El Yunque Rainforest and Bio Bay Kayak Tour

EL YUNQUE RAINFOREST & BIO BAY KAYAK COMBO TOUR

• Fully guided tours of El Yunque National Rainforest and Bio Bay (Laguna Grande).
• Pickup and drop-off from your accommodation.
• Eco interpretations at both locations.
• Pictures from throughout the combo tour.
• Light snacks and refreshments during the day.
• Training and safety instructions before both activities.
• All necessary gear for the kayaking trip, including life jackets, low-intensity navigation lights, and insect repellent.
• Professional and licensed tour guides throughout both activities with lifeguard, CPR, and first aid certifications.

NOT INCLUDED

• Dinner (available for purchase at Local Restaurant).
• Tour Guide Gratuities (always greatly appreciated!).

Puerto Rico’s Ultimate Rainforest and Bioluminescent Bay Adventure

Morning Pick-Up and Scenic Beginnings: Your day commences with a convenient pick-up from your accommodation or designated pick up location. As we drive through Puerto Rico’s picturesque landscapes, we pause at Luquillo’s vibrant fruit stand for a burst of local flavors.

El Yunque Rainforest Exploration: Next, we delve into the heart of El Yunque, the U.S.’s sole tropical rainforest and a global ecological treasure. Our interpretive hike reveals the rainforest’s secrets, showcasing its exclusive flora and fauna, unique to Puerto Rico.

Rainforest Retreats: In the rainforest’s embrace, we encounter enchanting natural pools. Here, you can swim, slide, swing, or jump off cliffs into crystalline waters. Our guides will enrich your journey, unveiling the mysteries of this lush paradise.

Culinary Delights Post-Hike: After re-emerging from the rainforest, a well-deserved feast awaits at a handpicked local restaurant, offering a taste of authentic Puerto Rican cuisine.

Evening Kayak under the Stars: The adventure continues with a twilight kayak expedition in Bio Bay. Witness the mesmerizing bioluminescence, a natural light show as dinoflagellates in Laguna Grande illuminate in response to your touch.

Mangrove Mystique: Glide through the serene red mangroves of Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve, en route to Bio Bay. This ethereal journey aligns with the evening’s onset, setting the stage for a bioluminescent spectacle that mirrors the celestial sky above.

Approximate Itinerary

• Morning Meet-Up: Pick-up at your accommodation or designated spot.
• Scenic Drive to El Yunque: Including a stop at a local fruit stand for fresh fruits (included), with options to purchase additional snacks.
• El Yunque Trek: Embark on a 40-minute hike to a natural water slide and pool, followed by a 15-minute hike to another idyllic spot with a rope swing and cliff-jumping opportunities.
• Rainforest to Restaurant: After a 30-minute return hike and a quick refresh, we journey to a local eatery for dinner (not included in price).
• Journey to Las Croabas: Your Bio Bay adventure begins with a scenic drive to Las Croabas, where you’ll meet our team at Kayaking Puerto Rico for check-in.
• Mangrove Passage to Magic: Embark on a captivating 30-minute kayak journey through the twisting channels of a red mangrove forest. This serene paddle sets the stage for the evening’s spectacle.
• Sunset at the Bioluminescent Lagoon: As dusk falls, we glide into the enchanting Bioluminescent Lagoon. Here, our guides will reveal the wonders of this unique ecosystem, perfectly timed with the setting sun.
• Dance of Light and Stars: Experience the marvel of bioluminescence – watch as the water glows with every stroke of your paddle, creating a symphony of light beneath you. Above, the constellations twinkle in the night sky, offering a celestial complement to the lagoon’s luminescence.
• Return Paddle and Relaxation: The magic continues as we paddle back, basking in the afterglow of this unforgettable experience. Back at our starting point, enjoy light snacks and refreshments. Savor these moments of tranquility before we transfer you back to your accommodation, bringing our night under the stars to a close.
• Return to Your Pick-Up Point: As our enchanting evening concludes, we ensure your journey ends as comfortably as it began. We’ll transport you back to your original pick-up location, allowing you to relax and reflect on the day’s incredible adventures. This thoughtful return service is part of our commitment to providing a seamless and memorable experience from start to finish.

Total Duration: Approximately 12 hours

SATURDAY TOUR DETAILS: Saturday’s tour is longer (approximately 1 additional hour) and more strenuous than Sunday – Friday. It’s very important that you are able to comply with all of the tour restrictions, have a strong physical fitness level and are able to bring your knees up to your chest.

Important Note: One of the things that we enjoy the most about our excursions is that every day on the water, in the rainforest, or anywhere in Puerto Rico, it’s a unique experience. Things change according to the weather and season, and as such, our trips may vary slightly from what’s advertised.

On these rare occasions, our tour guides will select the stops and routes they believe will be the most enjoyable for the entire group. At times, this might mean an additional stop, or it might mean one less. For this reason, we encourage you to choose your Puerto Rican adventure based on the rough descriptions provided and trust that we’ll provide you with a wonderful experience, no matter the conditions.

Pick Up Information

Please note that there is a 15-minute maximum waiting period for your pick-up, so it is important that you are at the pick-up location on time. If for any reason you are delayed, please contact Island Journeys’ head office at 787-978-8080.

• Cell phone (in the event that we need to contact you or you need to contact us prior to the excursion)
• Closed-toe shoes that can get wet/dirty, have good grip for hiking on wet surfaces, and provide comfort and support (no sandals, water shoes, or flip flops)
• Comfortable hiking clothes that can get completely wet/dirty
• Bathing suit (already on)
• Towel and change of clothes
• Water bottle to refill throughout the day (provided if you do not have one)
• Money for dinner
• Dinner Note: It is important that you eat a good breakfast prior to your pick up. Dinner will be around 4:00pm. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided on both the Rainforest and Bio Bay tour.
• Items can be left in vehicle during Rainforest and Bio Bay Tours – check availability today!

Difficulty level

The difficulty level of this excursion is moderate to strenuous, depending on your physical fitness level. It is essential that you are in good physical condition to participate and enjoy yourself. The terrain in the rainforest can be muddy, slippery, and uneven, and the hike will include river-wading, climbing large rocks, and steep inclines. Kayaking can be strenuous when the current is strong and requires upper body strength. This excursion is recommended for guests with an active lifestyle. It is a long, but fun-filled day!

Due to the challenging nature of this tour, the following guests cannot participate:

• Guests with neck, back, arm, or leg problems, or those wearing casts.
• Guests who have epilepsy, heart conditions, dizziness or vertigo.
• Guests with hearing or visual impairments.
• Guests who have undergone recent surgery.
• Pregnant women.

Please notify us ahead of time if you have any questions or concerns about your health or physical condition for the excursion.

Language, age and weight requirements

• All guests must be able to communicate in English or Spanish.
• The minimum age is 8 years old.
• The maximum age is 70 years old.
• Guests that show signs of intoxication by drugs or alcohol will not be allowed to participate.
• The maximum weight limit is 240 lbs. per person (no exceptions).
• The maximum weight limit per kayak is 425 lbs. (combined between 2 people, with no participants exceeding the individual wight limit).

**For safety, weight checks will be conducted before each session. Participants exceeding the combined or individual weight capacity will not be allowed to participate, and no refunds will be issued. Please inform each person from your party.**

SATURDAY TOUR DETAILS: Saturday’s tour is longer (approximately 1 additional hour) and more strenuous than Sunday – Friday. It’s very important that you are able to comply with all of the tour restrictions, have a strong physical fitness level and are able to bring your knees up to your chest.

Minimum tour size

The El Yunque Rainforest and Bio Bay adventure requires at least eight guests to provide the tour. In the event this minimum is not met, we will call one or two days prior to the excursion to go over alternative options (i.e. reschedule for a different date or time that has the minimum requirement, payment options for a private excursion, or cancel without penalty).

CANCELATION POLICY

We have a 48-hour cancelation policy for all our excursions. Up until 48 hours before your tour, you may change your reservation or cancel it for a full refund. Cancelations made less than 48 hours before departure time, late arrivals, and no-shows will maintain a full charge. Please note that due to the small size of our tour groups, we must remain firm on this policy regardless of your reason for cancellation.

All cancellations must be made directly with Island Journeys by telephone or email.

This policy also applies to cruise ship passengers.

GROUPS OF 10 OR MORE GUESTS

Groups of 10 or more guests must cancel at least 2 weeks prior to the date of the excursion to receive a full refund. If you cancel less than 2 weeks prior to your excursion date, guests will be charged full price for any spaces we are unable to resell. Guests that are no-shows or late arrivals will be charged the full price.

WEATHER RELATED CANCELATIONS

If we are forced to cancel a tour due to weather conditions, we will offer you the solution that best fits your needs, including rescheduling, booking another tour, or a full refund. However, be aware that we are the ones that determine whether a tour will be canceled due to the weather. Please do not make the mistake of deciding not to attend because you think the weather might not be acceptable, as you will still be charged if the trip goes out. If you ever have a question about the weather conditions, please call us to confirm.

PICK UP INFORMATION

Please note that there is a 15-minute maximum wait period for your pick-up, so it is very important that you are at the pick-up location on time. If for any reason you are delayed, please contact Island Journeys’ main office at 787-978-8080.

FINAL NOTE

Due to the unique nature and small size of our groups, we are forced to remain firm about our cancellation policy. Consider that on the day of your excursion we will be there, on site, waiting, and ready to serve you. Regardless of the cancellation reason, our time and fixed costs are already invested; we may even have turned down other customers by holding your space. Thank you for understanding!