Question 1

What is the "Culebra Ferry Ticket Scalping" scam in San Juan?

Accepted Answer

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. 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.

Question 2

What is the "Fake Official Old San Juan Walking Tour Guide" scam in San Juan?

Accepted Answer

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. 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.

Question 3

What is the "Bioluminescent Bay "Tour" Fraud" scam in San Juan?

Accepted Answer

Puerto Rico's bioluminescent bays (Mosquito Bay in Vieques, La Parguera) attract unofficial operators who charge for "bio bay tours" but visit during full moon when the bioluminescence is barely visible, or take tourists to an entirely different (non-bio) body of water. Book bio bay tours only through operators certified by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. Ask specifically about the moon phase before booking — bioluminescence is best viewed during new moon phases. Reputable operators will proactively disclose this and reschedule or refund if conditions are poor.

Question 4

What is the "Fake "Rum Factory Tour" Near Old San Juan" scam in San Juan?

Accepted Answer

Touts near the cruise pier in Old San Juan sell tickets to unofficial "rum distillery tours" that take tourists to a small back-room operation or simply to a shop for a tasting session, presenting it as a factory visit. The real Bacardí Distillery is in Cataño and requires a ferry or rideshare to reach. The authentic Bacardí Distillery tour departs from the Cataño ferry terminal and is booked at bacardi.com or through verified tour operators. Any "rum tour" being sold within walking distance of the Old San Juan cruise docks is not a legitimate distillery visit.

Tour & Activity Scams in San Juan

Culebra Ferry Ticket Scalping

Fake Official Old San Juan Walking Tour Guide

Bioluminescent Bay "Tour" Fraud

Fake "Rum Factory Tour" Near Old San Juan

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