Atlas Obscura’s been profiling the globe’s hidden gems for over a decade, detailing offbeat historical sites, trails, shops, natural wonders and eateries both in books and online. In 2016, the travel brand actually started visiting those places firsthand, and bringing interested guests along for the ride.
These days, AO’s full roster of guided trips is enormous and includes a line of experiences the brand calls “Unique Trips to Extraordinary Places” — of which, we’d like to call your attention to one five-day adventure in particular, called Extraordinary Island: Puerto Rico’s Hidden Wonders.
Despite the recent earthquakes that have impacted the southern part of the island, Puerto Rico is still welcoming tourists and travelers. This local experience will take place in the unaffected northern part of the island and has been designed to make sure that 85% of all costs go toward supporting Puertorican local businesses. Additionally, Atlas Obscura will donate 15% of profits to ConPRmetidos, an organization focused on building a strong, self-sufficient Puerto Rico.
And for five-days this April 21-25, you and eleven others will meet local artists and creators while you make your way from the vibrant capital city of San Juan to the coastal city of Loíza — the hub of Afro-Puerto Rican culture — where you’ll learn about the historic Bomba from a prestigious local dance troupe. After that, you’ll venture into the mountains of Las Marías to tour a sustainable village constructed with recycled material, and then off to Aguada to learn about the current state of Puerto Rican bees (and why their protection is important).
All you have to do is be a smart, engaged guest, invest in some solid footwear and pack lots of sunscreen. Find more info here.
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