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As a local I have been to La Perla multiple times and I still don’t is a touristy place, if you need some goodies from La Perla go at your own risk or ask a local nearby.
Is La Perla Safe for Visitors? Visitors interested in seeing the neighborhood of La Perla will find it welcoming, for the most part, but like visiting any urban setting, please be respectful of residents and use common sense.
Should tourists go to La Perla? La Perla has been welcoming tourists for the past decade. Despite its reputation and information, you’ll find online, La Perla is relatively safe for locals and visitors. Views of the ocean and a lively art scene can be found in the neighborhood.
La Perla is a colorful neighborhood in Old San Juan that sits on the sea, but should be avoided by tourists. If you decide to go, only visit in the daytime with a local guide and refrain from recording and taking pictures.
OSJ is safe, La Perla is outside the walls for a reason. Please do a little research about the history of the community. Ever since the video for Despacito was shot here more tourists have been visiting and there has been some legitimate businesses established.
While the official Puerto Rico tourism guide doesn’t discourage tourists to enter La Perla, we the editors of SanJuanPuertoRico.com advise and ask tourists… Please DO NOT visit La Perla, but a safer way to do so is with local tour guides, see tours below.
La Perla is way safer than it used to be so I don't bark at people who want to go down there to take a look. However, I do recommend caution when going down there to take photos of people's houses (and poverty) because people don't like that, especially when their living rooms, bedrooms, and private working spaces are right next to the street.
