Is it Safe to Visit Puerto Rico After the Earthquakes?

Wondering whether it’s too soon to visit Puerto Rico in light of recent events? According to the U.S. Geological Survey, over 300 earthquakes have struck the island’s southwestern coast since December 2019, including a significant 6.4 earthquake on January 7, 2020—the largest to hit in a century.

Hearing this, you might think the whole island is devastated. However, the images circulating in the media showing Puerto Rico in rubble are almost exclusively from five municipalities in the southwest: Guánica (the epicenter), Guayanilla, Peñuelas, Yauco, and small parts of Ponce. Over 2000 people have been forced out of their homes in these areas, largely out of precaution as aftershocks continue, albeit at lower magnitudes.

Moreover, on the north side of the island, cruise ships are still docking, and visitors continue to flock to major tourist sights. “During Hurricane Maria, there was scarcity of food and resources, but now that’s not happening,” states Carmen Portela, co-owner of Local Guest, a social enterprise matching visitors with community tours around Puerto Rico. “The north area is moving fine, the ports are open, and people are working.”

If you’re interested in visiting Puerto Rico post-earthquakes, here’s everything you need to know, from updates on major tourist sights and travel infrastructure to the ways you can aid the recovery of la isla.

Where Did the Earthquakes Hit?

The seismic activity began on December 27 and 28, 2019, starting in Guánica, the quake’s epicenter. “From there, smaller shakes occurred that many did not feel until the morning of January 6,” says Portela. “That was a 5.8 magnitude earthquake, on Three Kings Day, one of our biggest festivities and a national holiday.”

A day later, the 6.4 magnitude quake struck the southwest region, resulting in an island-wide blackout. Fortunately, power was quickly restored to over 90 percent of the island. Aftershocks were expected and occurred daily in the same area over the following weeks. Notably, three major aftershocks struck: 5.8 on January 10, 5.9 on January 11, and 5.2 on January 15.

Which Tourist Sights Were Damaged in the Earthquake?

Guayanilla’s iconic Punta Ventana collapsed on January 6—a natural rock formation and major tourist attraction in the south of the island. Additionally, Guayanilla lost its main Catholic church, Parroquia Inmaculada Concepción, and the ruins of the 1893 Guánica Lighthouse were also destroyed.

According to Melina Aguilar, owner of Isla Caribe tours in Ponce, a handful of buildings in Ponce’s historical city center suffered structural damage during the January 11 aftershock. Notable locations affected include the Museo de la Masacre de Ponce and Casa Vives, a 19th-century house that had survived previous earthquakes. Ponce’s boardwalk and social hub, La Guancha, also experienced damage and remains closed to the public.

“Many of these buildings were already weakened due to numerous factors,” explains Aguilar. “These include Hurricane Maria, years of underfunding, and poor local governance.” Other Ponce sights, such as the Parque de Bombas, are still standing and intact.

What’s Open for Business?

Aside from the southwestern municipalities impacted by the emergency, the rest of Puerto Rico is operating as normal. Popular tourist sights such as Old San Juan, Casa Bacardí, El Morro, and San Cristobal forts remain open and unaffected.

El Yunque National Forest, which constitutes 20 percent of Puerto Rico’s tourism economy, was spared any significant damage.

“We did an initial assessment of all the bridges and historical infrastructure, and everything was fine,” offers El Yunque Forest Supervisor, Keenan Adams. “Subsequent aftershocks don’t even register here. We are as far from the epicenter as you can be.”

Ponce’s historic downtown reopened on January 16 after temporary closure, with businesses such as Utopia, Hotel Melia Ponce, and Plaza Hotel & Casino resuming normal operations.

Rincon, a popular surf hub in the west, is also intact. “We were just at the Art Walk,” says Paulina Antonetti, co-founder of Spoon food tours. “There were crafts, live music, people selling honey and art—it was wonderful, and it felt full of life.”

Hotels across Puerto Rico remain largely unaffected, with only a handful of venues in the southern regions potentially impacted. If you plan to visit those areas, check with any booked hotel or guesthouse beforehand to ensure operations are unaffected.

Is It Still Possible to Travel Around the Island?

Transportation by land and sea continues to function smoothly. Flights are operating to and from San Juan, Ponce, and Aguadilla airports, making travel to Vieques and Culebra seamless as ferries are also operational.

Local taxis and rideshare services are available. If you’re considering renting a car, it’s prudent to check the local transportation department for any updates on road conditions.

“The difference between the hurricane and the earthquakes is that after the hurricane there was no electricity, no water,” comments Stephan Watts, co-owner of the popular boutique hotel The Dreamcatcher in San Juan. “That is not the case now. The infrastructure is intact. You can access anywhere, even the southern parts.”

How Can Travelers Best Support Recovering Communities?

While it may be tempting to volunteer or bring supplies to a disaster area, local experts recommend against this approach. Since Puerto Rico’s ports are open and commerce is functioning, residents can purchase necessary items on the island, thereby helping local businesses thrive.

“To make the biggest impact,” advises Portela, “it is best to donate to organizations already established in the region that are aware of community needs.”

Love in Motion, founded by Portela after Hurricane Maria, directly distributes donations to established local leaders in the southern regions. ConPRmetidos, a non-profit organization established in 2012, and Giving Life, a missionary foundation based in Puerto Rico, are other commendable organizations to consider for donations.

Moreover, it is important to visit Puerto Rico responsibly: engage with local businesses, participate in sustainable tours, and ensure that your tourist dollars directly support local economies.

Is It Too Soon to Visit Puerto Rico Post-Earthquakes?

Stay informed through USGS and the Puerto Rico Seismic Network. As of January 17, however, the USGS anticipates aftershocks will decrease in frequency and magnitude over the next 30 days.

“Not only are we ready, we need you to come back,” states Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico. “Tourism is vital to our economy, and tourism led the recovery after Maria.”