Island Venture is the one and only ferry that takes the public to and from Caja de Muertos. Only…read moreone ferry sets sail each day. The only other way to get there is by private boat. Launching from La Guancha, the dock was easy to get to and there was plenty of parking. For $28 roundtrip (as of 12/16), it was a value excursion! On this uninhabited island, there are no stores or vendors. Bring your own food, drinks, and beach comfort items. The ferry does sell drinks, some alcoholic beverages, snacks, and food (hot dogs and kebabs). You have to preorder the food in the morning and they'll cook it up fresh while you go play on the island, serving lunch at noon. For $60, you get roundtrip transportation and twelve meal and drink tickets (two tickets for food items, one ticket for snacks and drinks, including beer). The prices onboard are actually quite reasonable, so the meal tickets really aren't that much of a deal, in my opinion. You can also rent beach chairs and snorkeling gear from Island Ventures at very affordable prices. On this gorgeous island, we wanted to do it all! We wanted to hike to the lighthouse, explore the caves, play at the beach...everything! But we somehow couldn't get away from the water. We played at the beach, snorkeled, and then beached again. Snorkeling gear was only ten bucks to rent (as of 12/16), but because I can't swim and needed a life vest, I paid another two bucks for the whole shebang. While we were close to coral along the shore, it wasn't the best snorkeling environment. Not a lot of wildlife around all those human types that lined the shores. There were many fish under the dock, so we carefully explored that area. The water is a brilliant turquoise, but not very clear (it wasn't dirty, it just wasn't crystal clear), so it was often times difficult to see, even from a short distance away. Ferry leaves La Guancha at 8:30 AM on the dot, so get there early to check in and grab a seat. The forty-five minute ride each way is pretty smooth. Ferry leaves the island at 3:30 PM. That's almost six hours on the island! For us, it was just right. A perfect day on a gorgeous island with an attentive ferry staff.

We had an AMAZING day at Isla Caja de Muertos aka Coffin Island (which annoys me because it's not a…read moreword for word translation and Box of the Dead Island sounds way better). The Island itself is 5 + stars, but one of the only ways to get there (Island Ventures) knocks it down a star. Island Venture Ferry Basics -- $25 per person which includes two drink tickets (can be claimed for Medalla Light, Coors Light, or soda). You can also upgrade your ticket for $10 and get 15 drink tickets (!) --Boat leaves from La Guancha at 8:30am (but you must arrive by 7:40am) and from the island at 3:30 (boards at 3). Ride takes about 45 minutes and has a lower level with shade. --They also sell hot dogs and kebabs and rent umbrellas on the ship and the ship stays docked there so you can continue to purchase drinks/food while you're on the island. Caveats: --The company holds weird hours and are hard to get a hold of, especially if you don't speak Spanish. --Their online booking system can be glitchy, my friend's reservation got mixed up for the wrong day. --Spots book up fast, book early! --They charge a fee for coolers (although we had soft/bag style coolers and were not charged). --We shared the boat with a school trip...so yea, there's that. ISLAND --AWESOME. --Walk up (down? into?) the cave. --Walk up to the lighthouse for some AMAZING views (30 minutes, bring water, we did it in flip flops but prob shouldn't have). --Love life on the beach. Watch out for jellyfish though! --Snorkel! (Not the best I've seen, but still cool). --Admire cacti and wildlife (hermit crabs and lizards everywhere!) During some seasons there are apparently sea turtles nesting! --Pack a picnic and enjoy it on the picnic tables! They also have compost "bathrooms." They smell and don't have soap, but there's TP! --Avoid the small beach to the left of the dock (if you're facing the island)-loaded with bugs! --Perfect day trip and one of my favorite activities from our Puerto Rico trip! ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND. Must go!

Since we booked this last minute, we didn't have much time to check reviews. Having done several…read moreexcursions across the Caribbean, this one felt the least hospitable. The crew was quiet, offering little to no information about the mangroves or surrounding islands, we had to keep asking questions just to learn anything. The boat itself was in need of maintenance, with exposed, cracked cushions showing wear from the sea and sun. To our surprise, snorkeling gear came at an extra charge upon check-in, despite the website advertising it as part of the price. To top it off, there was no music on the boat, making the experience feel dull and uninspired. As for the snorkeling, the spot we were dropped at had barely any coral reefs or fish. When we asked about it, we were told that if we swam further, we'd find artificial reefs, not exactly what we were looking for. Overall, it was a disappointing experience that didn't live up to expectations.

We booked with Hook'd on Adventure Parguera for the sunset and bioluminescence tour…read more The location is perfect with restaurants, music, public restrooms and convenient parking. We were warmly greeted and walked through the evening plans. Our captain was attentive and very knowledgeable of the area, sharing information about the fish and land around us. We were docked in a sand bar and allowed to get out and swim with tarpon fish! That was incredible. Our family snorkeled and swam and watched the sun set beautifully on the west coast. As we traveled to the bay after the darkness fell, we were offered life jackets and pool noodles to float in the dark bay. Our captain explained what we were seeing and why it happens there. Our best view was under the hull of the boat. Having adult children they were very impressed by this phenomenon. I highly recommend bringing extra towels and dry clothes, especially if you are eating post boat ride.

We had the most incredible day! The guides were soooo fun, they were such a great vibe. And the…read morehike was incredibly gorgeous, the cave tubing was something I will never forget. It really was an adventure of a lifetime!

I recently did the Cave Tubing adventure with West Side Adventures. Even though I used to live in…read morePuerto Rico, this experience made me feel like a tourist discovering my own island, which I truly appreciated. The adventure itself was a lot of fun, and the scenery was beautiful. That said, I do think the tour is overpriced compared to similar adventure experiences I've done in other countries. Since participants have to meet at the former Arecibo Observatory, which is quite remote, I was surprised that no bottled water or even a small protein bar or snack was provided after such a physically demanding activity. That would have been a thoughtful touch and would have enhanced the overall experience. I also felt the guides could have been more professional. While they were generally helpful, it didn't seem like there was much organization within the group. It would have been safer and more enjoyable to have guides positioned at the front, middle, and back of the group to better assist hikers with different fitness levels. In addition, the frequent use of profanity among the guides was disappointing and came across as unprofessional. Although most of us understood Spanish, the tour was conducted in English, and I expected a higher level of professionalism. For anyone considering this adventure, I recommend being in at least moderate physical condition. Some sections of the hike can be challenging, so this isn't the best choice for someone who isn't comfortable walking on uneven, rocky terrain. Also, wear shoes that you don't mind getting muddy, wet, and dirty--you'll definitely need them! Overall, I had a great time and I'm glad I experienced it. The cave tubing itself was memorable and a lot of fun. With a few improvements in customer service, organization, and professionalism, this could easily become a five-star experience.

Drove over an hour and half to get here--wasn't able to enter or even purchase coffee to-go. Since…read morethen they have updated their website with specific information on visiting hours and their tours. Wish they would have done so before our travel guide made our itinerary but onward.... Roads are beyond narrow here--be sure to rent a smaller vehicle or over the side you go!

Great history of coffee plantations in Puerto Rico. Tasted their delicious coffee and toured this…read moreplantation. Beautiful. Highly recommend.

Excellent boat trip. Host were very accommodating, friendly and highly experienced. Would highly…read morerecommend this trip. Todd

One of the most memorable, special experiences of my life. I arrived a few minutes late with my…read morefriend for the bioluminescent bay tour, and the guides were very accommodating, ensuring we had all the information we needed. I felt very safe. The stars were incredible- almost as breathtaking as the glowing water! Paddling the boat was easy and fun! The guides were wonderful with children, making sure the kid in our group felt safe and had a joyful experience. They gave clear instructions on how to sit in the boat and kick your legs in the water to see it light up. They shared so much information with us about the nature & history of the area. We learned that this is one of the only eco-friendly tours of the bioluminescent bays, since swimming has been prohibited in these waters in an effort to keep it clean, protecting the natural wonder. When we returned, my friend and I realized that we had locked our key in our rental car, including all our belongings! The guides were so kind and generous; they let us borrow their phone to call our rental company, they helped explain the situation and provide directions to the tow truck, they sat with us for about 2 hours and waited for the situation to be resolved, and they even gave us tips for the best route to take home, considering we were two women driving at night -- and they were happy to do it. After all this, they even sent us pictures they took during the tour to capture the bioluminescence. They refused a tip, so I am expressing my gratitude here to the best of my ability. The owners of this company are some of the most selfless people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. Thank you so much for an unforgettable experience. If I return to Puerto Rico for another trip, I will definitely go on another tour with you all - and next time, I will not lock myself out of my car! :)

This trip was fun and scary af. It's pitch black all around. No phones, no flash or cameras. Its…read morehard to see the bioluminescent algae against light. We drive out on the boat about 15 minutes all black surrounding us. We get somewhere towards the middle and the guide is all like okay go. The wave of awkward silence gripped us. Because, Go? Go where? Certainly not in this pitch black ocean/sea/bay/river or wherever we were lol. It took the 8 of us a minute to trust it. Life jackets required and stay no further then 5 feet from the boat. A guy went first and we watched. Then my daughter. Then me cuz well, my daughter lol. It was a great and fun experience waving around watching the plankton glow with our movements. Waving water over our limbs they lit up like ethereal glitter. We all swam on top of one another remarking Primo/Prima (cousins) because we were all too scared to go out further or spread too wide. It's a pitch black water experience and you don't know what's in the water or around you. The stars were absolutely beautiful with the lack of light in the area. They too refused to be filmed. Divas. I respect it. It forced us to live in the moment instead. Forced us to store the excitement, joy and experience in our minds and hearts. He let us swim 20 minutes. After the first 10 we were too overjoyed to be scared. There were after all, 8 of us in the water at that point. We swam close and near the boat and did weird movements to catch the plankton in a good glow. The guide was experienced over 30 years and very cool and relaxed. He was trustworthy and I say worth every penny. Even if you can't get photos you get the experience. It was one of my favorite experiences of all. Absolutely worth it.

This was the coolest experience ever! The moon was very bright, but you could still see. This…read morecompany went the extra mile to creat shade with boats and umbrellas. They stop in the boats and let you jump out and swim! The boats are about 20 people per boat. They do take reservations if you call ahead, but they will also will take walk ups until the boat is filled. Bring a change of clothes. The parking is a public area and you have to walk a little bit, but it's not bad! It's about $10 per person, but worth every penny! Go on a darker night for sure!!! This is a must if you are visiting the south side of the island.

We rented through Torres based on recommendations, and they did not disappoint! There were some…read moreclerical issues with our reservation, but they got us on a boat right away and were very kind about it! We loved our day rental! We were a little nervous to captain our own boat at first, but they gave us instructions and got used to it quickly! I was definitely expecting something a little smaller and more rickety, but it was a nice little boat with a shade that came in clutch! I definitely recommend Torres!!

From the minute I reached out to Torres Boat Service they were helpful, quick to reply to my…read morequestions, and made me feel very accommodated. I didn't pre-book, and when I arrived, they walked me through the process which was very straight forward, explained how the motor works, which was very simple, and explained where we could go to check out the local sights. I had a great day on the boat and there was very little I would say they needed to improve. The only suggestion I would make would be to have ice available on site, and maybe jugs of water to purchase, just because not everyone arrives in a car with their own supplies. Overall, a great experience.

Awesome experience! We spent $10 per person to go to Guilligan's island. The captain was extremely…read morefriendly and helpful.