I will be overnighting in San Juan on my way to Dominica- Any suggestions for a clean, cheap place to stay over night? Also, Is it safe for a female to go exploring in the evening alone??? Thanks for any help!
Reply to this My husband and I were in San Juan twice, ported there during a cruises. It was recommended to be back to ship before dark. The first time we didn't listen and found we were join by soldiers carrying guns. It was quite alarming when your not use to that. It's a great place to visit and we loved the little shops with local art just beautiful. In fact we are talking about going back for a visit one day.
Reply to this Now I realized that the original post was written over a year ago, but i feel I must put in my two cents for anybody considering going to the "island of Enchantment."
When travelling, especially alone, one should be very careful of where you go and what you do. PR has crime, like everywhere in the world, but, it is mostly drug-related. You will find that the island is very safe. PR has a better infrastucture, better services and a better economy than the rest of the caribbean and "Latin America." You don't have to run and hide when it gets dark, that is plain absurd. SJ has an excellent nightlife for everybody; from hole-in-the-wall bars to the fanciest of restaurants, from pool halls to casinos to dance clubs.
Puerto Rico is a US Teritorry. It is American soil; therefore does not have its own army, it never has had one. So, if you happen to see a soldier when you are on the island, over his left breast pocket will say U.S. Army. Now I'm gonna assume that the previous poster has seen a US soldier before, or at least knows what one looks like. Check this out, US soldiers DO NOT patrol anything in Puerto Rico outside of the only Army installation on the island. Do not try to make PR out like some 3rd world country that it isn't. The most you are going to see out in the street in SJ, are, the local SJ Police and the State Police, just like back home.
Whoever recommends you to be back in your hotel room/cruise ship before dark has never spent a night in SJ or is biased against it for some foolish reason.
Do some research on Puerto Rico and you will see what I mean.
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