The beauty of Puerto Rico’s rainforest interior and its ocean beaches is yours to experience on this combination tour. The island is home to only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. Named for a 3,500-foot-high mountain peak, El Yunque National Forest covers 28,000 acres of northeastern Puerto Rico and is a sanctuary for birds and other wildlife. Although heavily damaged by Hurricane Maria in 2017, the forest is recovering, a natural process that will evolve over time.
Learn about the forest’s indigenous species of trees, ferns and flowering plants at the informative visitor center, then visit both La Coca Falls for a photo stop and Yokahu Lookout Tower, which you can climb to take in the views of the surrounding landscapes. Your time in the forest concludes with a 30-minute guided hike on one of the walker-friendly trails.
From El Yunque, it’s a short drive to the coast and the town of Luquillo. Your lesson begins on the sands of its famous surfing beach, La Pared, where the licensed instructors go over ocean awareness, safety and proper technique. Once you get the basics, the instructors will take you out into the Atlantic surf to show you how to read the waves, position a take off and follow proper etiquette. Novices are welcome and are in good hands with seasoned surfers who regularly ride the waves here.
Experience Puerto Rico’s tremendous natural beauty both by land and in the ocean – with no surfing experience required.