Puerto Rico: Riches Below the Surface

Welcome to Puerto Rico! After arriving into San Juan, we’ll settle into our accommodations and gather for a welcome dinner featuring local Puerto Rican dishes. Opening devotional and orientation: what does it mean to serve as the hands and feet of Christ in a new culture?

A day packed with adventure and environmental learning. Hike through Toro Negro State Forest, a biodiversity hotspot in Puerto Rico’s central mountains, observing tropical plants and wildlife along the trail. In the afternoon, soar above the rainforest canopy on one of the longest ziplines in the world, then reflect together on the intersection of adventure tourism and conservation. Evening devotional on cultivating a servant’s heart.

Travel to Aguadilla on the northwest coast, where we’ll be based for the week. Meet our local conservation partners and get oriented to the week’s service projects — mangrove ecosystems, coral reefs, and coastal stewardship. Devotional: praying for the week ahead.

Travel to Isla Magueyes to learn from marine science experts about the role mangroves play in protecting coastlines from erosion and storms. Snorkel through the mangrove waters to see this ecosystem firsthand, then return in the evening for a boat tour through a bioluminescent bay — a rare, glowing display of microscopic marine life found in only a few places on Earth.

Spend the morning removing trash and debris from Aguadilla’s beaches, learning firsthand how marine debris affects sea life and coastal communities. In the afternoon, an environmental stewardship challenge reinforces the day’s lessons through hands-on teamwork. Afternoon devotional and reflection on caring for creation.

Travel to a marine science research and education center in Rincón to study coral reef biology and practice fish identification alongside marine scientists, learning field techniques used in real reef conservation work. In the afternoon, join a conservation project focused on protecting local ecosystems.

Explore the tide pools of a protected marine reserve, using simple field methods to track erosion and study the marine life that calls these rocky shorelines home. Learn about the reserve’s endangered coral species and its role as a sanctuary for sea turtles and reef fish. Evening devotional on faithfulness in unseen work.

A hike through Puerto Rico’s unique karst limestone landscape, comparing coastal and inland plant adaptations along the way. Close out the week’s service with a group reflection: what did we learn about creation, conservation, and faithful stewardship this week?

A joyful, lighter day celebrating Puerto Rican culture with a salsa dancing lesson — rooted in Afro-Caribbean rhythms and a proud expression of the island’s heritage. Close the week with a farewell dinner and a final time of group reflection on the week’s experiences.

Final group devotional and debrief: what did God teach us this week? Travel back to San Juan in time for your international flight home.