Frequently Asked Questions
What do you mean by ‘Luxury’?
By ‘luxury’ we mean you will be riding in style in our specially equipped Land Rover Defender vehicles, designed and outfitted specifically for our expedition style adventures. We will indeed be camping, and we will be sleeping on the ground (in a tent) or in a hammock (our preferred method) at our destinations. But the equipment we’ll be using is the best available, period. We do this style of camping in our personal lives, and enjoy bringing along as many luxuries as our trucks can hold. We use white linen table cloths on our tables, we use French presses for our coffee, our dinnerware is made from titanium - it’s the best on the market.
Our meals are well planned, gourmet meals designed to use fresh, healthy ingredients, cooked on our gas or charcoal grill, depending on the menu. As for relaxation, we have the finest chairs and tables available, and we go so far as to have a private “biffy” tent, as well as a fresh water shower tent, so you can wash away the salt water and the sand before climbing in to bed for the night.
It should be clearly understood that we are camping, but that we are doing so with the maximum level of comfort possible, with the finest gear on the market. Our goal is to add some of the pleasures of a luxury lifestyle with the pleasure of getting to know the island in the most intimate way possible: by camping!
What is the Level of Culture Shock?
One of the joys of traveling to Puerto Rico is that it is a part of the United States, which means you don’t need a passport (if you are are a US Citizen), and the currency is the good ole’ American dollar. Visiting Puerto Rico is like visiting a foreign country, but with many of the daily operations working as they do on the US mainland. Go to a gas station, for example, and there’s no question of how it works, and you know there’s going to be a bathroom inside. It’s the perfect mix of a truly cultural experience with the knowledge that, if anything goes totally wrong (which it shouldn’t!), you are still under US law, and under the protection of the US Constitution.
Will I be comfortable?
Yes! Well, maybe. That depends on you. Our Land Rovers are expedition style vehicles, they are not the showroom-fresh Range Rovers that you see on TV. They are designed for function first, fashion second. But in their utilitarian build, they also end up being the coolest (not in temperature, but in cool factor) vehicles on the planet. Our gear, and our camp setups, are the same: Functional, indeed, but with the best, most thought-out, gear available. Remember, we do this stuff when we aren’t working, and we have high standards. So long as you understand that you are camping, you bring along a sense of humor and a little patience (we are on Puerto Rican time), you will be very comfortable.
Are there age requirements for your tours?
Yes and no. On open tours, we restrict the age to 12. That’s not because we don’t want younger people on our trips, it’s to allow our other guests to enjoy an adult trip. If your travel plans involve your family, contact us so we can arrange a family-specific tour.
Are there other restrictions for your tours?
We restrict you to using common sense! Our tours require a certain level of physical ability, but we’re certainly not climbing mountains. Our vehicles are not wheelchair friendly, and pregnant women will want to use their own judgement. We have traveled with pregnant women in the past without incident, but it’s up to the individual to know their own level of comfort.
What are typical group sizes?
Our ideal tour size is 6 guests. You can book a tour as an individual, as a pair, or as any number of guests you have traveling with you, if spaces are available. Ideally, we’d make a total of 6, but we will travel with as few as 2. If there are more than 6 in your group, let us know and we can make arrangements.
What should I pack?
Pack within reason. We're in a tropical paradise, so you really only need a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, some flip-flops and sunscreen! That's usually not the best plan, however. We can get rain, it can get windy, and the temperature has been known to get low enough at night to be really cold to sunburnt skin. Space is limited; it's best to pack a bag for this tour that's separate from the bags you pack for your full stay in Puerto Rico.
Pack like you're going on an airplane: One carry-on, plus one personal item. Your hotel should be able to hold primary luggage for you while you're on overnight tours, or, depending on logistics, we may be able to store bags at our office. Each tour 'Itinerary' section has a list of specific items that you should bring, but use judgement and bring what you think you will want / need, within reason. We have all the camping, cooking, touring necessities.
Will I be safe?
Yes. If you read the headlines, you will see that Puerto Rico has a crime rate that is almost as high as Washington D.C., but what you won’t always read is that most of this crime is committed amongst bad people. Bad people doing bad things to other bad people. We take security very seriously, and use all means available to us, within legal limits, to keep ourselves and our guests safe from crime. There are many resources (including the US State Department website) that offer advice on being safe while you travel.
What will we eat? What is included?
We pride ourselves on providing gourmet, fresh, delicious meals to our guests. There will be times where we’ll want to enjoy some of the fantastic food available from local providers (roadside stands, lechoneras, markets, etc.), but for the most part, Caribbean Rovers Expeditions will be providing the fresh, delicious snacks and meals. We’ll can make special arrangements for dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, allergy specific requirements, etc, but we are definitely not short-order cooks. We have standard (excellent) menus.
What travel documents do I need to travel to Puerto Rico?
As a US citizen, you only need a government issued photo I.D. It can be in the form of a passport, driver’s license, or other government issued I.D. Travelers on flights from the US mainland will not have to go through customs. This is another one of the benefits of traveling to Puerto Rico: though you are in a unique culture, you are not in a different country!
Can I drink the water in Puerto Rico?
Yes. Puerto Rico is under the same US regulations and standards for cleanliness and health safety that we are on the mainland. That doesn’t mean there aren’t places where you should use your judgement, but that’s because of the establishment, not because of the public plumbing and water filtration. Use your judgement. We provide plenty of bottled water and other refreshments on our tours.
Shooting pictures and video: What’s okay, appropriate?
Use common sense. We will travel through parts of town that offer some great photo opportunities, but we always have to be mindful of the people that may appear in those photos. Would you want someone driving by to snap a picture of you, for whatever use they may have in mind? Maybe you wouldn’t mind, maybe it would infuriate you. That’s where common sense comes in. Before taking a picture with a person in it (particularly a child), judge the situation, make sure everyone is comfortable, and always be willing to put your camera down if someone doesn’t respond kindly. Our tours go through areas that may not see a lot of tourist traffic, so imagine if someone was driving down your street with a camera hanging out the window. Be respectful.
Will I be able to charge my batteries at camp?
Yes! We have teamed with Goal Zero and IBS to have the best portable 12v battery power available. To us, it’s part of providing a Luxury camping experience. We use solar power to charge our Goal Zero 12v battery products, and are proud to have the best portable 12v gear on our tours. We use IBS true sine power inverters in our trucks to provide additional charging power along the way.
What currency does Puerto Rico use?
Puerto Rico uses the US Dollar. This is one of the huge benefits of traveling to Puerto Rico from the US mainland - you are in a Caribbean paradise, but you haven’t left the US!
Insurance: Travel? Health? What do I need, what works?
Insurance is entirely up to you.
Yes! There is very good coverage of most parts of Puerto Rico by all US mobile carriers. There are certainly some limitations, particularly in mountainous areas, but in general, your wireless phone from home will work, and you will not incur roaming charges. Check with your carrier to see specific coverage maps. As for internet, we hope that your policy is that while you are on vacation, you are disconnected. However, we understand the importance of being in touch, and will have a Sprint Mi-Fi mobile network set up wherever Sprint coverage is available.
Will there be opportunities for shopping and souvenirs?
Yes! On each of our tours, we will be in places where you’ll be able to buy souvenirs, clothing, local goods, etc, as reminders of your time spent in Puerto Rico. The opportunities are all subject to the length and variety of the tour you choose.
What is the time difference in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is on Atlantic Standard Time, and does NOT observe Daylight Savings Time. This means that Puerto Rico is one hour ahead of the Eastern United States from November to March, but shares the same time as the East from March through November.
Should I have any medical immunizations before traveling to Puerto Rico?
Standard vaccinations from the US Mainland are recommended (tetanus, diphtheria, rabies, hep A and B). You don’t need any vaccinations that you don’t need at home.
How far in advance should I book my tour?
It’s best to book your tour as far in advance as possible, especially if you’ve already booked specific dates to be in Puerto Rico. Out tours are unique and limited, therefore it’s best to book as soon as you know your primary travel plans.
What do I need to do to reserve a spot on a tour?
Click on our Book Tours page, where you can search for tours by activity, by date or by keyword. The site will lead you through the steps to booking a reservation. Because of the unique and limited nature of our tours, we require 100% payment to reserve a spot.
Do I have to speak Spanish to enjoy my tour?
Absolutely not! Spanish is a beautiful language, and we certainly encourage brushing up on your old skills, or starting fresh and doing some travel-specific language training. Our guides are either from the US Mainland, or speak English very well. There are several fantastic online spanish language resources focusing on travel related vocabulary. Here are two good resources: 123teachme.com and Fodor's.
Getting to Puerto Rico
Getting to Puerto Rico is easy - all major US airlines serve the island. Depending on what city you are traveling from, you may have a direct flight. If not, typical layover cities are Houston (Continental Airlines), Atlanta (Delta Airlines) and Charlotte (US Airways). People primarily fly in to San Juan, however, there are smaller airports throughout the island (Aguadilla, Fajardo, Ponce, and more).
Where do we meet?
Our group tours begin and end at predetermined meeting points in the tourist areas of Condado and Isla Verde in San Juan. With private tours, we can arrange a more specific pickup and drop-off.
What are your reservation and cancellation policies?
100% payment reserves your spot. All passenger's signatures on our Acknowledgment of Risk form are required for all standard tours, group tours or specialized training events (to be signed on the day of tour or event).
CANCELLATION:
Deposits and fees for all Caribbean Rovers Expeditions tours and events are non-refundable (unless cancelled by Caribbean Rovers Expeditions) even if trip or training must be rescheduled due to acts of nature such as extreme weather conditions, trail conditions, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. If one of our tours or events must be rescheduled because of Caribbean Rovers Expeditions' safety concerns, we will make every effort to work with client scheduling needs as well as our own. All additional expenses incurred as a result of any delays, cancellations or alterations will be the sole responsibility of the passenger. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect against financial loss.
Cancellations made within 14 days of the event or tour, and no-shows, are subject to forfeiture of all monies at the discretion of Caribbean Rovers Expeditions. Your cancellation request can be received via telephone or email.
Cancellations made prior to 14 days before the event or tour will have all monies held as a 100% credit for ONE FULL YEAR from the date of your tour or event for you to use on any Caribbean Rovers Expeditions tour or event.
CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL
A minimum number is required to operate our tours and events. If there are not enough clients to meet the minimum requirement, Caribbean Rovers Expeditions reserves the right to cancel a scheduled tour or request you transfer to another date. If an alternative date is not available your monies will be refunded in full.
No passenger will be permitted to embark or continue on the tour while their mental or physical condition is, in the opinion of any representative of the Company, such as to render them incapable of caring for themselves, or whereby they become objectionable to other passengers, or they become a hazard to themselves or other passengers.
By ‘luxury’ we mean you will be riding in style in our specially equipped Land Rover Defender vehicles, designed and outfitted specifically for our expedition style adventures. We will indeed be camping, and we will be sleeping on the ground (in a tent) or in a hammock (our preferred method) at our destinations. But the equipment we’ll be using is the best available, period. We do this style of camping in our personal lives, and enjoy bringing along as many luxuries as our trucks can hold. We use white linen table cloths on our tables, we use French presses for our coffee, our dinnerware is made from titanium - it’s the best on the market.
Our meals are well planned, gourmet meals designed to use fresh, healthy ingredients, cooked on our gas or charcoal grill, depending on the menu. As for relaxation, we have the finest chairs and tables available, and we go so far as to have a private “biffy” tent, as well as a fresh water shower tent, so you can wash away the salt water and the sand before climbing in to bed for the night.
It should be clearly understood that we are camping, but that we are doing so with the maximum level of comfort possible, with the finest gear on the market. Our goal is to add some of the pleasures of a luxury lifestyle with the pleasure of getting to know the island in the most intimate way possible: by camping!
What is the Level of Culture Shock?
One of the joys of traveling to Puerto Rico is that it is a part of the United States, which means you don’t need a passport (if you are are a US Citizen), and the currency is the good ole’ American dollar. Visiting Puerto Rico is like visiting a foreign country, but with many of the daily operations working as they do on the US mainland. Go to a gas station, for example, and there’s no question of how it works, and you know there’s going to be a bathroom inside. It’s the perfect mix of a truly cultural experience with the knowledge that, if anything goes totally wrong (which it shouldn’t!), you are still under US law, and under the protection of the US Constitution.
Will I be comfortable?
Yes! Well, maybe. That depends on you. Our Land Rovers are expedition style vehicles, they are not the showroom-fresh Range Rovers that you see on TV. They are designed for function first, fashion second. But in their utilitarian build, they also end up being the coolest (not in temperature, but in cool factor) vehicles on the planet. Our gear, and our camp setups, are the same: Functional, indeed, but with the best, most thought-out, gear available. Remember, we do this stuff when we aren’t working, and we have high standards. So long as you understand that you are camping, you bring along a sense of humor and a little patience (we are on Puerto Rican time), you will be very comfortable.
Are there age requirements for your tours?
Yes and no. On open tours, we restrict the age to 12. That’s not because we don’t want younger people on our trips, it’s to allow our other guests to enjoy an adult trip. If your travel plans involve your family, contact us so we can arrange a family-specific tour.
Are there other restrictions for your tours?
We restrict you to using common sense! Our tours require a certain level of physical ability, but we’re certainly not climbing mountains. Our vehicles are not wheelchair friendly, and pregnant women will want to use their own judgement. We have traveled with pregnant women in the past without incident, but it’s up to the individual to know their own level of comfort.
What are typical group sizes?
Our ideal tour size is 6 guests. You can book a tour as an individual, as a pair, or as any number of guests you have traveling with you, if spaces are available. Ideally, we’d make a total of 6, but we will travel with as few as 2. If there are more than 6 in your group, let us know and we can make arrangements.
What should I pack?
Pack within reason. We're in a tropical paradise, so you really only need a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, some flip-flops and sunscreen! That's usually not the best plan, however. We can get rain, it can get windy, and the temperature has been known to get low enough at night to be really cold to sunburnt skin. Space is limited; it's best to pack a bag for this tour that's separate from the bags you pack for your full stay in Puerto Rico.
Pack like you're going on an airplane: One carry-on, plus one personal item. Your hotel should be able to hold primary luggage for you while you're on overnight tours, or, depending on logistics, we may be able to store bags at our office. Each tour 'Itinerary' section has a list of specific items that you should bring, but use judgement and bring what you think you will want / need, within reason. We have all the camping, cooking, touring necessities.
Will I be safe?
Yes. If you read the headlines, you will see that Puerto Rico has a crime rate that is almost as high as Washington D.C., but what you won’t always read is that most of this crime is committed amongst bad people. Bad people doing bad things to other bad people. We take security very seriously, and use all means available to us, within legal limits, to keep ourselves and our guests safe from crime. There are many resources (including the US State Department website) that offer advice on being safe while you travel.
What will we eat? What is included?
We pride ourselves on providing gourmet, fresh, delicious meals to our guests. There will be times where we’ll want to enjoy some of the fantastic food available from local providers (roadside stands, lechoneras, markets, etc.), but for the most part, Caribbean Rovers Expeditions will be providing the fresh, delicious snacks and meals. We’ll can make special arrangements for dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, allergy specific requirements, etc, but we are definitely not short-order cooks. We have standard (excellent) menus.
What travel documents do I need to travel to Puerto Rico?
As a US citizen, you only need a government issued photo I.D. It can be in the form of a passport, driver’s license, or other government issued I.D. Travelers on flights from the US mainland will not have to go through customs. This is another one of the benefits of traveling to Puerto Rico: though you are in a unique culture, you are not in a different country!
Can I drink the water in Puerto Rico?
Yes. Puerto Rico is under the same US regulations and standards for cleanliness and health safety that we are on the mainland. That doesn’t mean there aren’t places where you should use your judgement, but that’s because of the establishment, not because of the public plumbing and water filtration. Use your judgement. We provide plenty of bottled water and other refreshments on our tours.
Shooting pictures and video: What’s okay, appropriate?
Use common sense. We will travel through parts of town that offer some great photo opportunities, but we always have to be mindful of the people that may appear in those photos. Would you want someone driving by to snap a picture of you, for whatever use they may have in mind? Maybe you wouldn’t mind, maybe it would infuriate you. That’s where common sense comes in. Before taking a picture with a person in it (particularly a child), judge the situation, make sure everyone is comfortable, and always be willing to put your camera down if someone doesn’t respond kindly. Our tours go through areas that may not see a lot of tourist traffic, so imagine if someone was driving down your street with a camera hanging out the window. Be respectful.
Will I be able to charge my batteries at camp?
Yes! We have teamed with Goal Zero and IBS to have the best portable 12v battery power available. To us, it’s part of providing a Luxury camping experience. We use solar power to charge our Goal Zero 12v battery products, and are proud to have the best portable 12v gear on our tours. We use IBS true sine power inverters in our trucks to provide additional charging power along the way.
What currency does Puerto Rico use?
Puerto Rico uses the US Dollar. This is one of the huge benefits of traveling to Puerto Rico from the US mainland - you are in a Caribbean paradise, but you haven’t left the US!
Insurance: Travel? Health? What do I need, what works?
Insurance is entirely up to you.
- Health Insurance: It doesn’t seem logical to go on any sort of adventure travel without your own health insurance, and all major health insurance policies in the US Mainland are accepted at hospitals in Puerto Rico. Medical care in Puerto Rico is on par with standards on the Mainland. Caribbean Rovers Expeditions does not have a health insurance requirement, and we work very hard to be proactively safe, however, we cannot be responsible for any injuries, minor or major, that happen as a result of participating in one of our tours. Our guides are all, at a minimum, CPR and first aid certified. Some of our guides have Wilderness Medicine backgrounds and more advanced training, but there is no substitute for health insurance and hospital care.
- Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is also up to you. We make every effort to work with our guests on situations that are out of their control, but we also have a commitment to our other guests. Travel insurance covers your investment by protecting you against weather, travel, health, and other unexpected delays or situations. Because your trip to Puerto Rico will be such a large investment, we recommend travel insurance, but it is entirely up to you. The travel insurance company that we recommend is Travel Guard. www.travelguard.com
Yes! There is very good coverage of most parts of Puerto Rico by all US mobile carriers. There are certainly some limitations, particularly in mountainous areas, but in general, your wireless phone from home will work, and you will not incur roaming charges. Check with your carrier to see specific coverage maps. As for internet, we hope that your policy is that while you are on vacation, you are disconnected. However, we understand the importance of being in touch, and will have a Sprint Mi-Fi mobile network set up wherever Sprint coverage is available.
Will there be opportunities for shopping and souvenirs?
Yes! On each of our tours, we will be in places where you’ll be able to buy souvenirs, clothing, local goods, etc, as reminders of your time spent in Puerto Rico. The opportunities are all subject to the length and variety of the tour you choose.
What is the time difference in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is on Atlantic Standard Time, and does NOT observe Daylight Savings Time. This means that Puerto Rico is one hour ahead of the Eastern United States from November to March, but shares the same time as the East from March through November.
Should I have any medical immunizations before traveling to Puerto Rico?
Standard vaccinations from the US Mainland are recommended (tetanus, diphtheria, rabies, hep A and B). You don’t need any vaccinations that you don’t need at home.
How far in advance should I book my tour?
It’s best to book your tour as far in advance as possible, especially if you’ve already booked specific dates to be in Puerto Rico. Out tours are unique and limited, therefore it’s best to book as soon as you know your primary travel plans.
What do I need to do to reserve a spot on a tour?
Click on our Book Tours page, where you can search for tours by activity, by date or by keyword. The site will lead you through the steps to booking a reservation. Because of the unique and limited nature of our tours, we require 100% payment to reserve a spot.
Do I have to speak Spanish to enjoy my tour?
Absolutely not! Spanish is a beautiful language, and we certainly encourage brushing up on your old skills, or starting fresh and doing some travel-specific language training. Our guides are either from the US Mainland, or speak English very well. There are several fantastic online spanish language resources focusing on travel related vocabulary. Here are two good resources: 123teachme.com and Fodor's.
Getting to Puerto Rico
Getting to Puerto Rico is easy - all major US airlines serve the island. Depending on what city you are traveling from, you may have a direct flight. If not, typical layover cities are Houston (Continental Airlines), Atlanta (Delta Airlines) and Charlotte (US Airways). People primarily fly in to San Juan, however, there are smaller airports throughout the island (Aguadilla, Fajardo, Ponce, and more).
Where do we meet?
Our group tours begin and end at predetermined meeting points in the tourist areas of Condado and Isla Verde in San Juan. With private tours, we can arrange a more specific pickup and drop-off.
What are your reservation and cancellation policies?
100% payment reserves your spot. All passenger's signatures on our Acknowledgment of Risk form are required for all standard tours, group tours or specialized training events (to be signed on the day of tour or event).
CANCELLATION:
Deposits and fees for all Caribbean Rovers Expeditions tours and events are non-refundable (unless cancelled by Caribbean Rovers Expeditions) even if trip or training must be rescheduled due to acts of nature such as extreme weather conditions, trail conditions, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. If one of our tours or events must be rescheduled because of Caribbean Rovers Expeditions' safety concerns, we will make every effort to work with client scheduling needs as well as our own. All additional expenses incurred as a result of any delays, cancellations or alterations will be the sole responsibility of the passenger. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect against financial loss.
Cancellations made within 14 days of the event or tour, and no-shows, are subject to forfeiture of all monies at the discretion of Caribbean Rovers Expeditions. Your cancellation request can be received via telephone or email.
Cancellations made prior to 14 days before the event or tour will have all monies held as a 100% credit for ONE FULL YEAR from the date of your tour or event for you to use on any Caribbean Rovers Expeditions tour or event.
CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL
A minimum number is required to operate our tours and events. If there are not enough clients to meet the minimum requirement, Caribbean Rovers Expeditions reserves the right to cancel a scheduled tour or request you transfer to another date. If an alternative date is not available your monies will be refunded in full.
No passenger will be permitted to embark or continue on the tour while their mental or physical condition is, in the opinion of any representative of the Company, such as to render them incapable of caring for themselves, or whereby they become objectionable to other passengers, or they become a hazard to themselves or other passengers.
Day-Trip Tour
Price: $245
Land Rovers, the El Yunque Rainforest, off-road driving to a secluded beach. The perfect mix of relaxation and exploration!
Click Here for details!
Price: $245
Land Rovers, the El Yunque Rainforest, off-road driving to a secluded beach. The perfect mix of relaxation and exploration!
Click Here for details!
2 Day, 1 Night Tour
Price: $425
Our Land Rovers will take us through the El Yunque Rainforest, and on to a secluded beach for relaxing, gourmet meals, and CAMPING!
Click Here for details!
Price: $425
Our Land Rovers will take us through the El Yunque Rainforest, and on to a secluded beach for relaxing, gourmet meals, and CAMPING!
Click Here for details!
3 Day, 2 Night Tour
Price: $850
This tour leads to a rustic mountain coffee plantation, the famous Caves of Camuy, & of course, a beautiful beach! We'll camp in style, & get an in-depth view of Puerto Rico.
Click Here for details!
Price: $850
This tour leads to a rustic mountain coffee plantation, the famous Caves of Camuy, & of course, a beautiful beach! We'll camp in style, & get an in-depth view of Puerto Rico.
Click Here for details!
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