Meeting and event planners know how important it is that their attendees get fresh air between conference sessions, speakers, and networking socials. Fortunately, Puerto Rico offers plenty of opportunities for your groups to get outside while attending a meeting, conference, or other events in the destination.
Here are some of the top outdoor activities and adventures you can book for your group when they choose to meet in Puerto Rico.
Zipline at Toro Verde Nature Adventure Park
Orocovis, located in Puerto Rico’s central mountains, is the geographic center of the Island. It’s home to four rivers, two lakes, and one of the largest reservoirs on the Island. Give your group the opportunity to explore this vast area from up above with a zipline tour at Toro Verde Nature Adventure Park.
Toro Verde houses the longest zipline in America – 'The Monster.' It spans 1.5 miles and can reach up to 94 mph in speed. Your group can also choose a shorter tour by booking 'The Beast,' which is roughly 5,000 ft. in length. For the ultimate experience, book the ‘Escape if You Can’ tour. This combines both zipline tours as well as walks along the park’s five hanging bridges, each of which offers adrenaline-pumping opportunities such as a 131-foot free fall.
Explore Puerto Rico’s Rainforest – El Yunque
El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service. The rainforest has an average rainfall of 120 inches per year which means your group will have the opportunity to discover hundreds of unique flora and fauna while touring El Yunque.
Guided hiking tours are one of the most popular ways for groups to tour Puerto Rico’s rainforest. Local tour guides can educate your group on the history of the forest, the plants and animals found within the forest, and help them discover the forest’s most unique attributes like waterfalls and lagoons. Many tour groups will pick your group up from their accommodations, especially if they’re staying near San Juan.
For more of a team-building experience, we recommend booking ‘The Amazing Rainforest Hunt’ with Innovation DMC. This experience will truly immerse your group in El Yunque. On 4X4 Jeeps, equipped with guides and GPS coordinates, your group will travel along the trails, uncovering clues and learning about Puerto Rican culture, wildlife, and more.
Night Kayaking on Bioluminescent Bays
Offer your group a different version of nightlife by booking a night kayaking tour on one of Puerto Rico’s three bioluminescent bays – Mosquito Bay, Laguna Grande, and La Parguera.
Bioluminescent bays happen when microscopic, single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates grow in large quantities that produce a glow-in-the-dark effect when stimulated by movement, such as the movement created by a paddle or splash in the water. There are only four other places in the world where your group can have this experience.
We recommend booking with one of the 13 group tour providers licensed to lead these unique night kayaking excursions. If your group would rather explore the bioluminescent bays by boat, several of the operators also offer glass-bottom boat tours.
Horseback Riding in Vieques and Rincón
From jaunts through the countryside and mountain escapes to a relaxing saunter on the beach, horseback riding is a fantastic way for groups to explore Puerto Rico’s varying terrains. There are two cities we recommend when booking a horseback riding tour for your group – Vieques and Rincón.
In Vieques, a stunning island six miles off the coast of Puerto Rico, wild horses roam free and are known for their gentle nature. We suggest scheduling a horseback riding excursion with Esperanza Riding Company, located in one of Vieques’s main towns. On their tour, your group will experience unparalleled views of the island. They will take your group on a ride-along Esperanza’s beaches (one of which has unique black sand), the cliff edge of their waterfront pasture, and throughout the meadows surrounding the beaches.
If your group would rather stay on the main Island, a horseback riding tour in Rincón is a great option. Rincón is known for its world-renowned surfing beaches and historic attractions. Explore everything the town has to offer on horseback with Pinto “R” Us. This local company offers tours along the beaches, past the town’s century-old lighthouse, through the whale watching park, and up to the cliff overlooking the Spanish Wall and pristine ocean vistas.
Boating and Snorkeling Adventures
Puerto Rico is completely surrounded by water, making it a popular destination for watersports including boating and snorkeling. Across the Island, you’ll find tour operators that combine the two activities for the ideal group excursion out on the water.
In La Parguera, located two hours from San Juan, you can take a tour through the town’s bioluminescent bay. Several tour companies offer six-to-eight-hour trips that include a ride through the mangrove swamps, snorkeling, and nearly an hour of swimming. Transportation, snorkel gear, and a light dinner are included.
Another great snorkeling and boating location in Puerto Rico is Fajardo, a small town located on the east coast of the Island. There are a handful of businesses in Fajardo that offer catamaran tours. These tours often include snorkeling gear and beachside picnic lunches as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages which makes them fantastic for groups.
Walking Tours Around the Island
Walking tours are another great way to offer your groups the opportunity to get outside while also learning about Puerto Rico from knowledgeable locals. From food and cocktail tours at local eateries to historic walks in Old San Juan and art gallery tours in Ponce, there’s so much to see, do and learn when you book a walking tour for your group.
