By marinating the whole pig in adobo, which is a blend of oregano, garlic, vinegar, pepper, and water. Homicide rate in Puerto Rico from 2014 to 2021 (in number of homicides per 100,000 inhabitants) Seriously, once you enter the travel belt life, you never go back. To be extra safe, you may want to avoid visiting when hurricanes are usually at their worst, between September and October. Mayans. Ruins. That said, if you do happen to be stopped by local police, don't attempt to bribe them. WithinSan Juan,of course, theres a pretty comprehensive (and cheap) bus system 50 cents per ride! Crime is a characteristic of all humans all over the world. Lots of American tourists go there because its American territory, so its easy, you can use dollars, there are cheap flights, your cellphone still worksAnd in terms of tourists, there are a lot. And quite frankly, its a destination thats always worth visiting. Vieques is an island full of unique beach experiences. Theres even more variety in Puerto Rico. There are gang-related crimes happening in both countries, but they usually dont affect visitors. The risk of theft should be your biggest concern here, so be careful with your belongings don't be flashy with jewelry, cash, phones or cameras. But did you know? The blood alcohol limit in Puerto Rico is 0.08 however it's best to walk or grab a taxi if you plan to have a few drinks. Food-wise, its a tie. Their birthplaces are all in Mexico yes, even chocolate! And for transparencys sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. Tacos. Keep this in mind when deciding how careful you need to be. The legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18, whereas in the United States its 21; making the country a popular destination for college students from the US on spring break. Puerto Rico offers cave explorations, hiking through scenic mountains, stunning waterfalls, and more. To understand how this may impact cover under your policy, please go to our FAQs and select your country of residence. 4,291. You can fly from Mexico to Puerto Rico, however, there are no direct flights between the two locations. Illegal drugs and the gangs who traffic them are becoming an increasing problem. If youre looking for trouble, youll find it. They offer simple & flexible travel insurance, and safety advice to help you travel confidently. For travelers who havent been to the Caribbean, Puerto Rico may be the best choice for you. Dont miss the tropical forest of El Yunque with its pools of water and high views. So, what else is there? Use common sense and you will absolutely love PR. The beaches here are also beautiful, by the way. Those looking for something off-the-beaten-path will enjoy the local culture, which has largely been untouched by the tourism industry. My wife read a lot of this junk and was worried sick. Dont live in fear, just be aware and vigilant. But the reality is this: tourism is very important for Puerto Rico. Coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel: The situation around the world is changing dramatically. February 2019 is my first visit to Puerto Rico. The old trolley service is amazingly free! With 150+ adventure activities covered and 24/7 emergency assistance. You might think it was the Mayans who invented chocolate, but the origins of chocolate go a little further back. 6 times more than United States. More information. Combined with panoramic views of the city and hospitality unlike any other, tourists will feel at home staying at any Paradores. Puerto Rico: homicide rate 2014-2021. The Island is highly developed, though the roads have pot holes, many street lights are still in the dark since hurricane Maria, overall, it's pretty cleaned up and normalish. Here are our top travel safety tips to know before you go. But dont expect that to happen. SportsCenter. Previous GDP data might suggest that Puerto Rico is poorer than Mexico. Dont worry, though. Its a Caribbean paradise. Mexican food should also come as no surprise while youre exploring Mexico. However, the basic rule of thumb is here: dont choose to live anywhere near public housing areas. Drink driving is also a major offense in Puerto Rico which can result in financial penalties and potentially jail time. Having a few Spanish phrases so you can ask for directions will almost certainly come in handy. But be careful at night and where you leave your car. Some worth mentioning include the following: Puerto Rico is not in Mexico, and nor is it part of Mexico. If you're coming here on vacation there is no reason to worry. But if theres one difference between the two, youll find more all-inclusive resorts in Mexico than in Puerto Rico. Here, youll find a witch market. Indices Difference Consumer Prices in Mexicoare 41.4%lowerthan in Puerto Rico(without rent) Consumer Prices Including Rent in Mexicoare 42.3%lowerthan in Puerto Rico Also, there are devastating hurricanes. Is it safe for solo female travellers in Puerto Rico. Just do your research, pick somewhere, make your plans, pack a bag and go! Andgenerally,the food in Puerto Rico is safe. If you are concerned about your safety, you can opt to live in a gated community. The official language in Mexico and Puerto Rico is Spanish. Homicide in Latin America & Caribbean Violent crime in the U.S. Femicide in Latin America Crime and violence in . There is, unfortunately, an unusually high murder rate in Puerto Rico, though, to do with guns. If youre visiting with your partner, youll be most likely not to experience any problems in Puerto Rico, even in San Juan. Millions of travelers visit Puerto Rico each year, with the majority having a trouble-free experience, but, as you would anywhere, use your common sense. And who would ever think that Puerto Rico offers more than just luxury hotels, villas, and high-rise hotels? There are more than 30 cays in La Parguera, most of which are shallow and feature light- and deep-blue waters. Why shouldnt you visit Mexico? If you travel in a straight line from one destination to the other, it would take about 5 hours and 8 minutes in total. Puerto Rico is so diverse, forests and nature parks are only one side of Puerto Rico. Can you drink the tap water, and what about vaccinations before you go? Overall, Puerto Rican food is a culinary gem that tourists would surely enjoy and one that foodies will love. Today i was walking a block away from my home when a white van with two guys speaking spanish pulled up and signal me to get in. For those who are not aware, Old San Juan is an Island and one can see Puerto Rico from its southern shore. It would probably be longer than two months worth of groceries. Since then, Puerto Rico has almost fully recovered and crime rates are improving. Mainly because Puerto Rico isnt just an island. In fact, safer than most US cities and a lot more beautiful, too. Puerto Rico has 12th lowest VIOLENT CRIME rate among the the 52 jurisdictions reported on by the FBI. *Murder rates calculated by InSight Crime based on available homicide data and the country's 2020 estimated population total, according to the Population Reference Bureau. To get a taxi, you can hail one or you could call one to pick you up, or grab a cab from the lines that usually form outside big hotels, cruise ship piers, tourist attractions. 2 The FBI does not publish arson data unless it receives data from either the agency or the state for all 12 months of the calendar year. That being said, Puerto Rico still is one of the safest Caribbean islands. While any other lists would include San Juan, we purposely left it out, since the crime rate is quite high. But, just like in Chicago, most of the crimes will occur in low-rent areas that are pretty easy to avoid if you aren't trying to document island poverty. One good tip to remember is to look confident even when visiting downtown or rural areas. Again: safe, but not exactly comprehensive. Some may experience verbal harassment. Swimming in an underworld portal that is also a human sacrificial chamber? Think of them as sinkholes formed from the collapse of limestone bedrock ceilings. Privacy Policy, Copyright 2009-2023 Numbeo. Obviously there are places where you shouldn't be by yourself after dark. Want unique experiences? La Parguera is another island close by to Puerto Rico and a haven for anyone interested in water sports activities. Because theyre nothing compared to the 13 Paradores found all over the island. For example, eating at tourist restaurants whether in Mexico or Puerto Rico is a lot more expensive. And to help out, even more, weve got some tailor-made tips for solo female travellers in Puerto Rico. There are all sorts of adventures you can have on this amazing Caribbean island. Puerto Rico is safe, convenient, accessible, and beautiful in so many ways. Just as you would back home, trust your gut and dont be so gullible around strangers. Dorado is right in the middle of Puerto Ricos North Coast. 1 The figures shown in this column for the offense of rape were reported using only the revised Uniform Crime Reporting definition of rape. . You dont have to believe me, or the article writer, Google the Wikipedia page that shows per capita homicide rate of cities worldwide. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). But its not something you need to do. Plus, US citizens dont need a passport or visa to enter Puerto Rico, being an overseas territory of the US. It doesnt go toOld San Juanor any big sights; its more for commuters. For example, the black-sand beach at Vieques is something you wont find on the beaches of Mexico. Puerto Rico crime rate & statistics for 2018 was 21.09, a 8.48% decline from 2017. Saying Puerto Rican food is unique is one way to describe the gastronomy found in Puerto Rico. Tequila. Between the two, though, Mexico has a longer coastline. However, there are no airlines that offer direct flights between both destinations. There is, unfortunately, an unusually high murder rate in Puerto Rico, though, to do with guns. and its an offense to have open alcoholic beverages in public. Police outside of major tourist areas might not speak English, and while many locals are bilingual, Spanish is still the dominant language. You may be worried about gang violence in Puerto Rico, and to be fair its a valid concern. The populations of the Island and of my hometown are about the same and there's a roughly equal number of murders. Crime rate comparison Puerto Rico vs United States Safety comparisons Puerto Rico vs United States Even if you butcher the language, making an effort will still go a long way. Mexico is also just as family-friendly and diverse when it comes to what activities you can do around the city. If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. Whether its sipping a cold beer or margarita at any of the seafood shacks or simply enjoying a delicious seafood entree. I have NO problems going anywhere in PR, any more than I have in any big city in the mainland, unless it's Chicago or Detroit. NEW JERSEY 1,883 . You can add a micro-donation to the project of your choice when you buy travel insurance. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. Its a paradise for savvy travelers and anyone looking for a vacation where boredom isnt found. There is also some petty crime and pickpocketing that might mean your money isnt as safe in Puerto Rico as youd like it to be. Between the pandemic, ever-worsening cultural division, and a click-hungry media, it can be hard to maintain what is truth and what is sensationalism. Are they bananas then? Pros range from simplydoing what you want to do, to actually grow as a person. That said, Puerto Rico has a lower crime rate than many major US cities. There are several activities to do at each of these places. Read the latest travel warnings and alerts. There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. A recent gang war didnt stop the problem, which has grown steadily more widespread. Then, just before the day ends, you can kayak at any of the three bioluminescent bays. Its actually an archipelago, meaning Puerto Rico as a whole is a group of islands. Plus, while swimming, you get a stunning waterfall view. And if you have a little bit of Spanish under your belt, it should get you involved in the culture even more. Plus, if its your first time traveling outside of the US, Puerto Rico is an easy destination. The worst thing that's happened to me in PR is slow service in a restaurant and the traffic. But this article is written for savvy travellers from the perspective of savvy travellers. If you becomea victim of crime, being able to communicate to the police is important. Puerto Rico offers a diversity of experiences from nature parks to beautiful caves and bioluminescent bays. Even Izumal the famous Yellow City is a unique beauty of its own. 5 Safety Tips. Puerto Rico's climate is partly cloudy, but mostly hot, oppressive, and windy summer. Thats just basic common sense. During your booking process, youll be perfectly protected through the platform, and you can check the small details on each property as well. Most of the time you can drink the water in Puerto Rico. However, the main difference is that you have more variety in Puerto Rico. You can lounge on the beach, hike through the rainforest, explore the mountainous regions, and visit a coffee plantation. With Mexico being the larger country and having more resources, its easy to believe that Mexico is richer, on the surface. But its actually really okay. Its a wild world out there. (States + DC + PR). Most of the world's most dangerous cities are located in Latin America. Travelling solo as a woman isnt unusual on the island of Puerto Rico, but as a foreigner, you will stick out more than a local lady. Mexico vs. Puerto Rico. DEFINITION: Level of crime. then youll be fine in San Juan. In fact, the Yucatan Peninsula, a part of Central Mexico, was discovered four years before in 1517. In the cities though, you should be fine. I am a tough person and know how to take care of myself along with my street starts from Chicago. Choosing between Puerto Rico and Mexico is harder than it seems, doesnt it? Its usually taking the verbal form. But its totally different when youre having it in the home court. Theres not too much trouble in nature here. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. Much safer and less predatory. So be cautious and respect those rules and watch your back. Drone laws in Puerto Rico are the same as in the United States, and there are afew rules to know before you fly such as registering your drone with the FAA and not flying close to people, crowded areas and events. Just make sure you make your safety and security a priority, watch your surroundings and use your common sense. In ideal circumstances, the flight time from Mexico to Puerto Rico only takes five hours. Even though Puerto Rico is part of the US, it has its own languages and traditions, like many colonies around the world. Explore: The homicide rate registered an increase of 2.8 points compared to the . Bum bags aren't just for Adidas lads and super dads! One of our favorite places back home is St Louis. Did you know? The temperature varies from 72F and 88F, rarely is it under 69F. Day of the Dead (ever seen Disneys Coco?). Media Luna and Sun Bay are some of the most gorgeous beaches youll find in Vieques. Plus, no language issues, no passport needed, and more than 100 flights a day from the US. After the marinade has seeped deep into the meat, its roasted for several hours over a coal fire until the skin turns crispy. Back in the age of the Mayans, cenotes were used as places of sacrifice and also believed to be entrances to the underworld. In 2022, the highest homicide rate among 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries surveyed was in Jamaica, with around 52.2 murders committed per 100,000 inhabitants. Just about everyone you will get to know and trust is really down to earth and friendly. Beachcombing is a popular activity, and youll find a lot of families enjoy spending their time here. This was during Columbus second voyage to the Antilles. I'm from Chicago and to look at Puerto Rico's crime rate, I'd say I feel right at home there. Crime in Puerto Rico describes acts of violent and non-violent crime that take place within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.. To combat crime, the Puerto Rican government adopted a broad anti-crime policy referred to locally as "mano dura contra el crimen" (or simply mano dura), "iron fist against crime". Visiting Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve allows you to explore the jungle ecosystem in Mexico. 264.16. Ubers safe in Puerto Rico. The waters are refreshingly cool. Wait because this isnt even the full list of islands to explore yet. If you dont know how to navigate a wonderful city like Chicago and make a comment like you did your opinion on basically anything is useless. I lived im Puerto Rico fot almost five years, because I decided to study at the University of Puerto Ricoto get a degree and learn Spanish at the same time. As ever though, it pays to know how to travel smart, so here are our top safety tips for traveling to Puerto Rico to help you out, If you know us already, youll know were big advocates of solo travel. Your money is likely to stay safe in Puerto Rico if you just pay attention. Museums, shopping, clubs, bars, restaurants, CVS, Walgreens, fast food, one tends to forget they are in the Caribbean. In contrast, flying to Mexico means youll have to undergo customs before claiming your luggage. Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is definitely a safe place to live. Weve been walking, driving and dining in San Juan and around the Island, anywhere we feel like ( Im obviously not going to the caserios, but why on earth would I do that???) If you look puzzled, lost, or confused, this makes you an easy target. Enjoy your travels! 13 times more than Puerto Rico. But we have a few solo travel tips for Puerto Rico to make sure you have the best time ever and stay safe. A weekend evening, for example, will be very busy. But dont be so sure. The same goes for restaurants in both Puerto Rico and Mexico. Youll find most Airbnbs in San Juan, but there are a few unique properties distributed all over the island as well. That being said, its still an incredible city to visit and you should definitely stop over there, just make sure to be extra careful, especially when traveling alone. Its actually one of the most gay-friendly Caribbean islands, with lots of gay clubs, open-minded accommodation options and an large gay clientele. Tequila Express trains, chocolate-making classes, jaw-dropping canyons, and awe-inspiring lagoons. The question of Is Puerto Rico Safe? will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. You can buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world. But its pretty damn special too. In Puerto Rico, Paradores are known for their affordable rates and Puerto Rican hospitality, also termed asboricua. 15 Top Safety Tips for Traveling to Puerto Rico. From tacos and burritos to frituras and lechon asado, youll enjoy the wide range of culinary options in Mexico and Puerto Rico. All you need to do is get your luggage from baggage claim, book an Uber or taxi, and youre all set. Puerto Rico is as safe and unsafe as any other state in the Union, true areas to avoid are there, however, overall it is an extremely safe destination. Yes this can happen anywhere but the truth is you do need to always be careful. 80% of them aredrug-related and most victims are gang members or somehow related to drug trafficking. I was in Old San Juan, San Juan and the north east part of the island. In fact, its got a lower crime rate than many mainland US cities, which is reassuring. Pickpocketing can happen in these cases. Obituaries for The Herald-Dispatch must be received by 4 . Ponce is a great delight with the south suburbs excellent for retirees. Similarly, Mexico has unique beaches of its own, like Playa del Amor found in Nayarit, and Isla Espiritu Santo, found in Baja California Sur. Avoid taking photos in high crime locations (ask the locals where not to go!) Violent crime > Murder rate: 25,757 Ranked 2nd. Figures expressed per million people for the same year. and not once have felt unsafe. It is safe to drive in Puerto Rico, but it can be challenging. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. There are even love potions in the witch market. Put simply, you can travel hassle-free when visiting Puerto Rico. Statistically, San Juan is the most dangerous city in Puerto Rico. But if theres one thing that makes visiting all the more worth it, its staying at Paradores. Why do you think people left Detroit?? Find out how safe this tropical paradise island is! Seriously, I'm so glad I didn't read any of this nonsense before I moved here a few months ago. Essentially, the distance between Central America and the Caribbean is 755 miles (1,215 km). And if thats not enough, you can also swim through Sian Kaans lagoons. Just be sure to keep your wits about you! Mexico isnt just the place to see great white sharks up close. 85% more than Mexico Violent crime > Intentional homicide rate: 15 Ranked 1st. Playa Mazunte boasts a quiet coastline and attracts more surfers than it does tourists. With the first few days I was warned to avoid a sections that was crime-infested. Another hot tip: Don't do drugs. That said, Puerto Rico has a lower crime rate than many major US cities. I'll be going back in July, and I anticipate another great time. Tourism has been important for the islands economy. Looking for a cheat sheet? After its mashed, other recipes call for more flavor by stuffing meat inside. Car theft is a significant issue in Puerto Rico, so take any valuables out of your car, leaving it as empty as possible. Resorts usually are though, and some havekids clubs. At the end of the day, Puerto Rico is a better choice if youre looking for an easygoing vacation. Crime rate comparison Puerto Rico vs Mexico Safety comparisons Puerto Rico vs Mexico Crime Index (Current, By Country) Mexico Puerto Rico United States China United Kingdom Russia Germany France Japan 0 20 40 60 80 For instance, Hierve el Agua is a man-made pool created by a mineral-rich spring you can swim in. Simple. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States of America. Some of the best include Combate Beach and Villas Sotomayor. Find out how to stay healthy on your vacation in Puerto Rico. But keep in mind that hosts can review you as well. A good tip to remember is if a food stall has a long line, it usually means the food is good and safe to eat. The rate of crime in Puerto Rico is 48.50 per 1,000 residents during a standard year. In January 2020,a string of large earthquakes struck Puerto Rico and caused severe damage throughout the country,leading the GovernorVzquez Garced to declare a state of emergency and activate the National Guard.