Puerto Rico. Photo by Gabe Andrle
Puerto Rico: Island of Enhantment
December 8 to 13, 2025
Birds Georgia Leader: Gabe Andrle, Habitat Program Manager
Local Guides: Gabriel Lugo (Wildside Nature Tours)
Group Size: 13 participants
Birds Georgia Member Price: $3,765*
Nonmember Price: $3,815* (Includes a one-year Birds Georgia membership)
Single supplement for non-shared hotel room: $450/person
*Based on double occupancy. See more details below if traveling solo
Questions? Please email Gabe Andrle.
This exciting exploration of Puerto Rico’s prime birding locations will target the island’s 19 endemic birds and other Caribbean specialties during 6-days/5-nights with local guide and Caribbean specialist, Gabriel Lugo! Many of the island’s specialties are threatened or endangered, and many species currently recognized as regional subspecies may one day be split to become an island endemic. In the case of the Puerto Rican Amazon Parrot and ‘Caribbean’ Sharp-shinned Hawk, there are very few individuals left in the wild. During our trip we will explore a variety of habitats; from the cliffs and rocky beaches along the northern coast, to the jungle forests on karst ‘haystack hills’ in the northwest, to the salty lagoons and dry thorn scrub along the southwest coast, and through the central cloud forests. We’ll cover most of this small island looking for some great birds and enjoying the friendly and colorful communities of Puerto Rico along the way!
Please Note: Credit card processing fees are now included in the registration price.
Local Guides: Gabriel Lugo (Wildside Nature Tours)
Group Size: 13 participants
Birds Georgia Member Price: $3,765*
Nonmember Price: $3,815* (Includes a one-year Birds Georgia membership)
Single supplement for non-shared hotel room: $450/person
*Based on double occupancy. See more details below if traveling solo
Questions? Please email Gabe Andrle.
This exciting exploration of Puerto Rico’s prime birding locations will target the island’s 19 endemic birds and other Caribbean specialties during 6-days/5-nights with local guide and Caribbean specialist, Gabriel Lugo! Many of the island’s specialties are threatened or endangered, and many species currently recognized as regional subspecies may one day be split to become an island endemic. In the case of the Puerto Rican Amazon Parrot and ‘Caribbean’ Sharp-shinned Hawk, there are very few individuals left in the wild. During our trip we will explore a variety of habitats; from the cliffs and rocky beaches along the northern coast, to the jungle forests on karst ‘haystack hills’ in the northwest, to the salty lagoons and dry thorn scrub along the southwest coast, and through the central cloud forests. We’ll cover most of this small island looking for some great birds and enjoying the friendly and colorful communities of Puerto Rico along the way!
Please Note: Credit card processing fees are now included in the registration price.
Trip Overview
Click on each day for more information.
Day 1: December 8 - Arrival in San Juan
Arrive at any time today for your night in San Juan at the Hampton Inn & Suites. Group dinner at 7:00 pm.
DAY 2: December 9 – NORTHERN KARST REGION ENDEMICS
Today we’ll bird the Northern Karst region, driving from San Juan and stopping along the way to look for Puerto Rican endemics such as Puerto Rican Tody, Puerto Rican Woodpecker, Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo, and Puerto Rican Spindalis plus many Caribbean specialties such as Mangrove Cuckoo, Bridled Tern, Pearly-eyed Thrasher, and White-crowned Pigeon.
Karst, a landscape characterized by eroded limestone, covers more than one third of the island’s territory. The Northern Karst is located primarily in the subtropical moist forest life zone. The karst region originated in a marine environment, as many as 140 million years ago. Geological processes have created spectacular landforms, such as the haystack hills, or mogotes, which are unique formations within the United States. Due to its rugged topography the karst region of Puerto Rico holds the most extensive forest canopy cover on the island.
The karst region also harbors the richest biodiversity in Puerto Rico, with more than 1,300 species of plants and animals found here. It is prime habitat for most of the native and endemic species of wildlife, including 30 Federally listed threatened and endangered species. Many of these species are only known from karst ecosystems. More than 75 species of Neotropical migratory birds use the karst as wintering habitat. The northern karst belt of Puerto Rico has also been identified as a viable release site for the establishment of the second wild population of the endangered Puerto Rican Amazon.
Some of the forests and reserves we may visit: Tortuguero Lagoon Natural Reserve, Cambalache State Forest, Caño Tiburones.
Overnight at Hyatt Place in Manati.
Karst, a landscape characterized by eroded limestone, covers more than one third of the island’s territory. The Northern Karst is located primarily in the subtropical moist forest life zone. The karst region originated in a marine environment, as many as 140 million years ago. Geological processes have created spectacular landforms, such as the haystack hills, or mogotes, which are unique formations within the United States. Due to its rugged topography the karst region of Puerto Rico holds the most extensive forest canopy cover on the island.
The karst region also harbors the richest biodiversity in Puerto Rico, with more than 1,300 species of plants and animals found here. It is prime habitat for most of the native and endemic species of wildlife, including 30 Federally listed threatened and endangered species. Many of these species are only known from karst ecosystems. More than 75 species of Neotropical migratory birds use the karst as wintering habitat. The northern karst belt of Puerto Rico has also been identified as a viable release site for the establishment of the second wild population of the endangered Puerto Rican Amazon.
Some of the forests and reserves we may visit: Tortuguero Lagoon Natural Reserve, Cambalache State Forest, Caño Tiburones.
Overnight at Hyatt Place in Manati.
Day 3: December 10 - RIO ABAJO ENDEMICS & PUERTO RICAN NIGHTJAR
Rio Abajo State Forest is the home of the most successful population of the extremely endangered Puerto Rican Amazon. Because El Yunque National Forest in eastern Puerto Rico’s highlands was the last place the parrots survived in the wild, biologists had long believed the parrots should be reintroduced there. But after years of frustrating attempts to establish a healthy population at El Yunque, they decided to try another site, selecting Rio Abajo, a region of rugged terrain 60 miles to the west. Parrots disappeared from Rio Abajo in the 1920s following the loss of primary forests, but today the area supports dense second-growth woodlands suitable for the birds. In 2006, scientists introduced a new flock to the region, and since then, “the population in Rio Abajo has taken us by surprise,” says Tom White, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist with the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program. “We had no idea it would work so well.”
Two years ago, after nine releases of 133 birds, the Rio Abajo flock numbers at least 72 and perhaps as many as 134. The lower figure is the number positively identified during the last official count, but parrots can disappear into this rugged terrain for months. At least 69 birds have fledged from wild nests. Many continue to settle around the aviary cages, creating a flock of captive and wild birds. The sight of wild parrots wheeling through the forest and the sound of their clown-horn squawks stimulate captive birds to lay. On the walk in Rio Abajo we’ll be looking for quail doves along the road plus as many endemics such as the Puerto Rican Euphonia if still needed after our first day.
After Rio Abajo we’ll visit hummingbird feeders to have looks of our 2 endemic hummers: Puerto Rican Emerald and Green Mango, plus the Antillean Mango. Then we will drive along the northwestern coast on the way to the subtropical dry forest in the southwestern side of the Island. This area might be the driest part but is one of the greatest areas for birding and beautiful landscapes in Puerto Rico. We’ll have a short drive at dusk looking for Puerto Rican Nightjar.
Some of the forests/reserves we may visitRio Abajo State Forest, La Parguera, and Guajataca Cliffs.
The next two nights we’ll stay at Turtle Bay Inn.
Two years ago, after nine releases of 133 birds, the Rio Abajo flock numbers at least 72 and perhaps as many as 134. The lower figure is the number positively identified during the last official count, but parrots can disappear into this rugged terrain for months. At least 69 birds have fledged from wild nests. Many continue to settle around the aviary cages, creating a flock of captive and wild birds. The sight of wild parrots wheeling through the forest and the sound of their clown-horn squawks stimulate captive birds to lay. On the walk in Rio Abajo we’ll be looking for quail doves along the road plus as many endemics such as the Puerto Rican Euphonia if still needed after our first day.
After Rio Abajo we’ll visit hummingbird feeders to have looks of our 2 endemic hummers: Puerto Rican Emerald and Green Mango, plus the Antillean Mango. Then we will drive along the northwestern coast on the way to the subtropical dry forest in the southwestern side of the Island. This area might be the driest part but is one of the greatest areas for birding and beautiful landscapes in Puerto Rico. We’ll have a short drive at dusk looking for Puerto Rican Nightjar.
Some of the forests/reserves we may visitRio Abajo State Forest, La Parguera, and Guajataca Cliffs.
The next two nights we’ll stay at Turtle Bay Inn.
DAY 4: December 11 - MARICAO ENDEMICS
Today will feature birding in the Maricao State Forest looking for our targets the Elfin-woods Warbler and Puerto Rican Tanager plus any additional endemics such as the Adelaide’s Warbler. Then we’ll drive to the south coast with birding stops along the way. The Elfin-woods Warbler was first observed in 1968 by Cameron and Angela Kepler while they were conducting observations on two Puerto Rican endemic birds, Puerto Rican Parrot and Puerto Rican Tody. On May 18, 1971, a specimen was captured in El Yunque National Forest. A year later Kepler and Parkes described and named the species making it the most recent warbler of the large and familiar genus Setophaga to be discovered. Also, it is the first species described in the Caribbean since 1927 and the first Puerto Rican species described in the 20th century. The species name, angelae, is a tribute to Angela Kepler. Elfin-woods warbler is an alternative spelling, and Reinita de Bosque Enano is the Spanish name.
The Puerto Rican Tanager—which is not really a tanager—now an endemic family, Nesospingidae, of which it is the sole member, making it a unique endemic bird indeed! We plan to arrive back at our hotel in the afternoon, hopefully after finding the very local and endangered Yellow-shouldered Blackbird.
Some of the forests/reserves we may visit
Maricao State Forest, La Parguera, Cabo Rojo Salt Flats.
The Puerto Rican Tanager—which is not really a tanager—now an endemic family, Nesospingidae, of which it is the sole member, making it a unique endemic bird indeed! We plan to arrive back at our hotel in the afternoon, hopefully after finding the very local and endangered Yellow-shouldered Blackbird.
Some of the forests/reserves we may visit
Maricao State Forest, La Parguera, Cabo Rojo Salt Flats.
DAY 5: December 12 - CARTAGENA LAGOON & PLAIN PIGEON
We’ll explore Cartagena Lagoon National Wildlife Refuge looking for West Indian Whistling-Duck and other species before departing to search for the endangered Plain Pigeon in the central mountains. Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge offers unique scenery that mixes wetland with dry forest and one of the oldest geological formations in the Caribbean.
The bird diversity here is sure to entertain even non-birders. Once you enter the dirt road that signals the way to the refuge you enter a mosaic of habitats, you get a feeling of going somewhere special. First there are some hay and cattle farms, where we can find a myriad of open land bird species like doves, swallows, grassquits and some established exotic finches. In the background you will see the ancient Sierra Bermeja, home to the endangered Puerto Rican Nightjar and a very unique flora with high endemism. There’s a stark contrast of open land, forest, and then a big expanse of water. There is a dike where we’ll walk and have a good view of the surrounding wetland.
Some of the forests/reserves we may visitLaguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge and East-Central IBA.
Other interesting birds possible today:
White-cheeked Pintail
Yellow-breasted Crake
Masked Duck
Plain Pigeon
Orange Bishops
Tonight we will stay at Four Points by Sheraton in Caguas.
The bird diversity here is sure to entertain even non-birders. Once you enter the dirt road that signals the way to the refuge you enter a mosaic of habitats, you get a feeling of going somewhere special. First there are some hay and cattle farms, where we can find a myriad of open land bird species like doves, swallows, grassquits and some established exotic finches. In the background you will see the ancient Sierra Bermeja, home to the endangered Puerto Rican Nightjar and a very unique flora with high endemism. There’s a stark contrast of open land, forest, and then a big expanse of water. There is a dike where we’ll walk and have a good view of the surrounding wetland.
Some of the forests/reserves we may visitLaguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge and East-Central IBA.
Other interesting birds possible today:
White-cheeked Pintail
Yellow-breasted Crake
Masked Duck
Plain Pigeon
Orange Bishops
Tonight we will stay at Four Points by Sheraton in Caguas.
DAY 6: December 13 - MORNING BIRDING & AIRPORT DROP OFFS AT NOON
After some morning birding we will make all airport drop-offs at 12:00 PM/noon. Please plan afternoon departure flights accordingly.
Birding Targets: Likely to see over 85 different species with the potential to see over 100.
Endemic birds that are possible: Adelaide’s Warbler, Puerto Rican Vireo, Puerto Rican Tody, Puerto Rican Amazon, Puerto Rican Woodpecker, Puerto Rican Flycatcher, Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo, Puerto Rican Spindalis, Puerto Rican Bullfinch, Puerto Rican Oriole, Puerto Rican Nightjar, Puerto Rican Emerald, Puerto Rican Tanager, Elfin-woods Warbler, Puerto Rican Euphonia, Puerto Rican Mango, Green Mango, Yellow-shouldered Blackbird, Puerto Rican Owl
Other interesting birds possible: Loggerhead Kingbird (Nearly Endemic), Lesser Antillean Pewee (Nearly Endemic), Sharp-shinned Hawk (Endemic ssp.), Black-whiskered Vireo, Grasshopper Sparrow, Mangrove Cuckoo, Bridled Tern, White-tailed Tropicbird, White-cheeked Pintail, West Indian Whistling-Duck, White-crowned Pigeon, Scaly-naped Pigeon, Key West Quail-Dove, Venezuelan Troupial, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Northern Red Bishop, Least Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Pearly-eyed Thrasher, Red-legged Thrush, Yellow-breasted Crake, Masked Duck, Plain Pigeon, Black-faced Grassquit, Yellow-faced Grassquit, Bronze Mannikin, Scaly-breasted Munia
Endemic birds that are possible: Adelaide’s Warbler, Puerto Rican Vireo, Puerto Rican Tody, Puerto Rican Amazon, Puerto Rican Woodpecker, Puerto Rican Flycatcher, Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo, Puerto Rican Spindalis, Puerto Rican Bullfinch, Puerto Rican Oriole, Puerto Rican Nightjar, Puerto Rican Emerald, Puerto Rican Tanager, Elfin-woods Warbler, Puerto Rican Euphonia, Puerto Rican Mango, Green Mango, Yellow-shouldered Blackbird, Puerto Rican Owl
Other interesting birds possible: Loggerhead Kingbird (Nearly Endemic), Lesser Antillean Pewee (Nearly Endemic), Sharp-shinned Hawk (Endemic ssp.), Black-whiskered Vireo, Grasshopper Sparrow, Mangrove Cuckoo, Bridled Tern, White-tailed Tropicbird, White-cheeked Pintail, West Indian Whistling-Duck, White-crowned Pigeon, Scaly-naped Pigeon, Key West Quail-Dove, Venezuelan Troupial, Ruddy Quail-Dove, Northern Red Bishop, Least Grebe, Pied-billed Grebe, Pearly-eyed Thrasher, Red-legged Thrush, Yellow-breasted Crake, Masked Duck, Plain Pigeon, Black-faced Grassquit, Yellow-faced Grassquit, Bronze Mannikin, Scaly-breasted Munia
Additional Details:
Price Includes:
Payment Plan:
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received May 15, 2025, a refund of all payments (less a $50 cancellation fee plus all credit card fees) will be given. If notice of cancellation is received between May 16 and June 15, 2025, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given. Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled. In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a refund will be given, less any non-refundable payments made to tour partners or incurred by Birds Georgia.
Itinerary Changes:
The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Birds Georgia and its tour partners reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary that we think will improve the trip and/or due to local conditions, both before the trip and during. If changes are made prior to the trip, participants will be notified, but changes made to the itinerary do not change the terms of our cancellation policy. If it is necessary to change hotels or other accommodations, comparable accommodations will be substituted wherever possible. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.
Physical difficulty:
This trip is physically easy. Much birding will be done from roads and other easily accessible places. We will always be walking at a birding pace (that is, very slowly), but we will stand a lot. The longest expected walk is no more than 2.5 miles.
Pace:
The pace of the trip is moderate. A typical day will have us up before sunrise to optimize birding leaving hotels around 6:30 am. Our earliest morning (Day 5) will have us leaving the hotel around 6:00 am to increase our odds of encountering Yellow-breasted crake and other secretive wetland birds. The most amount of driving in a day will likely be 3 hours or less with stops every 30-45 min to look for birds.
Seating:
A seating rotation will be implemented to make sure people have an opportunity to sit in various spots in the vehicle. If you struggle with sitting in the back or get motion sickness, come prepared. If you cannot abide by the seat rotation, please do not register.
Hotels:
Accommodations are good throughout. We will be staying in mostly standard hotels, aka Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, etc. Information on the specific hotels we will be using will be confirmed closer to the trip dates. We will favor hotels that are convenient to our birding sites whenever possible.
Photography:
The photographic opportunities are excellent given the diverse array of tropical habitats and endemic species. Although this is primarily a birding tour and we will not be making special accommodations for photographers, any photographers in the group could go home with many excellent images.
Weather:
December temperatures across the island range from 70 to 82 degrees F, making for a comfortably warm experience. The sun can be very strong at times so sun protective clothing and supplies are encouraged. There is always a chance for rain on this tour, so appropriate rain gear is essential.
Packing considerations:
You will generally want to wear comfortable, lightweight clothing, and bring at least one light sweater or jacket for cool mornings/nights or rain. The dress for the tour is entirely casual. Long pants and long sleeved shirts are helpful for protection from the sun. Comfortable walking shoes/sandals are a must - hiking boots or rubber boots are not necessary. There may be swimming opportunities so a bathing suit is recommended if you think you might take advantage. In terms of gear, binoculars, hat, field guide, camera, reusable water bottle, coffee mug, etc. are a good start. Sunscreen and bug repellant are useful, although mosquitoes and other biting insects are typically less of a problem during this time of year.
eBird:
Your guides will be eBirding the entire tour. If you have an eBird account, your guide will collect your username/email address in order to share those lists and will share them when it is convenient. You are welcome to edit your lists to add/remove species, edit text, or change numbers as much as you would like, since any edits you make to your lists do not change others’ lists. And we love it when participants add photos and sound recordings to checklists!
The leader will also provide an eBird Trip Report after the tour and will add participants who have an eBird account to the report; this way, you can see your own personal trip details and those of the whole group. These trip reports are accessible to anyone who has the link, so participants who do not have eBird accounts can still view the report to see the trip list, photos, and any added text.
Travel insurance:
We do not require travel insurance for domestic trips. However, we recommend purchasing it to help protect you against the unexpected. Note that to be eligible for some benefits, travel insurance must be purchased within one to two weeks of paying the trip deposit.
Terms and Conditions:
Please review the Birds Georgia Travel Program Terms and Conditions prior to registration.
- All meals and drinks with meals (excluding alcoholic beverages) from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 6
- All ground transportation except for uber/lyft/taxi from airport to Hampton Inn & Suites on first night
- Hotel accommodations for 5 nights
- Expert local guide and Birds Georgia guide
- Taxes
- Airfare and any accompanying baggage fees.
- Tip for the Wild Side Nature Tour guide/driver as well as any tips you may want to leave for housekeeping or airport staff
- Alcoholic or specialty beverages
- Optional activities
- Snacks
- Laundry
- Travel insurance, recommended
- Medical costs
- Souvenirs
- Other incidentals participants may wish to purchase
Payment Plan:
- $1,050 due to reserve a spot on the trip ($1100 for non-members includes one-year membership)
- Payment in full will be due by July 15th, 2025.. The single supplement will also be billed at this time if that option is selected.
If notice of cancellation by the participant is received May 15, 2025, a refund of all payments (less a $50 cancellation fee plus all credit card fees) will be given. If notice of cancellation is received between May 16 and June 15, 2025, a 50% refund of the tour fee will be given. Thereafter, all deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the space(s) can be filled. In the event of tour cancellation due to weather, strike, war, quarantine, or other unforeseen emergency situation, a refund will be given, less any non-refundable payments made to tour partners or incurred by Birds Georgia.
Itinerary Changes:
The trip itinerary is developed many months ahead of time. Occasionally, despite our best planning, changes may occur during the trip, or we may be forced to alter our plans. Birds Georgia and its tour partners reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary that we think will improve the trip and/or due to local conditions, both before the trip and during. If changes are made prior to the trip, participants will be notified, but changes made to the itinerary do not change the terms of our cancellation policy. If it is necessary to change hotels or other accommodations, comparable accommodations will be substituted wherever possible. Changes may occur because of weather, road conditions, safety concerns or other circumstances. In these situations, it is the leader(s) responsibility to carefully consider and implement appropriate alternatives. Any additional costs incurred because of changes will be the responsibility of each individual participant. Refunds will not be issued as a result of itinerary changes.
Physical difficulty:
This trip is physically easy. Much birding will be done from roads and other easily accessible places. We will always be walking at a birding pace (that is, very slowly), but we will stand a lot. The longest expected walk is no more than 2.5 miles.
Pace:
The pace of the trip is moderate. A typical day will have us up before sunrise to optimize birding leaving hotels around 6:30 am. Our earliest morning (Day 5) will have us leaving the hotel around 6:00 am to increase our odds of encountering Yellow-breasted crake and other secretive wetland birds. The most amount of driving in a day will likely be 3 hours or less with stops every 30-45 min to look for birds.
Seating:
A seating rotation will be implemented to make sure people have an opportunity to sit in various spots in the vehicle. If you struggle with sitting in the back or get motion sickness, come prepared. If you cannot abide by the seat rotation, please do not register.
Hotels:
Accommodations are good throughout. We will be staying in mostly standard hotels, aka Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, etc. Information on the specific hotels we will be using will be confirmed closer to the trip dates. We will favor hotels that are convenient to our birding sites whenever possible.
Photography:
The photographic opportunities are excellent given the diverse array of tropical habitats and endemic species. Although this is primarily a birding tour and we will not be making special accommodations for photographers, any photographers in the group could go home with many excellent images.
Weather:
December temperatures across the island range from 70 to 82 degrees F, making for a comfortably warm experience. The sun can be very strong at times so sun protective clothing and supplies are encouraged. There is always a chance for rain on this tour, so appropriate rain gear is essential.
Packing considerations:
You will generally want to wear comfortable, lightweight clothing, and bring at least one light sweater or jacket for cool mornings/nights or rain. The dress for the tour is entirely casual. Long pants and long sleeved shirts are helpful for protection from the sun. Comfortable walking shoes/sandals are a must - hiking boots or rubber boots are not necessary. There may be swimming opportunities so a bathing suit is recommended if you think you might take advantage. In terms of gear, binoculars, hat, field guide, camera, reusable water bottle, coffee mug, etc. are a good start. Sunscreen and bug repellant are useful, although mosquitoes and other biting insects are typically less of a problem during this time of year.
eBird:
Your guides will be eBirding the entire tour. If you have an eBird account, your guide will collect your username/email address in order to share those lists and will share them when it is convenient. You are welcome to edit your lists to add/remove species, edit text, or change numbers as much as you would like, since any edits you make to your lists do not change others’ lists. And we love it when participants add photos and sound recordings to checklists!
The leader will also provide an eBird Trip Report after the tour and will add participants who have an eBird account to the report; this way, you can see your own personal trip details and those of the whole group. These trip reports are accessible to anyone who has the link, so participants who do not have eBird accounts can still view the report to see the trip list, photos, and any added text.
Travel insurance:
We do not require travel insurance for domestic trips. However, we recommend purchasing it to help protect you against the unexpected. Note that to be eligible for some benefits, travel insurance must be purchased within one to two weeks of paying the trip deposit.
Terms and Conditions:
Please review the Birds Georgia Travel Program Terms and Conditions prior to registration.
