Join us for an unforgettable journey at El Yunque Rainforest in Puerto Rico!
Quick Details
Explore two of Puerto Rico’s greatest natural attractions with our Bio Bay & El Yunque Rainforest tour
Experience two of the greatest natural attractions in Puerto Rico, all in one day! Island Journeys has teamed up with Puerto Rico’s top bio bay operators to provide you this full-day package, bringing you the best of the East Coast!
Save big and take the guesswork out of your planning with this all-inclusive tour, including round-trip transportation, a fully guided El Yunque rainforest tour, and the world-famous Bio Bay Kayak Tour.
Bio Bay & El Yunque Rainforest Combo Tour Highlights
- Discover El Yunque Rainforest and the world-famous Bio Bay, all in one day!
- Hike through the only tropical rainforest in the United States.
- Cool off by sliding, jumping, and swinging into the natural pools and waterfalls.
- Marvel at the bioluminescence of Laguna Grande from a kayak.
- Learn about both unique ecosystems from passionate and knowledgeable guides.
- Feast on Puerto Rican food at a local restaurant for dinner (not included in price).
- Paddle through the red mangrove forest of Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve.
- Watch and learn about the constellations above.
Additional Information
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- 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).
- Guide Gratuities (always greatly appreciated!).
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BIO BAY & RAINFOREST COMBO TOUR
Your day starts with a pickup from your accommodation and a scenic drive through Puerto Rico, with a quick stop at a fresh fruit stand in Luquillo. Then, we’ll embark on an interpretive hike through El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest System and one of the most studied ecosystems in the entire world.
Deep in the rainforest, we’ll make a few stops at some natural pools, where you can swim, jump off cliffs into the water, and use a natural slide and rope swing as well. Throughout the time in the rainforest, our guides will share their knowledge of the area with you, pointing out its unique flora and fauna – a lot of which is only found in Puerto Rico.
After the return hike, you surely will have worked up an appetite! We’ll take you to one of our favorite local restaurants for some delicious Puerto Rican cuisine. After relaxing for a while over some good food, we’ll then continue to the second part of your combo tour: kayaking on Bio Bay.
Bioluminescence is one of the earth’s most magical sights – and best-kept secrets. This is when tiny organisms in the water (called dinoflagellates) glow an intense blue-green, which occurs when the organisms are agitated, such as by the touch of a kayak paddle. In Laguna Grande, there’s a high concentration of these organisms, making this one of the best spots in the world to witness the magical phenomenon.
As the sun sets, we’ll paddle through the red mangrove forest found in the Las Cabezas de San Juan Nature Reserve, on our way to Bio Bay. Our arrival is timed perfectly with the onset of evening, which is when the magic begins. With every stroke of a paddle, lights will glow in the water, swirling and dancing with the ripples, illuminating the fish below and mirroring the constellations in the sky above.
APPROXIMATE ITINERARY
- Pick-up at your accommodation or nearby assigned location.
- Drive from San Juan to El Yunque Rainforest, with a stop at a fresh fruit stand where the guides will pick up a variety of fresh fruit for the tour (included).
- Guests can also purchase local fritters and fresh fruit smoothies.
- Arrive in the foothills of the rainforest and check in with Island Journeys.
- 40-minute hike to our first stop, where we’ll find a natural water slide and pool to enjoy.
- 15-minute hike to the second stop, with a rope swing and opportunities for cliff jumping into the natural pools.
- 30-minute return hike to the departure point, where you can rinse off and change clothes.
- Drive to one of our favorite local restaurants for dinner (meals not included in price).
At both stops in the rainforest, you’ll have plenty of time to relax, swim, and immerse ourselves in the stunning scenery.
BIO BAY KAYAK TOUR
- Drive to Las Croabas for check-in with Kayaking Puerto Rico.
- Begin our Bio Bay kayaking journey with a 30-minute paddle through the red mangrove forest.
- Arrive at the Bioluminescent Lagoon for sunset and learn about the ecosystem.
- Enjoy the bioluminescence in the water, the constellations above, and plenty of free time to paddle around bio bay.
- Paddle the 30 minutes back to the departure point, where you can enjoy light snacks and refreshments before getting changed and being transferred back to your accommodation.
Total Duration: Approximately 12 hours
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.
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- 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!
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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, or dizziness.
- 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 weight limit is 250 lbs. per person and 425 lbs. per kayak.
- The minimum age is 8 years old.
- Guests that show signs of intoxication by drugs or alcohol will not be allowed to participate.
Minimum tour size
The El Yunque Rainforest and Bio Bay adventure requires at least six 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).
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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 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!