Unsafe areas in San Juan? (I plan on walking around randomly)

my cruise starts tomorrow on NCL.

I'm assuming we dock at the Old San Juan pier and not the Pan Am pier in Isla Grande.

we're going to be there for THREE days! then goto the next port (St Marteen?).

anyway, I plan to sightsee and walk everywhere during the day.

eventually, I want to goto Condado for the casinos (3miles from pier).

Where are the unsafe areas?

There's also a casino in the Sheraton - right across from the pier.

I walk around OSJ all the time, and have walked to Condado from OSJ many times. The area in between OSJ and Condado is called Puerta de Tierra. Here is the advice I have gotten from my Puerto Rican friends: During the day it is fine. At night, it is best negotiated by a taxi, which will be readily available in OSJ and Condado. When I go, I take the northernmost road and it's a really nice view the entire way. You'll see lots of joggers, walkers, and bicyclists. Just use common sense, and you'll be fine.

In OSJ there's a neighborhood along the northern side called La Perla. The standard advice for tourists is to avoid the area. Don't worry - you can't accidentally wander into the area - you'd have to purposely go down there.

Enjoy OSJ!!! It is a lot of fun to walk around. The architecture, shops, cafes and restaurants are fantastic. Be sure to keep hydrated and watch the sun. It's been quite warm here the past few days.

my cruise starts tomorrow on NCL.

 

I'm assuming we dock at the Old San Juan pier and not the Pan Am pier in Isla Grande.

we're going to be there for THREE days! then goto the next port (St Marteen?).

 

anyway, I plan to sightsee and walk everywhere during the day.

eventually, I want to goto Condado for the casinos (3miles from pier).

 

Where are the unsafe areas?

I have done lots of random walking around. Never felt worried but never stayed out past about 10pm either.

thx.

I'm assuming the ashford ave bridge between old san juan and condado is walkable?

Yes - lots of room for pedestrians. The north side of the bridge has better views of the ocean and the south side overlooks the lagoon.

You will be fine. Most people are fluent in spanish and english.

the area that everyone says not to go to, you will know it if you see it. you can tell you do not belong. You will even be warned from the locals.

I have been there before, never had issues, but I am puerto rican, born stateside.

I am usually nervous type of person. I had one episode where the two of us were walking down a cobblestone road in OSJ a man suddenly emerged about 20 feet in front of us (an instant red light warning alarm went off in my head). The man happened to look up, there was an old man out on a second story balcony, he must have changed his mind when he saw the old man. This happened in daylight but no one was on this street. So stick with the crowds.

Last time in OSJ I had read on the boards previously about a man claiming to be mugged and his dad was beaten up. He needed money to fly his dad back to the states. He approached us, looked just like a California beach boy, told us to be very careful, how he was mugged and his Dad was badly beaten and in the hospital asking for money. He was about 100 yards from the entrance of the port security. I did report him but got a knowing smile back from security. So thanks to Cruise Critic for the advance warning.

That guy has been running a scam for quite some time now. I run into him all the time. It gets old rather quickly. He's been mentioned on the forum a lot. Here he is:

When I was there in March I walked from Pan American Pier to El Morro and also back almost the same way. I never felt unsafe but that was

of course always during bright daylight. Don't miss the avenue before

the parliament building with it's many memorials.

Yup we have been approached by that guy as well. He actually did have cuts and stuff on his arms and face but did not look fresh at all and he yelled at us as we walked away.

Also had 2 guys follow us down a street close to the port, we didn't notice at first there was no other people roaming around just these 2 guys staying pretty much right with us, one a few feet behind and the other parallel to him but the other side of the street, we just kept walking back toward the pier and forturnaltey we came across a fairly large group and when we turned around they where both gone/

Just stay alert San Juan is beautiful. However, between the 2 forts there is a road and if you look down it looks a bit like a shanty town, I was a bit nervious when I noticed it but no one paid us any attention

Kim

Wow that is amazing. We were approached by that same guy quite a few years ago when we were in San Juan the last time. We got the old "I was mugged and they beat my dad up...he was hurt pretty bad and is in the hospital" etc etc. When he first approached us he asked us if we spoke English. Then when we said yes he acted so relieved. Wow to think he has been running that same scam all this time. :(

We arrive at 3:30 and wondered if it's safe to do a twilight early evening walk from the pier along Passeo de la Princesa and Passeo de la Morro to the del Morro fort? Maybe arrive just before they close at 6. Thx.

It's absolutely safe and probably one of the most beautiful areas to walk around in all of the Caribbean, especially at dusk. Sometimes along the Paseo there are booths set up with local arts and crafts. Definitely bring a camera - that area is wonderful for photography. Enjoy!!

My sister who formerly lived in PR warned us to absolutely stay out of the La Perla area.

That is the standard advice given. However, it's not an area that you would wander into accidentally - you'd have to purposely go down there.