Trip Itinerary

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

Mon., Feb. 2         Arrivals in San Juan | Explore the Historic City at Leisure | Welcome Dinner

Southeast of Miami (just a thousand miles!) our island birding begins … welcome to Puerto Rico! This is the tropics, and a territory of the USA with no passport required. We find familiar comforts of home alongside fascinating island ecology that includes a number of endemic birds. 

You are met at the airport to take you into historic San Juan, where we have found a great little oasis, the Casa Wilson Inn. This is a delightful, family-run bed and breakfast with scenic outdoor courtyard and pool, just a short walk to a wide selection of terrific restaurants. If you haven’t opted for the pre-tour extension, there are no activities planned for today other than the welcome dinner tonight. 

Our welcome dinner is in the heart of downtown San Juan at a popular restaurant offering a range of local specialties and other delights. Plan to arrive in time for dinner—it’s a great chance to meet your guide and travel companions and hear about our plans for the week ahead. 
Accommodations at the Casa Wilson Inn, San Juan (D)

Tues, Feb. 3          Explore the Island: Caguas | Bahia de Jobos | La Parguera

We head out early to beat the traffic and enjoy the best time of day for bird activity. We take a packed breakfast and head over to Caguas, an artsy town not far froom San Juan. Here at a local birding hotspot, sightings may include Plain Pigeon, Pearly-eyed Thrasher, and Puerto Rican Spindalis. We then continue on to Bahia de Jobos, a very important marine estuary area along the southern coast, with hopes of seeing both Antillean Crested Hummingbird and Green-throated Carib; these two range-restricted species can only be seen on the eastern side of the island. Lunch is at a popular local restaurant in Bahia de Jobos and we should pick up a few shorebirds and waders while enjoying some fabulous ocean views. 

Our final destination today is the southern coastal town of La Parguera, where we settle into our a hotel with a prime location on the water. We should arrive in time for you to relax and enjoy the amenities of the hotel, including a refreshing dip in the pool. 

Before dusk, we take a stroll down to the best site for observing an endangered species that finds its stronghold here in the mangroves that protect the coastline: Yellow-shouldered Blackbird. At dusk they fly into their roosting sites. If it’s a beautiful evening we can dine outside, a great treat of life here on the islands. 
Accommodations at La Parguera (B,L,D)

Wed., Feb. 4           Maricao State Forest | La Parguera | Boat Trip to a Bioluminescent Bay

After a relaxed sit-down breakfast at our hotel, we head up into the mountains this morning on the Central Road that leads us up to the Maricao Forest, where we look for species of lusher habitats such as the Puerto Rican Tanager and Puerto Rican Oriole. The morning’s birding is followed by a local lunch in Lajas. We make a special effort to see the shy and endangered Elfin-woods Warbler, a species not easy to see and only discovered in 1968, described in 1971. It inhabits moist montane forests where it feeds on insects. We look for other species of this habitat type before heading back. On the way, we stop in scrub and thicket habitat in a reliable spot to look for the colorful Adelaide’s Warbler. Both of these warbler species have relatives on other Caribbean Islands and are a fine example of speciation, a key element of biodiversity. We then make the short drive back to La Parguera for an afternoon break, and for those that wish, a chance to get into the water. 

We finish the day by taking a boat trip out to experience the spectacular and otherworldly bioluminescent bay off Lajas. Unlike the other two bio bays found in Puerto Rico, swimming is allowed in La Parguera, so if you’re feeling adventurous, remember to bring your bathing suit so you can take a dip!
Accommodations at La Parguera (B,L,D)

Thurs., Feb. 5          Coastal Birding | Laguna Cartegena National Wildlife Refuge | Scenic Cabo Rojo Lighthouse | Night Birding

This morning we enjoy a walk around the ponds and wetland habitats at Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge, admiring expansive views of surrounding mountains as we search out key species such as West Indian Whistling Duck and if we’re lucky, Masked Duck and even Yellow-breasted Crake. The refuge, just over 1000 acres in size, holds vitally important freshwater habitat for both overwintering and resident wetland species. There is an open water lagoon, extensive cattail areas, working cattle and hay fields, and abandoned rice fields, all of which receive most of their water from annual rainfall and runoff. In the dry forest scrub habitat of the Sierra Bermeja hills, the oldest rocks known in the Caribbean, we may find wintering songbird species along with Yellow-faced Grassquit and Caribbean Elaenia. In mangrove areas we look and listen for Mangrove Cuckoo and Smooth-billed Ani. 

The refuge is close to Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, a 200-foot high coastal headland that houses an historic lighthouse and gives us a great opportunity to scan for Brown Booby, Magnificent Frigatebird, Brown Pelican, and possibly wintering Humpback Whales. Extensive salt flats rim one side of the refuge and form an Important Bird Area, as well as a Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve; we take our scopes and see what we can find, with elegant Black-necked Stilt, American Oystercatcher, Wilson’s Plover, and Clapper Rail as potential species. There is an informative visitor center and several trails with interpretive signage to explore. Merlin and Loggerhead Kingbird may be around, as well as Scaly-naped and White-crowned Pigeons. 

We return for an afternoon break and time for a swim for those that wish. In the early evening we venture out for some nearby night birding to look for Puerto Rican Nightjar and Puerto Rican Owl before returning for a later dinner at the hotel.
Accommodations at La Parguera (B,L,D)

Fri., Feb. 6         Rio Abajo State Forest | Calambache State Forest | Hatillo

Our route back makes a loop to the north across the island. This morning, we leave the hotel early with a packed breakfast and hopes of seeing one of the rarest parrots on Earth: the spectacular Puerto Rican Amazon. This particular species can be found in the vast expanse of the Rio Abajo State Forest. Here, The World Parrot Trust (WPT) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) are collaborating to restore and maintain critical habitats critical for the recovery of the Puerto Rican Amazon. Efforts include strategic habitat planning, tree planting, erosion control, invasive species management, artificial nest installation, and continuous monitoring of parrot populations. By involving local communities and implementing sustainable practices, the partnership aims to build a strong foundation for the species' recovery and future habitat stability. 

We often have a lot of activity right on arrival as lush trees rim the parking area and we may find the delightful Puerto Rican Euphonia and Puerto Rican Tody to start our day. Ruddy Quail Dove, a secretive species, may be spotted in this area, as well as Puerto Rican Woodpecker, Black-whiskered Vireo, Lesser Antillean Pewee, wintering warblers such as Hooded, Worm-eating, and Black-throated Green among a good number of other species. We also watch the skies for the endemic subspecies of Broad-winged Hawk. 

After a great morning and a restaurant lunch in Arecibo, we visit Cambalache State Forest on the north coast of the island this afternoon. Here, in lowland forest, we have a chance to improve our views of any key species we haven’t seen well yet, with good chances of finding Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo, Puerto Rican Bullfinch, Puerto Rican Flycatcher, and more. Pearly-eyed Thrasher is likely calling and wintering warblers include Black-and-white, Ovenbird, and Northern Parula. 

We then make our way a bit to the west to settle into our hotel and enjoy dinner in Hatillo, located on the north coast with views of the Atlantic Ocean. This is a quiet dairy farming area and our hotel has a pool for you to enjoy. 
Accommodations at El Buen Café Parador, Hatillo (B,L,D)

Sat., Feb. 7          Hatillo | Coastal and Forest Hotspots | Return to San Juan

Our last day is a group and guide’s choice day—we see what species might need more work as we travel and if we have seen most of them, we can add diversity. After a relaxed breakfast enjoyed at El Buen Cafe, we complete our loop back to San Juan, stopping en route at several birding hotspots that are productive sites for species such as Puerto Rican Mango and other local specialties. We may visit some scenic cliffs to watch one of nature’s most elegant birds, the White-tailed Tropicbird. As time permits, we may also take in cultural and historic sites of interest along the way. 

Lunch is taken in Manati on our way back to San Juan, followed by a fun, farewell dinner in the city. This is our final evening, and as typical for our trips, we tally up our final sightings and share highlight species and moments of this island journey. 
Accommodations in San Juan (B,L,D)

Sun., Feb. 8        Departures

Enjoy a sit down breakfast at the hotel this morning, followed by airport taxi transfers and your journey home. You can depart at your leisure today. (B)

Pre-Tour Extension

Itineraries are guidelines; variations in itinerary may occur to account for weather, road conditions, closures, etc. and to maximize your experience.

We have booked an optional pre-tour package with an extra night at our San Juan hotel, meals, and some guided sightseeing for those who wish to arrive early.

Sun, Feb. 1: Early Arrivals to San Juan | Night at Casa Wilson Inn

We have pre-booked rooms at our lovely hotel for those that opt for our pre-tour package, a cultural offering so you can enjoy historic San Juan. Arrive at your leisure today (you will be met at the airport) and enjoy the amenities of the Casa Wilson Inn, and as your time allows, a wander to admire the architecture and ambiance of your surroundings. Dinner is at your leisure tonight as some may arrive in the early evening. Those arriving in time can walk to one of our favorite restaurants with your guide, or choose from a host of good restaurants nearby as you wish.
Accommodations at the Casa Wilson Inn, San Juan

Mon., Feb. 2: San Juan National Historic Site | Old San Juan Walking Tour | Join the Main Tour

This morning, we gather downstairs for a breakfast in the garden area before heading over to take part in a two-hour walking tour of Old San Juan, where we have the opportunity to soak in the atmosphere and character of this historic and culturally-rich city. We also visit the nearby National Historic Site and bear witness to the imposing and awesome fortress of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, an ancient 16th Century fort perched on a promontory.

We have lunch at a local eatery before returning to the hotel for a break. In the afternoon we venture out for some birding at the University of Puerto Rico Botanical Garden, a 300-acre site that is a great introduction to tropical flora and fauna, with trails and a good number of birds that may include resident Scaly-naped Pigeon, Greater Antillean Grackle, Pearly-eyed Thrasher, and a good mix of overwintering warblers and other species.

This evening we meet up with the main tour, walking to local restaurant for a chance to meet everyone and start our adventure with a memorable Caribbean island evening.
(B,L)

Cost of the Journey

Cost of the journey is $4990 DBL / $5635 SGL per person, from San Juan. This cost includes all accommodations; meals as specified in the itinerary; professional guide services; other park and program entrance fees; and miscellaneous program expenses.

The pre-tour package is $350 DBL / $465 SGL, per person.

NEW! All tips other than your guide team: the main guide (our carefully-selected expert from the host country) and your Naturalist Journeys guide (present on most tours to assist the local expert) are now included! This includes tips for your driver, lodge and staff, day activities, meals and other services.

Tour cost does not include round-trip transportation from your home city to San Juan; optional activities; or items of a personal nature, such as laundry, telephone charges, maid gratuities or beverages from the bar.

Travel Details

Please plan to make air travel plans only after the minimum group size has been met. We will send you a confirmation email as soon as the trip has been confirmed.

Arrival and Departure Airport: Luis Muñoz Marín International (SJU) in San Juan

Arrival Details: Plan to arrive February 2, 2026, by 5:00 PM in order to join the group for dinner

Departure Details: Plan flights to depart February 8, 2026, at your leisure

Travel Tips: If you arrive early, we can book you an early night at the Casa Wilson Inn, our first night hotel. It's a lovely bed and breakfast within walking distance to many restaurants. 

Browse below for trip reports and species lists from past versions of this and other tours from this destination.

• Rick Weiman
  

  Rick lives in Oakland, NJ with his wife Patricia and two adult children, Jack and Annabel. Rick has led birding trips for a number of years as a volunteer for various local nonprofits, and for Oakland residents in his town's 40-acre Great Oak Park. For over 30 years he has counted birds on annual big days to raise dollars for endangered species recovery efforts in his home state. His passion for conservation started during his college years at Rutgers where he majored in Biology, and he has been a trustee of the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ since 2000. His volunteer and fundraising efforts for The Raptor Trust, the largest wild bird rehabilitation center on the east coast, resulted in his addition to their board of trustees in 2018. One of his favorite areas to visit is Central America and he has hosted tours for Naturalist Journeys in Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, and Belize. In his spare time besides birding, Rick enjoys playing street hockey, fishing, and visiting the jersey shore, especially Cape May.

  Photo credit: Hugh Simmons

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