The Birds of Puerto Rico

Tour Code: PRI01

A 9-day winter birding break to tropical Puerto Rico in search of the island's endemics and its numerous Greater Antillean and Caribbean specialities.

10 days from
£4,295 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£3,395
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

Puerto Rico is a tempting winter birding destination, offering 17 endemics and numerous Greater Antillean and Caribbean specialities, plus a welcome dose of winter sunshine!

We will begin by exploring the northern karst belt of Puerto Rico, looking for a range of endemics. The rugged Rio Abajo State Forest, just to the south, is the site of the most successful reintroduction of the critically endangered Puerto Rican Parrot, although we’ll need luck to see them.  In Maricao State Forest we will look for the endangered Elfin Woods Warbler, while in the far south-west we should find Puerto Rican Nightjar and Yellow-shouldered Blackbird. Bioluminescent Bay, the coral reefs of the north-east, El Yunque National Forest (the only tropical rainforest in the US national forest system) and Old San Juan, the best-preserved of all the Spanish colonial cities, will be additional highlights.

  • Look for 16 of Puerto Rico’s 17 endemics
  • With luck, we may see the emblematic parrot too
  • Explore historic Old San Juan
  • Look for the endemic blackbird and nightjar in dry forests of south
  • Snorkel over pristine reefs
  • Tropical winter sunshine and easy birding
  • Led by expert local bilingual guide Gabriel Lugo

 

When Christopher Columbus first set eyes on Puerto Rico back in November 1493, during his second voyage to the New World, he would have seen a tropical paradise looming out of the clear blue Atlantic Ocean – a mountainous, forested island inhabited by the indigenous Taíno people. Nowadays, Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States and, while largely overlooked by the European holiday market and by birders, it is a tempting winter destination, offering 17 endemic birds and numerous Greater Antillean and Caribbean specialities, as well as a pleasing variety of North American breeding species that winter on the island. Additional appeal lies in the island's good infrastructure, short travel distances and a welcome dose of winter sunshine!

We will begin this new holiday by exploring the northern karst belt of Puerto Rico, of which a striking feature are the giant, haystack-like mounds of eroded limestone. Here we should encounter our first endemic birds, including the suitably if unimaginatively named Puerto Rican Vireo, Puerto Rican Tody, Puerto Rican Woodpecker, Puerto Rican Flycatcher, Puerto Rican Lizard-cuckoo, Puerto Rican Spindalis, Puerto Rican Bullfinch, Puerto Rican Oriole and Puerto Rican Emerald! The rugged Rio Abajo State Forest, just to the south, is the site of the most successful reintroduction of the critically endangered Puerto Rican Parrot. The sight of wild parrots wheeling through the forest (we will need a slice of luck to see them!), and the sound of their squawking, is used effectively here to stimulate captive birds to breed. Nearby, feeders attract the island’s two endemic hummingbirds, Puerto Rican Emerald and Green Mango, in addition to Antillean Mango. Next we will drive to Maricao State Forest to look for the endangered Elfin Woods Warbler, which was only discovered in 1968, before heading onward to the dry forests of the far south-west in search of Puerto Rican Nightjar and Yellow-shouldered Blackbird. From a charming hotel amongst the mangroves in La Parguera we will be able to enjoy Bioluminescent Bay, where water luminescence at night is caused by dinoflagellates, oceanic plankton which generate an emerald green and ultramarine illumination when water is physically agitated by, for example, an oar or swimmer. It is quite a sight! Our journey continues on to Fajardo in the north-west of Puerto Rico, where we will look for Antillean Crested Hummingbird and Green-throated Carib, and enjoy some exceptional snorkelling over pristine reefs (with a dive possible for any PADI-certified guests). We will conclude our winter break in the sun with a visit to El Yunque National Forest (the only tropical rainforest in the US national forest system) and a final night in Old San Juan, the best-preserved of all the Spanish colonial cities.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly San Juan
Day 2
Manatí
Day 3/4
La Parguera
Day 5/6
Fajardo
Day 7
Old San Juan
Day 8
Old San Juan; depart
Day 9
Arrive UK
cloud_downloadDownload Full Itinerary
What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    Comfortable hotels all with private facilities and a pool

  • Food:

    All included from breakfast on day 2 to lunch on day 8

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 7th Mar – Sun 16th Mar SPACES £4,295
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£395

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Thu 12th Mar – Sat 21st Mar SPACES £4,295
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£3,395
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£395 
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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


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We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

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Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
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Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!