Take normal security precautions in Puerto Rico

Crime
Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, are prevalent. Violent crime also occurs.

Ensure that your belongings, including your passports and other travel documents, are secure at all times.

Demonstrations
Demonstrations occur from time to time. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
Follow the instructions of local authorities
Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations
Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Women’s safety
Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse.

Advice for women travellers

Power and telecommunications outages
Puerto Rico experiences frequent disruptions to power and telecommunications services after Hurricane Maria destroyed much of the power grid in 2017.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Bus and light rail services
Bus and light rail (Tren Urbano) services are available in the metropolitan San Juan area.

Ferries
Ferries travel to and from the islands of Culebra and Vieques, as well as the Dominican Republic.

Taxis
Taxis are widely available. Fares are metered, except for major tourist destinations in San Juan, where they are fixed. Tourist taxis are white and have a “Taxi Turístico” label on the door.

Air travel
We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Entry and exit requirements
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada can’t intervene on your behalf if you don’t meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. We have obtained the information on this page from the American authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Confirm entry, exit and visa requirements prior to travelling:

Entry and exit requirements for the United States
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. Embassy and Consulates
Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Other entry requirements
Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of your stay.

HEALTH

Routine vaccines
Be sure that your routine vaccinations, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

LAWS AND CULTURE

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Drugs
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Dual citizenship
Dual citizenship is legally recognized in the United States.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of the United States, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you’re there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

Useful links
General information for travellers with dual citizenship
Dual Nationality – U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs