Puerto Rico: Reef Restoration

Trip Name
Puerto Rico: Reef Restoration

Trip Categories
Community Service, Spanish Immersion, Scuba

Who It's For
High school students completing grades 9–12

2027 Session
Session 1: July 1 – July 14, 2027
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure and return dates. Additional travel details will be provided following enrollment.

Location Puerto Rico

Trip Length
14 Days

Service Hours
10–20

Tuition
$6,595

2027 Tuition
$6,595

Save Up to $500
Apply by October 31, 2026 to save $250 with our Early Enrollment Discount. Pay tuition in full at enrollment and save an additional $250.

Early Enrollment Discount
Save $250 when you apply by October 31, 2026.

Pay-In-Full Discount
Save an additional $250 when tuition is paid in full at enrollment.

Fully Refundable Deposit
Your deposit is fully refundable through December 31, 2026.

Standard Payment Plan
Prefer not to pay in full? Our standard payment schedule includes payments on November 15, January 15, March 15, and May 15.

This is the plan—but plans can shift. Weather, group energy, and new opportunities sometimes lead us to make changes. No two trips are exactly the same, and that’s part of what makes the experience so memorable.

Days 1-2: Travel to San Juan
Everyone flies to San Juan (SJU) and connects at the airport. Once the whole group is together, we transfer to our accommodation near San Juan. We settle in, explore the beach, and start getting to know each other.

Days 3–6: Scuba Dive & Train with PADI Instructors
Over the next four days, we dive into our PADI scuba training. New divers work toward certification, while returning divers gain deeper skills. Each day includes open water dives, classroom sessions, and time to reflect and reset. We also spend time exploring Old San Juan.

Days 7-10: Environmental Community Service and Coral Restoration
After experiencing the underwater beauty of the incredible coral reefs, we head on land to do our part to support local environmental organizations. We roll up our sleeves and take part in the work being done to restore and protect the land and water ecosystems of Puerto Rico. Projects may include: snorkeling data collection, native species restoration, coral reef restoration, fish and seagrass identification, and more. In partnership with a great local organization, our work is hands-on, with educational components woven in. We also spend an evening kayaking on a bioluminescent bay, in a magical lagoon, with glowing water.

Day 11: Hike El Yunque National Rainforest and Hurricane Maria Conversations
We hike through El Yunque National Rainforest. This lush, green landscape is full of trails, pools, and waterfalls. Along the way, we keep an eye out for the native Coqui Tree Frog and learn about local flora and fauna from our guide. We also meet with locals to learn about the lasting impacts of Hurricane Maria.

Day 12: Centro Ceremonial Indigena and Exploring Ponce
The Centro Ceremonial Indigena is one of the largest and most important ceremonial sites in Puerto Rico. We spend time learning about the history of this site, and amble the streets of the nearby town of Ponce.

Day 13: Paddle Boarding and Trip Celebration
For our last full day, we spend time together as a group paddle boarding and swimming, and exploring Old San Juan. We end with our final night banquet and reflect on our adventures over the past 2 weeks.

Day 14: Homeward Bound
We say our final goodbyes and return home from San Juan—sun-kissed, saltwater-soaked, and full of stories to tell.

We stay in private, locally-owned Airbnb-style housing throughout the trip.

Group Living: Teens sleep in shared rooms, rotating beds or sleeping mats as needed. Rooms are grouped by gender and designed for a “slumber party” feel—casual, connected, and cozy.

Bathrooms & Showers: Bathrooms are shared and basic, with access to showers every 1-2 days. We encourage water conservation throughout the trip.

What to Expect: Think shared space, and simple comforts. Most meals are shared on outdoor patios or in common kitchens.

All meals are prepared together as a group in our guesthouse kitchens or outdoor spaces.

Cook Crew: Each day, a rotating cook crew helps plan, prep, cook, and clean with support from leaders. It’s a core part of the group experience.

Local + Simple: Meals reflect Puerto Rican ingredients and cooking styles - expect fresh fruit, rice and beans, plantains, grilled meats, and Caribbean flavors. We love the change to mix food that offers the comfort of home, plus favorites of kids in the group, plus local specialties and flavors!

All Diets Welcome: We accommodate all dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, peanut free, and dairy free. Just let us know in advance.

Snacks & Water: Plenty of snacks and hydration breaks are built into the day, especially during active service or beach time.

Flights
Families book flights to and from San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU).
Do not book your teen’s flight until RLT provides the official travel windows.

Unaccompanied Minors
We’ll walk you through the process if your teen is flying as an airline-designated Unaccompanied Minor (for major airlines this is often kids who are 14 years old or younger, and are flying without a parent.) Every airline has different policies so it is important to coordinate with RLT and look into each airline’s specific policies. Generally speaking, we will have an RLT leader available to meet Unaccompanied Minors at the arrival airport for each trip.

Packing
Participants are responsible for bringing their own personal clothing, toiletries, and individual gear. The Road Less Traveled provides all group gear, including tents (when applicable), cooking equipment, and any specialized activity equipment needed for the trip. A detailed packing list will be sent to families well in advance (and is available upon request at any time) to ensure your child is prepared. We encourage packing clothing that’s comfortable, durable, and made for adventure. Our list will also provide guidance based on weather, location, and planned activities to help participants bring the right items for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked soft duffel bag (NOT a rolling suitcase) and a small carry-on backpack.

Forms & Waivers
After enrollment, you'll get access to your RLT portal with all required forms:
Health history
Medical information
Participant agreement
Emergency contact details
All forms must be completed before the trip.

PADI E-Learning
Students completing their scuba certification must finish the required PADI e-learning course before the trip. This course is a separate fee and is not included in RLT tuition. We’ll send instructions after enrollment so you know which course to purchase.

Medical Clearance
No doctor’s visit is required unless your teen has a new or complex condition. **For scuba diving specifically, there will be a doctor sign-off required for any medical conditions. Please reach out to us with questions.*
Our team reviews all health forms to ensure we’re prepared to support every participant.

Medications
All medications, prescription and over-the-counter, must be listed on your teen’s medical form. Trip leaders hold all medications throughout the trip and administer them as needed.

Behavioral Expectations
Before departure, every family reviews our Positive Participation Agreement with their teen. It covers expectations for safety, respect, participation, and group life. On trip, leaders address concerns early and directly, help students understand the impact of their choices, and work with them to reset. If a concern is serious or ongoing, we involve the family and determine next steps together.

Trip Insurance
Not required, but strongly recommended for domestic travel.
You’re welcome to choose any provider. We can share recommendations if needed.

Vaccinations
We follow CDC guidelines for travel, and always recommend that families check in with their pediatrician prior to traveling. Based on current CDC guidelines, no specific shots are required beyond routine immunizations. Please check that your teen is up to date on routine vaccinations, including a tetanus booster (Td or Tdap) within the past 10 years.

Passport
No passport needed for US citizens (Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory).

Device-Free Philosophy
Our programs are intentionally phone-free. On Day 1, leaders collect all phones and personal devices. These are stored securely and returned at the end of the trip.

Why?
Because disconnecting helps teens:
Connect more deeply with others
Stay present in their surroundings
Build confidence away from constant tech

Cameras Welcome
Digital cameras and GoPros are encouraged—just no internet-connected devices. Leaders also take photos throughout the trip and share them afterward in an online gallery.

Communication
Families receive regular updates during the program. In case of emergency, our on-call team is available 24/7.