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 2 – July 15, 2026
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
$6,295

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
Everyone flies to San Juan (SJO) 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.

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 3–6: Scuba Dive & Train with PADI Instructors
Over the next three 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.

Day 7: 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.

Days 8-10: Environmental Community Service
After having experience 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 of Puerto Rico. Projects may include: native species restoration, coral reef restoration, fish and seagrass identification, and more.

Day 11: Paddle boarding and Indigenous History
We change gears today to have a relaxing and fun paddle board in the Condado Lagoon, and then head to the Caguana Ceremonial Indigenous Heritage Center to learn about the history of Puerto Rico.

Day 12: Visit Castillo San Felipe del Morro & Take a Bomba 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 13: Pterocarpus Forest Hike, Beach, and Final Banquet
We wrap up the trip with a hike through a unique forest filled with towering Pterocarpus trees and wildlife, followed by a final afternoon at the beach! We swim, relax, and enjoy 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 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.

Additi

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
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 Participation Agreement for you and your child to review together. It sets the tone for a safe, supportive, and inclusive group experience.

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.