Tourist Scams in Puerto Rico

Card skimmers are placed on ATMs in tourist-heavy areas of San Juan, particularly standalone machines in convenience stores and gas stations near Condado and Isla Verde. Scammers also work in pairs near ATMs — one distracts the visitor while the other photographs the card or observes the PIN. Compromised cards are typically cloned and drained within hours of the initial capture.

How to avoid: Use only ATMs attached to major bank branches (Banco Popular, FirstBank) during business hours. Cover the keypad fully with your hand when entering your PIN. Check your card slot for any unusual attachments before inserting. Monitor your account immediately after each transaction.

Unlicensed gypsy cabs (carros públicos) position themselves ahead of the official taxi line outside baggage claim at SJU, offering rides for cash with no meter. Fares to Old San Juan or Condado are quoted in the $20–$30 range but can balloon en route, and drivers sometimes take lengthy detours.

How to avoid: Use only white taxi cabs with the tourism logo dispatched from the official metered taxi zone directly outside arrivals. The fixed metered rate to Condado is approximately $15–$19 and to Old San Juan is $19–$24 (as of recent published rates). Uber and Lyft operate legally at SJU and are a reliable alternative.

Individuals near the cruise ship piers and the entrance to Old San Juan approach arriving passengers presenting themselves as "official" city guides with lanyards, printed itineraries, and sometimes laminated ID cards. They offer walking tours of Old San Juan's historic sites at seemingly reasonable rates but demand full cash payment upfront. The tour is either significantly shortened, skips advertised stops, or the guide disappears partway through. There is no recourse as no official booking record exists.

How to avoid: Book walking tours only through the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, your cruise line's excursion desk, or established operators with verifiable online reviews. Official guides working independently will always have a licensed tour guide card issued by the Puerto Rico Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO). Ask to see it before paying anything.

Rental cars parked in non-attended street parking along Condado and Ocean Park are targeted for smash-and-grab theft, particularly vehicles with visible tourist items (beach bags, cameras, rental car stickers). Some thieves work in coordinated teams — one distracts at a metered space while another breaks in.

How to avoid: Never leave any valuables visible in a rental car, even for minutes. Use hotel valet or attended parking garages whenever possible. Remove all beach and luggage items from the vehicle and keep the rental agreement in your hotel room, not the glove box.

The government-run ferry from Ceiba to Culebra and Vieques is extremely popular and often sells out weeks in advance. Scalpers outside the terminal sell tickets at 3–5 times face value, and some tickets are counterfeit. The ferry operator (Puerto Rico Ferry) does not use third-party resellers.

How to avoid: Purchase Culebra and Vieques ferry tickets only through the official Puerto Rico Ferry website (puertoricoferry.com) well in advance. There are no authorized resellers — anyone selling a ticket on the street or via Facebook is either a scalper or a fraudster. If the ferry is sold out, book a licensed water taxi instead.

A well-dressed English-speaking individual approaches tourists in Old San Juan claiming to have just been mugged, robbed, or to have had a medical emergency, and needs a small amount of cash — typically $6 to $20 — to get a taxi to the hospital or airport. The same individual has been reported by multiple travelers over several years operating primarily near Plaza de Armas and Calle Fortaleza. Variations involve a person claiming to be a stranded American tourist who lost their wallet.

How to avoid: Do not give money to unsolicited strangers describing emergencies. If the situation seems genuine, offer to call 911 (which works in Puerto Rico as a U.S. territory) or accompany the person to a nearby business for assistance — a real emergency victim will welcome this. Politely decline and walk away.

The El Yunque National Forest visitor area has reported persistent car break-ins in the main parking lots, especially during peak hours when lots are full and supervision is thin. Tourists often leave cameras, bags, and passports in vehicles while hiking.

How to avoid: Bring only what you need for the hike and carry it with you in a daypack. Do not leave anything visible in the car. Park in the official fee-based lot closest to the main entrance which has the most foot traffic and ranger visibility.

The Isla Verde beach strip sees aggressive vendors selling sunscreen, coconuts, sunglasses, and hair-braiding services. Some vendors claim to be selling "authentic Puerto Rican crafts" while carrying Chinese-made goods. Vendors who feel ignored sometimes become confrontational or follow tourists.

How to avoid: A polite but firm "no gracias" repeated once is sufficient — do not engage with follow-up questions or justifications. Hotels along Isla Verde have beach attendants who can intervene if a vendor becomes harassing. The Condado Lagoon area has a more relaxed vendor culture.