One word - DESPACITO Despacito video was filmed here! In this community!! This video is going to be the most viewed video in YouTube!!! Yeah! If you are near you have the opportunity to come here and enjoy the view. History - a poor community surrounded by wealthy people of Puerto Rico. They have been fighting to keep their houses all their life and probably now they have won. If you want to enter their walls probably you need to ask permission to the locals. They are nice and welcome but sometimes they can be receptive. I heard that now the have tour guides to show people where Despacito video was filmed lol. https://youtu.be/kJQP7kiw5Fk Video link to see DESPACITO read more

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BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO VISIT IN PUERTO RICO AND SECURED need to see old and restore place that is unique around Puerto Rico great restaurants and sport bar with americN BEER read more

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This mini city area, just to the north of Old San Juan and outside of the once walled city is an interesting taste of what Puerto Rico is perceived in the main United States by many people. Colorful cement houses with some only partially built or partially remaining after previous hurricane damage. It's an interesting contrast to the beautiful historic buildings of Old San Juan that it bumps up against with a several hundred year old wall separating them. There are a few bars along the main road thru La Perla, but it's not very safe for tourists as night. It would be much wiser to go to the bars in Old San Juan only a block or two away. read more

Once someone says "la perla" all I can think of is Despacito. Despacito's music video by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber was filmed here. I wanted to enter SO bad but I was told by some people around since my boyfriend looked "too white" maybe I shouldn't cause it could be too dangerous. Everyone around was really nice so I really wanted to risk it, but decided not to since I didn't really know what to expect and it was also getting kinda late. Maybe next time i will have the chance to explore more of La Perla. ESPAÑOL Una vez que alguien dice "la perla", todo lo que puedo pensar es en Despacito. El video musical de Despacito de Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee y Justin Bieber se filmó aquí. Quería entrar pero algunas personas me dijeron que mi novio parecía "demasiado blanco", tal vez no debería, porque podría ser demasiado peligroso. Todos a mi alrededor eran muy agradables, así que realmente quería arriesgarme, pero decidí no hacerlo porque no sabía qué esperar y también se estaba haciendo un poco tarde. Quizás la próxima vez tenga la oportunidad de explorar más de La Perla. read more

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On Fridays, Community Batey de La Plaza del Negro does bomba. The people there were welcoming. They even let me play a drink with them! I don't know about the rest of La Perla, but the bomba was amazing. read more

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. read more

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We felt secure and welcomed. We we're walking through folks neighborhoods. We respected the unwritten rules and were careful about selfies together. We walked down by the water and had a drink at a local bar. I wish we could've stuck around for nightfall and experienced the real FLAVOR. Next time. read more

Community La Perla - Local Flavor Near Me

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I'm glad I mustered up the courage to enter La Perla. The artwork painted on the buildings and homes in La Perla are Beautiful. My only advice to people is be respectful. Greeted by locals and talked to the few people who approached me. To be honest I did not know what to expect but if you enter with good intentions you will be fine. read more

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A place that I'm both in love with, and terrified of. A place both gorgeous and repellent. A place where you want to get lost in while looking for the nearest escape. read more

Honestly it was the safest experience for myself, my husband and friends. It is a poverty stricken neighborhood and of course people are hustling because they need to feed their families but does that merit all the fear about going there? Definitely not! A turn in NYC or LA and you are in the Bronx or Compton so I don't see the big deal. You've got to go to La Perla street smart and respectful of the locals who are trying to rebuild their community after Maria! Don't take pictures unless you had asked to do so otherwise you'll definitely be inviting being yelled at! Respect goes a really long way in this neighborhood cause it's not a part of ghetto tourism! read more

I like La Perla. Maybe because i'm not from the area so I don't really see the bad that goes on but it's not bad. Wondered in while walking around in San Juan. Amazing how the slums are so close to an area where so many tourist visit. I wanted to visit La Perla after listening to so many Bori Rappers speaking about it. For the most part La perla is not a tourist attraction. Altough the people are humble, the whole area has lots of garbage and rubble and can be dangerous. You only go there if you have a purpose. Meaning drugs or drugs. You can't go to La Perla and take out your cam for pics. Not the way it works. You do have a beautiful view of the ocean but thats about it. Def don't go at night as it might be dangerous if you don't speak spnish. Worth a visit just to be amazed at how this poor little area is located right by Viejo San Juan and El Moro. read more

Community La Perla - Entrance to La Perla. - Local Flavor Near Me

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I believe La Perla to be a beautiful symbol of what it means to be a village that takes care of its own. People constantly tell you not to go there, why not? If you go in with respect for where you are and the residents you won't have any problems. I loved it! Not even on many tourists maps, again why not. Many talented artist and musicians have called La Perla home. Check it out for yourself. Like any hood around the world be conscious of your surroundings and know when it's time to go home. read more

Community La Perla - Beautiful communidad of La Perla - Local Flavor Near Me

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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. read more

Community La Perla - Beautiful street art - Local Flavor Near Me

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What a amazing time I had in La Perla on 3/17/14 . I was taken on a tour by a local man who was so generous. He hosted a late night party at his house. So much fun. I got back to my BB at 5:30 am. Felt like I was chilling in South Williamsburg Brooklyn. If you read this and you were my host, hit me up. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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 http://aliriojasphotography.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/puerto-rico/ read more

I'm not sure why they don't tear this place down and build a luxury hotel here, but it's an interesting area to check out...but only during the day unless you are trying to score drugs or want to get shanked and gang raped. This might be the most beautiful slum area ever, overlooking the beautiful Atlantic Ocean between the forts of El Morro and San Cristobal. It started out as a slaughterhouse, then workers and farmers started moving into the area and poverty leads to criminals and there you have it. Reggaeton and salsa concerts are held there at night in an effort to revitalize the image of La Perla. read more

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 read more

Alright all. I've been to La Perla BEFORE the despacito remix was even a thought and there are definitely some beautiful murals/ local art there but it's no joke - it's dangerous. My bf (guys never listen when you tell them to so let them find out the hard way!) and my bf opened his big ass mouth to ask me if i wanted to go to the beach. HERE COMES A LOCAL GUY, who lives in la perla, offering to show us the beach. Barely spoke english but ive learned enough spanish to be conversational so that helped. He brought us down to the local beach... went down a street block, down 2 long flights of stairs and walked by a bunch of abandoned looking homes. Finally got there and wanna know what was down there? 1) BEAUTIFUL VIEW and 2) DOZENS of used needles, spoons and beer cans everywhere. It's like a junkie chill spot. Also, you can only enter if you live there and theres only 3 entrances to get in. So that tells you how safe it really is. Anywhere you go, you be respectful to the locals and dont be a dumb tourist. This place is no exception but get in and get out as fast as you can. read more

You cant go in unless ur with a local resident or visiting family as i do when im in town the place has a magical feeling bout it i took a couple friends there so they can see the real deal and after shots rang out at 4pm they quickly decided to leave lol but they did get to see the legendary la perla from a view many will never ever see in ther lifetime tourist dont if ur seen taking pics ur camera will be smash just a fyi read more

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. read more

My boyfriend and I looked over the El Morro Fort wall and was surprised to find La Perla. It looks like something from a book about the third world. I can't believe we were daring and crazy enough to drive into La Perla. As soon as you enter there is open drug dealing. The homes are run down. The poverty is so pronounced that it's painful. My boyfriend and I were in shock once we drove out of there. It took us a while to recover from what we saw. There is only one way in and out. Next to La Perla is a cemetary which adds to the scariness of the area. This makes urban poverty seem like Madison Avenue in NYC. If you go there, travel with someone in the daytime and don't carry a wallet or wear jewerly. read more

was vacationing in isla verde for 2 weeks and wanted to see for myself what la perla was like long story short its no where near as bad as ppleople say im a american black i dont speak spanish and my wife and i hungout in la perla 4days in a row with no problems only thing i can complain about is those little ass $20 bags of weed read more

What planet are you living on? You are obviously NOT seasoned travelers and certainly have NO familiarity with Puerto Rico. La Perla is a historic sight, beautiful and there is much to enjoy and admire. These are the same typical Puerto Rican people you find on the island, mountains, pueblos, etc. Poor or humble people are NOT drug dealers, murders, thugs where do you get your information from? La Perla has wonderful humble human beings living there. They have a Medical Center, A community board and a Head Start...have you bothered to look? The cemetery is historic as well...you have no culture and no education to be speaking of La Perla in negative terms. You can stroll el malecon in La Perla, it is beautiful. You can take pics all day long, I have with my camera. I did not need to change my clothes or change my jewelry, leave my pocketbook at the hotel get real. If you are going to post do your homework and do be critical of a place you have probably only heard rumors of. Families live in La Perla with beautiful kids just like your own...your mom, your sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins friends etc. And get real, Police DO go into La Perla to make their rounds like any other place. You are probably safer in La Perla than anytown USA. Do yourself a favor and try it for yourself before you start idle gossip unworthy of the time/space taken to post. VIVA Puerto Rico and La Perla forever. Actually, if you have half a brain, you would start to do your homework and maybe take an interest in helping to assist these generations of La Perla residents to live in better conditions. Many famous people go to La Perla to take advantage of the scenery to make their films and their mark. Look at the beautiful Art Work along the wall in La Perla...have you seen that? Puerto Ricans especially should be proud and not print Negative Comments they have no knowledge of when criticizing La Perla. Instead, the Gringos are the ones taking advantage of this beautiful place. read more