El Yunque Rainforest & Bio Bay Tour

BIO BAY & RAINFOREST COMBO TOUR

Your day will start by meeting your local guide in the morning at your accommodation or nearby meeting point. After completing all of our pick ups, we will head towards the Bio Bay El Yunque rainforest tour with your tour guide, sharing with you beautiful views and a few fun facts about the areas along the way. This relaxing sightseeing drive will take you through 4 towns of Puerto Rico before arriving to our first stop at a fresh fruit stand in the town of Luquillo. Here, your tour guide will pick up a variety of fresh local fruit for the tour (included), and you have the opportunity to purchase some local fritters and/or a fresh fruit smoothie. After this stop, we will continue towards Puerto Rico’s majestic Rainforest to start our combo tour.

Tour El Yunque is without a doubt Puerto Rico’s greatest Natural Wonder. It is the only Tropical El Yunque rainforest, and the most studied tropical rain forest, in the United States National Forest System. It is the most biologically diverse forest hosting hundreds of plants and animals, flora and fauna upon which some are only found here in Puerto Rico!

After an interpretive hike with our tour guides through natural trails lined with beautiful flora and fauna, and some river wading, we will arrive to a hidden gem found in the heart of the bio bay El Yunque national forest. This breathtaking segment of the 29,000 acre forest is like a natural playground and diverse forest hosting hundreds of species. Here you will have the chance to swim in the natural pools, refresh in the waterfalls, slide down an exhilarating waterslide, rope swing into the river, jump from different rock formations, and enjoy fresh local fruit with a view. Along with all of this excitement, you will also have time to simply relax to the sounds of cascading waters and take in the beauty of this very special place.

By this time you have worked up an appetite! We will make a stop for dinner at a local restaurant for you to enjoy Puerto Rican Cuisine and relax for a bit until it’s time for your 2nd part of your combo tour – the Bioluminescent Lagoon. Keep in mind we expect a full day tour duration. Physical fitness level – moderate.

Bioluminescence is one of planet Earth’s best kept secrets. Tiny organisms called “dinoflagellates” make the water glow at night and fortunately, they have found the perfect place to live in the Fajardo Bio Bay, Bioluminescent Bay, so we are able to experience them all year round.

Our Fajardo Bio Bay Kayak Tour begins at Las Croabas. After receiving a brief of Kayaking 101 and few safety tips, we will load up in our kayaks and head toward the Red Mangrove Forest with an amazing view of the sunset.

The Mangrove Forest is part of Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve. You will kayak approximately 30 minutes, and along the way your Eco Guides will point out the forests beautiful protected flora and fauna outside of San Juan.

Upon arrival to Laguna Grande, after San Juan, the sun will set and the magic begins. The Fajardo Bio Bay Kayak Tour feels like discovering a whole new world. At every stroke of your paddle, lots of sparkles will appear in the water. The kayaks will create a swirl of light, and the fish will glow in the darkness of the water. To add to its beauty, the Fajardo Bio Bay – Bioluminescent Bay -is perfect for viewing constellations too!

We will cruise back through the mangrove channel to the departure point with your Eco Guides and the navigation lights on the kayaks leading the way. Through the darkness the air is fresh and the sounds of nature are exotic.

After kayaking back to shore enjoy complimentary snacks and water before heading back to your accommodation.

In conclusion, our Rainforest and Bio Bay Tour is simply a must!

• 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!
• Masks Required in Certain Areas – Please be sure to bring a mask just in case.

The difficulty level of this excursion is considered to be moderate to strenuous depending on your physical fitness level. It is very important that you are in good physical condition in order to participate and enjoy yourself. The terrain in the rainforest can be muddy, slippery, uneven and include river-wading, climbing large rocks and steep inclines. The 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! Simply select date and travelers to book your tour.

The following guests cannot participate:
• Guests with neck, back, arm or leg problems or casts
• Guests with recent surgeries
• Pregnant women
• Guests who have epilepsy, heart conditions and/or dizziness

The maximum weight limit is 250 lbs per person and 425 lbs per kayak. Minimum age is 8 years old. All guests must be able to communicate in English or Spanish. Guests that show signs of intoxication by drugs or alcohol will not be allowed to participate.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to notify us ahead of time with any concerns about your health or physical condition for the excursion.

We are following covid 19 guidelines. Please be sure to consider the covid 19 guidelines to protect yourself and others from covid 19. Masks required in certain areas. Areas gear equipment sanitized on a regular basis so you can be safe during covid 19.

This excursion requires a minimum of at least six guests in order 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). Simply select date and travelers to book your tour.

CANCELATION POLICY

We have a 48-hour cancellation policy for all of our excursions. Up until 48 hours before your tour, you may change your reservation or cancel it for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before departure time, late arrivals, and “no-shows” will maintain a full charge. 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 in order to receive a full refund. A free cancellation of groups made in less than 2 weeks prior to the excursion date will maintain a full charge on any spaces we are unable to resell.  Guests that are no-shows or late arrivals will receive the full charge.

WEATHER RELATED CANCELATIONS

If we are forced to cancel a tour due to weather conditions, we will offer you the solution that better fits your needs, including rescheduling to another date, booking another tour, or full refund. However, be aware that we are the ones that determine the cancellations due to weather conditions. 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 free 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!