Not sure which Caribbean/West Indies tour to choose? Click to see a complete listing and comparison of all our Caribbean trips.

Puerto Rico, easternmost and smallest of the Greater Antilles, is an exciting birding destination that harbors 18 island-endemic species, birds found nowhere else (recent AOS splits has elevated the Puerto Rican Euphonia to species-level status). Additionally, this US Territory features fine facilities and a good road system, making birding in Puerto Rico--from montane rainforests and elfin woods to mangrove swamps and dry coastal scrub--a comfortable and rewarding experience. We'll begin in the north and west of the island during our relocation from San Juan toward the Southwest, stopping at selected sites like Cambalache State Forest and Rio Abajo State Forest for native landbirds, at cliffs and promontories for seabirds, and at wetlands for waterbirds. Along this route, we're likely to see more than half of the island's endemic species right off the bat, including Puerto Rican Flycatcher, Adelaide's Warbler, Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo, and Puerto Rican Bullfinch. If conditions and access circumstances allow, we will look for the very rare Puerto Rican Amazon at Rio Abajo--a successful, ongoing reintroduction effort has resulted in the species nesting in the wild there.

In the charming, relaxed southwestern corner of the island, we'll be based out of the seaside town of La Parguera where we can also see the Yellow-shouldered Blackbird and Puerto Rican Nightjar close to our hotel. The highlands of Maricao State Forest host the Elfin-woods Warbler (described in 1972), as well as many other specialties: Puerto Rican Euphonia, Puerto Rican Tanager, Green Mango, Puerto Rican Oriole, Puerto Rican Vireo, the scarce Lesser Antillean Pewee, and the now very rare venator subspecies of Sharp-shinned Hawk. Outings to Cabo Rojo and Laguna Cartagena will help round out our experiences with Caribbean waterbirds and wintering shorebirds--birds like White-tailed Tropicbird, Masked Duck, and West Indian Whistling-Duck are among the birds we'll search for.

For the last stage of the tour, we will relocate to Caguas, which sits at the base of Puerto Rico's eastern mountains. Depending on sightings, we may visit El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the US National Forest system. We'll also make a day trip to the coast to search for Green-throated Carib and scarce Antillean Crested Hummingbird, in addition to whatever other species we haven't yet found.

This tour's objective will be to visit the island's habitats and endemic bird species at a pace suited to almost any birder, whether beginning or advanced. Because many of Puerto Rico's endemic birds are local in their distribution, we will set our priorities according to the habitat and location of the day. In general we will try to see as great a variety of birds and wildlife as time permits, though we generally do not focus much time on localized "exotic" species, such as Old World finches and parrots that now breed in the wild in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rican birding is a delight, an easy introduction to the Greater Antillean avifauna--and a must for anyone who loves island birding anywhere.

Select the KEY INFO tab or click here for our itinerary plus space requests, status, fees, limits, and guides for any departure.

Client comment
"My overall experience was excellent. Our guide, Cory Gregory, was amazing. He found so many difficult birds and his easy-going manner made everything go smoothly. He was very attentive to each member of the group. He was concerned about food choices for those who have allergies and kept us informed as to what the day's plan was. The pace of the tour was perfect, and it was a truly enjoyable trip." D.E., PUERTO RICO tour participant

Combo Tours
If you would like a longer birding holiday, some departures of this tour may be combined with:
JAMAICA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
LESSER ANTILLES