TEEN SCUBA AND MARINE SERVICE PROGRAM
JUNE 16 - JUne 29, 2025
LENGTH 14 Days
COMPLETING GRADES 9 - 12
ARRIVE/DEPART San Juan (SJU)
SERVICE HOURS 10 - 20
TUITION $5995
We are returning again to Puerto Rico for two weeks of adventure, scuba diving, service and cultural immersion. High schoolers can get earn their Open Water Scuba certification or work towards more advanced certifications. We will also help with marine and environmental service work with a local reef restoration organization. When not in the water, we will explore the pristine beaches, dense rainforests and unique culture as we immerse ourselves in island life. Participants can try bioluminescent kayaking at night, participate in Bomba Dance lessons, and explore the unique waterfalls, pools, and ecosystems of the El Yunque National Park! Join us for this teen scuba trip!
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO LEARN MORE!
TRIP OVERVIEW
Activities
Learn to scuba dive: Earn an Open Water scuba certification, or work to earn more advanced certifications.
Hike: Through the trails of El Yunque Rainforest National Park
Go Caving Underground: To discover the subterranean caverns carved out by the Camuy River
Bioluminescent Kayaking: A kayaking trip like no other!
Paddle Boarding: SUP on the Condado Lagoon
Explore: Wander the streets of the historical town of San Juan
Authentic dance class: Discover the fun of vibrant Bomba dancing!
Visit: Historic Indigenous Ceremonial site to learn about its inhabitatants from 400 through 1000 AD
SWIMMING ABILITY
Due to the nature of this program, it is required that participants are comfortable being in the water and swimming in various depths.
SPANISH LANGUAGE IMMERSION
Immersion within community and country
No previous Spanish speaking experience is necessary
Service
A Certificate of Community Service indicating the total number of hours worked, and a group Presidential Volunteer Service Award will be issued upon successful completion of the program. Service work could include some of the following:
Service work will include some environmental service as well as some marine conservation work. The group will help with The Coral Nursery of Puerto Rico where we help with the planting and regeneration for coral nurseries to rebuild underwater ecosystems.
SCUBA COURSES AND E-LEARNING REQUIREMENTS
All RLT participants signed up for a scuba diving program are required to complete the classroom portion of the course prior to the start date of their program. This is a separate fee not included in your RLT tuition. Upon enrolling in a program, you will receive additional information regarding E-Learning. It is important that you do not begin E-Learning before receiving these details from our Admissions Team and/or your course instructors. For more details, please visit our scuba diving information page. If you are unsure which course would be best for you, please call us in the office at 773-342-5200.
PADI Junior Open Water Certification
PADI Open Water Certification
PADI Advanced Open Water Certification
PADI Specialty Courses: (for those already Open Water Certified)
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Fish Identification
Underwater Navigation
WHAT IS INCLUDED AND EXCLUDED IN TRIP TUITION
The trip tuition listed above includes accommodations, activities, meals, and group gear. The tuition does not include personal gear and clothing, travel insurance, spending money, E-Learning for scuba diving, and travel expenses such as airfare to and from the start and end of the program, unaccompanied minor fees, and baggage fees.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND SHOWERING
Participants will stay in private housing (Airbnb-style) accommodations during the trip. Bedrooms will be divided by gender and participants will sleep slumber party-style – in sleeping bags, rotating between available beds, cots, and sleeping mats nightly, and sharing beds as needed.
Bathrooms and showers can be rustic, so please be prepared. In an effort to save time and conserve water resources in the areas we are traveling, participants will be encouraged to take quick showers in order to conserve water. On days with ocean-based activities, participants will be able to rinse off with fresh water.
food
Participants on this trip will plan, prepare, and eat meals as a group. Split up into smaller cook crews, each crew will have the chance to prepare a meal approximately once per day. This process is supervised by staff who offer advice on nutrition, and menu planning, and ensure safe food storage, preparation, and handling.
Meals are prepared in the kitchen of our Airbnb-style accommodations with access to a full kitchen. The nature of cooking for a large group sometimes requires a simpler menu than a restaurant or home cook might allow. While students and staff plan and prepare the meals, an effort is made to incorporate local ingredients and cuisine from the local culture.
We are able to accommodate all dietary requirements and preferences.
TRAVEL
Families are individually responsible for booking their own airfare or making their own travel arrangements to get their participant from home to Puerto Rico's San Juan Airport (SJU) on the first day of the trip, and from San Juan Airport (SJU) to home on the last day of the trip. RLT will provide exact windows of time that we require all participants to arrive and depart within. It is imperative that no one make any travel arrangements until RLT directs them to do so.
A leader-escorted round-trip flight will be available from a major US city (but is not required) for those travelers who wish to fly with a leader. Please contact our office for details.
TRAVEL INSURANCE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Road Less Traveled does not provide its own insurance nor do we require travel insurance for domestic trips. However, travel insurance can protect your investment in your participant's trip from the risk of unexpected expenses from last-minute cancellations or early trip departure. If you are interested in more details regarding travel insurance, please visit our FAQ page or you may contact a member of our team at info@theroadlesstraveled.com or 773-342-5200.
TECHNOLOGY
As part of the RLT experience, our trips are electronic-free. While it is encouraged to travel with cell phones, leaders will collect phones and any other personal devices after all participants arrive on the first day. It can feel tough initially to not have access to your phone, but it really helps everyone in the group to connect and have a really great trip experience. This includes phones, iPods, tablets, gaming devices, music devices, smartwatches, etc. All electronics will be held by RLT leaders, kept safe and dry for the duration of the trip, and returned at the end of the program. All cameras, go pros, etc. are acceptable and can be kept with you! If you do not have a camera, please note that leaders will also be taking photos throughout the program, and these photos will be shared through an online gallery.
“Absolutely fantastic experience from the first planning meeting until the airport pick up!”
— SUMMER 2024 ALUM PARENT -
SAMPLE ITINERARY
*Please note the itinerary listed below is the intended itinerary for this trip. No two trips are exactly the same. All itineraries are subject to change to ensure the best possible program experience. Weather, group dynamics, new opportunities, and the unpredictability of travel all shape the final trip itinerary - and it's all part of the adventure!
Travel to San Juan (Day 1)
Fly to San Juan (SJU), Puerto Rico, where our leaders will be ready and waiting! Once the whole group is together, we take the short transfer to our first accommodation near San Juan. We settle in, play games as a group, and get to know each other.
hike EL Yunque National Rainforest (day 2)
We start the trip off strong with a hike through El Yunque National Rainforest. This lush, green rainforest has various trails, pools, and waterfalls to explore. Along the way we keep our eyes and ears alert for the native Coqui Tree Frog. We learn about the flora and fauna of the rainforest, led by a knowledgeable local guide. Following the hike, we cool off by taking our first dip in the beautiful ocean and relaxing on the beach.
Scuba diving - padi/SSI certification course (Days 3-5)
For the next 3 days we focus on our diving courses where students will work with top PADI/SSI instructors. Those new to diving will learn the fundamentals, completing a combination of sheltered water and open water dives in order to earn their Open Water Diver certification. Experienced divers will jump straight into the ocean to continue building on existing skills and getting more advanced certifications. Diving over these days will allow students to see some of the best diving Puerto Rico has to offer.
Old San Juan and El Escambron Beach (Day 6)
After a busy few days in the water, we take a more relaxed day to explore the city of Old San Juan, where we tour the exciting and colorful historic city center. While touring the area, we take in the exciting smells and sounds of the vibrant, culture-filled city. Following a morning of exploring, we head to El Escambaron beach where we cool down with swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach. The clear, warm waters are perfect to cool off in, and spot even more local marine life will coral reefs not far away.
coral reef service (days 7 and 8)
In partnership with the The Coral Nursery of Puerto Rico we help with the ongoing work to restore and regenerate coral reefs and underwater ecosystems. We learn about the important work they are doing to build coral structures and how this innovative approach to coral restoration is much quicker than traditional methods. Exact project details will be released closer to the trip.
SERVICE AND SUP’ING (Day 9)
We wrap up our service project in the morning. In the afternoon, we test our balance as we stand up paddle board on Condado Lagoon. From pirate games, to paddle-board yoga, it’s an afternoon of fun and swimming in the clear warm water.
bioluminescent kayaking (Day 10)
We take to the water for a kayaking trip like no other. We paddle through a canal inside a nature reserve on the northeast of the island, which is surrounded by various types of mangroves. The peaceful waters then open up into the incredible glittering water of the Bio Lagoon. Tiny bioluminescent organisms called pyrodiniums bahamenses are responsible for this wonder of nature. They produce blue-green light from the top to the bottom of this bay every time you touch or move the water with your kayak, hand, or paddle!
RIO CAMUY CAVE and INDIGENOUS HISTORY (Day 11)
Today, we head west to explore another part of the island. Rio Camuy Cave system is the third largest underground river cavern system in the world. We explore the caves with our local guide, learning about the formation of the caves, the rivers’ impact, and the million-year-old stalactites and stalagmites. Following this excursion, we visit one of the largest and most important ceremonial sites in Puerto Rico. Archeological investigations indicate that the site's major period of occupation was from 400 through 1000 AD! The site consists of several stone-lined courts and plazas shaded by native trees. We learn about how the ancient indigenous tribes of the Igneri and Taínos lived during and before the arrival of Colonialists.
EXPLORE CASTILLO SAN FELIPE DEL MORRO (Day 12)
We head back into Old San Juan for one more visit to the vibrant city. We will explore Castillo San Felipe del Morro to learn about its historical importance and take in the incredible views. We finish off the day with a fun salsa class to get our feet moving and learn more about the exciting Puerto Rican Culture.
Hike, Beach, and Final Banquet Dinner (Day 13)
During our last full day in Puerto Rico, we do a final round of the best of the best of Puerto Rico - the reefs and rainforests! We go on one final hike to soak in the sounds and sights of the rainforest, followed by a final beach trip to relax in and around the warm Carribean waters. We end our 2-week adventure with our traditional RLT banquet. We take time to reflect on our experiences and enjoy our last full evening together on the beach as a group.
Farewell (Day 14)
We say our final farewells and return home from San Juan, and our Puerto Rican adventure.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Check out #puertoricorlt and follow @therlt on Instagram for trip updates this summer!
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