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San Juan, Puerto Rico

Common scams in San Juan

8 reported scam patterns travellers run into in San Juan, what they look like, and how to sidestep them.

Last updated 2026-08-11

Old San Juan, San Juan
Photo: gruntzooki · CC BY SA 2.0 · source

Pictured: Old San Juan, San Juan.

medium1. Rental overbooking

Short-let bookings cancelled at short notice in high season and relisted at a higher rate.

medium2. Fake tickets

Bioluminescent bay and El Yunque tours sold for dates when access is closed or reservations are unavailable.

medium3. Menu / bill switching

Automatic service charges added to bills in Old San Juan and a further tip line left blank, effectively charging twice.

medium4. Other

Rental-car damage claims for pre-existing marks, and high insurance excesses not explained at the counter.

medium5. Distraction theft

Bag and phone theft in Old San Juan on cruise days and along the Condado beachfront.

medium6. Taxi meter fraud

Kerbside offers at the airport above the posted fixed zone fares issued at the official taxi desk.

low7. Counterfeit goods

Imported goods sold as local artisan work at craft-market prices.

low8. Other

Unofficial 'parking attendants' collecting fees on public streets in the old city.

Every entry above describes a pattern reported in an area of San Juan, not an accusation against a specific business. Sources are labelled on each entry.

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