To stay safe in Puerto Rico, use common sense: secure valuables in hotel safes, avoid flashing cash, stay in well-lit tourist areas at night.  Learn and abide by local laws. Also, be mindful of ocean rip currents, use insect repellent for mosquito-borne illnesses, and stay updated on weather, especially during hurricane season.  Any trash or garbage is to be thrown out and never left out on the beaches or natural habitats, bring out what you bring in.

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Respect the Locals!  You should respect locals in Puerto Rico because they are known for their warm hospitality, and showing cultural awareness, supporting local businesses, and being mindful of community norms fosters better travel experiences, preserves their unique heritage, and contributes positively to the island's future, moving beyond typical tourism to genuine connection and sustainable enjoyment. It's about honoring their humanity and contributing to a shared, respectful travel environment, leading to richer interactions and supporting the local economy and culture you're there to enjoy.

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Wildlife - To stay safe with Puerto Rican wildlife, observe from a distance, never feed or touch animals like coquis, iguanas, or sea turtles, use eco-friendly sunscreen, wear bug spray for mosquitoes, stick to marked trails in sturdy shoes, and be cautious of potential dangers like ants, snakes, or even caimans, while respecting regulations and being aware of your surroundings.  Puerto Rico's native top predators are hawks, owls, Boa, who control rodent and small animal populations.  Invasive species like Spectacled Caimans (located in rivers and waterways) and Reticulated Pythons are emerging as significant, non native apex predators, posing threats to the ecosystems.  Although extremely uncommon to come across during your stay it is good to be aware of them.  

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​Puerto Rico is generally safe, but watch out for common pests like mosquitoes/no-see-ums, painful stingers like lionfish and sting rays, sea urchins, Portuguese Man o'War, and terrestrial hazards like the large, painful Giant Centipede, Scorpions (generally not deadly), potentially venomous Puerto Rican Racer snake (bite can casue numbing and severe numbness), and non-aggressive but strong-biting Puerto Rican Boa, plus invasive caimans and bold feral monkeys, with sharks posing an extremely low to no risk but are present in the surrounding waters.  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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​Puerto Rico has several harmful plants, with the most notorious being Manchineel (Manzanillo), a tree with highly toxic sap and fruit, and Carrasco (Guao), a poison ivy relative causing severe blistering rashes. Other hazardous plants include stinging nettles (Ortiga), Chicharrón (similar to Carrasco), and the potentially deadly Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius), whose seeds can be fatal if ingested. Always avoid touching unknown plants and be cautious with roadside fruits.  Pika Pika causes intense itching, caused by the fine, velvet like hairs found on the pod seed.  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​