourist drowns. There are multiple signs to warn people, but sadly they are often ignored.

[@normagonzalez7470]

You have to know that PR is not just Condado, Old San Juan and Isla verde. The best beaches are not in that area. Old San Juan is just a tiny part of San Juan municipality. PR has 77 more town and each one has many places and many towns, beatiful beaches. Many oficials. (Balnearios come from the word: Bañar that means "Bath") So check for balnearios. We have about 2,000 beaches but about 250 safe. Explore respecting each town in its culture. We are not " Old San Juan" and the rest. Even, Old San Juan is not the entire capital.

[@victorfeliciano6025]

EXELENT INFORMATION.

[@Utubedeletescomments]

I'm from P.R . The crime in P.R usually drug related & about " respect " . Just be respectful & you'll be good because being disrespectful in P.R can cost you BIG TIME.

[@slickwitdakicks5758]

Yooo Thanks For Portraying My Island, I First Came around ur vids with the Louisville KY vid since I have family in KY, hope you enjoyed everything Gracias

[@divababy4463]

Loved la placita for partying but always watch your surrounding

[@tomchittum8726]

I'm a tall, light-skinned gringo and I live in the Las Lomas area, a working class area of San Juan. Everybody is nice to me and I used to walk through the infamous villa espania almost every day until I got too old. Viva Puerto Rico.

[@carmenburgos1616]

Cause your white !!! But once you are a simple Puerto Ricans brown person with not much luxurious personality , trust me they will be on the prowl … it happened to me !!

[@JERios-wv8lx]

@@carmenburgos1616 Hmm, i'm a white clear eyes puertorican. You can find anything on here, from from whites, browns, blacks, and everything in between!!! LOL

[@TropicLifePR]

:D

[@ManuelSanchez-hz6ij]

Great video! Thank you!

[@EscapingtheEmptyNest]

that looks amazing

[@woltersworld]

It was amazing

[@omardejesus8198]

🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷 mi gente, mi isla... ❤ beautiful

[@TropicLifePR]

Wepa!

[@yankee7664]

Thank you 💕 for visiting and the recommendation for my Island.. ( Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 )...hope you injoy your visit ...you are all welcome here ( you don't need a passport to visit if you are a us citizen we are a us territory and we use the us dollar) if you visit Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 we recommend to know some basic words in Espanis not everyone speak English here but that will not be a Mayor problem )

[@jimjungle1397]

My neighbor here in DC is a nurse from Puerto Rico and she also teaches Spanish at the community college at night here. I went one weekend in PR for a wedding. I didn't see much, but stayed at a nice hotel where I was told it was dangerous outside the hotel at night. Officially, hurricane season is one month longer in PR than in Florida. It might be Florida tries to make hurricane season sound shorter for the Winter tourists. Hurricanes are brought on by warm water, so maybe hurricane season really is longer in PR.

[@freakhernandez235]

Oh snap that's my spot. If you walk 5m West to the rocks, there's a natural pool about 5 feet deep and 20 feet across; it's the only safe place to swim at the beach. 10min East there's a bunch of cool caves. Just leave the beach before 5 pm if you're not a local, the water comes in high and fast.

[@saullopez539]

So nice to know you were here! As a native just have to say that use common sense. If you have any question glad to help 🙂👍

[@infinitelyrelaxme2118]

These things would be good to know if I go to Puerto Rico.

[@bleaflet]

Love your hat from WYOMING!!🤠

[@davidmdyer838]

I used to live there. A lot of kleptos. Lock everything, put everything away. that's the main thing. As with all places hanging out with locals is always a good idea, try to make contacts because you'll make the most out of the place. Definitely stay on the main paths in the forest, you can seriously get lost, I mean for days.

[@melloyello7349]

Ditto on the driving..people truly believe in defensive driving to the point it can sometimes be aggressive. Watch what times you leave during the day as traffic jams are truly hell especially in a car with no Ac or no working traffic lights. As my abuelito would say “driving here is a full time job”. At night wandering around San Juan is not the best idea but if you do, stay where the tourists are and don’t go exploring deserted side streets. Sometimes cops are standing guard but sometimes they are not. Do not go into the neighboring La Perrla unless you have legitimate business there…it is a generations old neighborhood with a rich but bit of a shady history and they will know if you are not from there. Mind yourself when you leave clubs, leave 2+, not by yourself and stay in well out areas. Straight to car, don’t linger and lock your door immediately on entering your car. Ditto on the rip tides…the waves can be deceptive so don’t disregard the signs posted on beaches.

[@FesIRL]

I'm Puerto Rican, the chances of not been procecuted is 89%, so if you do get in trouble defence yourself. 😆 But it's really safe, just like any other city don't walk around like a lost tourist.

[@do_chill_regular]

Just went last month. Avoid swimming too far out and avoid La Perla and you should be fine. La placenta had arguably the most police presence I’ve ever seen in a nightlife area. Police trucks literally riding by every 5 minutes

[@ggarcia3571]

People can go to Wal-Mart in Puerto Rico without having to worry about being shot. I have been here for 9 months and no issues.

[@picudopr]

not only we can go to Walmart without worrying of being killed by some crazy person,, we can go to Church, to the movies, to a grocery store, take the bus

[@sir.fuentes7642]

Puerto Rico is speechlessly Beautiful.

[@mjaraz5442]

And finally. Respect the Culture! You are not in the hood of Chicago or any city in the US. If you are almost illiterate and can't read. Then stay home and do not come because most likely you will get killed. A lot of tourists have been extremely disrespectful and have gone inside La Perla looking for trouble and now they are missing. Good morning, please, and thank you can serve you well.

[@YounginBallin]

Puerto Rico is very safe us is way more dangerous

[@YounginBallin]

😂😂 lies no one is scared of Puerto Rico

[@Utubedeletescomments]

Exactly ! They're real " hood " & disrespect in the U.S till they get to P.R & get slapped with reality.

[@aaronx8006]

@@YounginBallin Puerto Rico has 4 times the gun violence then any and all us states

[@YounginBallin]

@@aaronx8006 I’m not buying that

[@wesproutwestendsprout4343]

I love your videos!

[@cashstore1]

How good/safe is the tap water?

[@carlosbaez7884]

Is good great but for a person that is used to another water is always good to buy the same water you are drinking in the state

[@vetteboyz0628]

Im from puerto rico. Living in Nc. About to go back and move

[@willbill8179]

Visited last yr and was surprise how beautiful it was because of all the struggles I read about after the hurricane. Everything neatly painted. Colorful houses. streets painted. Lots of arts. The "Ghettos" looked clean and nicely painted. Even their street graffiti is very artsy. Art structures while driving the highways. Makes many places including NY look like a 3rd world country. Seemed safe everywhere I went although you can never be 100% safe anywhere. America is seeing high crime and lots of mass shooting. Seen many youtube travel video in Central and Latin America that looks dangerous to enter. I didn't see any of those places in PR.

[@craiggardner5525]

Thanks Wolter. Your videos are extremely entertaining and informative. Any advice on keeping safe while visiting the USA. I suppose staying far away from movie theaters, schools, and shopping malls, right?

[@JERios-wv8lx]

Mmm, these days in USA, a mass shooting can be anywhere, no just schools movie theaters and shopping malls.

[@picudopr]

@@xavierlauzac5922 just make sure you are not in a Shopping Mall when some crazy guy starts shooting, or in a Church, or in a Movie theater, or in a subway station when someone starts stabbing people, or recently in a grocery store where a WHITE supremacist decides to kill anyone who is NOT white!!!

[@florenciocandelaria5400]

This man is not wrong. iTs really nice in PR

[@hassanalihusseini1717]

Is the "Puerto Rico Liberation Army" still in existence? I remember that from many years ago.

[@thegoldenratio-1.618]

Excuse me, but with that name of yours I can't help myself, the answer is no, but you are welcome to organize a new one. You shouldn't posit that question!

[@GracianoEMatos]

But thank you for coming to Isabela, my hometown. It’s beautiful and the best. 🥳🥳🥳

[@emmanuelgarcia7790]

Respect goes a long way in PR

[@erica5590]

Going for the 1st time in December. Can't wait🏝🏖🏞

[@23anyer]

How did you arrive in PR, by cruise ship, or did you fly?

[@audiogabby9808]

Puerto Rico is very safe and has pretty good infrastructure comparatively. Rent a vehicle and drive around the island, you'll be surprised.

[@Twotonetonyy]

Great video and tips anything in regards to covid or vaccine travel info? Thank you

[@olgarivera3792]

Beautiful island Puerto Rico🎉❤

[@maraviyoso8473]

As long as you don't go to a questionable place (like a place where there is drug selling), tourists (or anyone else) is pretty safe. We don't have the pickpocket problems other countries (at least with the frequency others do) do and we are friendly with tourists.

[@Ayotzi94]

My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to PR at the end of the month. Do you have any recommendations? We are both foodies and just want to relax and hang out by the beach.

[@giovanniflormoran3506]

Yes, it is!

[@angelramos44]

Puertorico is always safe as long you know others people that know the area always be were there is lots of people around people know when you are not from the island and that could make you a target so eyes open were you go and you will not have a problem people are very warn and friendly always willing to help anybody

[@TheEBKGaming]

I’ve been there with my wife who is Puerto Rico many times. I’ve never understood the belief that it’s not safe. Beaches, city or small town never had a problem ever.

[@paulcunningham2859]

Nice

[@luismercado5139]

Is the US safe for tourists?

[@berghers]

I lived in pr for a couple years in pr arecibo, i only really heard that san juan has a bad reputation.

[@OtayBuckwheat]

I've been here for 12 years and I love it, but I'm nowhere near the tourist traps or San Juan.

[@alphabravo424]

My advice. Please if you go to a hotel ask staff if you can go to the beach just in these 5 months we had several cases of drowned tourists. Second weather advice if you hotel has the weather channel with the forecast here watch it. Third to avoid crime don't go to the sketchy neighborhoods such as "La Perla" and public housing. Other than that this video was a perfect description. And enjoy the island.

[@geraldarnoult]

Never been, is Puerta Rico safe? its part of the U.S., its a territory, is certain places in Detroit, Chicago, New Orleans and Los Angeles safe? I would say its probably safer

[@Bob212ify]

While there are some rougher places on the island, as with any place, it is a safe and enjoyable destination. It’s DEFINITELY not like Mexico in terms of Cartel crime.

[@timwhite4085]

I have been there,it is very safe.Just wear a mask out in the villages

[@ezequielruiz6000]

May island is safe . Only have is bycauful in Night street an 12to 1am no good to walk....

[@TropicLifePR]

Yes it is safe! :)

[@juanrivera6375]

Is the earth safe?

[@marianieves9305]

Mi isla bonita 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷💕💕💕 my beautiful island enjoy 💕💕