Community La Perla

Beautiful place. It is the hood I talked to the locals and had permission to take pictures but was told not to go in the center. Stay on the outside streets by the beach or close to the wall. Be carefull what you take photos of dont take any pictures with people in them (That is people that are not with you) Be respectful

La Perla rocks. Maybe it’s the nature of my profession (photojournalist) but I’ve been to a lot worst places than La Perla. I’ve read here that the police doesn’t go there, false. I’ve read you can’t shoot pics, false. I’ve read all kinds of stupid stuff from lame people. La Perla is raw and as dangerous as any rough ghetto in the USA. Does that keep the cops from going in. If you’re afraid to interact with real Puerto Ricans stay the hell out.

I stumbled upon this place after peeking from above, the beautiful street art caught my eye. I did see a few junkies and was asked if I wanted to score some stuff but a woman who was indeed high told me to walk back & warned me it wasn’t a safe place for women. I could see why it’s unsafe but it is true as long as you’re respectful and not going in as a pretentious coward you should be ok but maybe not alone.

ive been to la perla. i find the label «slums» quite judgmental but hey that’s just my opinion anyway i have many photos in my blog and have written all about it so click the link below

I am so incredibly disappointed with the ignorance abounding in almost all of these posts. Like any slum/​poor area/​project/​or poverty line anywhere in the world, there are some basic civil behaviors that will ensure your safety, and also allow you to see all sides of the places you visit (if you are a true conscious and interested cultural traveler). Slums are not necessarily bad, nor are they necessarily problem free, especially for curious outsiders who know nothing about street smarts and safety.
1. For those of you who say its «scary» and «dangerous,» as well as for those who say La Perla is just fine and without problems. You both are wrong. Labeling this area is too complex to choose either of the two. On any given day, anything can happen, however La Perla is not known for killing or harming tourists. It is however a place where you would not want to flaunt your riches, out of respect for locals first, and for your own safety second. I got lost one night in La Perla in my rental car. I ended up pulling over and asking for help, and then had some mofongo and played dominoes with a shop keeper. Yes this kind of experience may or may not happen for you, but be aware that La Perla is full of warm and interesting folks, just like yourselves. If you are feeling interested, go with a heightened awareness, an open mind and heart, and certainly with respect. Poverty should not be a tourist attraction ever in my opinion. If snapping a picture or two, do it with respect and try not to cross any personal boundaries that you wouldn’t want. For example, snapping pictures of people eating through windows etc. That is just rude.
2. As a journalist and world traveler I urge people to step out of their comfort zones but to stay ethical. Leave no room for entitlement in your approach to people. For the woman that is confused as to why La Perla is not just torn down, I would say the same for her home. Why not just tear yours down? Because that would be absurd. And the same goes for poor people without the means of money, a new home, and location. La Perla, like any neighborhood, has a strong history, community, and legacy. If anything, La Perla could use more assistance to build its people up, not the callous abandon of tearing an area apart and leaving its inhabitants without a place to live. That is a very sad thought.
3. As for those of you who separate Puerto Rico’s highly commercialized areas from the poorer or residential attractions, please understand that Puerto Rico as a whole is poorer than America’s poorest state Mississippi. Understand that to know a place, is to know all of its types of people. Have a good time and be open to understanding the beauty of all, even the places that may not be aesthetically pleasing may very well be the best experiences of your lives.

This is not a place to go for a stroll. It is true that honest people live there, but the truth is that La Perla is a drug lord controlled slum.
I’ve been to Old San Juan a million times and to La Perla a couple of them. Thankfully I’ve never had any problems but I’ve seen things I would not recommend a tourist to experience.
When some here talk about not being able to take pictures, IT IS TRUE. Anyone that says the contrary had luck or is just crazy. Crime in La Perla is REAL and should not be taken lightly.
This place is historic because of the conditions and the folkloric nature artists have given it but it is NOT a tourist attraction. There are thousands of places more beautiful and breathtaking that La Perla and SAFER!
Please don’t go there! It is NOT SAFE!

It’s not safe. This is not the image I would like that tourists would take away from the «island of enchantment. » For those of you who are thrill junkies — this is THE HOOD, Puerto Rican style. Don’t encourage the glorification of criminality as this is not Sopranos-​lite. This is don’t-f**k-with-me-or-you’ll-get-popped. Or worse. No, you’re not going to discover the next best reggaton sensation here just your worst nightmare. I’m Rican and I don’t even mess with this. I did once and that was once too many times. Enough said.

Look — my trip to La Perla was dope. But that was second to the cemetary. I’m giving it 1 star only to discourage others from visiting.
I don’t recommend that tourists go rolling around La Perla on vacation. I went with an local escorting me (and went in my running clothes). And the area is closely monitored with 2-​way radios and look-​outs. And definitely don’t take pictures if you do chose to walk through the neighborhood.
As an FYI, the police do not go in to La Perla. 911 does not work there. If you call 911 for La Perla, the police will tell you to leave the area.
Leave your purse, wallet, and good jewelry back at the hotel.

Pah-​lease you SQUARES!!! After reading these crazy reviews and hearing rumors of the shady s$@t that goes down here I HAD to go in (and I am a «gringa» from CA)! I was a little paranoid at first, since we went in at NIGHT! My friend and I walked around, went to the water and then hit up the BAR! The ppl were SMILING… Not giving deadly stares. They could care less what we were doing. We chatted with the bartender for hours. She was so nice! There were kids playing games and in&out the bar buying soda. This place may smell like the cats that are everywhere, but I’m wayyy more on guard in East Oakland than here! There are way worse hoods in CA ppl.