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Following are some helpful information, recommendations and suggestions for your tour to PUERTO RICO. Additional and detailed information will be sent within three weeks before your tour departure date.
FLORA & FAUNA
Puerto Rico is one of the biodiversity hotspots of the Caribbean. About 42% of the island of Puerto Rico is covered by some type of forest, of which the two main types are Puerto Rican Moist Forest and Puerto Rican Dry Forest. About 7% of the land area (terrestrial) is protected for nature conservation (about 66,800 ha, or over 165,000 acres). About 240 species of plants are endemic to Puerto Rico.
Terrestrial vertebrates include 39 endemic species of amphibians and reptiles, and 19 endemic birds (excluding the Puerto Rican Parakeet which is extinct in historical times). Among native amphibians restricted to Puerto Rico, probably the most noticeable species are the very vocal frogs in the Eleutherodactylus genus, including the Common Coqui, Locust Coqui, Wrinkled Coqui, Forest Coqui, Elfin Coqui and others. Native reptiles include the Puerto Rican Boa (Epicrates inornatus), the beautiful Puerto Rican Blue-tailed Ameiva (Ameiva wetmorei), as well as the Puerto Rican Giant Anole (Anolis cuvieri). Birds of Puerto Rico include about 379 species (see Bird Checklist), where Nesospingidae (Puerto Rican Tanager) represents an endemic family. There are no endemic mammals, although several extinct endemics are known from fossils, including sloths of the extinct genus Acratocnus.
Terrestrial vertebrates include 39 endemic species of amphibians and reptiles, and 19 endemic birds (excluding the Puerto Rican Parakeet which is extinct in historical times). Among native amphibians restricted to Puerto Rico, probably the most noticeable species are the very vocal frogs in the Eleutherodactylus genus, including the Common Coqui, Locust Coqui, Wrinkled Coqui, Forest Coqui, Elfin Coqui and others. Native reptiles include the Puerto Rican Boa (Epicrates inornatus), the beautiful Puerto Rican Blue-tailed Ameiva (Ameiva wetmorei), as well as the Puerto Rican Giant Anole (Anolis cuvieri). Birds of Puerto Rico include about 379 species (see Bird Checklist), where Nesospingidae (Puerto Rican Tanager) represents an endemic family. There are no endemic mammals, although several extinct endemics are known from fossils, including sloths of the extinct genus Acratocnus.
PRE-TRIP INFORMATION
When you decide to participate in our Puerto Rico tour, check with your doctor regarding any pre-and/or post-trip treatment that may be necessary. As in other islands of the West Indies, domestic animals and wildlife in Puerto Rico can transmit diseases, especially to persons traveling to wild regions. Please check the CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION website for the most current information about COVID-19, recommendations and specific vaccinations for travelers to Puerto Rico (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/puerto-rico). There is also a Healthy Travel Packing List (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/puerto-rico/traveler/packing-list) and information about other diseases that currently can be found in the island. For information on how to prevent insect bites go to: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/ avoid-bug-bites
Canadian travelers can check information at "travel health" in the website of the PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/index-eng.php).
No special entry requirements are necessary for American birders visiting Puerto Rico. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check "PASSPORT, VISAS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS" under "GENERAL INFORMATION" page.
Canadian travelers can check information at "travel health" in the website of the PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA (http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/index-eng.php).
No special entry requirements are necessary for American birders visiting Puerto Rico. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check "PASSPORT, VISAS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS" under "GENERAL INFORMATION" page.
ARRIVING IN PUERTO RICO
Please note that your flight itinerary must be congruent with our tour schedule. Our tour starts and ends in the capital city of San Juan and you must arrange your arrival and departure flights to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). Once you arrive in San Juan your leader will meet you at the airport (holding a sign with our logo) and we will transport you from the airport to the hotel. If you arrive one day before, or return home one day after the indicated tour dates, we are not responsible for your transportation during your arrival and departure days to Puerto Rico. Please be sure that information about your flight (e.g., date and time of arrival to SJU) is correct as presented in the documents you will receive from us prior your departure to the tour. Please confirm and/or inform us of any changes in your flight itinerary through email. In case of any emergency during traveling to Puerto Rico, you can call the leader at 561-452-6895.
ACCOMMODATIONS
During the tour to Puerto Rico you will stay in three standard hotels located in cities, including San Juan (2) and near Ponce (1), respectively. Exact hotel information during the trip is provided in a detailed itinerary, along with other complementary tour package materials that you will receive before departure. Also included will be specific information about emergency contacts for the places you will stay. Laundry and Internet services are available at the hotels we will occupy throughout Puerto Rico. In hotels located outside of San Juan, internet access can be reduced to some specific areas of the facility.
FOOD & DRINKS
Local cuisine is available throughout Puerto Rico, where typical dishes of the island include "Mofongo", "Arroz con Gandules", "Piononos", "Chillo Frito", "Bacalaítos Fritos", the exquisite "Tembleque", and more. Other kinds of food are as in the USA, and Italian and Chinese food can be found in the capital city of San Juan and other populated places. Seafood is available throughout the coastal regions, where local fresh fish, including "Chillo Frito" is usually present. When we visit a mountainous region in the western part of the island, we will eat a boxed lunch but all other lunches will be in fast food places in, or near, cities. Dinners will always be in restaurants. We will provide cold bottles of water and soft drinks for each participant in the vehicle(s) and during all birding sessions.
TRANSPORTATION
Our on-land movements throughout Puerto Rico and its natural areas will be in a comfortable large van. Our longest ride will be about two and a half hours and always on paved roads. Please check that your baggage is of a reasonable size for such transportation, as we will be carrying your bags from one point to another during the tour. Your consideration in this matter will be greatly appreciated.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Birding sessions in Puerto Rico are extremely easy and not very physically demanding. Walks are typically short distances from the vehicle and along roadsides. Only two places have significantly uneven terrain and in localities such as Humacao and Guánica, the walk can be extended as long as a mile.
