For decades, Puerto Rico has welcomed sun seekers to its sandy shores, with most visitors sticking to places like San Juan or Fajardo. And while Puerto Rico may be known for its culture, history and Caribbean hospitality, it also has much to offer in terms of adventure and the outdoors.
The island nation is currently open to travelers, and visitors looking for thrilling adventures beyond just sand and surf will find plenty to explore.
Ziplining, Rappelling and More at Toro Verde Adventure Park
Toro Verde Adventure Park, Puerto Rico’s largest adventure park, is a must visit for adrenaline junkies.
Set among the stunningly beautiful Orocovis mountains, the scenery is breathtaking, with green hills as far as the eye can see. Toro Verde has eight ziplines, plus the biggest zipline in the Americas, known as “The Monster.”
The park’s newest attraction is ToroBike, a Guinness world record-holding bike zipline that allows clients to ride a bicycle on a zipline hundreds of feet above the ground. There are many different zipline options to choose from, and all guests are paired with experienced guides who help navigate all the pullies and gears.
Kids can also ride the ToroRoller, a roller coaster comprising rope fields, obstacles and climbing towers. Clients can even rappel 125 feet down into a small canyon before continuing the zipline adventure.
Ziplining adventures can be booked directly with Toro Verde or through outfitters like Zip Line Tours, which also offers transportation from various towns around the island.
ToroBike is the newest attraction at Toro Verde Adventure Park.
Credit: 2021 Karthika GuptaHiking in Toro Negro State Forest
Puerto Rico has more than 21 forests, but only two of these are tropical rainforests – El Yunque National Forest and Toro Negro State Forest. The latter is also Puerto Rico's highest cloud forest and has hiking trails, waterfalls, natural pools and camping/picnicking areas.
Toro Negro also has an observation tower atop Cerro Dona Juan — Orocovis' highest point, offering one of the best 360-degree views of Puerto Rico. And since the forest is home to so many species of plants and birds that are endemic to the island, it is best experienced with a guide or naturalist who can provide some context to the experience. The nonprofit Amigos del Bosque Toro Negro (Friends of Toro Negro) is just one organization that provides naturalists and guides for visitors who want to explore the forest with an expert.
Pro tip: Toro Negro is a tropical rainforest, so clients should be prepared for a sprinkling at any point during their hike and bring along the necessary attire. (Some might even say the rain makes the whole forest come alive and even more magical.)
Toro Negro State Forest is one of only two tropical rainforests in Puerto Rico.
Credit: 2021 Karthika GuptaCave and Cavern Exploration
Puerto Rico has the third-largest cave system in the world, but only the Rio Camuy system — with more than 10 miles of caverns and 220 caves — offers public tours. Formed millions of years ago by the Camuy River, which still flows underground and can be heard at some points during the tour, the whole cave system consists of beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, as well as other rock formations created by the water erosion. There is even a sink hole 400 feet deep that provides unprecedented views of the caves and their beautiful rock formations.
The Rio Camuy caves are the only cave system in Puerto Rico that offers public tours.
Credit: 2021 Karthika GuptaNight Kayaking in the Bioluminescence Bay
No trip to Puerto Rico would be complete without experiencing one of the most amazing phenomena the island has to offer: bioluminescence. There are only five Bioluminescent bays in the world, and Puerto Rico has three of them – Mosquito bay in Vieques, Laguna Grande in Fajardo and La Parguera in Lajas. The best way to experience these bays is to get into the water at night — either on a kayak or a glass-bottom boat — and watch the whole area glow in the dark.
What to Know About Puerto Rico’s COVID-19 Safety Protocols
Travelers headed to Puerto Rico, whether on commercial or private aircraft, are required to fill out a Travel Declaration form and upload a negative PCR molecular COVID-19 test (nasal or throat swab) results to the Puerto Rico Health Department’s online portal, which produces a QR code required to enter the country. Travelers who arrive without test results will be fined $300 and required to get tested within 48 hours. They will also have to quarantine as they await results.
According to a New York Times database, Puerto Rico has seen a 60% drop in cases (through May), with 30% of residents being fully vaccinated and 40% having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
The vast majority of restaurants, public spaces and even grocery stores have temperature checks and hand sanitizer stations upon entry. As of press time, restaurants are currently operating at 30% capacity, and there is a nightly curfew in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The Details
Disover Puerto Rico
