Puerto Rico: Reef Restoration

Trip Name
Puerto Rico: Reef Restoration

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

2026 Session
Session 2: July 9 – July 22, 2026
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure and return. Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.

Location
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Trip Length
14 Days

Service Hours
10–20

Tuition
$6,295

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.

Day 1: Travel to San Juan
Our chaperoned flight leaves in the morning and we land in San Juan (SJU) later that day. Once the whole group is together, we take the short transfer to our first accommodation near San Juan. We settle in, explore the beach, and start getting to know each other.

Day 2: Hike El Yunque National Rainforest
We start the trip with a 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. After the hike, we cool off in the ocean and enjoy our first full group dinner by the water.

Days 3–5: Scuba Dive & Train with PADI/SSI Instructors
Over the next three days, we dive into our PADI or SSI 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.

Day 6: Explore Old San Juan & Snorkel El Escambrón
We head into Old San Juan to explore its colorful streets and local shops. In the afternoon, we snorkel in crystal-clear waters along El Escambrón Beach, keeping an eye out for marine life and nearby coral reefs.

Day 7: Snorkeling Excursion
We head to the eastern coast of the island for a guided snorkeling trip. With the help of local experts, we explore the reefs and look out for sea turtles, fish, and other aquatic wildlife.

Day 8: Explore Río Camuy Caves & Indigenous History
We travel west to explore the Río Camuy Cave system, one of the largest underground river caverns in the world. With a local guide, we learn about the cave’s formation, ancient rock structures, and the power of the river that shaped it. Afterward, we visit a major ceremonial site once used by the Igneri and Taíno peoples.

Day 9: Zipline Adventure & Taste Mofongo
We zip through eight lines above the rainforest canopy, catching incredible views of the landscape below. Afterward, we taste mofongo—a classic Puerto Rican dish made from mashed plantains and packed with flavor.

Day 10: Visit Castillo San Felipe del Morro & Take a Salsa Class
We head back to Old San Juan for one more day in the city. We explore the historic Castillo San Felipe del Morro, then finish the day with a salsa dancing class that gets everyone moving.

Day 11: Coffee Farm Tour & Forest Hike
We visit a family-owned coffee farm in the southeastern region of the island to learn how coffee is grown and harvested. After the tour, we hike through a unique swamp forest filled with towering Pterocarpus trees and wildlife.

Day 12: Hike & Beach Afternoon
We revisit our favorite rainforest trails for one last hike and soak in the views. In the afternoon, we head to the beach to swim, relax, and take in the Caribbean sun.

Day 13: Final Banquet & Reflection
We close out the trip with a final group meal and reflection time. It’s a chance to celebrate all we’ve done, share memories, and enjoy one last evening together by the beach.

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 guesthouses and 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 identity and designed for a “slumber party” feel—casual, connected, and cozy.

Bathrooms & Showers: Bathrooms are shared and basic, with access to showers at least every other day. We encourage water conservation throughout the trip.

What to Expect: Think fans, shared space, and simple comforts. Leaders sleep nearby and help the group keep spaces clean and organized. 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.

All Diets Welcome: We accommodate all dietary needs including vegetarian, gluten-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.

Escorted Flight Option
An optional group flight with an RLT leader is available from the New York area.

Unaccompanied Minors
If your teen is flying as an unaccompanied minor, we’ll provide all required info for check-in, pickup, and coordination with airlines.

Packing
We’ll send a detailed packing list before your trip. Everything fits in a duffel or backpack.
Key items include:
Sleeping bag + sleeping pad
Swimsuit + towel
Rain jacket
Sturdy sandals or hiking shoes
Reusable water bottle
No special gear is required—we keep it simple.

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked bag 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.

Medical Clearance
No doctor’s visit is required unless your teen has a new or complex condition.
Our team reviews all health forms to ensure we’re prepared to support every participant.

Medications
List all prescription and over-the-counter medications on your teen’s medical form.
Trip leaders will securely manage and dispense medications as needed.

Behavioral Expectations
We’ll send a Code of Conduct to review together. It sets the tone for a safe, supportive, and inclusive group experience.

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

Vaccinations
No specific vaccines are required for travel to Puerto Rico.
Please make sure your teen is up to date on routine immunizations per CDC guidelines.

Passport
No passport needed—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.