Puerto Rico Birding & Culture Tour

The Puerto Rico Birding & Culture Tour is designed for travelers who enjoy discovering birds, history, culture, and local cuisine all in one unforgettable experience. Known as “La Isla del Encanto” (The Island of Enchantment), Puerto Rico offers a fascinating blend of Caribbean, Spanish, African, and American influences that can be seen in its architecture, traditions, and food. Throughout the tour, we will explore the colorful streets of Old San Juan, learn about Puerto Rico’s unique and complex relationship with the United States, and enjoy authentic island flavors ranging from traditional Puerto Rican dishes to fresh tropical fruits and locally produced coffee. Whether you are a dedicated foodie or simply curious about local culture, Puerto Rico offers plenty to savor.

Puerto Rico is also one of the Caribbean’s premier birding destinations and home to 19 endemic bird species found nowhere else on Earth.  This tour provides exceptional opportunities to seek out these special birds while exploring a variety of habitats across the island. Traveling during the fall migration season also gives us the chance to encounter a wide range of migratory species as they pass through the Caribbean. From the dazzling Puerto Rican Tody to the Puerto Rican Woodpecker every day offers exciting birding opportunities. Whether you are an experienced birder or just beginning your birding journey, enthusiasm is all that is required to enjoy this remarkable island adventure.

While the itinerary is our plan for the tour, many times situations arise where we are not able to do a specific activity. Weather, logistical challenges, and more can impact the tour. Please note that we might not be able to do all that is outlined here, although that is the goal.

This tour is designed to provide an immersive experience through nature, culture, and food discovery. If you like birds and have a spirit of curiosity, this is the tour for you! This tour is designed to find all the endemic species in Puerto Rico, while moving at a relaxed pace and getting more in-depth culture, history, and food experiences at the beginning and end of the tour. Please note also that there will be time incorporated in our schedule for rest and relaxation most days, usually in early afternoon.

Join IndiGo Birding Nature Tours as we team up with Julio Salgado of Puerto Rico Birding Trips for a customized birding adventure around the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. This carefully planned itinerary focuses on finding all 19 endemic bird species along with many other tropical birds that call the island home. Beginning in the historic streets of San Juan, we will experience the culture, cuisine, and history of Puerto Rico before heading into the island’s diverse habitats in search of its unique birdlife.

Over the course of this tour, we will explore coastlines, mountain forests, wetlands, and grasslands, all located within a relatively short distance of one another. Puerto Rico’s remarkable diversity provides exceptional birding opportunities while also offering memorable cultural and culinary experiences. From endemic hummingbirds and parrots to traditional Puerto Rican food and historic landmarks, this tour offers an unforgettable blend of nature and culture.

Don’t miss this opportunity to discover the birds, landscapes, and flavors of Puerto Rico alongside expert local guides and fellow birding enthusiasts.

Itinerary:

Day 1 (October 26)

Taste of San Juan Food Tour

Welcome to Puerto Rico! Plan your arrival to SJU for early afternoon and take a taxi to the Casa del Sol Bed & Breakfast in Old San Juan. After checking into our historic and beautiful B&B, we will walk and eat and drink our way through the city. The Flavors of San Juan Food Tour is one of our favorites, featuring paletas, chocolate, ceviche, mofongo, and more. It’s always best to learn about the cuisine and culture from the locals. We will get to bed early to rest up after a big day of travel.

Day 2 (October 27)

Walking Tour of the Old City

After a relaxing breakfast at our bed and breakfast, we will go on a 2-hour guided walk of Old San Juan with a Puerto Rican guide. After lunch in the city, Julito Salgado will pick us up and take us to Manati, where we will be staying for two nights at the Hyatt Place. If time allows, we will go out birding to get our first few endemics and other target species. After dinner, we might try for the Puerto Rican Owl if the weather cooperates.

Day 3 (October 28)

Let the Birding Begin!

After an early breakfast, we will go to Bosque Estatal Cambalache, where we have the opportunity to see several endemic species, including the Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo, Puerto Rican Flycatcher, and Puerto Rican Bullfinch. Here we will also search for the Key West Quail-Dove. In the afternoon, we will visit Bosque de Rio Abajo for our search for the critically endangered Puerto Rican Parrot. We might also visit a day roost of the Puerto Rican Owl. If we still don’t have the owl, we will do a night outing to look for it after dinner.

Day 4 (October 29)

Manati Grasslands and Endemic Hummingbirds

This morning we will start close to our hotel in the grasslands of Manati, looking for Grasshopper Sparrow, Northern Red Bishop, and Yellow-faced Grassquit. Later we will visit a private hummingbird garden where we can see two of Puerto Rico’s endemic hummingbirds: the Green Mango and Puerto Rican Emerald. In the afternoon, we will wind our way around the southwestern corner of the island to The Turtle Bay Inn in La Parguera. We will make stops along the way depending on species needs, weather conditions, and recent bird reports.

Day 5 (October 30)

Highland Roads

Today we leave the hotel very early in the morning and drive toward the western mountains. Walking the highland roads above 2,000 feet in elevation, we hope to encounter two endemics restricted to this elevation: the Elfin-woods Warbler and Puerto Rican Tanager. The Elfin-woods Warbler has the habit of foraging in dense growth. Other species in the Maricao Forest Reserve include Scaly-naped Pigeon, Loggerhead Kingbird, Pearly-eyed Thrasher, Puerto Rican Spindalis, and Puerto Rican Euphonia.

Day 6 (October 31)

Puerto Rican Diversity

Today we will visit many different habitats, starting with grasslands and wetlands near our hotel, where we might find a Least Grebe. Then, as we travel across the island to Fajardo, we will stop for Green-throated Carib and Antillean Crested Hummingbird. Later, in the town of Caguas, we will try for the Plain Pigeon. Our trip list will likely climb above 100 species on this day.

Day 7 (November 1)

Birding the East Coast

This day is a new addition to the tour and one we are especially looking forward to. We will bird the coastal habitats just south of Fajardo, where there is a possibility of seeing American Flamingos and Scarlet Ibis. We might also find shorebirds, such as Ruddy Turnstones, and other birds migrating through Puerto Rico. In the afternoon, Julito will take us back to San Juan, where we plan to enjoy a cooking class for our final group activity.

Day 8 (November 2)

Heading Home

Our Puerto Rico birding adventure has come to an end, but we hope you will be departing with wonderful memories, an impressive bird list, and new friendships. Schedule your flight home for anytime on Monday, November 2. Our hotel is only 10 minutes from the airport, and we recommend arriving at least two hours before your flight. If you would like to extend your stay in Puerto Rico, please let us know and we will be happy to provide recommendations.