Discover Puerto Rico's low-impact tourism.
Puerto Rico is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes – from lush rainforests and waterfalls to pristine beaches and bioluminescent bays.
The heart and soul of the Caribbean has become a premier green travel destination. With such beauty comes the responsibility to explore sustainably and respectfully. Whether you’re hiking through El Yunque National Forest or kayaking in Vieques at night, following the “leave no trace” principles will help keep Puerto Rico’s nature pristine.
When trekking through Puerto Rico’s nature, always stay on marked trails and obey signage. Trails in places like El Yunque National Forest or Toro Negro Forest Reserve are designed to minimize human impact and protect fragile plant life. Even if the path is wet or muddy, avoid stepping off—walk in the middle of the trail, single-file, to prevent creating new paths and eroding soil. By sticking to designated routes, you not only protect delicate plants and wildlife habitat along the way, but also ensure your own safety on well-maintained paths. Remember, those trails lead to incredible sights (like hidden waterfalls and scenic overlooks) while preserving the surrounding ecosystem for others to enjoy.
Natural sites in Puerto Rico are typically “carry in, carry out” areas with few or no trash cans, so it’s vital that you take all your garbage with you. From the white sands of Flamenco Beach to the trails of Río Grande, adopt the rule: leave nothing behind but footprints. Even a small piece of litter can harm wildlife and spoil the view—a plastic bottle or food wrapper might wash into the ocean and endanger sea turtles or fish. When traveling green, be prepared with a bag to stash your trash and dispose of it properly after your excursion. Keeping Puerto Rico’s beaches, forests, and coral reefs clean ensures they remain beautiful and safe for both animals and future visitors.
Puerto Rico’s turquoise waters and coral reefs are a major draw for snorkelers and swimmers, so protecting these underwater landscapes is a must. One simple step is to wear reef-safe sunscreen (mineral-based sunblock without harmful chemicals) or use a rash guard for sun protection. Common sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate can bleach and damage coral reefs, and Puerto Rico has even introduced a bill to ban such coral-harming sunscreens. Whether you’re exploring Culebra’s vibrant reefs or swimming in a glowing bay, choosing eco-friendly sunscreen helps preserve the Island’s marine life. By opting for products with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (or simply covering up with clothing), you’ll keep the fish, corals, and plankton in places like La Parguera’s bio bay and Fajardo’s cays healthy and thriving for years to come.
Puerto Rico is teeming with unique wildlife—from tiny coquí frogs chirping at night to pelicans soaring along the coast. To keep these creatures safe, observe wildlife from a distance and never feed them. Feeding wild animals can harm their health, alter their natural behavior, and even make them dependent on humans, which is why it’s prohibited in most reserves. Likewise, avoid touching or harassing any animals you encounter. Do not attempt to pick up starfish, chase sea turtles, or disturb nesting birds—use a zoom lens or binoculars for a closer look instead. By respecting animals’ space and not interfering with their routines, you’ll ensure Puerto Rico’s wildlife remains wild and its ecosystems stay in balance.
Many of Puerto Rico’s most spectacular sites are protected parks or nature reserves—each with specific rules to safeguard the environment. Always follow posted guidelines and the instructions of park rangers or tour guides. For example, at Mosquito Bay in Vieques (the world’s brightest bioluminescent bay), swimming is strictly prohibited, and visitors are asked not to wear insect repellent or lotions that could wash off and harm the bay’s glowing organisms.
Similarly, if you’re exploring a sensitive area on land, like the Reserva Natural Las Cabachuelas or a sea turtle nesting beach, be mindful of special rules. In the caves, stick to authorized paths and avoid touching any rock formations to protect the fragile cave ecosystem. On beaches (like parts of Luquillo or Culebra), keep your distance from marked nesting sites and avoid using bright lights at night during nesting season. Respecting these rules ensures that Puerto Rico’s nature remains healthy and magical, and it shows respect for the communities working hard to protect these places.
When enjoying Puerto Rico’s great outdoors, you might find beautiful seashells, stones, or flowers that you’d love to take home as mementos. However, it’s important not to remove natural items from their environment. “Take only pictures, leave only footprints” is a good motto to follow. Picking a wildflower or pocketing a unique shell may seem harmless, but if every visitor did so, it would have a huge impact on the ecosystem. In fact, leaving rocks, shells, and plants where you find them is often required—those items are crucial parts of nature (empty shells become homes for hermit crabs, and fallen seeds can grow into new trees). Instead, snap a photo and take memories with you; they will last forever, and Puerto Rico’s natural treasures will remain intact for others to enjoy.
Traveling responsibly in Puerto Rico means enjoying all its natural beauty while also protecting it. By following these dos and don’ts—leaving no trace, staying on trails, respecting wildlife, keeping sites clean, and honoring local rules—you become a partner in conservation. This sustainable travel approach ensures that Puerto Rico’s rainforests stay lush, its beaches stay pristine, and its bays keep glowing for generations to come. In short, treat the Island as the precious paradise it is, and you’ll help preserve its magic. Happy exploring!
