Puerto Rico: Reefs to Rainforest

Trip Name
Puerto Rico: Reefs to Rainforests

Who It’s For
Middle school students (grades 6–8)

2026 Sessions
Session 1 (Middle School): June 22 – July 5, 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
10–15

Tuition
$5,595

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 departs in the morning, landing in San Juan (SJU) later that day. Once the full group is together, we transfer to our first accommodation. We settle in, play games, and begin getting to know each other.

Day 2: Hike El Yunque National Rainforest
We start the trip strong with a hike through El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. We explore trails, pools, and waterfalls with a local guide and learn about native species like the Coqui Tree Frog. Afterward, we cool off with a swim at the beach.

Day 3: Service & Bioluminescent Kayaking
In the morning, we begin our environmental service work, partnering with local organizations focused on hurricane recovery and conservation. That evening, we kayak through a mangrove-lined canal into a bioluminescent lagoon—watching the water glow with each stroke.

Day 4: Service Day
We continue our environmental service, then meet with community members to hear firsthand how Hurricane Maria impacted their lives. This helps us connect the dots between service, climate change, and the people at the heart of it all.

Day 5: Service & Stand-Up Paddleboarding
We wrap up our service efforts with a project directly supporting a local community. In the afternoon, we head to Condado Lagoon for a stand-up paddleboarding session—complete with games and plenty of splashing.

Day 6: Hiking & Local Cuisine
We return to El Yunque for another hike and soak in the panoramic views. After the hike, we sample some of Puerto Rico’s culinary specialties and learn about their cultural roots.

Day 7: Old San Juan & El Escambrón Beach
We spend the morning exploring the colorful streets and history of Old San Juan. After lunch, we cool off at El Escambrón Beach—snorkeling, swimming, and spotting coral reef marine life.

Day 8: Snorkeling Excursion
We head to Puerto Rico’s eastern coast for a guided snorkeling tour. We hope to spot sea turtles, tropical fish, and other marine life while learning about reef ecosystems from local guides.

Day 9: Río Camuy Caves & Indigenous History
We explore the massive Río Camuy Cave system—one of the world’s largest underground river caverns. In the afternoon, we visit an archaeological site with stone-lined courts and plazas, learning about the ancient Igneri and Taíno peoples.

Day 10: Ziplining & Mofongo Tasting
We soar above the rainforest canopy on a zipline adventure. Afterward, we dig into mofongo, a beloved Puerto Rican dish made from fried plantains, garlic, and pork cracklings.

Day 11: Castillo San Felipe del Morro & Salsa
We revisit Old San Juan to explore the historic Castillo San Felipe del Morro and take in sweeping coastal views. We end the day with a lively salsa class and learn more about the island’s cultural rhythms.

Day 12: Coffee Farm & Forest Hike
We tour a family-run coffee farm to learn about Puerto Rican coffee production. Then we explore a Pterocarpus forest—home to coquí frogs, birds, insects, and unique flora.

Day 13: Hike, Beach, & Banquet
On our final full day, we revisit the rainforest and beach one last time. We end the evening with our traditional RLT banquet—celebrating the group, the growth, and the memories.

Day 14: Homeward Bound
We say our final goodbyes and head home from San Juan after two unforgettable weeks.

We’ll stay in private, locally-owned guesthouses and small lodges across the island. These spaces feel cozy and communal—like a big group sleepover.

Shared Rooms: Teens sleep in shared rooms (4–8 per room), divided by gender identity. Bunk beds and floor mattresses are common.

Rustic Bathrooms: Most sites have basic bathrooms and showers, with access every 1–2 days.

Setup & Chores: While we don’t camp on this trip, the group still helps keep shared spaces clean and organized.

What to Expect: Breezy porches, colorful walls, and the sounds of coquí frogs at night. It’s simple, safe, and full of character.

All meals are made together using local ingredients in full kitchens at our group housing.

Cook Crew: Each day, a few teens rotate through cooking and cleaning duties—learning how to prep meals as a team.

Simple + Fresh: Meals reflect Puerto Rican flavors and are easy to cook—think rice and beans, plantains, tacos, grilled chicken, fresh fruit, and pancakes.

All Diets Welcome: We accommodate all allergies and dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.).

Snacks + Hydration: Teens have access to plenty of water and snacks throughout the day, especially after service, hikes, and beach days.

Flights
Families book flights to and from San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU).
Do not book your teen’s flight until you receive the required travel windows from our team.

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

Unaccompanied Minor Info
If your teen is flying as an unaccompanied minor, we’ll provide all necessary check-in and pick-up details after enrollment.

Packing
We send a detailed packing list well in advance—everything fits in a duffel or backpack.
Key items include:
Sleeping bag + sleeping pad
Rain jacket
Sturdy sandals + water shoes
Swimsuit + towel
No special gear needed—we keep it simple.

Luggage Note
We recommend one checked bag and a small carry-on backpack.

Forms & Waivers
Once enrolled, you'll get access to your RLT portal with all required forms:
Health history and medical forms
Participant agreement and waiver
Emergency contact info
All forms must be submitted before your trip.

Medical Clearance
No doctor’s appointment is required unless there’s a new or complex medical condition.
We review all forms to ensure we’re ready to support your teen.

Medications
All medications (prescription and over-the-counter) must be listed on your medical form.
Leaders manage and dispense medications throughout the trip.

Behavioral Expectations
We’ll send a Code of Conduct to review with your teen.
We want everyone to feel safe, included, and supported—this helps set that tone.

Trip Insurance
Strongly encouraged for all domestic trips.
You're welcome to use any provider. See our FAQ for recommendations or reach out for help.

Vaccinations
No specific vaccinations are required.
Please make sure your teen is up to date on routine immunizations per CDC guidelines.

Passport
Not needed for this program.

Device-Free Philosophy
Phones and electronics are collected on Day 1 and returned at the end of the trip.
Why? Because disconnecting helps teens:
Build deeper relationships
Be present in their surroundings
Gain confidence without constant tech

Cameras Welcome
Digital cameras and GoPros are welcome—anything that doesn’t connect to the internet.
Trip leaders also take photos and share them in an online gallery after the trip.

Communication
We’ll send updates to families during the trip.
If there’s an emergency, our on-call team is available 24/7.