Puerto Rico is a comparatively protected vacation spot with a decrease crime price than many different areas of the United States. It is among the most secure Caribbean islands.
Most of the violent gun crime in Puerto Rico is expounded to drug trafficking and gang exercise, which not often impacts guests.
Check additionally: Best seashores in Puerto Rico for 2023
Related:
– 50 Best Places to Travel Right Now within the U.S
– Is Dominican Republic protected?
Tourist scams in Puerto Rico to keep away from
As with any widespread vacationer vacation spot, Puerto Rico has sadly been the positioning of varied scams and schemes aimed toward profiting from unsuspecting guests. Here are a number of the most typical vacationer scams to be careful for:
Fake taxi drivers: Some scammers pose as taxi drivers and prey on vacationers who’re unfamiliar with the world. They might overcharge for rides or take passengers on unnecessarily lengthy routes to extend the fare. Always be certain that the taxi you’re stepping into is licensed and clearly marked with the taxi firm’s identify and cellphone quantity.
Timeshare shows: Some resorts and trip rental corporations provide freebies or deeply discounted costs for attending a timeshare presentation. However, these shows will be high-pressure and final for much longer than marketed. Before attending any presentation, analysis the corporate and skim critiques from earlier attendees.
Street distributors: While many avenue distributors in Puerto Rico are reputable, some might promote counterfeit items or overcharge for souvenirs. It’s all the time a good suggestion to barter costs and ensure you’re getting what you paid for earlier than making a purchase order.
Money-changing scams: When exchanging foreign money, make certain to take action at a good financial institution or alternate workplace. Some scammers might provide to alter cash on the road, however they might offer you pretend payments or use sleight of hand to take a few of your cash.
Rental scams: Be cautious of renting automobiles or lodging from unlicensed or unknown corporations. Always analysis the corporate and skim critiques earlier than making a reserving, and remember to completely examine the rental earlier than handing over any cash.
“Helpful” locals: Some scammers might pose as pleasant locals who provide to indicate you round or aid you along with your luggage. They might then demand fee for his or her companies or steal your belongings whilst you’re distracted. It’s greatest to politely decline any unsolicited assist and be cautious of strangers.
How protected is to go to Puerto Rico now – Latest Updates
February 23 – Police: Boy amongst 3 killed at Puerto Rico party
On Monday evening, a gaggle of armed people fired pictures at a party within the northern Puerto Rican city of Cataño, ensuing within the deaths of three people, together with a 4-year-old youngster.
The assault additionally left two different youngsters, aged 9 and 10, injured. The incident occurred at a public housing advanced. The police reported that two males have been killed on the spot, whereas the younger youngster handed away at a hospital the next day.
Authorities have confirmed that the kid was not associated to the boys. The police suspect that the capturing was associated to drug trafficking. No arrests have been made to date.
February 22 – Puerto Rico’s Artisans Are Celebrated in New Tourism Campaign
Explore Puerto Rico, the island’s vacation spot advertising and marketing group, has simply launched the second installment of its Live Boricua marketing campaign, which options movies spotlighting native craftsmen and designers. They make gadgets in Puerto Rico Sunshine, a shade developed by the group in collaboration with the Pantone Color Institute.
The present advertising and marketing effort is a departure from the marketing campaign’s preliminary section, which was largely centered on traveler experiences on the island.
“Our latest campaign was built out of seeing this change in people wanting to have more connection to the places they were visiting besides the usual ‘fly and flop’ vacation,” stated Discover Puerto Rico’s Chief Marketing Officer Leah Chandler.
February 8 – 3 American vacationers have been stabbed in Puerto Rico after being warned to cease filming in a well-liked neighborhood
After being instructed to stop filming within the La Perla neighborhood, three American vacationers have been attacked in Puerto Rico early on Monday, based on authorities.
The incident broke out within the well-known neighborhood the place one of many vacationers, Carlos Sanchez Brown, 39, of South Carolina, began filming a hamburger cart however was warned by some locals to cease and go away the world.
According to city commissioner José Juan Garcia, Brown was accompanied by Wallace Florence, 37, additionally from South Carolina, and Jackson Tremayne, 38, from Georgia.
An individual with a knife attacked Brown within the left forearm because the victims approached Imperial Street close to the Museum of Art and History. They then stabbed Tremayne six instances, hanging him within the left aspect of the chest, higher left a part of the stomach, left arm and again.
Ambulances have been dispatched to move Tremayne and Brown to a close-by hospital, however based on authorities, Florence refused medical consideration. There was no quick phrase on the victims’ situation.
Why go to Puerto Rico?
With its Caribbean common temperature of 80 levels, alongside blue skies, seashores, and colourful landscapes, no one would query touring to Puerto Rico. Here are, 3 extra causes to do it.
1. Old San Juan
The colourful neighborhood paved with distinctive blue stones provides a myriad of eating places, bars, and outside cafes amidst an space stuffed with historical past and tradition.
2. Santurce
The proper place for these into music and artwork. Santurce is roofed with murals, bars, and cafes. Best for individuals touring on a finances.
3. Vieques
Home to a number of the most stunning seashores within the Caribbean, in addition to the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy the seashore whereas recognizing semi-wild horses passing by.
Update archives
January 22 – Puerto Rico stories 42 deaths associated to COVID-19 in a single day
Today, January 22, Puerto Rico has recorded 42 coronavirus-related deaths, based on a preliminary report performed by the Department of Health. That’s the best variety of day by day fatalities because the starting of the pandemic.
16 of the instances weren’t vaccinated in any respect, 19 instances had obtained two programs of the vaccine, and seven had obtained a booster shot. However, that they had all suffered from underlying well being situations.
The excellent news is that hospitalizations have dropped right down to 791, of which 103 are linked to synthetic air flow.
Up so far, the COVID-19 positivity price in Puerto Rico is 27.01%, which means that 27 of each 100 checks end result constructive.
Source: El Nuevo Día
December 14 – New restrictions for worldwide vacationers visiting Puerto Rico
Along with different nations around the globe, Puerto Rico has tightened its entry restrictions as a result of concern of the brand new Omicron variant.
As of December 6, all worldwide guests should current a unfavourable take a look at end result taken not more than 24 hours earlier than departure.
Also, at the very least 100 arriving passengers are examined randomly at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport daily. The variety of random checks might fluctuate relying on the positivity price, the incidence of the virus, and the overall variety of day by day arrivals.
Source: El Nuevo Día
November 8 – Puerto Rico to require vaccination from schoolchildren
Puerto Rico would require youngsters aged 5 or older to get vaccinated to attend faculty, stated the governor final week.
The coronavirus vaccine has simply been accepted for these aged between 5 and 11. There can be exceptions, in fact. But the objective is to get at the very least 95% of this age group vaccinated.
The resolution comes as Puerto Rico turns into essentially the most vaccinated place in the entire of the U.S. and its territories. More than 80% of these aged 12 or older have obtained the complete collection of pictures. Whereas 87% of 12-to 15-year-olds are already getting the vaccine.
Source: The Hill
September 24 – Puerto Rico faraway from Chicago journey advisory record
Along with California, Puerto Rico has been faraway from the Chicago journey advisory record. Therefore, vacationers arriving from there are not really useful to get examined earlier than and after their journey.
The states have been taken off the record after day by day new COVID-19 infections had dropped beneath 15 per 100,000 individuals for 2 consecutive weeks. On Tuesday, September 22, California reported 13.6 day by day new instances, whereas Puerto Rico had solely 9.4 day by day new infections per 100,000 individuals.
At the second, California and Puerto Rico are the one states which aren’t on the record, whereas Washington D.C. and Connecticut have been added again to the journey advisory.
Source: Travel and Leisure
September 3 – CDC provides Puerto Rico to the ‘very high risk of COVID-19 list.’
On August 30, the CDC added 7 extra nations to the ‘very high risk of COVID-19 list,’ together with Puerto Rico. The CDC recommends avoiding visiting these nations, and anybody who should journey there needs to be totally vaccinated.
To assist stop the virus from spreading, Puerto Rico adopted the announcement with additional native restrictions. Since September 2, alcohol gross sales and ingesting, celebrations, and public occasions are banned between midnight and 5 am.
A masks mandate had already been in place in all indoor areas. But the brand new restrictions require face coverings additionally outdoors if there’s a crowd of fifty individuals and extra.
August 19 – Puerto Rico to make sure clients’ security by requiring hospitality staff to be totally vaccinated from August 23
Puerto Rico will not be taking any probabilities concerning the security of its guests. Starting August 23, all hospitality staff can be obligated to bear a vaccine certificates to be allowed within the work space.
The new Executive Order (EO-2021-063) consists of “all theaters, cinemas, coliseums, convention centers, activities centers, restaurants, and places where food or drinks are served such as bars, kiosks, sport bars, fast foods, food courts, and cafeterias.”
So far, the federal government has not introduced that vacationers or clients will even must adjust to the rule.
Source: The National Law Review