Updated March 25, 2020

Traveling solo to Puerto Rico? We asked some locals for their tips! Here’s everything you’ll need to know, including information on sightseeing safely, where to stay, how to get around, where to eat solo, and info for female solo travelers.

You'll have plenty of accommodation options

When selecting the best places to stay in Puerto Rico, locals tell us there are two important questions to consider.

#1. Which city or town do you want to stay in?

• Locals say that Puerto Rico’s bigger cities like San Juan or Ponce have diverse lodging options, from pricier resorts to affordable Airbnbs. All of these are great for solo travelers since they’re so centrally located.

• Additionally, they note that Old San Juan is small—wherever you stay, you’ll be close to lots of Puerto Rico’s most popular things to do (and people to do them with).

• That said, smaller towns like Utuado or Rincon offer unique, budget-friendly options like rooms in coffee haciendas or family-owned inns. Staying in places like these make it easy to meet locals and fellow travelers.

#2. Which type of lodging do you want?

• Puerto Rico is safe to visit, so you don’t have to stick with familiar, big-name hotels, (all-inclusive packages means less opportunity to meet locals or experience authentic Puerto Rican culture).

• That said, these hotels do exist if that’s your jam!

• Locals suggest checking into paradores, quaint family-owned inns.

It’s easy to get around Puerto Rico on your own

When you know the ins and outs of the island’s transportation, it becomes really easy to find incredible things to do in Puerto Rico at any price point. Here’s what you should know:

• Public shuttles and taxis are also safe to use, averaging just $5–$15 per trip.

• Ferries run to Puerto Rico’s outer islands like Vieques and Culebra for about $2 per trip. Ferry timetables vary according to dates and weather.

• Flights from San Juan to Vieques averages $175 and can cut your travel time by 25–30 minutes. Just keep in mind that since Puerto Rico is about the size of Connecticut, it’s much cheaper to rent a car than to fly cross-country. However, if you’re going to Puerto Rico’s outer islands and don’t want to take a ferry, flights are the best way to go. 

Eating solo in Puerto Rico is a piece of cake (ba-dum)

Want amazing meals but don’t have someone to split the bill with? Have no fear—locals say that dining in Puerto Rico won't break your budget. 

• Avoid paying more around high-traffic areas—meals tend to be most expensive around Puerto Rico's most popular tourist attractions. So, save money with local insights—locals tell us that Condado, a luxurious neighborhood in San Juan, is home to five-star restaurants and $10 ice cream cones. You can get the same (if not even better) flavors in San Juan neighborhoods like Santurce, home to the Miramar Food Truck Park and $2 tacos.

• Street food is safe to eat and packed with flavor. Locals suggest trying locally-loved spots like La Ruta Lechon (“The Pork Highway”), a 3-mile stretch of highway in central Puerto Rico known for its mouth-watering (and super cheap) BBQ.

• Puerto Rico’s bakeries are one of the island’s best-kept secrets. Locals say that for under $3, you can get fresh-baked bread, pastries, and sandwiches. They recommend visitors travel to San Juan just for Jose Enrique Bakery’s sweet bread.

• Tours of distilleries and breweries frequently include free drinks—much better than pricey drinks at the bar. For example, a tour of Bacardi Rum Distillery, one of Puerto Rico’s top excursions, includes two free drinks.

Local tip: If you go to La Ruta Lechon, be sure to visit the Charco Azul swimming hole. One of the coolest things to do in all of Puerto Rico. 

Solo sightseeing in Puerto Rico is easy and safe with just a little info

The number one way to stay safe while sightseeing? Do your homework before you travel to Puerto Rico. By keeping up with the most recent Puerto Rico tourism updates, you’ll know exactly what to expect when it comes to important info like hurricane season. Here are the PR safety tips you’ll want to know:  

• Puerto Rico is a part of the US, so solo American travelers should use the same standards of safety as at home. (Reminder: Americans going to Puerto Rico don’t even need passports.)

• Many Puerto Ricans know at least basic English, so Spanish fluency isn’t necessary for getting around Puerto Rico safely. Having a small list of common Spanish phrases or using language apps might help you feel more comfortable, though.

• Solo travelers can safely go out at night. Puerto Ricans usually have a “never-met-a-stranger” mentality that makes it easy to find dance partners and drinking buddies. Just use the same precautions as you would elsewhere—don't accept a drink if you didn't see it made, stay close to the crowds, and know how you're going to get home. 

• PR’s emergency number is 911, just the same as the mainland US.

Puerto Rico is safe to visit for solo female travelers, particularly if you exercise a little travel know-how and keep these tips in mind:

• Cat-calling is best ignored. Overall, cat-calling in Puerto Rico is no worse than anywhere else in the mainland US.

• Avoid theft by wearing cross-body purses, carrying minimal cash, and wearing minimal jewelry. 

•Don’t accept drinks or food from strangers. In other words, use the same precautions you would at home. 

•Know how to dress for certain attractions. Locals note that some of Puerto Rico's must-visit places (like churches or restaurants) generally require attendees to dress up.