What was supposed to be an hour and a half tour of an incredible Biobay was a less than 10min…read more description of the organisms that create the bioluminescence and pointing out a few constellations. We were then told to 'go explore' and be back in 12min. We were on the water for maybe 35-40 minutes total. A very disappointing experience.

Great activity to do with the family to see the wonderful micro organisms blowing at night. Very…read morebumpy road to the areas where you kayak. Life beat are provided and you can not bring anything onto the kayak with you. Personal belongings are left on the bus. A little scary at first but so tranquil once you get into the main part of the water. Great explanation about the micro organisms that dwell in the water. Would highly recommend for a unique island experience.

Jack gave us a really personalized tour June 2012. (a little slow with my reviews) Way worth the…read moremoney we would have spent on any other tour. I will be back in February, this time with my 10 year old. For sure Jack will be the first pick for any tour!

Jack was very accommodating to us. I called him and wanted to tour the rainforest but unfortunately…read moreit was closed due the mudslides. He then offered to take us to see a cave and the satellite dish in PR. The Cuevas Del Indio was PHENOMENAL. There, we followed one of Jack's acquaintances as he showed us around. The caves were filled with optical illusions and the history behind it was very interesting. After, he offered to take us to the window caves, but we opted out and headed strait to the satellite. We walked up some stairs and a hill and there it was, the biggest satellite ever! Jack thank you for making our first trip to PR amazing. We definitely will call you when we come back!

WOW. myself and 6 of my girlfriends booked this excursion as part of the Bachelorette festivities…read morethat brought us to PR in the first place. Buying our tickets and getting all the info we needed before our experience was a breeze. We all felt confident headed into the trip. Finding the harbor was equally easy. Now onboard the boat is really what earns this a 5 star review. And even more specifically, our guides are the real 5 stars. Oscar, Eric, Thalia, Naty are THE crew you want to go on a trip with. Each were so kind, so accommodating, and contributed to making these memories last a life time. Of course, they highly emphasized safety as well. During our snorkling we saw sea turtles, tons of fish, and even saw a dolphin at Icacos (apparently they're a regular!) The food was delicious, shout out to the chef! Exactly what you want to eat when you've been in the sun and water all day. Filling, delicious, but not heavy. Drinks were good and generous. Alcoholic and non alcohol available for everyone's taste. Everyone agreed this was their favorite activity and we also ziplined at Toro Verde and did the bioluminescent bay kayaking in Fajardo (also great experiences, but this was just THAT GREAT).

Safe harbor is about an hour from San Juan. We booked a van to get there. However I think there…read moremaybe buses as well. No shoes on the boat, but you can still bring them with you, just got to keep them in your bag. There are two levels, the second being smaller, I believe they said that they can accommodate up to 50 people maybe, but 29 of us packed it really tight. You get a safety briefing. The staff is bi-lingual, energetic, and funny. For my plus size peeps, this is a size friendly excursion. The stairs are big enough to get in and out and they will get your floating safety belt on that body, comfortably. They do sanitize the gear right in front of you, but they also don't require you use the mask and fins. They also give this homemade delicious lunch & of course, drinks with rum. You snorkel for an hour and then spend time at the beach for an hour. If you get motion sickness, take it prior and you should be fine. Would definitely go into the sea with this crew again. *captain featured in the second picture! Thanks for getting us there and back safely captain

**This is a fairly long review - but highly informative!**…read more I booked an El Yunque hike with Pandora a few months ago based on some reviews I had read - and my wife and I are glad that we did! Our driver (and owner of the company) was Eddie. I got a couple of follow up texts and emails from Eddie confirming our pick-up time and a text 20 mins before we were supposed to get picked up...gotta love that follow up! We started out for the hike about 10 mins earlier than expected. We were supplied with water, soda and fruit for the trip. Along the way, we were given a lot of information - current and historical - on the areas we were driving through and the island in general. Once we got there, we watched a video on the rainforest that really tied together the information we had received on the ride in. We then trekked it up the mountain in the van until we hit the trailhead. The hike from the La Mina trail was amazing! So many photo-ops, plus there's a waterfall (wear shoes good for hiking and water of you're going to swim). The trail was mostly down-hill and paved....but it was closed at the waterfall, so the walk back was uphill and a little rough. Don't let that deter you ....We wouldn't have traded the experience for anything! After the hike and more photos on the way down the mountain (which lasted about 90 mins total), Eddie took us over to a local eatery near the airport...the food was great and cheap (even if we got the world's worst waitress! LOL). After lunch, we headed back to the hotel. Eddie asked us what we were getting into the rest of the day, so we told him we were headed to Old San Juan for the afternoon. Eddie offered to give us a ride down there (which we gladly accepted). He allowed us time to go up to our room and change before we left. He picked it's up in his personal car and drive us over...still giving us great information about the island, and also life - advice we will surely cherish. He left us near the docks - and I must say, it was a little sad ending our time with him. It was like being with an Uncle you haven't seen in a while. He really takes care of people, and seems to genuinely enjoy what he does. He puts a lot of hard-work into perfecting his craft as an excursionist and it really shows. I know it has already been said in another review, but we honestly do feel like we have made a friend in Puerto Rico, and will definitely be calling WHEN we come back! Thank you very much for your time today, Eddie...We thoroughly enjoyed it - you made our vacation extremely memorable and special!

Eddie was an excellent tour guide! He did something not many (if any at all) would do, he took us…read moreto the top of El Yunque! It was an incredible experience! My wife and I researched various tours and decided that Eddie was the one because he was willing to do a private tour with just us two to the top of the rainforest and Bacardi Factory. He went out of his way to make sure we had a blast! Our morning started with him picking us up promptly at 8:00AM at our hotel. He had fresh fruits, cold water, great service, and very good conversations. The night before he made sure we had all we needed before booking with him so we were all set as soon as we jumped in the van. He told us all about El Yunque and what we would see, while taking his time driving the crazy streets of Puerto Rico. Once parked, he made sure we stretched and took a few pics of us before starting the hike. We went through the trails taking all the time we needed since it was very muddy and wet. We went all the way to the highest rock and spent a few minutes admiring the view; then we went back down to see Mt Britton. He took a bunch of great pictures of us as we went through the trails and shared them on dropbox when we were done. After El Yunque he took us to Bebo's BBQ in San Juan which was phenomenal (he said it would be)! He then took us to the Bacardi factory and patiently waited for us to take the tour, all this and it was his birthday! We had a full day with him. He showed us interesting areas of San Juan on the way back to the hotel and we couldn't be happier! Eddie is a trusted, funny, respecting, fun, and caring tour guide! So much so that I feel we must contact him next time just to say hi and have a drink even if we do not want to go on any tours. One of the best things about Eddie is that he is VERY flexible with his schedule and he will take you anywhere (that is reasonable of course). I feel he is an excellent guide and companion which is great because Puerto Rico has gotten pretty dangerous over the years and it is best to be with someone who knows the area and the history, even if you just want to be cabbed around the island. We recommend Eddie and Pandora Tours with our eyes closed! We loved our tour!

The fiancé and I took the "Perfect Getaway (w/ snorkeling)" with PR4LESS TOURS. A few days before…read moreour trip, I contacted the owner Rafael personally via phone number provided by VIATOUR to confirm if he was able to accommodate us last minute during our short stay in Puerto Rico. Rafael was currently on a tour during our conversation but ultimately returned my phone call confirming that he was able to accommodate us on 12/31/16. We were picked up at 0800 hrs by Rafael and his life partner, Katiana, at our Hotel (Tryp by Wyndham). Also present was their son Danny who was a delight to have the entire day. We were offered water from their cooler. The tour started immediately and Rafael began teaching us the history of Puerto Rico during the drive to each location. Rafael also informed us that due to the tradition of "celebratory gun shots" on NEW YEARS EVE, he's decided to not put our lives in danger and avoid Aguadilla entirely during this tour (unfortunately, due to this anomaly, we missed out on snorkeling during this tour). Our first visit was to La Cueva del Indio caves near Arecibo where Rafael taught us about the Taino tribe and their values based on the elements surrounding the area. It was about an hour ride from where we were staying in Isla Verde. Katiana dropped us off on the side entrance of the roadway that lead into a short wooded pathway, out onto a beautiful, breathtaking beach. Unfortunately, we were unaware this was happening, and could not put on appropriate footwear in time for this attraction. We then climbed onto the cave's rocky terrain, to get down to the actual area where we were able to climb down onto a ladder into the caves (tennis/hiking shoes recommended). Rafael was very knowledgeable about the rich history of the Island and its surroundings. He taught us a lot of things that we did not know about Puerto Rico, and some controversial events between Puerto Rico, Spain, & The United States. He also guided us how to navigate the rocky terrain and climb-down into the caves. Unfortunately, we could not alternatively snorkel here due to the strong waves and riptide. After the caves, we took a scenic ride to the country side of San Sebastian. Along the way, Rafael & Katiana were very accommodating to our stop requests to purchase items alongside of the highway sold by the locals. Fiance and I are always in support of local business over the the Big Box stores, so it was a delight to be able to contribute to the local vendors. We stopped at a fruit stand and enjoyed one of the best Pineapples I've ever had (Rafael bought our first pineapple, and even cut it up for us into slices!). Rafael mentioned that Puerto Rico is known for its pineapples! We also saw raw gandules (compared to the ones in a can that the Fiance cooks with), homemade pineapple hot sauce, and honey. We bit into a tangerine peeled by Rafael and was blown away by its' organic taste. Next stop was a personal request by my fiancé who wanted to purchase an authentic Pilone for when she makes her food back at home. Katiana stopped us at a small shop on the side of the road. At this stop, I also purchased a straw hat and the shop owner gave us a great deal on both the Pilone and hat. Next stop was in San Sebastian, which was about 45 minutes away from Arecibo. We were able to witness and enjoy two cascada waterfalls of the Gozalandia. The first waterfall was a short hike (10 minutes) and included a swinging rope and decent size swimming space. We swam here for a bit and continued on to the second waterfall. The second waterfall was such a serenity and less crowded. The swim space was close to the size of an Olympic pool. There was a rope to assist your climb to the top of its' waterfall, however, required a lot of upper body strength and caution due to the slippery rocks. During these two waterfalls, we were never rushed by the tour guide, and were not given a time limit to how long we could stay. Rafael, Katiana, & Danny, joined us during the hike-through and taught us about different plants and their uses (mostly medicinal). Finally, we stopped at the on-site restaurant/bar (Sha's) to enjoy a meal together. It felt like I was sitting with family and not a formal tour guide company. PR4LESS is a family owned and operated tour company who made this tour very personable for the woman and I. Even with the last minute request, Rafael & Katiana still was able to accommodate just us two even if their were no one else who booked a tour with them on New Years Eve. I would definitely book again due to the tour being a crossover between formal and informal; which I prefer. They currently are working on their home, which they hope to provide bed and breakfast service to their future guests. I hope they stay in business because their tour offers a unique experience with alternative routes that are not congested by other tourists. I look forward to taking a tour with them on our next vacation to the island. Thanks again Torres fam!

After hours of research, I decided to reserve Rafael for 3 days of private excursions for my family…read moreof 5 and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Thanks to Rafael and his wonderful family I have fallen in love with Puerto Rico again. Rafael's vast knowledge of the history of Puerto Rico, religion, and the hot spots across the entire island provided an amazing tour of approximately 75% of the island in our 3 days. Not only did we get to experience the most beautiful areas of the island but also got to enjoy the best of Puerto Rico's culture and food. We felt safe at all times due to Rafael's professional security and previous experience in the US Army. Prior to our arrival, Rafael worked with me to determine a customized travel plan that not only included excursion specifics but also airport transportation, travel assistants, and concierge services. He also reviewed a detailed list of items, such as, age of family members, medical conditions, activity and food restrictions, etc. Rafael is extremely professional, always on time and has great communication skills in both Spanish and English. You can trust his 7 year old son Daniel when he says, "Your wish is his[Rafael] command." Our excursions were 8-12 hours each day and throughout our trip Rafael and his family made us feel like a part of their family. I have traveled to over 8 countries and 35 states and can declare that Rafael is the best tour guide I've ever met.

WITHOUT A PADDLE…read more Kayaking during the day proving too easy?  How about kayaking at night...through a mangrove forest. As my wife and I planned our second trip to Puerto Rico, we agreed that a bio bay kayak tour should be on the list.  Only 5 biobays exist in the world, 3 of which are in PR (in Vieques, La Parguera, and here on the far northeast corner of the island).  There's a few kayaking tour companies in the area, each offering a similar bioluminescent excursion. Hang on, biolu-what?  I'll skip the TED talk--all you need to know is that a certain kind of marine plankton makes the water in extra salty lagoons glow blue.  It's the same science that gives jellyfish, fireflies, and deep-sea anglerfish their special ability to produce light. When we arrived around 8pm, tour guides gave our group of 15-20 life vests and provided instructions, like what to do if your ass falls out of the kayak.  Our goal was Laguna Grande (literally "big lagoon"), roughly 1 mile from our starting point on the shores of Fajardo. So......getting to Laguna Grande is not easy.  Along with a partner, you'll paddle your way through a narrow channel surrounded on all sides by thick mangroves, including an overhead canopy.  This is tricky during daylight hours, but at night the difficulty ramps up.  Keep in mind that visibility in these thick mangrove patches drops to near-zero at times. You might (probably will) have to avoid other kayak groups and (possibly) motorboats as you make your way to the lagoon, all while trying not to crash into the person in front of you, fall too far behind, or be knocked unconscious/impaled by low branches.  The outbound trip was not super chill, thankfully coming back was less stressful. Having an experienced partner is CRUCIAL. Bio bay tours are very much like whale watching, in that your visit is based almost entirely on luck.  A lot needs to go right in order to see magic stuff in the water, like the moon being in its 'new' phase (full moon casts too bright of a reflection) and no recent rainfall (rain comes down as fresh water, decreasing the lagoon's salinity). Under ideal circumstances, the microorganisms appear as florescent blue swirls when you move your hand/paddle through the water.  What we saw were closer to electrical 'sparks', still cool but not vibrant.  Capturing what little bio-presence we saw on camera would've been impossible, so we smartly kept our phones in the car. Oddly enough, mosquitos weren't a problem. * TL;DR * For me, this was more about the journey than the destination. If I'd hung all of my hopes on seeing tons of bioluminescent activity, I would've been disappointed.  I was focused more on trying not to capsize while also listening to the symphony of 'coqui' (the local island tree frog). It can be romantic with a spouse/partner, assuming they're not yelling at you the whole time. Wear comfy clothes (swim trunks aren't a bad idea) and be aware that parts of your outfit will be crunchy the next day, due to the lagoon water being twice as salty as the ocean. Mangroves play a critical role in the tropical ecosystem, but they stink! Would definitely recommend this to anyone over the age of 18; it's an awesome late-night adventure and one of the most unique things you can do while in Puerto Rico.

What a beautiful experience. Had great guides during our Bio Bay tour. Our guide told us all about…read morethe science and history of the bay. Very cool, don't miss this magic!

This was, without a doubt, the highlight of our PR vacation! I stumbled upon this through some…read moreTrip Advisor reviews and learned that the reserve offers an environmentally-friendly way to see the bio-luminescence. In addition to being environmentally-friendly, it is also cost-effective! Let me tell you more! First of all, the reserve offers a lot of different tours and activities but the one I am writing about is the evening lighthouse tour and hike through the bio-luminescent lagoon. If you wish to the tour I did, I recommend booking it online in advance because this tour WILL sell out. It is SO awesome. When we first arrived to the reserve, we parked our Jeep and checked in. It was very easy checking in. We then covered ourselves head to toe in bug spray which I HIGHLY recommend. Then we walked around the main "office" of the reserve and we got to see a beautiful sunset over the ocean. Everything was so pretty! Once we had everyone checked in for the tour, we got on an open-air shuttle with a group of about 16 people. Our tour guide, Francisco, told us a lot about PR and about the natural habitat and what the reserve is doing to preserve and restore it. Our first stop was the Faro Fajardo (Fajardo Lighthouse). This was gorgeous. We got to go inside this historical building and climb to the top and look out and see so many beautiful sights. The stars and moon were incredible and we also could see our resort as well as many other points in PR. We learned so much about Fajardo and about the ecological systems in that area. After leaving the lighthouse, we went on this long walk in the dark on this really sturdy wooden path that led through mangrove trees and out into this beautiful lagoon. It was so beautiful and you could hear the song of the coquis. Once out at the end of the walkway, we were given long sticks that we were able to use to swirl the water around and see the sparkling bio-luminescence. It was amazing! It was so beautiful and we learned so very much. It also meant a lot to us that the money we spent on the tour was going towards the greater good of protecting the natural environment in Puerto Rico. I cannot say enough about how wonderful this place is. We wanted to go back during the day but didn't have enough time on our most recent trip so we have it on our to-do list for next time. If you do anything in PR, check this place out!

Inexpensive ($12 - $22pp) tours offered by this 316 acre nonprofit nature park (just down the road…read morefrom Seven Seas Beach and the restaurant Costa Mia) are great value for anyone interested to learn about the variety of ecological systems of Puerto Rico. The Reserva Natural Las Cabezas de San Juan provides guided tours of (among other things) the 3 types of area mangrove forests, the famed Laguna Grande bio-bay, some less traveled beaches and reefs, an active archaeological site, and El Faro, the 1882 Spanish white lighthouse on the top of the tallest point with spectacular 360 degree views around Fajardo. Our family attended a 9:30a tour of the park which included a tram trip to the lighthouse with stops to explore the mangroves and a rocky, windy beach. Our local tour guide and geologist by trade, Francisco, was very friendly and knowledgeable about all aspects of the reserve and was a wealth of information about Puerto Rico in general, as well. Although our tour was scheduled to be in Spanish, Francisco quickly switched to English when it was clear that all attendees were from the mainland U.S.. We were glad to have brought water, hats, and umbrellas, as there were some portions of the tour in the hot sun. Evening walking bio-bay tours (where you stay on a board walk and activate the dinoflagellates via long poles) tend to fill up weeks to months in advance, so visit the park's website (it has an English version) and make your reservation as soon as you know your travel dates. This can be a great option for travelers who are not interested in kayaking to the bay or would like a quieter, more "one with nature" experience. If you try this, be sure to cover yourself with mosquito repellant, as the bugs are relentless in the mangroves. FYI, Francisco says that the best time of year to view the brightest bio-bay action are from March to July, and you should try to go when the moon is not full; he also says that Mosquito Bay on Vieques is really the best bio-bay, so go there if you have the time. We were very disappointed to find that the park's gift shop was unable to process any transactions during our visit (prime tourism season over the winter break). We were told, "Oh, we just did inventory for the year, so we can't make any more sales." ¿Qué? This was such a shame given that the nonprofit certainly needs funds to further their work and they missed out on more than $500 in sales from the tour attendees during our visit alone (all of whom would have gladly purchased a $20 t-shirt and other items after hearing our guide's convincing spiel about how we could help preserve this ecological wonder). Perhaps this story illustrates some of the economic problems PR is facing.... FYI, the park's entrance is guarded and gated, but it may be a surprise to hear that the beaches surrounding the park as well as the interior's bio-bay are required by law to be accessible to the public. This means that if you are adventurous, you can follow the beach trail from in front of the Costa Mia restaurant until you reach a path that runs right into the bio-bay.

What a find - a beautiful mountain Hacienda and chocolate farm there is a labor of love for the…read moreowner and very small, hard-working and friendly staff. Wesley picked us up in the parking lot and gave us a ride up to the starting point, which was a covered observation deck that gave us a beautiful view while we waited for the rest of the travelers to arrive for the tour. There was also a bathroom there so so that you didn't have to do the tour in discomfort. Our tour started with our guide, Henesis (hope I got that right), gently explaining that the Hacienda had two parts - a cacao farm and a chocolate production facility offsite at the owner's home. She had a very informative, but lighthearted and interesting presentation explaining how coal started in the rainforest, and so they had to reproduce similar condition so that the cacao trees would flourish. As we walked through the Hacienda grounds, she explained the lifecycle of and gives us fascinating insights about the many challenges of cacao agriculture. We went to the tasting area, where Jan gave us a fun and insightful overview of the entire cacao and chocolate production process. One possible, the staff showed examples of cacao pods, had a taste a seed.(tasted like a mango), and then tasted a 75%, 65% and a 55% chocolate along with a white chocolate with caramel and coffee. All of them were amazingly flavorful and delicious - some of the most wonderful chocolate I've had - - - and I've had it all over the world made by some of the greatest chocolatiers in Europe and Asia. Ww added the optional beverages - the room was so smooth - I've never had rum neat that I liked as much as this one. And the cava perfectly paired with the chocolates as well. It was wonderful to experience this Hacienda - and I recommended to anyone who loves chocolate ! The staff is every small but clearly a special group - friendly, funny, smart and hard working...they made the tour fun and enjoyable.

Tucked into the lush, rolling hills of Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Hacienda Chocolat is a family-run…read morecacao farm where everyday life and working the land go hand in hand. The farm stretches across God knows how many acres and it's full of life and tradition right in Puerto Rico. As the Chocolate fiend that I am- hubs surprised me (us) with a unique 2-hour tour for just $45 per person with optional add-ons($) like a glass of wine or bubbly available online when you book. You'll receive a confirmation email, which includes important info- especially in case of rain- such as what to bring and where to park. Pay close attention to signs and parking instructions. Do not drive up the hill yourself (you're not allowed to) as the ground is rough with craters and rocks. You'll be directed to park in a designated area and special jeeps will transport guests up to where the main event takes place. Our journey began with a relaxed meet-and-greet in a rustic welcome shed- a breezy, open-air space with a roof for shade and the sounds of nature all around. As hubs and I arrived, we settled in and got acquainted with others before the real adventure began. Our guide Genesis took us on a short but scenic walk through a small patch of the cacao groves. It's a small hike, but it's packed with info. Along the way, we learned about their cacao trees and why they plant companion trees to support them. After about 20-30 minutes of the Q&A, we head uphill to their main space and all sit out on the patio. And then, the story of Hacienda Chocolat truly comes to light. Here, they dive deeper into the farm's history, learn how their chocolate is made and we all got to taste their tooth-size chocolate 'bar' (yeah, tiny) and rich hot cocoa. Hubs and I actually enjoyed it from beginning to end. Yeah, it's a tour- but it's also a heartfelt experience where tradition, taste and tropical beauty meet.

The tour was canceled due to weather and we were never notified after driving an hour to get thereread more

What a delightful experience! This small cacao farm tour was one of the highlights of our trip to…read morePuerto Rico. Such a gem, location, products and hospitality! This is a small family business, we had a private tour of the cacao orchard (in Spanish) detailing the entire chocolate-making process, with hands on participation and delicious learning opportunities. They toasted some cacao nibs for us to samples, along with some of their chocolates and cacao marmalade (if we were flying home in a couple of days I would have stocked up on this!!). Then we relaxed in their cozy outdoor cafe as the sun dipped down behind the flamboyan trees, drinking milkshakes and eating Bon bons, swinging in the hammocks sprinkled around the cafe. What a lovely evening! Reservation required, if you enjoy intimate, relaxed, off-the-beaten-track experiences like this, don't miss La Finca de Cacao PruVite!

The crew aboard our chartered catamaran for the Culebra Blue Paradise Experience was easily one of…read morethe highlights of the entire day, aside from the absolutely gorgeous views and crystal clear water surrounding the remote island. From the moment we boarded, the crew was friendly, attentive, accommodating, and genuinely caring. They were especially great with those in our group who quickly discovered they did not quite have their sea legs. We had quite a few victims of seasickness onboard, and the crew handled it all with patience, humor, and compassion, making sure everyone was comfortable and taken care of. Once you get past the ride out there, it is nothing but smooth sailing, beautiful scenery, great music, and a really fun atmosphere. The drinks kept flowing throughout the day, and the lunch, while simple, was surprisingly delicious and exactly what we needed after spending time swimming and enjoying the water. Overall, this was an unforgettable experience and a fantastic way to enjoy Culebra. The scenery is incredible, but the crew is what really made the trip special. Highly recommended!

This was such a neat excursion! Perfect for solo travels as they offer round trip transport from…read moreSan Juan to the marina. They also served lunch, variety of cold salads and fresh fruits. All drinks were included, including alcohol and beer! The crew was so nice and the views were amazing, would do it again!