Puerto Rico Personal Safety

To avoid unwanted attention, try to blend in as much as possible. Respecting local customs (in many cases, dressing more conservatively than you would at home) may placate would-be hecklers. Familiarize yourself with your surroundings before setting out, and carry yourself with confidence. Check maps in shops and restaurants rather than on the street. If you are traveling alone, be sure someone at home knows your itinerary, and never tell anyone you meet that you’re by yourself. When walking at night, stick to busy, well-lit streets and avoid dark alleyways. If you ever feel uncomfortable, leave the area as quickly and directly as you can.

San Juan has its share of crime, but it’s no less safe than other metropolitan areas such as London or New York. Most incidents are limited to specific areas; travelers often feel most comfortable in Old San Juan, Condado, Ocean Park, and Isla Verde. It is best not to be out alone, especially at night, in the neighborhoods of Santurce, Hato Rey, and Río Piedras. Travelers should also take caution in the metropolitan areas of Ponce, Mayagüez, Arecibo, Fajardo, and Aguadilla. Unlike other major tourist destinations, Puerto Rico does not have a history of crime specifically targeting foreigners; the biggest problem is being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

There is no sure-fire way to avoid all the threatening situations you might encounter while traveling, but a good self-defense course will give you concrete ways to react to unwanted advances. Impact, Prepare, and Model Mugging can refer you to local self-defense courses in Australia, Canada, Switzerland and the US. Visit the website at www.modelmugging.org for a list of nearby chapters.

If you are using a car, learn local driving signals and wear a seat belt. Children under 40 lbs. should ride only in specially designed carseats, available for a small fee from most car rental agencies. Study route maps before you hit the road, and if you plan on spending a lot of time driving, consider bringing spare parts. For long drives in desolate areas, invest in a cellular phone and a roadside assistance program. Park your vehicle in a garage or well-traveled area, and use a steering wheel locking device in larger cities. Sleeping in your car is the most dangerous way to get your rest, and it’s also illegal in many countries. For info on the perils of hitchhiking,

Possessions And Valuables

Never leave your belongings unattended; crime occurs in even the most safe-looking guesthouse or hotel. Always lock your hotel room. Carry your backpack in front of you where you can see it, especially on public transportation.

There are a few steps you can take to minimize the financial risk associated with traveling. First, bring as little with you as possible. Second, buy a few combination padlocks to secure your belongings either in your pack or in a hostel or train station locker. Third, carry as little cash as possible. Keep your traveler’s checks and ATM/credit cards in a money belt—not a “fanny pack”—along with your passport and ID cards. Fourth, keep a small cash reserve separate from your primary stash. This should be about $50 sewn into or stored in the depths of your pack, along with your traveler’s check numbers and photocopies of your passport, your birth certificate, and other important documents.

Unfortunately, petty thieves in Puerto Rico have learned that travelers like to swim in the ocean and leave all of their valuables on the beach. Do not take anything valuable to the beach. This includes wallets, cell phones, cash, and jewelry. If you are traveling with a group, have one person stay on the beach and watch your stuff while the others swim. If you are traveling alone, the best thing to do is to put your hotel/car key in a waterproof bag, keep it with you when you enter the water, and leave absolutely nothing valuable on the beach. Another option is to ask a nearby beachgoer to watch your stuff while you swim, but this requires a bit of trust and a lot of luck. Less-frequented beaches have become targets for carjackings, especially along the north coast. When parking at the beach, do not leave anything in sight in your car or store valuables in your trunk.

If you will be traveling with electronic devices, such as a laptop computer or a PDA, check whether your homeowner’s insurance covers loss, theft, or damage when you travel. If not, you might consider purchasing a low-cost separate insurance policy. Safeware (☎800-800-1492; www.safeware.com) specializes in covering computers and charges $90 for 90-day comprehensive international travel coverage up to $4000.