Planning a trip to America’s oldest city and wondering if St. Augustine is safe? The short answer is yes. Every year, millions of visitors explore the Historic District, stroll St. George Street, relax on the beaches, and enjoy everything from ghost tours to waterfront restaurants without experiencing any problems.
Like any destination, St. Augustine isn’t crime-free. However, the most common issues visitors encounter are usually crimes of opportunity, not violent crime. With a few simple precautions, you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying your vacation.
Know Before You Go
✔ St. Augustine is a popular destination for families, couples, solo travelers, and international visitors.
✔ Theft is the most common type of crime visitors should be aware of.
✔ The Historic District is regularly patrolled by the St. Augustine Police Department.
✔ Most visitors enjoy their entire vacation without experiencing crime or safety issues.
✔ A little preparation goes a long way toward protecting your trip.
What You Really Need to Know
One thing vacations have in common is that they naturally help us relax. We slow down, enjoy ourselves, and sometimes become a little less cautious than we would be at home.
That’s often when simple mistakes happen.
A purse left on the passenger seat while grabbing lunch. A backpack sitting unattended on the beach. A phone forgotten on a restaurant table while taking family photos. None of these situations are unique to St. Augustine—they’re the kinds of “crimes of opportunity” that can happen anywhere people travel.
The good news is that they’re also some of the easiest problems to prevent.
Focus on What You Can Control
You can’t control everything that happens while traveling, but you can greatly reduce your chances of a problem by preparing ahead.
Smart Travel Habits
🚗 Lock your vehicle and keep valuables out of sight.
🎒 Carry only what you need while exploring downtown.
📱 Stay aware of your surroundings in busy tourist areas.
🏖 Don’t leave wallets, phones, or bags unattended at the beach.
👨👩👧 Keep younger children close in crowded areas and choose a family meeting place.
These simple habits can make an already enjoyable vacation even more worry-free.
What About Homelessness?
Like many popular tourist destinations, downtown St. Augustine has a visible homeless population. Visitors may occasionally see someone asking for spare change or sitting in public spaces.
For most visitors, these encounters are brief and uneventful. If someone asks for money and you prefer not to give, a polite “No, thank you” while continuing on your way is usually all that’s needed.
The Historic District remains one of the city’s most welcoming places to explore, with families, couples, and visitors enjoying the streets from morning until late evening.
Where Visitors Spend Most of Their Time
Most visitors never leave the city’s primary tourism areas, including:
- Historic Downtown
- St. George Street
- The Bayfront
- Lincolnville
- The King Street District
- Riberia Street
- St. Augustine Beach
- Vilano Beach
- Anastasia Island
These areas are home to the city’s hotels, restaurants, museums, attractions, shopping, and waterfront parks.
Like any city, if you find yourself in an unfamiliar area—especially late at night—simply use the same common sense you would anywhere else and return to the busier visitor areas.
Protect What Matters Most
You’re probably investing hundreds or even thousands of dollars into your vacation. Flights, hotels, attractions, rental cars, and time with your family are all worth protecting.
Most trips go exactly as planned. But if your luggage is lost, your passport disappears, your trip is interrupted, or a medical emergency occurs, travel insurance can provide valuable financial protection and peace of mind.
That’s why we recommend thinking of travel insurance not as an extra expense, but as a way to protect your family’s vacation.
Many travel protection plans may include benefits such as:
- Trip interruption and trip delay protection
- Lost, stolen, or damaged baggage
- Emergency medical coverage
- Lost passport or credit card assistance
- Protection for eligible personal belongings
- Convenient mobile claims and travel support
We work with Faye Travel Insurance, an award-winning provider that offers modern travel protection backed by an easy-to-use mobile app. Coverage varies by plan, and our travel specialists are happy to help you compare options and recommend coverage that’s right for your trip. Additional information is available in Faye’s consumer guide.
Planning a longer vacation, cruise, or family getaway? We’d be happy to send you a complimentary travel insurance quote.
→ Email us travel@saintaugustineflorida.net
🧳 Travel Smarter Essentials
The best vacations are relaxing—but they're also well prepared. These are a few travel products our team recommends to help protect your valuables, stay organized, and give you extra peace of mind while exploring St. Augustine and beyond.
Travel Documents Protected
Travelambo Leather Passport Holder Cover Case
Keep your passport, boarding pass, credit cards, and travel documents organized in one RFID-blocking case designed to help protect your personal information while traveling.
Secure Everyday Carry
Pacsafe GO Anti-Theft Sling
Designed for travelers, this premium anti-theft sling features locking zippers, RFID-blocking pockets, and slash-resistant materials to help protect your valuables while exploring.
Never Lose Track
Apple AirTag (4-Pack)
Track luggage, backpacks, keys, camera bags, or other valuables using Apple's Find My network. A simple way to add confidence to every trip.
Secure Your Luggage
Forge TSA Combination Lock
A durable TSA-approved combination lock that helps protect checked luggage while allowing airport security to inspect your bag when necessary.
Luxury Passport Protection
Satechi FindAll Passport Cover
A premium passport cover with built-in Apple Find My technology, RFID protection, and storage for travel essentials—designed for travelers who appreciate both style and peace of mind.
Family Travel Organized
Zero Grid RFID Family Passport Holder
Designed for families and frequent travelers, the Zero Grid RFID Family Passport Holder keeps passports, boarding passes, cash, credit cards, travel documents, and other essentials securely organized in one compact zippered organizer.
Need Help During Your Visit?
Helpful Local Resources
Just in Case
Essential local contacts for medical care, roadside assistance, visitor support and unexpected situations during your stay.
Emergency Assistance
Emergency Services
Police, Fire or Medical Emergency
Call 911 for an immediate threat to life or property, a serious accident, fire or medical emergency.
Police — Non-Emergency
Local Police Assistance
St. Augustine Police Department
Use the non-emergency line when police assistance is needed but there is no immediate danger.
151 King Street
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Hospital & Emergency Room
Emergency Medical Care
UF Health Flagler Hospital
Emergency medical care for serious illnesses, injuries and other urgent medical situations.
400 Health Park Boulevard
St. Augustine, Florida 32086
Urgent Care Centers
Minor Illnesses & Injuries
Urgent care may be appropriate for an illness or injury that requires prompt attention but is not a medical emergency.
Confirm current hours and patient availability before traveling to a location.
Open Pharmacy
Prescriptions & Essentials
Find nearby pharmacies and review their current operating hours before leaving your hotel or vacation rental.
Prescription-counter hours may differ from the store’s general operating hours.
Roadside Assistance
Vehicle Assistance
Travelers using a rental vehicle should contact their rental company first. Roadside support may already be included in the rental agreement or optional protection package.
AAA members can request assistance by telephone. Call 911 when a roadside situation presents an immediate danger.
Visitor Information Center
Local Visitor Assistance
St. Augustine & St. Johns County Visitor Information Center
Find local maps, parking information, attraction details, event information and general visitor assistance.
10 S. Castillo Drive
St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Listed hours are 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily, excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St. Augustine safe for families?
Yes. Families visit St. Augustine year-round to enjoy its historic attractions, beaches, museums, and restaurants. Using normal travel precautions is typically all that’s needed.
Is downtown St. Augustine safe at night?
Downtown remains active well into the evening, with restaurants, live music, shops, and visitors enjoying the Historic District. As with any city, stay aware of your surroundings and stick to well-traveled areas.
What’s the most common crime visitors should be aware of?
Property theft is the most common issue. Keeping valuables out of sight and locking your vehicle are simple ways to reduce your risk.
Should I buy travel insurance?
If you’re making a significant investment in your vacation—especially if you’re flying, cruising, traveling internationally, or prepaying hotels and activities—travel insurance is worth considering because it helps protect your trip if the unexpected happens.
Continue Planning Your Vacation
Ready to keep planning?
Explore our guides to:
- Where to Stay in St. Augustine
- First-Time Visitor’s Guide
- Downtown Parking Guide
- Best Beaches in St. Augustine
- Top Things to Do in St. Augustine
Because the best vacations aren’t just memorable—they’re well planned.
