Hike El Yunque Rainforest and Kayak Bio Bay Combo Tour
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Please read carefully for all safety requirements and limitations for this tour before booking. This is a moderate to strenuous activity that may not be suitable for everyone.
If you're seeking an active way to experience Puerto Rico's native environment, seize the opportunity with this combo adventure from San Juan! It includes a nature hike that will lead you to amazing natural pools, a waterfall, and waterslides, followed by a nighttime kayaking tour on the bioluminescent bay. These two natural wonders provide a fascinating look at the island's ecology. You will also enjoy an authentic Puerto Rican lunch between both activities to enhance your cultural experience (food cost not included in tour price).
Additional Info
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
This is a moderate to strenuous activity. Please dress appropriately.
Must wear hiking shoes or tennis with a good grip (closed toe). Please note: shoes will get wet and very muddy. Water shoes required for the Bio Bay portion (sandals with straps or flip flops work too- cannot be barefoot).
Participants must be physically capable of walking thru rocky, uneven and muddy surfaces without assistance and paddling a two person kayak in a coordinated matter .
Maximum weight to participate is is 225 lbs (102 kg) per person, not combined.
Failure to notify correctly may result in person(s) not being able to participate on bio bay tour, no refunds will be issued due to this.
Due to the strict weight restriction all participants are subject to be weighted upon arrival to the tour site. No cancellations or refunds will be issued if a person neglects to inform correct weight, and is not able to participate of the tour.
Pregnant women, persons with back or knee problems, heart complaints, recent surgeries or injuries or other serious medical conditions cannot participate. Children must be 7 years or older to participate.
On Saturdays the hike is longer and more challenging since we depart from a different point.
Rainforest portion is subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
Due to safety reasons participants must be able to understand English or Spanish. Legally blind or deaf persons are not able to participate due to the same. An alternative for persons with certain limitations is to book a Private Rainforest tour. Please contact us prior to booking for more information.
Use of lifejacket and helmet is mandatory. $100 fee will apply for each piece of equipment if not returned.
Once you begin the Rainforest tour, you must finish it all the way up to the second stop and return back with the group.
You must have a good breakfast before departing on this tour
The bio bay is an unpredictable natural phenomenon that may be influenced by multiple factors. Bioluminoscity level can vary from very visible to minimum or none without any previous notice. Full Moon phase may also affect the visibility of the bioluminescence. In the event of this happening alternate methods such as the use of a tarp will be incorporated in order to appreciate it.
Please travel light and only bring the necessary to the tour. Leave behind electronic devices, any important documentation like passport, large sums of cash or credit cards. Cell phones require waterproof case and can be brought at your own risk..
Failure to provide hotel/lodging or cruise information upon booking may result in bus not being able to pick you at your location or close to it. No refunds will be issued if you miss your pick up.
Bus will only wait 5 minutes after arriving to your pick up location, we will not be responsible if you miss to arrive on time.
Bio Bay portion of tour operates under rain and other weather conditions. Guide will determine to call it off when thunderstorms or other serious conditions happens.
Participants cannot be afraid of the dark as you will be kayaking thru pitch black areas during the Bio Bay portion of the tour.
Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to failure to provide correct weight, follow instructions to meet requirements to participate, failure to provide pick up location, late or non-arrival of participants.
Complimentary transportation available only in San Juan. Persons staying in Rio Grande, Luquillo or Fajardo must arrive to meeting point.
Estimated tour duration of 12 hours includes: 3.5-4 hours at the forest, 2 hrs at bio bay, 3.5-4 hrs combined of driving each way and lunch time.
Published starting time is only an estimate. Exact pick up time will be provided the DAY PRIOR to your tour.
Bespoke LM Reserves the Right of Admission - If a person appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, not following COVID19 protocols or not dressed appropriately (due safety) the Guide has the right to Cancel their reservation at any moment, and No Refunds will be issued due to this.
Persons with the previously listed health restrictions cannot participate on the tour. No refunds will be authorized if a person neglects to read complete description and does not meet the safety requirements and limitations on the day of the tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
El Yunque National Forest
Get adventurous, get muddy and get off the paved trail! Hike to explore different zones of the rain forest and enjoy beautiful views, natural pools and the Atlantic Ocean. Once we arrive to the skirts of El Yunque we will start with a 25-30 minute journey on a river-wading and rock scaling path to the river. You will see bamboo trees, flowers, and beautiful plants and experience rivers, waterfalls, and natural trails. We will make a stop to visit a collecting pool that forms at the base of a small waterfall. Here you will have the opportunity to swim in its crystal clear waters, swing from a rope and enjoy the different tones of its deep pools. Then, after a few minutes of hiking and rock climbing to the upper sections (more strenuous), arrive at a natural river where you can swim, cliff jump, enjoy the natural water slides and small waterfalls. After the hike, we will stop for lunch at a local restaurant (food cost not included) for about an hour to an hour and half.
Laguna Grande
We will then proceed heading East to join on the guided nighttime bioluminescent bay kayak tour. Experience the mystical mangrove channels leading to Laguna Grande. Look into the water to see the glowing pyrodinium bahamense, microscopic planktons capable of producing natural light at the touch of your hand or paddle (like fireflies). Admire these amazing organisms up close as you paddle on a 2-person kayak through the mangroves for an estimate of 30-minutes, and learn from your eco-tour guide about this fragile and unique ecosystem. Once reached the lagoon, you will have some time to play with the water (from within the kayak) and receive more information, before we head back to the mangrove channels for another kayaking journey of approximately 30 minutes . Enjoy provided snacks at the end of the kayak tour, before returning to San Juan. Please note: The bio bay is an unpredictable natural phenomenon that may be influenced by multiple factors. Bioluminoscity level can vary from very visible to minimum or none without any previous notice. Full Moon phase may also affect the visibility of the bioluminescence. In the event of this happening alternate methods such as the use of a tarp will be incorporated in order to appreciate it.
What‘s Included
Bottled Water
All taxes, fees and handling charges
Certified Tour Guide
First aid equipment
USCG certified lifejackets
Gratuity for tour guide not included, but greatly appreciated
Lunch
Additional fee for pick ups outside of San Juan will apply (Dorado, Bayamon, Rio Grande, Fajardo, Humacao)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
9:00am Departure
Tour departs at 9:00am
Pickup included
Reviews
1,015 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Experience!
879arnaldor,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience with awesome tour guides, especially Jason on the El Yunque tour. If you’re lucky enough to get him, you’re in for a treat
This tour was so much...
Susan V,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was so much fun! Jason, our guide for the El Yunque portion of the day was fantastic. Along with a great hike, we learned all about the native medicinal plants of the island, and a lot of other really interesting things. Jason took tons of amazing photos that he shared so nobody had to take their phones along. The lunch stop was fantastic, and then we had about half an hour at the Luquillo Kiosks waiting for the second leg of the tour. The bioluminescent kayaking was so cool to see. The mangrove trees we navigated through on the way to the lagoon were really beautiful, the guide EJ pointed out herons, jelly fish, and other interesting things about the mangroves themselves. Even with it being a new moon, we were able to get a really good view of the sparkling lights created by the motion in the water. I would recommend this tour to anyone, it was an amazing day!
Took my mom and friend...
Joe B,Jan 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Took my mom and friend here. Had a great experience. The guide was great and it was cool seeing the forest and hiking
Review for “Hike El Yunque Rainforest and Kayak Bio Bay Combo Tour”
Kristine M,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was technically two tours with two different guides. The first guide, Jason, was amazing! He led us through the rainforest, made sure everyone was safe, and kept the experience fun. All the other guides from other companies knew him and loved him—such a friendly community. The second part, the kayaking, was a bit underwhelming. The experience was fine, but the bay didn’t really glow (even after they had us hold a tarp over our heads). Overall, the Bespoke tour company is awesome and I highly recommend them for the El Yunque hike. If your main goal is to see the Bio Bay glow, you can skip the kayaking portion altogether.
Loved our tour guide! He...
dominique d,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Loved our tour guide! He preps us so we are not surprised - there will be mud and LOTS of it. We got to slide on rocks and do some 10 ft jumps.
Jason is the perfect guide! Loved el Yunque
Rachel P,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00El Yunque was an incredible experience! The bioluminescent bay was cool, but honestly could’ve been skipped. An overview of the day: Jason was very punctual with the pickups. He kept an energetic, friendly, and helpful attitude the whole time. We stopped at Walgreens to pick up snacks and water shoes (highly recommend them!). We then went to el Yunque. Was incredible! Jason knew a lot about the flora and fauna in PR. The hike was fun and Jason helped us through the more difficult areas (I’d give it a moderate difficulty overall. Nothing too crazy). We got to cliff jump, to rope swing, and to go down the natural water slide. As someone terrified of heights, I’m very appreciative of my group’s encouragement for me to give these things a try. I felt safe the whole tour and people’s boundaries were respected if anyone wanted to skip any activity. Jason brought a dry bag to hold our phones in during these activities. I was the only one doing the tour combo with the kayak, so I was dropped off at the beach for an hour to relax/grab a drink while waiting for the other tour bus to pick me up. This transition between tours was smooth and well-communicated. The kayaking tour was fun, but the luminescence itself was underwhelming in my opinion. It is also hard doing it solo because you will be paired up with a stranger (hard to coordinate with a stranger in a kayak). Overall had a ton of fun! Highly recommend this tour if you’re in PR. Jason is the best! Things to bring: - Water shoes - sun screen - swimsuit - Change of clothes (so you can change into something dry after the el Yunque part) - extra change of pants/shorts (your legs will get wet in the kayaking part) - bug spray - snack + water - water proof phone case with lanyard (and dry bag if you want one for yourself)
I would repeat the Anvil!!
Paula M,Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00The excursion to the Anvil with Georgie and Luis was the best! Both are excellent! Georgie is a magnificent guide, both in Spanish and English, always worried that we understood everything, and always with a smile. Give it a 10!! The second part of the kayaking trip in bio bay I liked less. I found the group too large and it was often uncomfortable to circulate with kayaks. We saw the phenomenon of bioluminescence and I was disappointed, it only looked a little bit when you moved the water, I guess I expected something else.
Intense trips!
David A,Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00This is a very intensive activity and a very long day. Jason Bonon was our rainforest guide. He did a great job all the way around. In the hike to the falls, he stopped to explain the vegetation. This was really to stop and let us catch our breath. Louise was our driver who also our second guide. He was very helpful in assisting how to climb rocks or when to step/grab, as needed. This rainforest tour was very intense and not for the faint of heart. The tour entailed climbing rocks at high heights - put your left foot in this rock hole and right one in this hole then swing hand over to grab a rock crevice. The waterfalls were beautiful and the natural slide very beautiful and fun. Second part of the trip was a let down. We were very tired from the first trip so rowing for the second trip was very tiring. We paddled about an hour in the dark through mangroves. The bio luminescence could be seen was more akin to seeing flakes in the water. This trip was a little disappointing. We were sore for days after this double trip!
Magical Fireflies in the water!
Mischell A,Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience! Booked this excursion because it offered pickup and drop off off near our Air BnB. Uber would’ve cost us more from San Juan to Fajardo for just 2 ppl. If ur a group of 4+ then just book these excursions separately or enjoy a full day at El Yunque and then an evening doing the kayak tour. The best part of the El Yunque Rainforest is the cliff jumping, rope swing and water slide. Mind you, if the current is strong, these activities may be delayed or shortened. The hike was fine - even my 65-year-old mom with RA could do it but it was a challenge. Rocky, uneven, uphill/downhill paths, slippery at times, etc. If you’ve hiked up a waterfall before then it’s a similar experience. Best part was the bioluminescent bay in Fajardo. It was just so magical. You could actually start seeing them while still kayaking in the mangrove. It’s not a glowing blue like some videos/photos you see online. They are like tiny fireflies in the water. They just glow a white/golden colour in the water - while you paddle, if you splash in the water with your hand/feet, etc. We travelled end of October so perhaps that made a difference. Be prepared to bring your phone pouch with a lanyard or your insta360/gopro attached to yourself as it will be completely dark while you kayak through the mangrove. Highly recommended combining both activities. For convenience. The lunch stop made very tasty mussels (a bit salty) and chuletas fritas (fried pork chops) dishes! I find most dishes in Puerto Rico to be on the salty side but maybe that’s just how they like their dishes. If you do this excursion on a Sunday, be prepared for super LOUD motorcycle and cars passing by the restaurant, Asador Boricua. Overall, it was super worth it and highly recommended!
Bespoke Group tour
Bryant P,Aug 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour was fantastic. It is physical. You will get wet. The correct shoe is important. Jayson was terrific with Bespoke.
From US$172.00
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