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The Raíces Fountain in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, is silhouetted against a vibrant sunset sky with cascading water and statues.
Puerto Rico

An Outdoor Discovery of Puerto Rico’s History & Heritage

Program No. 15635RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
17 meals ( 7B, 5L, 5D )
4 expert-led lectures
12 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
When you check in at the hotel and get your room assignment, ask the front desk for the location of the Road Scholar meeting room where we will have our Orientation session. Program Registration & Orientation: 5:00 p.m. As you register with the program staff, you will receive your welcome packet containing your name-tag, up-to-date schedule that reflects any last-minute changes, and other important information. If your arrival is delayed, please ask for your packet when you check in. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Unless specified otherwise, transportation will be provided primarily by motorcoach and will require going up and down a few steps. Meals at local restaurants will be plated and include choices from select menus with standard beverages of coffee, tea and water with other beverages available for purchase. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At a restaurant within walking distance of the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles with some periods standing; paved terrain.
Breakfast:
At the hotel, the breakfast buffet includes choices such as eggs, breakfast meats and breads, cereals, milk, juice coffee, tea, water.
Morning:
We’ll board our motorcoach and transfer to Old San Juan where a local expert will provide an overview of Puerto Rico’s history from the Spanish colonial period to the present. Columbus made landfall here on his second voyage in 1493, claiming it for Spain — which might have come as a surprise to the inhabitants, indigenous Taíno Indians. The first Spanish settlers arrived on the island in 1508. Moving on with our local expert, we’ll learn about the history and explore El Morro, also known as Castillo San Felipe del Morro, is one of the top attractions in Puerto Rico. It is a fortification that was built in the 16th century, that people travel from all around the world to visit
Lunch:
At a local restaurant, we’ll have sandwiches and/or salads from a select menu and standard beverages.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most at your own pace in Old San Juan. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. The cobblestone streets are rich in architectural delights and the tree-shaded squares more reminiscent of Europe than America. We will regroup and a designated time and place and return to the hotel.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3.5 miles throughout the day; some periods of standing. The drive is about 77 miles, approximately 2 hours.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board the motorcoach and begin our transfer via the Luis A. Ferre Highway over La Cordillera Central — the island's main mountain range — into the southern part of Puerto Rico. En route, we will stop in Caguas to take a walking field trip to Ruta del Corazón Criollo — Route of the Creole Heart. Along the way, we’ll spot at a few points of interest and familiarize ourselves with the artistic culture of the area. Our historical journey through the heart of Caguas will provide a unique view into the cultural influence of this important city in the valley
Lunch:
Local Restaurant
Afternoon:
On our way to the hotel, we will first visit the Tibes Indian Ceremonial Center—one of the Caribbean's most significant archaeological sites—for an expert-led field trip focusing on the region's history before Christopher Columbus arrived. This site was discovered after a hurricane in 1975, when heavy rains and flooding exposed remnants of long-buried indigenous cultures. Archaeological excavations began in 1976, eventually revealing Puerto Rico's oldest and largest Indian ceremonial complex, featuring nine ball courts and three plazas. The site also included a cemetery containing nearly 200 human skeletons. Some artifacts and structures from pre-Taíno Indians date back over 1,000 years. We’ll then continue on to Ponce, where we'll enjoy a walk through the city to admire its remarkable architecture—including the historic and uniquely beautiful Ponce Firehouse, Ponce Cathedral, and Delicias Square. Afterwards, we'll board our coach and head to our hotel to check in.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy an interactive dinner, learning about the foods we’re eating from one of the chefs and specialties such as Mofongo (pickled plantains) and other local fare.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles on some uneven terrain. The drive is about 15 miles, approximately 20-30 mins .
Breakfast:
At the Hotel
Morning:
In the late morning, we will take the motorcoach to Don Manuel Farm in Santa Isabel.
Lunch:
At the Farm
Afternoon:
Embark on a hayride experience inside the pineapple, papaya, and plantain fields. Get a close up look at the wind turbines on the farm . Learn about Puerto Rico sustainability efforts. After this experience and En route, to our hotel we will stop at Castillo Serralles Museum.This castle is the family home of the best selling rum brand in Puerto Rico, Don Q. This incredible castle and much of the entire city of Ponce, was build as part of the vast Serrallés family fortune. Built in 1930, this four story concrete castle sits on top of a hill overlooking downtown Ponce, Puerto Rico. The former family mansion turned museum is Spanish Revival or Spanish Moroccan architecture designed in the 1920’s.
Dinner:
At the Hotel
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking up to 2 miles with some periods of standing; paved terrain. The drive is about 80 miles, approximately 2.5 hours.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
After checking out, we'll board our motorcoach to San Juan. On the way, we'll visit Coffee Hacienda, a restored 19th-century plantation with nearly 500 acres in Rio Canas Valley. We'll walk trails by waterfalls, spot hummingbirds, and join a local expert to explore the grounds and museum, learning about the area's coffee industry.
Lunch:
At local restaurant
Afternoon:
We will continue towards San Juan, taking the Luis A. Ferre Highway back over La Cordillera Central. Upon arrival in the city, we will visit the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR), the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico. Inaugurated in July 2000, the museum has managed to develop quite a large permanent collection of Puerto Rican art ranging from the 16th century to the present. The works are thoroughly researched and documented, with the exhibits often including an interpretation of the masterpieces on display. Our local expert will lead us through the exhibits of carefully selected artworks helping to give us insight into Puerto Rican art. As a popular museum, it also provides local artists with access to visual art from other parts of the world thereby encouraging artistic expansion. We’ll then go to the hotel for check-in.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 1.0 miles on some uneven terrain with minor elevation change.Due to the effect of hurricane Maria the trails at El Yunque are very limited .
Breakfast:
At the hotel, the breakfast buffet includes choices such as eggs, breakfast meats and breads, cereals, milk, juice coffee, tea, water.
Morning:
After boarding our motorcoach, we’ll transfer to El Yunque National Forest for a field trip including a short hike with our Group Leader and a local expert. This is the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest system. Located on the eastern end of the Island, El Yunque features a variety of unique plant and animal species with many well-marked trails, making it easy to explore.
Lunch:
At a pleasant spot in the El Yunque Rainforest, we’ll have a tasty and healthy picnic buffet lunch including salads, sandwiches, and fruit.
Afternoon:
Our next field trip will be to Pinones in the town of Loiza at the north of the island. Driving into Pinones you are instantly transported back in time to another era.It is the home to many modest families making a living selling typical local food from kiosks along the beach. Their traditions span back 400 years and beyond that to the time when the Spanish conquered the land and brought in the first roots of African people to the island.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like in San Juan.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles; hilly terrain, wear comfortable walking shoes.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet.
Morning:
We will board our motor coach to transfer to Santurce for a Guided art walk through the murals at La Calle Cerra (Cerra Street). Santurce has world-class street art Explore the murals in Calle Cerra, striking large-scale work by local and international artists like D’Face ( London), Fintan Magee (Australia) Bik Ismo (Puerto Rico), David Zayas (Puerto Rico), Ana Marietta (Puerto Rico) Evaristo Angurria (Dom. Rep), Danae Brissonet (Canada) among others.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
We’ll take a motor coach to Hacienda La Esperanza in Manati City. There, you’ll learn about Puerto Rico’s sugar history, tour the sugar cane plantation, explore historic ruins, and visit the Marquis’s house.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner. Share your favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends.
Evening:
At leisure. Say farewells and prepare for departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon.
Breakfast:
Hotel buffet. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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