Is Puerto Rico Safe for Families and Solo Parents Traveling with Kids?
/If you are wondering whether Puerto Rico is safe for families or solo parent travelers, this post is for you.
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Safety is one of the questions I get asked the most when I talk about Puerto Rico. And honestly, I understand why. Any time you travel somewhere new with kids, especially as a solo parent, safety is always the first thing on your mind.
I traveled to Puerto Rico alone with my three kids, who were 2, 8, and 9 at the time. We stayed in both resorts and Airbnbs, rented a car and drove over 500 miles across the island, explored cities, beaches, rainforests, and small towns, and I can say without hesitation that I felt safe the entire time.
Puerto Rico is a destination that welcomes families and makes solo travel with kids feel manageable and empowering. However, that does not mean I threw caution to the wind. I stayed aware of my surroundings and made choices that supported safety for myself and my kids.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Why Puerto Rico Feels Safe for Families
First, Puerto Rico is part of the United States. For Americans, that means familiar systems, laws, and infrastructure. You are not navigating a foreign healthcare system or worrying about language barriers in emergency situations. English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas, and signage and transportation feel familiar.
Second, tourism is a major part of the economy. Puerto Rico knows how to host visitors. Resorts, restaurants, attractions, and transportation providers are used to families and kids. You never feel like you are inconveniencing anyone by showing up with strollers and snacks.
Third, Puerto Ricans are genuinely warm and welcoming. I experienced kindness everywhere we went. From people helping us find a hotel in the middle of the night to servers being patient with my kids to strangers smiling and saying hello.
Traveling Solo with Three Kids in Puerto Rico
The kids and I on our rock sliding adventure in el yunque
If I can travel Puerto Rico alone with a toddler and two elementary aged kids, you can absolutely do this too.
Personally, I don’t go out at night when I travel solo with kids if I don’t need to. This is something I recommend for solo parents in any destination. Even in places that feel safe, nighttime travel adds an extra layer of unpredictability when you are responsible for children.
Cueva del Indio was a pit stop on the way from Aguadilla to or to Rio Grande/Luquillo - another perk of having our own car!
We had no issues getting to all of the exciting adventures during the day and, honestly, by night time - we were all too tired to do anything else. Only once did we stay out at night and that was for the bioluminescence. This is a night time activity and it did require a 90 minute drive back to the Airbnb in the middle of the night. Again, I felt safe and confident.
While this is what I did in Puerto Rico, it’s not unique to Puerto Rico. This is how I travel anywhere with my kids. I have traveled solo more than not to places like Bequia (St Vincent), U.S. National Parks, Albania, etc.
Renting a Car in Puerto Rico
having a car gave us so much freedom to explore!
I rented a car from Alamo because it has an office on-site at the airport. During our one week on the island I drove more than 500 miles adventuring around. We drove from San Juan to Aguadilla and down to to Cabo Rojo before heading back North and East to Fajardo.
Is Puerto Rico Safe to Drive in with Kids?
Driving was very straightforward. Most roads were well maintained, the highways were wide, signage was clear, and GPS worked well. I had no issues ever getting from place to place. Having our own car gave me control over our schedule and surroundings, which is huge when traveling solo with kids.
In my opinion, driving yourself in Puerto Rico is easier families than relying on a tour because:
You control where you go
You control when you stop
You can leave if something feels off
You can make unexpected stops like when we found a Chick-Fil-A (which we didn’t have where we lived) and were very excited so we pulled over to get lunch!
Because I rented a car, I was able to make stops along our journeys to places like Manantial Ojo de Agua
Staying in Resorts or Airbnbs
Please check out my full guide on Where to Stay in Puerto Rico with Kids to see our accommodations and my suggestions.
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar - we absolutely loved this resort
We stayed in both resorts and Airbnbs and I felt comfortable in both settings. Here is what I considered when trying to decide where to stay with kids in Puerto Rico.
Resorts in Puerto Rico offered:
Controlled environments like a 24 hour reception, security, additional internal locks on doors.
Easy access to food. The resorts and hotels often have dining options on site. The resort we stayed at had NINE restaurants for us to choose from (and room service).
Activities on-site. If you don’t want to leave the hotel for entertainment, you don’t have to. Our resort even had an exceptional kids club.
CON: Typically more expensive than Airbnb. For 3 days in a resort, we paid more than the other 5 nights in Airbnbs.
Resorts often have on-site entertainment like a kids club!
Airbnbs in Puerto Rico gave us:
Space. We had a lot more space in our Airbnb than the hotels. We had a full kitchen, bathroom, living room, and two bedrooms!
Kitchen access was a really nice option to save some money. We went to Wal-Mart and loaded up with snacks/food before going to the Airbnb.
A chance to support local businesses. The Airbnb we stayed in Aguadilla was owned by a Puerto Rican woman and she was one of the best Airbnb hosts we’ve ever had.
our airbnb is in this photo! It’s along the boardwalk in aguadilla - very close to playgrounds and food!
I prioritized Airbnb properties with:
Strong reviews (Bonus points for reviews from families)
Clear communication from hosts
Good location descriptions
Easy and free parking
That combination made every stay feel safe and predictable.
We drove from our airbnb all around the west coast of puerto rico. It was so nice to make breakfast or sleep in and then hit the road!
Family Friendly Activities in Puerto Rico
yes, we all did the rock slides! It was very fun! Check out my full guide to puerto rico with kids to see more!
We did a lot in Puerto Rico, and none of it felt unsafe or overwhelming.
Check out my 7-Day Itinerary for Puerto Rico with Kids to see a full interactive map of everything we did in Puerto Rico! We covered over 500 miles exploring the island and we didn’t encounter a single activity that wasn’t family friendly!
Every activity we chose to do was kid friendly and included everyone (every age) in our family. I never felt like I was putting my kids into risky situations. Puerto Rico offers adventure that feels approachable, not extreme. That is what makes it such a perfect destination for families and solo parents.
enjoying the sunset before we went into the Bioluminescence bay
What Number to Call in an Emergency?
What are the emergency numbers in Puerto Rico?
Dial 911 for any emergency in Puerto Rico.
If you find yourself in an emergency while in Puerto Rico, dialing 911 will connect you directly to the appropriate emergency services, whether it’s police, fire, or medical help.
The Tourist Police Unite is a special division of the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and they are specially trained to assist travelers. (PHONE: 787/726-7020; 787/726-7015 for Condado; 787/728-4770; 787/726-2981 for Isla Verde) These specialized task forces are usually bilingual (English/Spanish) and there to help travelers and ensure safety.
For non-urgent situations, you can contact the Puerto Rico Police Department at 787-343-2020.
Puerto Rico is the kind of destination that reminds you that you are capable of more than you think. That your kids are capable of more than you imagine. That adventure does not have to be risky to be meaningful.
Old San Juan is a perfect blend of historic puerto rico and modern day city
Traveling alone with a 2 year old, an 8 year old, and a 9 year old across Puerto Rico showed me that safety and adventure can absolutely coexist. With smart planning, thoughtful choices, and trust in yourself, Puerto Rico becomes not just a safe destination, but one of the most rewarding family trips you will ever take.
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