Is Loiza, Puerto Rico a safe place for 6, adventurous 22-year olds to stay?

Question

The vacation rentals there are affordable and look very nice, especially for 6 poor college seniors looking to travel on a budget. However, in my research of Loiza so far, many people have suggested that it is an unsafe place to be (Though there were a number of others that suggested it's fine). We are not the casual tourists by any means (3 of us spent 3 months traveling through Europe, 3 of us spent 2 weeks in Belize, a couple of us went to Costa Rica for 2 weeks, another spent 1 week and a half in the Dominican Republic, for example) but it still has us a little concerned. Is safety and security truly an issue in the area? An honest, no-nonsense assessment would be appreciated. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

Just like in any place if you use your COMMON SENSE, you´ll be ok.  You are an experience bunch.  In Loiza you will encounter a simple town not touristy with all kinds of people.  I would definitely not suggest it if no one in the group speaks Spanish.  And also depends where in Loiza? I´m sure if you are finding rentals there is because people stay all the time and another thing to consider is that you guys will be on the road most of the time.  I would suggest to narrow down your search and then run it by, people that truly know the area(I guess in this case us) to help you with your decision.

Answer 2

Here is the deal as I see it.

The condo vacation rentals in Loiza are in a development that is beautiful (I assume this is what you are looking at and not a little house in town or something). You pull into this resort paradise and it is safe and great.

Outside the condo community, Loiza is a poor neighborhood.  It has its problems- drugs, violence, crime.  But unless you are walking around in these little local bars late at night looking for action, I doubt you will have any trouble.  You will meet many wonderful people in the town.  Go out, shop, eat etc during the day/ evening.  But I would not hang out too much in Loiza outside the resort at night.

I would suggest you go hanging out and clubbing in Pinones, or San Juan (Isla Verde, Condado, OSJ).  Lots of people, and fun.  And it is not far away. Of course you need to use safety common sense anywhere.

You will have no problems driving in and out of Loiza.

Answer 3

well, how adventureous are u guys? it depends. Loiza its not a place I would recommend. Thats like going to harlem, NY.

dont get me wrong, Loiza has its beauty, but in a different prespective for everyone. In Loiza there is a lot of poverty, excellent town home cooking food, and the mayority are black people, friendly and welcoming, not safe because since there is poverty, there is also a high rate of robbery, but not necessarily homocide crime. you just want to stay away projects (caserios), there is prostitution, drugs and fire arms, but that could be in some of them, not all. some are worst than other and they are well none by there names in PR.

if u r the kind of explorer who likes to see the cultural and folkloric part of puerto rico, then Loiza its not such a bad choice, but if u are the kind that likes luxury then san juan. if u r the kind that loves nature and want to seek only places where u could feel in peace and not crowded around people, then u may try the west coast of the island. if u like the people and crowdness, go north of the island. if u like deserted and dry areas, go south, if u like mountains go central and finally if u like the coast with people on them (like south miami) then go east. it all depends on what kind of adventure u are looking foward to. its not like if u go to Loiza u would get killed (thats bad rumors), but u might get robbed if the wrong people find out u are a tourist. by being a poor place there is less security and people are use to that life style for centuries. just try to stay away from ghettos in the island. u dont need to stay in the tourist area like some countires recommend by law, u could go anywhere around the island, just avoid bad places and go to the safe places, u could tell by poverty and the physical features of the place, which are worst than other places.

Answer 4

I'm in the same boat trying to go to puerto rico myself in a couple of weeks and I would like to know if san juan is bad I hear your not suppose to go out at night fall and to stay at your resort or go with a big tour goup.....but yea I'm hearing the same thing, be safe hope you find what your lookin for.

Answer 5

Loiza is really a safe place and nice...tourists have nothing to fear there...yes there have been many homicides but they were mostly drug bussiness related, so if u aint plannin on sellin weed then feel safe LOL ...