Let’s go beyond the usual tourist stops to experience the whole island of Puerto Rico from coast to coast. This active trip highlights lesser-known spots and offers unique interactions with endemic flora and fauna. We’ll hike through the karst region to explore caves, look for a 1,000-year-old tree in the Guánica Dry Forest, and admire a nursery full of young corals and sea urchins. There’s a stop to learn about leatherback turtles and a chance to see turtles in the wild on a snorkel trip in the mangroves. Along the way, we’ll meet park rangers and research scientists who are making a difference every day in protecting Puerto Rico's biodiversity. Don’t worry, we’ll enjoy the ever-popular El Yunque National Forest on an all-day bird adventure to search for those endemics, too.
- Small group travel
- This itinerary is subject to change. Participants will receive updates before departure.
- Please note that inclusions, the cancellation policy, and payment terms are described following the itinerary. You may secure your spot today with only a deposit.
- Puerto Rico is known for having power blackouts and water rationing. Participants should be flexible and able to adapt to varying situations.
- Questions: Email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.
Day 1: Friday, Nov 6
Welcome to San Juan! Check in to your room any time after 3 pm. Settle in, then let’s get acquainted.
5 pm – Welcome Meeting at our hotel. We’ll meet up in the front lobby of our hotel for introductions. From there, we’ll walk to dinner as a group.
Day 2: Saturday, Nov 7
8:15 am – Meet in the lobby with luggage ready for the van. Remember to check out and pay for any incidentals. Have your day pack ready with any supplies you may need for the day, including your refillable water bottle, snacks, walking shoes, and a lightweight rain jacket.
We’ll head out for our first stop of the day, a 9 am tour of Old San Juan and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Castillo San Cristóbal. As the largest Spanish-built fortification in the New World, San Cristóbal was constructed between 1634 and 1783 to defend against land-based attacks. The site covers 27 acres and features complex tunnels, moats, and bastions, protecting the city from English and Dutch invaders. Please note that we will not have enough time to visit its sister fort, El Morro. There may be time on our last day of the tour, or you can add an extended stay to your trip to allow time for a visit on your own.
We will also wander the streets of Old San Juan to admire the architecture and history, ranging from native archaeological finds to modern construction.
Finishing our tour around midday, we’ll grab some lunch, then hit the road for our drive west to the small beach town of Carrizales. We’ll take the scenic route along the ocean, then move inland to experience Cueva Ventana, or Window Cave. We’ll see stalactites, stalagmites, and other cave formations, and we’ll discuss the flora and fauna of this tropical setting. Our walk ends with a picture-window view from the 700-foot-high cliff, gazing out into the forest below.
After arriving at our hotel for the evening, you are welcome to walk to the beach, a short distance away, and eat dinner at your leisure. Shop for lunch, snacks, and drinks for tomorrow’s hike, too.
Day 3: Sunday, Nov 8
7 am – Let’s meet in the lobby with your bag and day pack with lunch, water, and snacks ready for the van. Yesterday’s cave was a bite-sized sampling of today’s adventure. We’re up early to meet our guides and leader, Angel Acosta-Colon, for an all-day hike through the karst hills and valleys to explore four caves in this special section of the island. Breakfast will be at a nearby bakery at your cost.
The limestone mountains in this region of the island have dissolved over time due to rain and groundwater. This creates a characteristic landscape full of caves, rivers, and springs. We will explore four of these limestone caves as we hike through the karst forest. We will see and learn about cave art created by the Taíno people, view speleothems such as stalactites and stalagmites, and admire a crystal cave. We’ll look for endemic and common plants, trees, and birds along the way, too.
Our hike will be guided by staff from the Cabachuelas Project, a community-based education and ecotourism project created for the Las Cabachuelas Nature Reserve. Safety equipment provided includes a helmet and flashlight.
About our Leader: Angel Acosta-Colon works as the Interim Director of the Physics and Chemistry Department at the University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo campus. He has an environmental geophysical background and currently works in the characterization of karst and cave systems in Puerto Rico. His main interest is in LiDAR and photogrammetry applications in geosciences. His projects have been sponsored by the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the EPA.
We’ll head to our hotel in Mayagüez, about a 40-minute drive. The hotel is located near the historic center of town, and you are welcome to spend the evening exploring on your own or as a group.
Day 4: Monday, Nov 9
8 am – Let’s meet with our gear, ready for a day exploring the coast. We’ll drive about 40 minutes to our first stop, the Institute of Socio-Ecological Research, known as ISER Caribe. This marine nursery, located on a nearby island, focuses on restoring coral reefs through an ecosystem-based approach. It is part of the Center for Research and Restoration of Marine Organisms. We will tour their coral nursery as well as their long-spined sea urchin and Caribbean king crab nurseries to learn how to raise these herbivores, which are released onto reefs to control algae and promote coral health.
After our time on the island, we’ll grab our snorkeling gear and head to the dock for a quick boat ride out to snorkel and explore some of the best shallow reefs in Parguera. After, you’ll head out for the second part to swim in the famous bioluminescent bay there.
Day 5: Tuesday, Nov 10
7:45 am – Today is all about the Guánica Dry Forest. We’ll meet with all our gear and day packs, ready to take a short drive back to town to meet up with our guide. From there, we’ll drive to the trailhead to begin our two-hour hike through the Bosque Seco de Guánica. This 10,000-acre forest tract was designated as a United Nations International Biosphere Reserve in 1981 and is both the best-preserved subtropical dry forest and the best example of a dry forest in the Caribbean.
Our hiking destination is to view the Guayacán Centenario, an old-growth guaiacwood tree estimated at 1,000 years old. In addition to this historic tree, other plants, animals, and birds thrive here. We will learn about the last remaining natural population of Puerto Rican crested toads, found here in vernal pools. More than half, 9 of 16, of the endemic bird species also occur here, including the Puerto Rican vireo and the Puerto Rican nightjar. Endangered plant species include the sebucan cactus, the violeta tree, and the critically endangered bariaco.
After our hike, lunch will be fast food on the road as we head out for our longest drive of the week to Centro Educativo Amigos de las Tortugas Marinas, about two hours away. This facility has been dedicated to protecting sea turtles since 2001. We will meet the leatherback turtles and, hopefully, new hatchlings in their care, learn tagging methods, and walk the beach to see nesting sites.
We’ll say goodbye to the turtles and head to our hotel for the night, it’s just down the street. You are welcome to relax this evening or hang out with the group. There are several restaurants within walking distance.
Day 6: Wednesday, Nov 11
7:45 am – Grab your gear and hop in the van: we're caretakers for the day for those floating sea potatoes known as manatees at the Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center. We'll focus on their conservation and care as we help prepare their daily food and assist in feeding as well as other daily rehabilitation and animal care chores.
This afternoon we'll play and explore at the nearby ecopark of Parque Forestal La Marquesa. This wooded park is home to a funicular, an aviary, a butterfly exhibit, and more. You are free to explore on your own.
In the afternoon, we will head to the seaside village of Luquillo for three nights’ accommodation next to the beach.
Day 7: Thursday, Nov 12
5:30 am – Early bird gets the worm, rather, it gets the bird! We’ll meet early for an all-day birding tour of two sites with staff from the nonprofit organization Para la Naturaleza. As part of the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust, this group manages more than 40,000 acres of protected natural areas and historic sites on the island. Our first stop is Medio Mundo y Daguao, the largest Natural Protected Area under their management and the second-largest mangrove forest in all of Puerto Rico. The area’s varied ecosystems provide habitats for some 26 species of rare, endemic, vulnerable, and endangered species, including the West Indian Manatee, yellow-shouldered blackbird, Puerto Rican boa, and several species of sea turtles.
After our hike, we’ll eat lunch at a local restaurant, then make our way to our second stop, Estación Palo Colorado in El Yunque National Forest. Here we will bird along the trails and some sections of the road.
Endemic birds that we can potentially see are the Puerto Rican oriole, Puerto Rican woodpecker, Puerto Rican flycatcher, Adelaide’s warbler, Puerto Rican tody, Puerto Rican emerald hummingbird, green mango hummingbird, Puerto Rican tanager, Puerto Rican spindalis, Puerto Rican bullfinch, and yellow-shouldered blackbird. Other birds of interest are the scarlet ibis, American flamingo, Caribbean elania, green-throated carib hummingbird, Antillean or Hispaniolan mango hummingbird, and other migratory birds.
After our bird tour ends, we will head back to our hotel. You are free to enjoy the evening on your own or with the group.
Our birding tour guides: José Pedrogo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Audiovisual Communications and is pursuing a Master’s degree in History. He started exploring the island on his own and then pursued certification as a tour guide. After working in the industry, José decided he needed to offer the public more than just recreation. He learned about environmental interpretation through his tourism professor and completed the training, leading to his position as an environmental interpreter. He enjoys learning and fulfilling his dream of teaching. Our second guide is José Torres. He graduated from Agricultural Sciences with an emphasis on Entomology. He has been associated with Para la Naturaleza for many years, starting as a volunteer with the Summer Immersion Workshop and then as a mentor. He’s always been involved with nature and has an extensive background, knowledge, and experience. José has been a pioneer in the work that has been done by the organization in El Yunque, such as the creation of tours.
Day 8: Friday, Nov 13
7:30 am – We will meet with luggage and gear ready for another hike in the tropical rain forest of El Yunque. Our trip leader will take us through the rainforest on a short hike, keeping an eye out for birds, plants, flowers, orchids, amphibians, and fungi, ending at the Rio Mameyes. If you choose, wear your swimsuit under your hiking clothes, and bring water shoes and a towel for a cooling dip in the river. After our swim, we’ll walk back up to the El Portal Visitor Center to purchase lunch.
We’ll spend our early afternoon at the visitor center, learning about the endangered Puerto Rican Amazon parrot with the project leader of the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program, Marisel Lopez. Marisel will explain the program and introduce us to three rehabilitated parrots living there that are unable to live in the wild. Unfortunately, we are unable to tour the aviary this time of year due to the parrot’s breeding season. The aviary is a part of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Our El Yunque hike leader, Mónica Rosario, or Momo, was born, raised, and still lives on the island of Puerto Rico. Originally from San Juan, she now resides in Guaynabo. Momo has a double Bachelor’s in Visual Arts and Education and is currently a full-time art teacher at a private school. Her love of nature is a hobby that gives her an overall sense of peace. She enjoys exploring a place to find little hidden gems, like fungi, flowers, small critters, and birds; she loves seeing them on walks. She draws and paints botanical illustrations, which is why she concentrates on observing flora. She collects specimens when the opportunity arises, too.
Our Amazon parrot leader, Marisel Lopez, manages the El Yunque National Forest aviary and oversees critical efforts to rebuild the wild population, including managing captive breeding, monitoring releases, and ensuring the survival of this endangered species
From here, we will head back to Luquillo for our last night there. The afternoon is free to explore the town or the beach.
Day 9: Saturday, Nov 14
We will pack up the van one final time as we make our way back to San Juan. Once there, we will head off for a morning tour of Castillo San Felipe del Morro. The afternoon is free for you to explore old San Juan. We'll gather together for a goodbye dinner this evening.
Day 10: Sunday, Nov 15
We make our way to the airport and say one last goodbye. We can ride-share based on everyone's flight schedules.
OUR NHSM LEADERS:
Jayne Ash, NHSM’s Field Trip Coordinator, designed this trip to reflect the diversity in landscapes, flora, and fauna that is often overlooked when traveling to Puerto Rico. Her love of all things nature inspired her to fill an itinerary with learning opportunities from experienced leaders on a diversity of topics. Her travel style has been honed over the last 15 years, during which she has extensively traveled to more than 40 countries, often for a month or more at a time. This will be our first trip off the continent for NHSM. She welcomes all those with a spirit of adventure to join her on this new avenue for NHSM.
Our second NHSM leader is Dave Webb, an editor with Maryland Biodiversity Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to cataloging the flora and fauna of Maryland. An avid birder for many years, Dave has broadened his interests to anthropods, especially those found in soil. Dave also edits BugGuide.net, vetting the identifications of arthropods photographed by other outdoor enthusiasts, including his own photos.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- All accommodations in two- to three-star hotels. Double rooms will be shared by two people, with two beds available. For three nights in Luquillo, a couple of us will share a common room with single and bunk beds, which may include mixed-gender occupants. No upper bunks will need to be used unless a top bed is preferred. Single supplements are not available. Hotel costs are very high, and this is an attempt to keep your price point lower.
- All activity fees, including guiding fees. Tips will be paid through our tip kitty. See details in the “What you Need to Know” section below.
- All entrance and admission fees to sites visited.
- All transportation during the trip is in an 11-passenger van driven by a private driver.
- Meals included: four breakfasts only. All other meals are at the participant’s expense.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Airfare
- Airport transfer to and from the hotel
- Food, snacks, water, and drinks
- Any items of a personal nature
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- NHSM requires everyone to have valid travel insurance covering personal injury, medical expenses, and emergency repatriation (minimum $200,000) for the entire duration of the trip. Proof of insurance, including the policy number and 24-hour emergency contact information, must be printed and given to the group leader at the Welcome Meeting; otherwise, you cannot join.
- Every participant will be required to sign a Terms and Conditions Agreement before arrival. It will be provided in advance for you to read.
- A tipping kitty will be created at our Welcome Meeting on Day 1. Every participant will need to add $100 in cash for tipping hotel and restaurant staff and trip leaders, including our driver. A running tally of expenses will be kept, and any leftover funds will be divided equally among participants on the final day of the tour.
IS THIS TRIP RIGHT FOR YOU? Moderate Activity Level
- This itinerary contains many early-morning starts and full-day activities that include moderate hiking, up to three hours a day of van transportation, and snorkeling in tidal waters. The pace for all activities, especially hiking, will be set by the slowest member of the group. You must always remain with the group while in the field. No one will be allowed in front of the leader.
- Participants must be able to travel independently and have the physicality needed to safely participate in all activities.
- Participants must respect fellow travelers, staff, and local cultures. This includes listening to others, respecting identities and local customs, and altering behavior if making others uncomfortable.
- Participants are responsible for their actions, including managing punctuality. If a participant sleeps in or misses an activity, they are responsible for finding their own way to the next destination.
- Participants must understand and follow all safety standards. Participants are responsible for wearing the appropriate footwear and equipment as requested.
- As with any travel experience, participants must be open to changes to this itinerary, food options and costs, and other minor inconveniences as may become necessary due to weather, time constraints, or unforeseen circumstances. Being flexible and adaptable to new and changing situations remains a key component of successful travel, even with the best-planned vacation.
- Noncompliance with these policies can result in removal from the tour and/or being blocked from future travel with NHSM. If asked to leave the tour, the participant would be responsible for onward travel.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY
- NHSM must receive cancellations in writing – email to JAsh@marylandnature.org.
- Deposit due at booking.
- Final payment due by Sept 26, 2026.
- Cancellations received by Oct 6, 2026, will forfeit 50% of the final payment and 100% of the deposit.
- No refunds for cancellations received after Oct 7, 2026.
- Your travel insurance plans should cover your cancellation costs.
- Paid participants who cancel may substitute another individual in their spot. NHSM is not responsible for filling the vacancy.
- No refunds will be issued for missed group activities on the trip, including meals, transportation transfers, tours, and other services that were not taken voluntarily.
- If, for any reason, NHSM cancels this trip, NHSM will use reasonable efforts to work with travelers to refund all recoverable funds, but does not guarantee that a full refund will be available. NHSM reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or reschedule the trip for any reason and at any point in time, up to and including during the period of travel.
Let’s explore the natural sciences beyond the usual tourist stops to experience the whole island of Puerto Rico from coast to coast. This active trip highlights the lesser-known spots as well as offers unique interactions with its endemic flora and fauna. We’ll hike the karst region to explore caves, look for a 1000-year-old tree in the Guánica Dry Forest, and admire a nursery full of young coral and sea urchins. There’s a stop to learn about leatherback turtles and a chance to see turtles in the wild on a snorkel trip in the mangroves. Along the way, we’ll meet park rangers and research scientists who are making a difference every day in protecting the biodiversity of Puerto Rico. Don’t worry, we’ll enjoy the ever-popular El Yunque National Forest on an all-day bird adventure to search for those endemics, too.
- Small group travel
- This itinerary is subject to change. Participants will receive updates before departure.
- Please note that inclusions, the cancellation policy, and payment terms are described following the itinerary. You may secure your spot today with only a deposit.
- Puerto Rico is known for having power black outs and water rationing. Participants should be flexible and able to adapt to varying situations.
- Questions: Email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.
Day 1: Friday, Nov 6
Welcome to San Juan! Check in to your room any time after 3 pm. Settle in, then let’s get acquainted.
5 pm – Welcome Meeting at our hotel. We’ll meet up in the front lobby of our hotel for introductions. From there, we’ll walk to dinner as a group.
Day 2: Saturday, Nov 7
8:15 am – Meet in the lobby with luggage ready for the van. Remember to check out and pay for any incidentals. Have your day pack ready with any supplies you may need for the day, including your refillable water bottle, snacks, walking shoes, and a lightweight rain jacket.
We’ll head out for our first stop of the day, a 9 am tour of Old San Juan and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Castillo San Cristóbal. As the largest Spanish-built fortification in the New World, San Cristóbal was constructed between 1634 and 1783 to defend against land-based attacks. The site covers 27 acres and features complex tunnels, moats, and bastions, protecting the city from English and Dutch invaders. Please note that we will not have enough time to visit its sister fort, El Morro. There may be time on our last day of the tour, or you can add an extended stay to your trip to allow time for a visit on your own.
We will also wander the streets of Old San Juan to admire the architecture and history that range from native archaeological finds to modern construction.
Finishing our tour around midday, we’ll grab some lunch, then hit the road for our drive west to the small beach town of Carrizales. We’ll take the scenic route along the ocean, then move inland to experience Cueva Ventana, or Window Cave. We’ll see stalagmites, stalactites, and other cave structures, and we’ll discuss the flora and fauna in this tropical setting. Our walk ends with a picture-window view from the 700-foot-high cliff, gazing out into the forest below.
After arriving at our hotel for the evening, you are welcome to walk to the beach, a short distance away, and eat dinner at your leisure. Shop for lunch, snacks, and drinks for tomorrow’s hike, too.
Day 3: Sunday, Nov 8
7 am – Let’s meet in the lobby with your bag and day pack with lunch, water, and snacks ready for the van. Yesterday’s cave was a bite-sized sampling of today’s adventure. We’re up early to meet our guides and leader, Angel Acosta-Colon, for an all-day hike through the karst hills and valleys to explore four caves in this special section of the island. Breakfast will be at a nearby bakery at your cost.
The limestone mountains in this region of the island have dissolved over time due to rain and groundwater. This creates a characteristic landscape full of caves, rivers, and springs. We will explore four of these limestone caves as we hike through the karst forest. We will see and learn about cave art created by the Taíno people, view speleothems such as stalactites and stalagmites, and admire a crystal cave. We’ll look for endemic and common plants, trees, and birds along the way, too.
Our hike will be guided by staff from the Cabachuelas Project, a community-based education and ecotourism project created for the Las Cabachuelas Nature Reserve. Safety equipment provided includes a helmet and flashlight.
About our Leader: Angel Acosta-Colon works as the Interim Director of the Physics and Chemistry Department at the University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo campus. He has an environmental geophysical background and currently works in the characterization of karst and cave systems in Puerto Rico. His main interest is in LiDAR and photogrammetry applications in geosciences. His projects have been sponsored by the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the EPA.
We’ll head to our hotel in Mayagüez, about a 40-minute drive. The hotel is located near the historic center of town, and you are welcome to spend the evening exploring on your own or as a group.
Day 4: Monday, Nov 9
8 am – Let’s meet with our gear, ready for a day exploring the coast. We’ll drive about 40 minutes to our first stop, the Institute of Socio-Ecological Research, known as ISER Caribe. This marine nursery, located on a nearby island, focuses on restoring coral reefs through an ecosystem-based approach. It is part of the Center for Research and Restoration of Marine Organisms. We will tour their coral nursery as well as their long-spined sea urchin and Caribbean king crab nurseries to learn how to raise these herbivores, which are released onto reefs to control algae and promote coral health.
After our time on the island, we’ll grab our snorkeling gear and head to the dock for a quick boat ride out to snorkel and explore some of the best shallow reefs in Parguera. After, you’ll head out for the second part to swim in the famous bioluminescent bay there.
Day 5: Tuesday, Nov 10
7:45 am – Today is all about the Guánica Dry Forest. We’ll meet with all our gear and day packs, ready to take a short drive back to town to meet up with our guide. From there, we’ll drive to the trailhead to begin our two-hour hike through the Bosque Seco de Guánica. This 10,000-acre forest tract was designated as a United Nations International Biosphere Reserve in 1981 and is both the best preserved subtropical dry forest and the best example of dry forest in the Caribbean.
Our hiking destination is to view the Guayacán Centenario, an old-growth guaiacwood tree, estimated to be 1,000 years old. In addition to this historic tree, other plants, animals, and birds thrive here. We will learn about the last remaining natural population of Puerto Rican crested toads, found here in vernal pools. More than half, 9 of 16, of the endemic bird species also occur here, including the Puerto Rican vireo and the Puerto Rican nightjar. Endangered plant species include the sebucan cactus, the violeta tree, and the critically endangered bariaco.
After our hike, lunch will be fast food on the road as we head out for our longest drive of the week to Centro Educativo Amigos de las Tortugas Marinas, about two hours away. This facility has been dedicated to protecting sea turtles since 2001. We will meet the leatherback turtles and, hopefully, new hatchlings in their care, learn tagging methods, and walk the beach to see nesting sites.
We’ll say goodbye to the turtles and head to our hotel for the night, it’s just down the street. You are welcome to relax this evening or hang out with the group. There are several restaurants within walking distance.
Day 6: Wednesday, Nov 11
7:45 am – Grab your gear and hop in the van: we're caretakers for the day for those floating sea potatoes known as manatees at the Caribbean Manatee Conservation Center. We'll focus on their conservation and care as we help prepare their daily food and assist in feeding as well as other daily rehabilitation and animal care chores.
This afternoon we'll play and explore at the nearby ecopark of Parque Forestal La Marquesa. This wooded park is home to a funicular, an aviary, butterfly exhibit and more. You are free to explore on your own.
In the afternoon, we will head to the seaside village of Luquillo for three nights’ accommodation next to the beach.
Day 7: Thursday, Nov 12
5:30 am – Early bird gets the worm, rather, it gets the bird! We’ll meet early for an all-day birding tour of two sites with staff from the nonprofit organization Para la Naturaleza. As a part of the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust, this group manages more than 40,000 acres of protected natural areas and historical spaces on the island. Our first stop is Medio Mundo y Daguao, the most extensive Natural Protected Area under their management and the second largest mangrove forest in all of Puerto Rico. The area’s varied ecosystems provide habitats for some 26 species of rare, endemic, vulnerable, and endangered species, including the West Indian Manatee, yellow-shouldered blackbird, Puerto Rican boa, and several species of sea turtles.
After our hike, we’ll eat lunch at a local restaurant, then make our way to our second stop, Estación Palo Colorado in El Yunque National Forest. Here we will bird along the trails and some sections of the road.
Endemic birds that we can potentially see are the Puerto Rican oriole, Puerto Rican woodpecker, Puerto Rican flycatcher, Adelaide’s warbler, Puerto Rican tody, Puerto Rican emerald hummingbird, green mango hummingbird, Puerto Rican tanager, Puerto Rican spindalis, Puerto Rican bullfinch, and yellow-shouldered blackbird. Other birds of interest are the scarlet ibis, American flamingo, Caribbean elania, green-throated carib hummingbird, Antillean or Hispaniolan mango hummingbird, and other migratory birds.
After ending our bird tour, we will head back to our hotel. You are free to enjoy the evening on your own or with the group.
Our birding tour guides: José Pedrogo has a Bachelor’s degree in Audiovisual Communications and is working toward a Master’s degree in History. He started exploring the island by himself and then pursued a certification as a tour guide. After working in the industry, José decided he needed to offer something more than recreation to the public. He learned about environmental interpretation through his tourism professor and completed the training, leading to his position as an environmental interpreter. He enjoys learning and fulfilling his dream of teaching. Our second guide is José Torres. He graduated from Agricultural Sciences with an emphasis on Entomology. He has been associated with Para la Naturaleza for many years, starting as a volunteer with the Summer Immersion Workshop and then as a mentor. He’s always been involved with nature and has an extensive background, knowledge, and experience. José has been a pioneer in the work that has been done by the organization in El Yunque, such as the creation of tours.
Day 8: Friday, Nov 13
7:30 am – We will meet with luggage and gear ready for another hike in the tropical rain forest of El Yunque. Our trip leader will take us through the rainforest, on the lookout for potential birds, plants, flowers, orchids, amphibians, and fungi on this short hike, ending at the Rio Mameyes. If you choose, wear your swimsuit under your hiking clothes, and bring water shoes and a towel for a cooling dip in the river. After our swim, we’ll walk back up to the El Portal Visitor Center to purchase lunch.
We’ll spend our early afternoon at the visitor center, learning about the endangered Puerto Rican Amazon parrot with the project leader of the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program, Marisel Lopez. Marisel will explain the program and introduce us to three rehabilitated parrots living there that are unable to live in the wild. Unfortunately, we are unable to tour the aviary this time of year due to the parrot’s breeding season. The aviary is a part of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Our El Yunque hike leader, Mónica Rosario, or Momo, was born, raised, and still lives on the island of Puerto Rico. Originally from San Juan, she now resides in Guaynabo. Momo has a double Bachelor’s in Visual Arts and Education and is currently a full-time art teacher at a private school. Her love of nature is a hobby that gives her an overall sense of peace. She enjoys exploring a place to find the little hidden gems, like fungi, flowers, small critters, and birds; those are all things she loves to see on walks. She draws and paints botanical illustrations, which is why she concentrates on observing flora. She collects specimens when the opportunity arises, too.
Our Amazon parrot leader, Marisel Lopez, manages the El Yunque National Forest aviary and oversees critical efforts to rebuild the wild population, including managing captive breeding, monitoring releases, and ensuring the survival of this endangered species
From here, we will head back to Luquillo for our last night there. he afternoon is free to explore the town or beach.
Day 9: Saturday, Nov 14
We will pack up the van one final time as we make our way back to San Juan. Once there, we will head off for a morning tour of Castillo San Felipe del Morro. The afternoon is free for you to explore old San Juan. We'll gather together for a good-by dinner this evening.
Day 10: Sunday, Nov 15
We make our way to the airport and one last goodbye. We can rideshare based on everyone's flight schedules.
OUR NHSM LEADERS:
Jayne Ash, NHSM’s Field Trip Coordinator, designed this trip to reflect the diversity in landscapes, flora, and fauna that is often overlooked when traveling to Puerto Rico. Her love of all things nature inspired her to fill an itinerary with learning opportunities from experienced leaders on a diversity of topics. Her travel style has been honed over the last 15 years, during which she has extensively traveled to more than 40 countries, often for a month or more at a time. This will be our first trip off the continent for NHSM. She welcomes all those with a spirit of adventure to join her on this new avenue for NHSM.
Our second NHSM leader is Dave Webb, an editor with Maryland Biodiversity Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to cataloging the flora and fauna of Maryland. An avid birder for many years, Dave has broadened his interests to anthropods, especially those found in soil. Dave also edits BugGuide.net, vetting the identifications of arthropods photographed by other outdoor enthusiasts, including his own photos.
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- All accommodations in two- to three-star hotels. Double rooms will be shared by two people, with two beds available. For two nights in Luquillo, a couple of us will share a common room with single and bunk-style beds, which may include mixed genders. No upper bunks will need to be used unless a top bed is preferred. Single supplements are not available. Hotel costs are very high, and this is an attempt to keep your price point lower.
- All activity fees, including guiding fees. Tips will be paid through our tip kitty. See details in the “What you Need to Know” section below.
- All entrance and admission fees to sites visited.
- All transportation during the trip is in an 11-passenger van driven by a private driver.
- Meals included: four breakfasts only. All other meals are at the participant’s expense.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Airfare
- Airport transfer to and from the hotel
- Food, snacks, water, and drinks
- Any items of a personal nature
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- NHSM requires everyone to have valid travel insurance covering personal injury, medical expenses, and emergency repatriation (minimum $200,000) for the entire duration of the trip. Proof of insurance, including the policy number and 24-hour emergency contact, must be printed and given to the group leader at the Welcome Meeting, or you cannot join.
- Every participant will be required to sign a Terms and Conditions Agreement before arrival. It will be provided in advance for you to read.
- A tipping kitty will be created at our Welcome Meeting on Day 1. Every participant will need to add $100 in cash to be used for tipping hotel and restaurant staff and trip leaders, including our driver. A running tally will be kept of expenses, and any leftover funds will be divided equally between participants on the final day of the tour.
IS THIS TRIP RIGHT FOR YOU? Moderate Activity Level
- This itinerary contains many early-morning starts and full-day activities that include moderate hiking, up to three hours a day of van transportation, and snorkeling in tidal waters. The pace for all activities, especially hiking, will be set by the slowest member of the group. You must always remain with the group while in the field. No one will be allowed in front of the leader.
- Participants must be able to travel independently and have the physicality needed to safely participate in all activities.
- Participants must respect fellow travelers, staff, and local cultures. This includes listening to others, respecting identities and local customs, and altering behavior if making others uncomfortable.
- Participants are responsible for their actions, including managing punctuality. If a participant sleeps in or misses an activity, they are responsible for finding their own way to the next destination.
- Participants must understand and follow all safety standards. Participants are responsible for wearing the appropriate footwear and equipment as requested.
- As with any travel experience, participants must be open to changes to this itinerary, food options and costs, and other minor inconveniences as may become necessary due to weather, time constraints, or unforeseen circumstances. Being flexible and adaptable to new and changing situations remains a key component to successful travel, even with the best planned vacation.
- Noncompliance with these policies can result in removal from the tour and/or being blocked from future travel with NHSM. If asked to leave the tour, onward travel would be the responsiblity of the participant.
CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY
- NHSM must receive cancellations in writing – email to JAsh@marylandnature.org.
- Deposit due at booking.
- Final payment due by Sept 26, 2026.
- Cancellations received by Oct 6, 2026, will forfeit 50% of the final payment and 100% of the deposit.
- No refunds for cancellations received after Oct 7, 2026.
- Your travel insurance plans should cover your cancellation costs.
- Paid participants who cancel may substitute another individual in their spot. NHSM is not responsible for filling the vacancy.
- No refunds will be issued for missed group activities on the trip, including meals, transportation transfers, tours, and other services voluntarily not taken.
- If, for any reason, NHSM cancels this trip, NHSM will use reasonable efforts to work with travelers to refund all recoverable funds, but does not guarantee that a full refund will be available. NHSM reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or reschedule the trip for any reason and at any point in time, up to and including during the period of travel.
