San Juan, Puerto Rico

[Rockamillion01]

Will be arriving a few days ahead of a cruise leaving from San Juan and have heard about alot of violence going on.  Wondering if anybody has been there recently and if so, what did you experience?  Thanks in advance

[Clarea]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

[Ashland]

No more so than any other tourist port. We were just there pre-cruise in September and felt very safe in old San Juan.

[alfaeric]

We spend the last 3 weeks in Puerto Rico (ok, 2, since the middle was a cruise).  Didn't notice anything.

 

The last week, we stayed in Old San Juan, and it was great just wandering around.  Even went to La Perla, and ended up having a meal there.

 

If you listen to the news there, virtually all of the violence is drug related.  And it's highly unlikely that you will even come close to those neighborhoods.  And FWIW, this new attention is just looking at a very old problem- it's been news since my first trip 25 years ago, and has been every trip.

[leaveitallbehind]

Puerto Rico is very safe for cruise passengers visiting and departing from Old San Juan or the Pan American pier.  Have been to Puerto Rico many times over the past 30 years on business and pleasure and have traveled the entire island and never have felt unsafe.  Our last cruise from there was the past November.

Edited January 18, 2019 by leaveitallbehind

[Texas Tillie]

Just returned from San Juan last evening after staying 3 days following the Disney Wonder repositioning from Galveston to San Juan. Especially in the Old Town area I felt safer than many cities on the mainland. Use your typical cautions. 

[Joebucks]

I spent a night there last year before my cruise. Crime happens everywhere. As long as you're not wandering into some hood, you'll be fine. 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2622922-puerto-rico/?tab=comments#comment-56540377

[sail7seas]

4 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

Puerto Rico is very safe for cruise passengers visiting and departing from Old San Juan or the Pan American pier.  Have been to Puerto Rico many times over the past 30 years on business and pleasure and have traveled the entire island and never have felt unsafe.  Our last cruise from there was the past November.

I have done at least 38+   resort,  hotel stays in San Juan  through the years and dozens of c ruise ship visits.  I have never had a safety issue or scare/fright during any San Juan  visit.  It as safe as any other sun and fun vacation location,    and cruise ship port and more so than many.    Always use good  traveler common sense everywhere you  visit.  Don't draw attention  to yourself, don't wear tons of jewelry when out and about. hold onto your pocketbook and be aware of your surroundings

 

Enjoy San Juan.   We always found it go b e a greagt place gto visit. wonderful weather, nice people,  terrific food and lots of choices.  Fun shopping in Old San Juan.

 

 

 

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sail.noordam@gmail.com

 

 

Edited January 18, 2019 by sail7seas

[Rockamillion01]

Thank you everyone....I believe it's been within the past week...several daytime shootings in the tourist section near the airport, hotels, etc.   They're saying alot due to drugs, but not caring about who gets in their way.  Also said alot of police are just walking away....not worth their lives for what they're getting paid...I was just a little concerned   :(

 

[davekathy]

15 minutes ago, Rockamillion01 said:

Thank you everyone....I believe it's been within the past week...several daytime shootings in the tourist section near the airport, hotels, etc.   They're saying alot due to drugs, but not caring about who gets in their way.  Also said alot of police are just walking away....not worth their lives for what they're getting paid...I was just a little concerned   😞

 

...and in any other part of the world. 

Edited January 19, 2019 by davekathy

[Stinger-pr]

9 hours ago, Rockamillion01 said:

Thank you everyone....I believe it's been within the past week...several daytime shootings in the tourist section near the airport, hotels, etc.   They're saying alot due to drugs, but not caring about who gets in their way.  Also said alot of police are just walking away....not worth their lives for what they're getting paid...I was just a little concerned   😞

 

Not quite on the tourist section. One of the shootings was near a place called Zokus, which is a bar located in Isla Verde. But this part of Isla Verde is actually the residential part across the freeway from where the condos are located and away from all the hotels. It was around 9am and it was spill-over from an incident that started inside the bar. I mean really, you're at a bar since the night before, it's 9am the next day and it's not a good crowd. That bar is notorious for problems. So much so that after the shooting, municipal government revoked all permits and closed it down.

 

Other incidents have been mostly related to drug violence and has been more in the news lately since now everyone thinks it's better to take out their cellphones and record than to duck or run for cover. Use the same common sense you'd use at any other big metro area anywhere and you'll be fine.

 

Enjoy!!!

[alishac]

On 1/18/2019 at 1:11 PM, sail7seas said:

I have done at least 38+   resort,  hotel stays in San Juan  through the years and dozens of c ruise ship visits.  I have never had a safety issue or scare/fright during any San Juan  visit.  It as safe as any other sun and fun vacation location,    and cruise ship port and more so than many.    Always use good  traveler common sense everywhere you  visit.  Don't draw attention  to yourself, don't wear tons of jewelry when out and about. hold onto your pocketbook and be aware of your surroundings

 

Enjoy San Juan.   We always found it go b e a greagt place gto visit. wonderful weather, nice people,  terrific food and lots of choices.  Fun shopping in Old San Juan.

 

 

 

.

 

 

sail.noordam@gmail.com

 

 

I know this is off-topic, but since you've been to San Juan so many times I had to ask - where can I find the best mofongo? I've had the one from Punto de Vista and loved it, but looking to try something new next time. Thanks!

[sail7seas]

On 1/19/2019 at 12:21 PM, Rockamillion01 said:

Thank you everyone....I believe it's been within the past week...several daytime shootings in the tourist section near the airport, hotels, etc.   They're saying alot due to drugs, but not caring about who gets in their way.  Also said alot of police are just walking away....not worth their lives for what they're getting paid...I was just a little concerned   😞

 

 

 

Are you   saying   there were shootings of crimes committed such hotels as El San Juan Resort and Casino, Intercontinental,  the Ritz? 

Those are among the large hotels near the airport.

 

IF, so Very strange there  hAs been no mention of such in  news sources.   Doesn't seem likely.

 

 

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sail.noordam@gmail.com

 

[sail7seas]

The hotels I mention  are MILes from Old San Juan  and are in "Isla Verde'.

 

 

 

 

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sail.noodam@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[sail7seas]

On 1/24/2019 at 12:24 PM, alishac said:

I know this is off-topic, but since you've been to San Juan so many times I had to ask - where can I find the best mofongo? I've had the one from Punto de Vista and loved it, but looking to try something new next time. Thanks!

 

 

Sorry, I don't care for  mofongo and cannot suggest  a place to try.

 

 

[Rockamillion01]

3 hours ago, sail7seas said:

 

 

Are you   saying   there were shootings of crimes committed such hotels as El San Juan Resort and Casino, Intercontinental,  the Ritz? 

Those are among the large hotels near the airport.

 

IF, so Very strange there  hAs been no mention of such in  news sources.   Doesn't seem likely.

 

 

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sail.noordam@gmail.com

 

Sorry...I'm not familiar with the areas at all....but I'm from NY state and it was on our local news....if you google it, it will say the areas in which it's happening.