Solo Female Travel in Puerto Rico

Once a year, I fly south for the winter to indulge in a few days of sunshine. I treat myself to the credit card points I’ve been saving and book a flight somewhere in the Caribbean, whichever island is calling my name the loudest at that particular time. Sometimes I go with friends, but other times it’s just me. This year I was on my own, and I decided to visit Puerto Rico–for two main reasons. One being it had the kind of magic I was looking for after a depressing winter (more on that later). And the second being I was seeking somewhere that was predominantly Spanish-speaking. The Caribbean isn’t necessarily a solo female travel hot spot, so I wanted to put together this guide to help you decide if a trip like this is right for you. If you’re wondering about solo female travel in Puerto Rico…how safe it is, where to stay, what to do by yourself… I’ve got you covered! And spoiler alert: I had a great time!

Puerto Rico Overview

My impression of Puerto Rico is that it’s a wonderful mix of Caribbean, American, and Spanish culture. It’s in the Caribbean so you get that island influence in the people, food, and landscape. It’s currently an American territory so you feel that while you’re there too. You’re using US dollars and phone plans and frequently seeing US chain restaurants and stores. But the island was ruled by the Spanish until the end of the Spanish American War, so you also see that lasting impact in the language and the colonial architecture. Solo female travel in Puerto Rico is an incredible opportunity to get a sort of “3-for-1” deal. And while the island has great beaches, it also has a tropical rainforest (the only one located in the United States) and a bustling nightlife scene.

Getting There and Getting Around

Like I mentioned before, Puerto Rico is a US territory, so American travelers do not need a passport to visit! It’s located to the east of the Dominican Republic and the west of the US and British Virgin islands. You will most likely be flying into San Juan which can be reached in less than 3 hours from Miami.

I decided to use Uber for my trip based on the locations of activities I had planned. I was in walking distance to a few things and then wanted to go into Old San Juan for the rest. I just got Ubers for the 15-20 min ride the handful of times I needed. I didn’t feel like dealing with a car rental for this particular trip, especially being there on my own. Once you have an idea of what you want to do and where you’ll be staying in regards to your plans, you can decide if Uber is the best option for you (or not).

Weather

Since Puerto Rico is a tropical island, you can expect weather in the 80s almost all year round. But the best time to go is mid-December to mid-April when there’s less rain. Puerto Rico has been hit with some devastating hurricanes, so you might not want to plan your visit between June and the end of November. My trip was at the end of February and the conditions were great.

Is Solo Female Travel in Puerto Rico Safe?

There’s no official lists, but when scouring the internet for safest Caribbean islands for solo female travelers, Puerto Rico gets mentioned a lot! And I can back that up with my own experience of feeling safe there. Of course, there are precautions I take whenever I’m traveling alone that I also followed while in Puerto Rico.

The main safety rule I follow is not drinking too much alcohol (my limit is 2-3 drinks per day max). That way I always know what’s going on and how to get myself home. I typically get back to my accommodation around sunset or just after, so I’m not out alone when it’s dark. If I’m in a major city with lots of lights and people around (like Athens or London) I’m a little more lenient on this rule, but I followed it in Puerto Rico.

I also like to have cell phone data at all times when I’m traveling solo in case of emergency and to avoid getting lost. In Puerto Rico my US phone plan worked, but it’s something to consider for international travelers as a safety net. Another good idea is to leave a detailed itinerary with someone at home including addresses of where you’re staying and any activities planned. Travel insurance is also a must!

And remember: don’t feel like you owe anyone anything or have to be nice. If you feel uncomfortable, leave the situation as soon as you can even if it’s “rude” to do so. All that being said, I found the people in Puerto Rico to be really friendly. I never felt unsafe exploring on my own.

Activities and Tours: What to Do

For me, the bread and butter of planning a solo trip lies in the activities. Is there enough things to do on my own? I personally need at least a few activities to catch my eye before I’ll consider solo travel, so let’s get into it!

1. Practice Spanish: This was my #1 personal reason for choosing Puerto Rico for my Caribbean escape this year. I’m on a journey to learn Spanish, and it’s one of the only islands where the official language is Español (Cuba and the Dominican Republic are the other two). I wanted to practice what I’d learned in lessons so far and immerse myself in the language. It’s great for beginners because pretty much everyone speaks English as well.

2. Spend time at the beach: If you’re traveling to an island, I bet it’s because you’re craving sunshine and beach life. Make sure you spend (at least) a few hours at the beach relaxing, reading, and people watching. The only beach I can speak on is Ocean Park Beach which I loved! I just laid out, but there was also this cute bar where you could rent chairs and umbrellas and purchase snacks and drinks. I would highly recommend considering that package if you wanted a whole day at the beach! Other beaches to check out include Escambron Beach and Condado Beach.

3. Experience bioluminescent magic: Imagine you’re in the depths of winter and you read about a place where you can have your fingertips illuminated with sparks of light while you swim in warm water under the moon and stars. Well, you can do that in Puerto Rico! The phenomenon of bioluminescent plankton was just what the doctor ordered to get me out of the winter blues and back on my way to happiness, experiencing the kind of magic that only happens in good travel (and Harry Potter).

Vieques is the best place to swim with the dinoflagellates, but it’s a separate island and requires more time and travel to get there. Since I was only in Puerto Rico for a few days, I decided to book a day tour from San Juan to the south side of the island instead. I would recommend this option if you’re short on time. Click here for my exact tour. Even though it wasn’t an official bioluminescent bay, we still experienced magic I’ll never forget. As a solo traveler it was also nice being with a group for the day and sharing a few piña coladas together.

4. Book a food tour: Here’s a tip for solo female travel in Puerto Rico and also just travel in general…book the food tour! Experiencing local cuisine with a local guide is always a special time that helps you form a deeper understanding of a culture. And I recommend booking this type of activity on day 1 or 2 of a trip. You could meet people that you end up spending more time with the rest of your visit. Or at the very least you get some ideas of where to eat during your stay! Click here for the tour I went on in Old San Juan.

5. Visit the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico: I thought this museum was great and a wonderful way to spend a few hours in air conditioning. The staff was so kind, too, talking to me about the different pieces. Oh, there’s also a sculpture garden! I always try to visit an art museum wherever I travel, but if art isn’t your thing you could check out Museo de las Americas or the Casa Blanca Museum.

6. Get a history lesson at Castillo San Felipe del Morro: If World Heritage Sites are your thing, you won’t want to miss El Morro. This almost 500-year-old fortification boasts fantastic views of the city and fantastic history!

7. Wander around Old San Juan: Exploring Old San Juan is a must-do when in Puerto Rico. You’ll find cobblestone streets full of colorful buildings with shopping and cocktail bars galore. You could easily spend a whole day in Old San Juan especially if you do the fortress and food tour.

8. Drink at the Bacardi Rum Factory: I meant to do this but didn’t get around to it 🙁 If you like rum, doing a tasting at Casa Bacardi comes highly rated.

9. Treat yourself at the Caribe Hilton: Apparently the Caribe Hilton is the birthplace of the piña colada, one of my favorite vacation drinks. Why not treat yourself to a day at the spa followed by a piña colada in the very place it originated from? Sounds like self care bliss to me!

10. Hike in El Yunque Rainforest: Another thing I sadly did not get to on my visit, but if checking out the only rainforest in the United States is on your list, save a day to see El Yunque. You could look on Viator or Airbnb Experiences to find a tour.

Where to Stay

There are actually a few hostels in San Juan, which is always a great option for solo female travelers. You can save money and meet people to sight see with. Check out HostelWorld to see what’s available. I wasn’t looking for a party vibe on this particular trip, so I decided to book an Airbnb instead of a hostel.

Click here for the Airbnb I booked.

This place worked out perfectly for me. It was private but also connected to a family home, so I had the added security of “knowing” a local female during my trip. And I loved the beachy location (parts of the neighborhood gave me San Diego vibes)! I could walk to coffee shops, restaurants, and Ocean Park Beach!

Sample Itinerary for Solo Female Travel in Puerto Rico

Day 1: This will be your travel day. You’ll most likely have a layover and won’t have much time for activities this day. I arrived in San Juan around 6 pm, checked into my Airbnb, and had dinner at a place recommended by the host.

Day 2: Leisurely morning at a cafe enjoying coffee and a good book. You could also do some beach time or more exploring of Old San Juan. Food tour from 4:30-7:30 pm. If anyone on the food tour wants to keep it going, consider La Placita de Santurce for drinks and dancing or the Caribe Hilton for a piña colada.

Day 3: Another chill morning having a slow coffee (or any activity of your choosing like more beach time or a rum tour). Wander around the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico until they close at 5. Free evening for dinner out or relaxing. Alternatively, this would be the perfect day to tour El Yunque if that’s on your Puerto Rico bucket list. You could do the art museum in the afternoon before you fly out on day 5 instead.

Day 4: I spent the morning at the beach then had brunch before being picked up for my bioluminescent night swim tour (scheduled 2-10pm but ours ran until almost midnight).

Day 5: Fly home in the evening. Spend the morning doing any last minute activities. For me it was shopping in Old San Juan and checking out the fortress.

Solo Female Travel in Puerto Rico: Conclusion

Puerto Rico has so much to offer so many different types of travelers! Between the history, beaches, food and drink scene, and nature, you can really find something for everyone. There’s tons of options to do safely on your own, too, which makes it a perfect destination for solo female travel. And if you’re from the US, you can experience a couple different cultures while still feeling at home. Due to the hurricanes that hit Puerto Rico recently, tourism dollars go a little bit farther. A visit to the island would help local families and be money well spent. I hope this post got you daydreaming about a trip to Puerto Rico! If you have any questions feel free to reach out 🙂

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