Puerto Rico Tour Desk  Knowledge Base
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Yes, but we need to check with everyone who has already booked regarding the presence of a pet or service animal before confirming your reservation; this might happen as late as the day before the service. Why do we need to notify them? We have previously encountered people who are allergic to pets or have a phobia due to past trauma. We have conducted tours with pets present on occasion. In the case of El Yunque, Forest Service regulations require that service dogs (in this instance) remain leashed at all times while on forest grounds. You always have the option to book a private tour for yourself and your group.

There are many benefits to joining a guided tour, such as not having to drive and being able to fully enjoy the forest scenery. Keep in mind that parking incorrectly can result in a federal fine. On a tour, we know the best times to visit and the spots that aren’t as crowded with tourists. You will have a professional guide to explain everything about the forest and Puerto Rico in general.

Our guides are always happy to take photos of your group so you have lasting memories of your visit. Our schedules are convenient, allowing you to plan other activities on your own either before or after the tour. We offer early morning tours—leaving your afternoon free for other activities—or afternoon tours, allowing you time to rest. Please also consider the traffic and local driving style, which can be somewhat aggressive depending on where you are visiting from.

Our team of tour guides is a major factor in the company’s success. Our guides are deeply passionate about their work, and this shines through in every single service we provide. Reviews on Google, TripAdvisor, and other platforms offer firsthand accounts of the experiences guests have had with us. You can get a visual sense of our work through the photos and reviews shared by past guests. Throughout our time operating in Puerto Rico, many prestigious hotels have entrusted their guests to us, and numerous Airbnb hosts refer clients to us because of our professionalism and the VIP treatment we provide to everyone. Continuous training is essential to us; consequently, many other companies refer clients to us, as we have an excellent reputation as experts in our field who deliver highly professional service.

We have earned 5-star ratings on virtually all our reviews. We offer experiences that provide excellent value in terms of price, time, and service. We are one of the few companies holding a permit (YNF-4019) to operate in the federally managed El Yunque National Forest. The standards and requirements for operating within the Forest Service are extremely rigorous; consequently, very few companies secure these permits. Puerto Rico Tour Desk is one of the few that meets every requirement, regulation, and insurance standard.
We invite you to meet our team of professionals, who are passionate about showing you this beautiful island.

We have built an outstanding reputation in the tourism industry. We are recommended by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company—having received their official endorsement (which essentially confirms our full legal compliance) and passed inspections by the agency that regulates tourism in Puerto Rico. We offer the most popular services and possess deep knowledge of the island, allowing us to provide a wide range of options. We have extensive experience in private tours, which we fully customize to your preferences. Discover Puerto Rico, the island’s Destination Management Organization (DMO), promotes Puerto Rico globally; they frequently refer VIPs, groups, and celebrities to us for their excursions. In short, the fact that the two entities responsible for promoting Puerto Rico’s international image and brand recommend us is a testament to the reputation and experience we have earned.

We recommend bringing water shoes in case the rocks are slippery; walking along the shoreline also makes navigating them much easier. If there is an area requiring extra caution, our expert guides will point out the safe zones and where not to walk. After all, an accident is the last thing anyone wants on an excursion.

Many people do bring them for professional-quality photos; however, please take weather conditions into account and ensure you have a protective housing or a towel to shield the camera in case of rain.

The forest requires a special permit; if the footage is intended to feature the forest, the authorities must be notified. We understand that tourists often bring smaller drones for personal videos, but please keep in mind the time constraints at each of our stops.

Our vehicles are equipped with adapters for the most common types of mobile phones—which our team also uses to charge their own devices—so please feel free to ask your tour guide, who will be happy to assist you.

At the end of the service, as we say goodbye, we remind everyone to double-check that they have all their belongings. We understand that things like this happen; we try to deliver the item to your location or arrange a meeting point. However, if we are notified too late—when the guide is already home or far from the vehicle—the situation depends on availability; if another team member (such as another guide or a manager) is nearby, they might be able to retrieve and deliver it. A gratuity (tip) is always appreciated to cover the time and effort involved. In some cases, we have even had to send items by mail.

The vehicles are locked and secured with an alarm system, so your belongings are safe inside. You are always welcome to keep them with you; we also have backpacks available to lend out if needed. The places we visit are frequented by locals, tour companies, and other tourists, so there is a fair amount of foot traffic.

Please let us know in advance via phone call, WhatsApp, or email (please note that it may take us 24 to 48 hours to check emails).

We offer accessible options, such as the El Yunque Rainforest Half-Day Tour, which requires less physical exertion. We will always pay extra attention to the expectant mother.

It always depends on the type of surgery; we want everyone to have an excellent experience, but you know your own limitations better than anyone. We have taken people who have had surgery or have other limitations; our guide will ensure you have a pleasant time and do not feel excluded from the group. For such cases, we recommend booking the El Yunque Rainforest Half-Day Tour, which is more leisurely and does not require much physical exertion.

On a tropical island, we wear swimwear all the time, and the Caribbean climate dries wet clothes very quickly. If changing becomes absolutely necessary due to circumstances beyond our control (for women), we can locate restrooms or allow time to change inside the vehicle. We kindly ask for your consideration regarding time, as our services are group-based. We can always recommend our private services, which offer the flexibility of not having to coordinate with or wait for people outside your group.

If you miss our service due to an airline issue, please provide proof of the cancellation. A full refund is not guaranteed. Airlines often provide compensation for costs associated with such delays. We sometimes attempt to reschedule the service for a different day (subject to availability).

Travel insurance is always recommended for unexpected situations.

Such situations occur frequently; please notify us as soon as possible. We often handle cruise bookings for large groups, which allows us to adjust the service accordingly. If the service is not private, a full refund is not guaranteed. Cruise lines often cover these costs resulting from delays.

Travel insurance is always recommended for unexpected situations.

Yes, we love solo travelers! We usually seat them in the passenger seat, and they often end up becoming great friends with our guide. We’ll make sure you have a good time, don’t feel lonely, and get integrated into the group.

You can visit El Yunque at any time of year; just keep the seasons in mind. There are three seasons on the island: high season (winter and spring), mid-season (summer), and low season (autumn). However, it can be visited year-round, as each season has its own magic.

It’s virtually impossible to predict which animals we might see, but we usually see lizards, snails, birds, fish, walking sticks, butterflies, and perhaps the odd insect. There are no animals in the forest that we should be worried about (nothing poisonous or dangerous).

Yes, at room temperature. You are always welcome to bring your own if you consider it necessary.

Unfortunately, we do not provide snacks (many people have allergies and dietary restrictions these days, and we want to avoid any issues); please ensure participants have already had breakfast or lunch, depending on the service.

For several tours, such as the El Yunque Rainforest Hiking Tour and the Old San Juan Walking Tour, we stop for lunch, but it is not included in the price. Our guides can help you order if you wish.

You might be surprised to learn that we don’t usually have many mosquitoes in the forest (we explain why during the tour). You should bring your own repellent if you wish, though we sometimes have some in the vehicles—left behind by previous visitors or donated for others to use.

Sometimes people leave it behind or donate it for other visitors, but we do not provide it ourselves.

You should bring towels from your accommodation—whether it is a hotel, an Airbnb, or the home of a friend or relative.

We have three life jackets per vehicle for those who cannot swim or wish to feel safer in the river. If there are many non-swimmers, we can rotate their use so everyone can enjoy the experience. For the most part, the water in the river is less than four feet deep.

We carry several in our vehicles; if we notice people having difficulty walking during our services, we offer them. We provide them as part of our El Yunque Rainforest hiking tour.

All our vehicles are equipped with a first aid kit. Our team knows how to use them for minor accidents, such as small cuts.

We are very familiar with the tropical climate, and all our vehicles have air conditioning.

Our excursions are all very safe; we never compromise on safety, as we wish to maintain our record of zero accidents.

If it is a minor issue, such as a cut, we can provide assistance using our first aid kit. If the situation is serious, we contact the appropriate authorities—such as the Forest Service—and call 911 to have an ambulance with paramedics dispatched.

All our tour guides are trained in CPR and first aid for working in natural areas.

To legally operate a tour company in Puerto Rico, we are required to carry insurance for our services. The Forest Service also requires it.

Accidents are unforeseen events that can always occur due to a moment of carelessness, a misstep on the trails, or a cut from a rock in the river. We can always offer to take the person to the hospital if deemed necessary. In the event of a serious injury, we call 911 to summon an ambulance. Generally, the places we visit are quite safe, and the risk of accidents is not a major concern.

Our tour guide keeps a close eye on the group (which is why we prefer working with small groups); if someone slips, we immediately attend to them with our first aid kit for minor issues. We can also take the person to the hospital if deemed necessary.

In the event of a serious injury, we call 911 to summon an ambulance. Generally, the locations we visit are quite safe, and accidents are not a major concern.

There is coverage in many of the places we visit in the forest; the areas where we usually lack coverage are along the river. We would estimate that you will have a signal about 75% of the time.

Fortunately, there are no venomous or dangerous animals in Puerto Rico that we need to worry about. While there are endemic and exotic animals, there is absolutely no cause for concern.

Puerto Rico is home to several species of snakes and boas; none are venomous, nor are they large enough to harm anyone. Our boas and snakes are primarily nocturnal, so our active hours do not overlap with theirs.

Surprisingly, mosquitoes in the forest are not as common as people think, thanks to the many predators that keep the population in check. We do not provide mosquito repellent (as we consider it unnecessary), though you are certainly welcome to bring your own.

Occasionally, other tourists donate theirs at the end of the tour, so we might have some available in the vehicles (though we cannot guarantee it).