So you want to get outside and explore the
environment of Puerto Rico. Excellent! There are many exciting adventures to
have, and whether you're exploring Flamenco Beach, zip lining through forests,
learning to surf, or climbing up to El Morro you’re likely to have a great
time. But nature can be unpredictable and doesn’t always cooperate with your
vacation plans. So prepare yourself for some of these things that could go
wrong.
Diseases are a Downer
Puerto Rico is an environment rife with certain bug-borne bugs and other
illnesses to watch out for. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends anyone traveling to Puerto Rico get vaccines for hepatitis A and B and typhoid.
Several major diseases have broken out on the island in
the last decade, including viral meningitis, which began in Arroyo in the south
and spread along the coast to Cieba and Aibonito.
Though the viral form of the
illness is easier to handle than the bacterial kind, it’s still no picnic. Symptoms
include headache, a stiff neck, fever and vomiting.
Dengue fever is another illness we can blame on insects. Mosquitoes to
be specific. Common in high population island areas—like Puerto Rico—the
highest transmission rates occur between and September and November.
The island
has not experienced a major outbreak since 1998, but you can help your odds by wearing insect-repellant to ward off mosquitoes.
(Though they're not exactly pretty, be concerned if one makes you vomit)
Another illness called endemic foci of histoplasmosis is common in the
Caribbean, and can show up in Puerto Rico.
Creepy Crawlers
Mosquitoes,
scorpions, centipedes, flying cockroaches and tarantulas can all be found inside and out. If you want to avoid waking up to these nightmare-inducing
creatures, waving their antennas or reaching a hairy leg at you from your pillow, keep your windows closed.
Sand bugs, also known as sand fleas and sand flies, like to bite. These bites turn into especially annoying and itchy bumps. These tiny white or red irritations can sneak up on you hours after you’ve been bitten. The hungry critters most like to feast on human blood
in the morning and evening during middle to late summer. Topical creams and
forms of ibuprofen are common treatments.
Also beware of
mongooses, as these weasel-like creatures can carry rabies. Rats and stray dogs are common in
areas like San Juan, and can be seen out and about at night.
Is it safe?
Sanitation in parts of the island is lacking, and you should not be
surprised by waste-dumping in local waters. A recent traveler to Culebra saw
human waste poured into a lagoon. However, most water on the island is safe to
drink. Street food is also normally well-prepared and reportedly quite
delicious.
But
the waters of Puerto Rico may carry worse dangers to those who want to go for a
dip. Freshwater
streams and rain forest ponds are safer in terms of pollution, but you can
contract a parasitic infection called schistosomiasis from swimming in these
areas.
The condition is rampant on the island, and signs include fever, stomach
cramping, loss of appetite, diarrhea and cough. Don't ignore these symptoms, as left untreated, schistosomiasis can lead to kidney failure, enlarged
liver and spleen and fluid build up in the abdominal cavity.
(Abdominal fluid build up doesn't make for an attractive bikini-clad body)
If
you think you have been exposed to contaminated water, drying yourself with a
towel can cut your chances of schistosomiasis. To prevent the illness, only use
water that has been heated to 150 degrees Fahrenheit for at least five minutes
or water kept in a storage tank for a minimum three days.
It's probably safest to stick to the pools at your accommodation or the big blue.
Natural
Disasters
Hurricanes
are the most common form of natural disaster in Puerto Rico, and the season
spans nearly half the year, from June to November. September and October are
the worst months for tropical storm activity, so avoid planning your trip
during this time, if possible.
(Hurricane Earl hit Puerto Rico on August 30, 2010 causing extreme power outages and floods)
The
weather service keeps a close eye on hurricane activity and tropical storms
forming in or heading toward the area. But even if this weather hits other
parts of the Caribbean, it won't always strike Puerto
Rico.
Natural
Geography Can Hurt
A
recent traveler recommends using caution when traveling to Isabela’s El Poso de
Jacinto at Jobos Beach in the northwestern part of the island. A large,
unfenced opening sits atop an area of sharp rocks, so avoid going too close if you don't want to become one with the roaring waves.
Use caution around reef
breaks during low tide at beaches throughout the island. Rip currents at Maria’s, Jobos, Surfers and Wilderness beaches can be
particularly dangerous.
When
hiking in places like Experience El Yunque National Forest, travelers say to
beware of slippery trails and rocky paths. In addition to the rain itself,
waterfalls and rivers can flood the road.
Poisonous
plants exist in this area as well, so wear long pants and avoid touching any of
the flora and fauna. Stick to the trails in the forest, as
it is very easy to get lost with the dense plant life and rugged, steep
landscape.
(Relieving yourself in possibly poisonous plants isn't recommended)
Don’t
Be Fooled
A
final note on outdoor excursions: double-check the snorkeling company you
choose. Make sure it actually takes you to areas ideal for the activity. Some
tours focus more on scuba diving locations, which aren’t always great for
snorkeling. If you mistakenly book such a tour, you’ll spend the day eating
peanuts with the boat captain instead of finding Nemo in the reef.
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