Puerto Rico introduces new tool to help visitors travel responsibly Puerto Rico introduces new tool to help visitors travel responsibly

From rainforests alive with coquí frogs to bioluminescent bays that glitter like jewels, Puerto Rico has plenty that appeals to travellers looking to connect with local culture and nature. But while tourism is on the up, the archipelago has faced its hardships.

A series of hurricanes has rocked Puerto Rico over the centuries, with the most devastating in recent history being 2017’s Hurricane Maria. It is a testament to the community’s resilience that the islands have built back stronger over the past eight years – and grassroots tourism has been an essential tool for recovery.

Today, fresh tour companies are sprouting across the islands, including the 2017-launched Isla Caribe in the culture-rich city of Ponce; eco-conscious coffee plantations and tropical fruit farms are embracing agritourism; and new and revived trails thread El Yunque National Forest.

Meanwhile, sustainably minded hotels and casitas are popping up across Puerto Rico, leaning into everything from renewable energies to farm-to-table dining. Now tourism on the islands is booming, with visitor numbers even exceeding those pre-Maria, and rising year on year.

With that in mind, it’s essential that these precious islands brace against overtourism and find ways to educate visitors on travelling with a lighter footprint. That’s where a new initiative from the tourist board comes in.

The Green Path is a microsite designed to make it easier for travellers to visit Puerto Rico more responsibly, highlighting projects and businesses that work to preserve the archipelago, rather than exploit it. For visitors, it’s a means to both support local
businesses and explore the islands alongside dedicated conservationists.

The programme is divided into four sections. The Foodprint highlights organic farms and restaurants using sovereign ingredients; Legacy Journey looks at Puerto Rico’s cultural heritage; Nature Paths celebrates Puerto Rico’s biodiversity and how to discover its wild spaces responsibly; and Conscious Stays lists eco-minded accommodation across the islands.

There are some really innovative ideas here. For example, it lets you see the capacity of stays across the archipelago when you book, showing which areas are busier than others. This was introduced with the intention of encouraging visitors to go beyond the most popular regions (namely the San Juan metro area), travel outside of peak season (mid-Dec–Apr) and stay on the islands a little longer.

For more information on The Green Path and to book a more responsible trip, visit: thegreenpath.discoverpuertorico.com

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