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Why Puerto Rico Travel Warnings are Almost Nonexistent

ViaHero

Updated December 15, 2020

If you’re searching for Puerto Rico travel warnings, you won’t find many. And there’s a reason for that—Puerto Rico is actually really safe to visit. A year and a half after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico travel is quickly increasing in popularity and ease—and safety warnings are disappearing. Check out this breakdown of PR travel warnings and message us with any questions you still have.

Want to explore Puerto Rico differently? Have a local plan your trip.

Travel warnings for Puerto Rico are almost nonexistent

If you’re comfortable traveling in the United States, then you’ll be fine in Puerto Rico (because, uh, it is in the United States). In fact, according to US News and World Report, Puerto Rico’s crime rate puts it well below the US average.

In fact, there are more travel advisories for the continental United States than travel advisories for Puerto Rico. (yeah, we know Puerto Rico is a part of the United States, but many advisories do differentiate between mainland and territories).

Example: the Canadian government warns citizens about gun violence in the United States, for example, whereas their concern with Puerto Rico is more about petty theft. Travel smart and keep an eye on your belongings and you’ll be ok. Plus, if you want to be extra sure that you’re traveling in the safest way possible, you can always chat with a local about best practices and which neighborhoods to avoid.

Pro tip: As a territory of the United States, you don’t need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico.

Tourism dollars are hugely critical for the economy

Fly my pretties! Travel to Puerto Rico and feel good about doing it. Not only is PR safe, but you’ll also be helping Puerto Rico’s economy the minute you step foot on the island. Seriously—aside from the draw of sipping a piña colada on the beach (hello, New York winter, my old friend) tourism really helps the Puerto Rican economy.

Hurricane Maria caused billions of dollars in damage and money from tourism can give an economy a big boost. A paradise vacation that is also good for the world? Yes, please.

Plus, if you enlist a local to help plan your trip, you’re directly contributing to the economy on a local level. Seventy percent of a ViaHero trip planning fee goes straight to the trip planner—and you get an amazing Puerto Rico itinerary that packed with local insight.

Pro tip: If you’re looking for a unique and awesome way to travel to Puerto Rico, consider volunteering or finding a gig teaching English. More of a traditionalist? There are tons of vacation spots in Puerto Rico to choose from.

The island has largely recovered from Hurricane Maria

Hurricane Maria, which hit Puerto Rico in September 2017, devastated the island and killed thousands of people. But in the year and a half since, Puerto Rico has made a tremendous recovery.

Some hotels are still undergoing renovations, but the vast majority of Puerto Rican hotels are open for business. Planes and cruises are functioning normally to Puerto Rico and, rest assured, Puerto Rico’s beautiful beaches are also safe and accessible. So worry not—traveling to Puerto Rico right now is safe and easy.

There’s a ton to do and it won’t break the bank

Whatever your reason to travel to Puerto Rico, you can find a way to do it without breaking your budget. It certainly helps that flights from the continental US to Puerto Rico are short and often quite cheap. Some fan favorites:

Enjoying Puerto Rico’s history. There are tons of free activities in cities like San Juan and Ponce—it’s fun to just walk around and take in the architecture and history. Some of the best things to do in San Juan include walks through its oldest neighborhood and scaling the nearby forts.
Walking through the rainforests. A visit to El Yunque is a great addition to any cheap trip to Puerto Rico because access to the forest is totally free! National parks, yo.
Sampling the street food. Keep up your energy! Finding a snack in between activities is one of the best things to do in Puerto Rico to make sure you’re ready for those Caribbean nights. With so much inexpensive and delicious street food to choose from, it’s also a neat way to sample the local cuisine.

Pro tip: Every city in Puerto Rico is a bit different, and offers varying levels of access to nearby beaches and nature spots. Do your research so you know the best place for you to stay in Puerto Rico, or talk to a local trip planner about creating a vacation to fit your interests.

It’s easy to get around and stay connected

Uber, dudes. Puerto Rico is a part of the United States and Uber is definitely a part of Puerto Rico. This makes exploring a city like San Juan a piece of bizcocho mojadito (that is, Puerto Rican cake).

Plus, most major American phone carriers work the same as they do in the continental United States, making travel in Puerto Rico really stress-free. Plus, it’s easy to upload all those photos to Instagram, you hipsters.

All you have to do is be smart and use your best judgment

Just like traveling anywhere—whether that’s down the street at six in the morning to get coffee, or across the world—be smart. Be aware of your surroundings and use your best judgment. Check out some of our Puerto Rico safety tips, or discuss safe travel with a local to ensure a happy trip.

Ready to head to Puerto Rico? We thought so. Connect with a local trip planner to make sure you don’t miss out on the real PR experience. Also, feel free to message us with any questions. Finally, don’t forget to check out:

Still have questions about travel to Puerto Rico?

Why not ask someone who lives there? ViaHero connects you with a local to help plan your trip. They’ll create a guidebook based on your personal travel style.

You’ll see a unique side of a destination and travel independently—all while saving time and money in the planning process. Find a local today.