BACK
Upcoming Tour Date(s)
March 1-6, 2026 —
7 of 7 Spaces Available
Quinn, was extremely knowledgeable about the birds and worked hard to see specific birds and lifers that we were going for.
Luke H. Mountains in May, 2024
Tour Details
Puerto Rico: Island Endemics & Caribbean Specialties A birders paradise!
Puerto Rico, the smallest and eastern-most island of the Greater Antilles, is full of beauty and amazing avian species. Surrounded by the gorgeous blues, turquoises, and greens of the warm Caribbean waters, this island features a multitude of habitats from highland forests to coastal wetlands. Puerto Rico is often overlooked when it comes to the larger islands in the Greater Antilles. However, this island has so much to offer!
Leaders: Quinn Diaz
Itinerary
Itinerary subject to change due to weather, birding conditions, and other factors out of our control.
Day 1 - Arrive in San Juan Sun, March 1
Upon arrival, we will help you transfer to our local hotel. This evening the group will meet together for dinner, introductions, and to review the itinerary as well as give you a chance to ask questions before the serious birding starts! Depending on arrival times, there may be an opportunity for some light birding this afternoon and evening.
Night in San Juan
Day 2 - Introduction to the Island Mon, March 2
Today we will plan to visit PN Julio Enrique Monaga for an introduction to the island’s endemics, as well as a chance of seeing (and likely hearing!) the established exotic Blue-and-yellow Macaws. This park is a great place for the Puerto Rican Woodpecker, Puerto Rican Mango, Puerto Rican Spindalis, Puerto Rican Oriole, and a host of Caribbean specialty passerines like Pearly-eyed Thrasher, Red-legged Thrush, Mangrove Cuckoo, Smooth-billed Anis, and some introduced parakeets.
With the remainder of our daylight, we will visit some flowers in town for the less common hummingbirds like Green-throated Carib. After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017, hummingbirds in particular were affected by the loss of flowers to feed from and have become especially challenging to find outside of known stakeouts. We can also choose to walk the northern coast on a scenic trail looking for oceanic birds like Brown Booby, Sandwich Tern, American Oystercatchers, and Magnificent Frigatebirds.
Night in San Juan
Day 3 - Rio Abajo State Forest and the Coastal Cliffs of Guajataca Tue, March 3
We will leave early in the morning to arrive in Rio Abajo State Forest before first light to be serenaded by a cacophony of Puerto Rican Owls, Ruddy Quail-Doves, and Key West Quail-Doves. We will walk a paved road and experience our first real tropical rainforest birding of the trip, where the largest population of the critically endangered Puerto Rican Parrots currently reside. The birding here can be fantastic and activity booms in the morning with over-wintering warblers and other endemics here like the Puerto Rican Vireo, Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo, the diminutive Puerto Rican Emerald and Puerto Rican Tody all being common. This is our first shot at the hardest endemic to find of the trip, the only recently described Puerto Rican Euphonia. There is a decent chance of the often heard and harder to see Puerto Rican Bullfinch, but this bird will be easier to see the next day. This is also the best spot to see the resident Puerto Rican subspecies of Broad-winged Hawk, a potential candidate for a future split.
After having our fill of rainforest birding, we will move further west along the northern coast and visit one of Puerto Rico’s most famous scenic views, the coastal cliffs of Guajataca. From some beautiful coastal scrub habitat we will look down the cliffs at the majestic White-tailed Tropicbirds soaring just below, and often directly at, eye level. This is also a favored nesting site for Caribbean Martins which will likely be hanging around here as well. The wooded areas near the cliffs offer a chance of getting Key West Quail-Dove visuals, as the foliage is not nearly as dense as the rainforest, but are much less active in the afternoon. The established exotic Venezuelan Troupial is also common in the urban areas around here.
The group can choose to spend some time looking for Puerto Rican Owls tonight, if the urge to hear/see them again is strong enough!
Night in Maricao
Day 4 - Maricao State Forest and Southwestern Puerto Rico Wed, March 4
We will begin this morning with some more rainforest birding, although decidedly less moist than Rio Abajo. This is one of two known spots on the island for the rare and endangered Elfin-woods Warbler. We have our best chance of Puerto Rican Euphonia in this forest, as well as Puerto Rican Bullfinch becoming more common here. This is also a known site for the unique Puerto Rican subspecies of Sharp-shinned Hawk. This spot is our only real shot at the Puerto Rican Tanager, which was recently discovered to exist in its own family separate from the other true tanagers. This is a great spot for the endemic Green Mango.
We will spend as much time here as is needed for picking up these three range-restricted endemics before making our way to the southwestern coast of the island which hosts the best wetland birding of Puerto Rico. We will visit a lagoon famous for Caribbean wetland birds like West Indian Whistling-Duck, White-cheeked Pintail, Purple Gallinule, Least Grebe and an outside shot of the rare Masked Duck. Dusk becomes a great time to hear and (hopefully) see the secretive Yellow-breasted Crake, and a long-staying vagrant Striated Heron is possible.
Depending on our energy levels, we can try for the Puerto Rican Nightjar just after dark nearby, or we can save that for the next evening as well.
Night in Cabo Rojo
Day 5 - Cabo Rojo and the Guanica Dry Forest Thu, March 5
We’ll begin the morning at Laguna Cartagena once again, and likely get better looks at West Indian Whistling-Ducks as they fly in early in the morning, and pick up a few other birds if needed before heading to the dry forest, visiting a feeding site for the endangered and endemic Yellow-shouldered Blackbird on the way.
The Guanica Dry Forest hosts some unique habitat in Puerto Rico. This is the best spot for flycatchers like the Puerto Rican Flycatcher, Lesser Antillean Pewee, and Caribbean Elaenia and a good place for the other endemic warbler, the Adelaide’s Warbler. With the shorter trees and less dense foliage, it is also possible to spot the constantly-moving and often secretive Puerto Rican Euphonia as well. Both Yellow-faced and Black-faced Grassquits are common here.
Depending on our needs, we can choose to stay in the area until dusk and look for Puerto Rican Nightjar, or visit stakeouts for two other endangered and rare Caribbean specialties: the incredibly unique Antillean Crested Hummingbird and the rapidly declining Plain Pigeon. After dark, we will make the long trek back to San Juan.
Night near El Yunque
Day 6 - Caribbean Specialties Cleanup Fri, March 6
We will bird a dry coastal trail at Roosevelt Roads with some extensive mudflats on our left, and the ocean to our right. The stunted growth here is great for arid specialties like Adelaide’s Warbler, Caribbean Elaenia, Puerto Rican Flycatcher, and the beautiful “Golden” subspecies of Yellow Warbler along with other overwintering warblers. Here is where a group of 5 American Flamingos have taken up residence for the last few years and are extremely reliably seen. Much less reliable at this spot is the beautiful Scarlet Ibis. It is up for debate whether the population here represents naturally occurring vagrants from South America, vagrants from the introduced populations elsewhere in the Caribbean, or whether this is due to a range expansion. Either way, they are often feeding deep within the mudflats and out of sight, but can occasionally be seen from the trail here.
This would be a great day to visit the flowers of the El Yunque National Forest visitor center for Puerto Rican Mango and Puerto Rican Emerald. We can choose to bird the trails here at the visitor center, or take a scenic drive through the only tropical rainforest within the US National Forest system. There is a population of Puerto Rican Parrots here that was heavily affected by Hurricane Maria, and are much harder to find here, although parrots can be quite loud and move considerable distances in the course of the day, so there is a small chance of seeing these incredible birds again, as well as our last rainforest birding.
After dinner tonight we will say our goodbyes as the tour comes to an end! Plan flights home for the following day!
Night in San Juan & End of Tour!
2026 Pricing
What's Included & What to Expect
What to Expect on Your Tour
If you plan to arrive early we can help plan your stay to make it easy for meeting up with the group on day 1. If you plan to arrive on day 1, we will help plan your pickups to get you to the hotel to kick off the tour. The minimum group size for this tour is 5 persons, with the max being 7. If 4 or fewer sign up, we can work with you to plan a private tour at a different rate.
Transportation
Throughout the tour, we will travel in a comfortable 12-person Transit Van. Since this tour caps at 7-people, that means each of our 3-rows in the back has just 2-people, with the 7th passenger riding shotgun. Lots of room to stretch out with your gear and not feel like a sardine in a tin. Throughout the tour, we'll switch up seating arrangements so everyone gets a different view day-to-day.
Ice-cold water is available whenever you need from the back of the van.
Accommodations
Accommodations are typically basic but comfortable and often the best local option available where we're birding. In San Juan we will stay in sleek modern accommodations. In more remote areas we will stay in the best available lodging.
Photography
Birding 1st, Photography 2nd. This is a birding tour, with the focus on getting as many birds as possible, although casual photographers in the group will find some birds for photography. Most photography is on the fly as it and will always take second place to making sure everyone sees the bird. The best photography may be in LOCATION NAMES where the easiest birding of the tour is typically found. None-the-less there will be plenty of photo opportunities on this tour.
Meals
Coming Soon...
Pace
Generally, this tour follows a rather relaxed but steady pace. Quite often we will spend a longer amount of time birding a single location, often walking or driving short distances then spending a good deal of time observing. Therefore we will spend a greater amount of time in the field, but the actual pace will be fairly relaxed. Also, with around 10 hours of daylight, the days aren't too long and with limited nocturnal birding, evenings typically provide a nice chance to relax as well. Between birding sites, there may be some longer drives as we move around the island.
Difficulty
The combination of pace, terrain, climate, and access make this tour fairly easy for just about anyone. There will be a fair amount of walking day-to-day (up to several miles at most), but it is mostly on well-maintained roads, tracks, or trails that are generally flat. A number of locations provide birding that is also generally pretty easy with open views of the canopy, or forest edges where birds may perch in the open.
Weather and Temperature
March is a great time to visit Puerto Rico as the weather is warm and pleasant, making it an ideal destination for beach lovers. The climate in Puerto Rico during March is classified as tropical, with mild temperatures and low humidity.
In March, the average daily temperature in Puerto Rico hovers around 77°F (25°C). However, it is not uncommon for temperatures to reach as high as 85°F (29°C) during the daytime. The evenings are slightly cooler, with temperatures dropping to around 70°F (21°C).
March sees plenty of sunshine in Puerto Rico, with an average of 9 hours of bright sunshine per day. This makes it a fantastic time to enjoy outdoor birding. The chance of rain is relatively low, with only around 5 days of rainfall throughout the month. It is advisable to pack some light rain gear just in case.
Insects, Snakes, and Predators
Even in the dry season, mosquitoes are a persistent problem in Puerto Rico, and it is important to take precautions to protect oneself from their bites and the diseases they transmit. By following preventive measures and supporting control efforts, individuals can minimize their risk of mosquito-borne illnesses like Dengue, Zika virus, Chikungunya, and Yellow fever.
Puerto Rican Racer is the second largest snake in Puerto Rico, and it has a mildly poisonous bite. The severity of the venom depends on the victim's susceptibility. In humans, the venom can cause mild swelling, immobilization, and severe numbness. Brown Recluse and Black Widow spiders also occur but are unlikely to be encountered. Giant Centipede are found in Puerto Rico, and while it is unlikely that you will get bitten by one, it may require medical attention to treat.
Travel Requirements
U.S. citizens don't need a passport to fly to Puerto Rico from the U.S.. U.S. citizens can use a government-issued photo ID, like a driver's license, to board a plane. Flights from the U.S. are considered domestic, so you don't need to go through customs or immigration upon arrival!
Travelers from outside the U.S. do need a passport to fly to Puerto Rico and may need to apply for a visa before arrival. Citizens from countries that participate in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program don't need a visa.
Puerto Rico is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, which is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. The official languages of Puerto Rico are Spanish and English. You may need to pass through the U.S. Department of Agriculture channel at the airport before leaving and you may need to pay a local tax of 11.5% on goods and services
Endemic Bird Highlights
- Puerto Rican Parrot
- Puerto Rican Tody
- Puerto Rican Euphonia
- Puerto Rican Owl
- Puerto Rican Spindalis
- Puerto Rican Nightjar
- Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo
- Puerto Rican Bullfinch
- Puerto Rican Emerald
- Puerto Rican Mango
- Puerto Rican Oriole
- Puerto Rican Woodpecker
- Puerto Rican Tanager
- Puerto Rican Vireo
- Puerto Rican Flycatcher
- Yellow-shouldered Blackbird
- Elfin-woods Warbler
- Adelaide's Warbler
Non-bird Highlights
- El Yunque
- Castillo San Felipe del Morro
- Cliffs of Guajataca
- Crystal Clear Caribbean Waters
- Coqui (tiny vocal endemic frogs)
- The Rare Puerto Rican Boa
- Iguanas, Anoles, and Bats
What's Included
- Professional Guide Service
- All Ground Transportation
- 6-nights Accommodations
- 2-3 Meals/day with Soft Drinks
- Water for Refreshment
- Admission to...
- Spotting Scope while Birding
- Birds—we’ll find some birds
- Unique Tour Swag
- Delightful Conversation about Birds
- A Thoroughly Enjoyable Time!
We also include SFW dad jokes, witty bird puns, and the occasional commentary on things non-bird related!
What's Not Included
- Alcoholic Drinks
- Binoculars
- Cameras and Lenses
- Personal Flashlights/Headlamps
- Bug Spray
- Jackets or Sweaters
- Shoes and Socks
- Room Service & Additional Food
- Laundry
- Phone Calls
- Tips to Guides & Porters
- Flights or Transportation to Mexico
Still have questions? Ready to book a tour? Either way tapping the buttons below will put you in touch with us!
Past Puerto Rico Birding Tours
February 9-17, 2022
Puerto Rico Scouting Tour
See Photos
94 Reviews
2020, '22, & '23 Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice Award Consistently earning great reviews from birders!
Top Rated Wildlife Tour
in Salt Lake City
Tim was passionate about the birds, enthusiastic about getting everyone on every bird, professional with planning and guiding, and extremely knowledgeable about the birds. We got all of our targets...
Becky L Most Wanted , 2019
Still have questions? Ready to book a tour? Either way tapping the buttons below will put you in touch with us!