Puerto Rico Is Putting on Live Tours so You Can Take an At-home Vacation (Video)

Puerto Rico wants you to know it can’t wait for you to come back when the time is right. And, to inspire your wanderlust for the gorgeous island destination, it’s offering up one of the most unique virtual tours available during quarantine.

In April, Discover Puerto Rico launched its brand-new guided tours via Google Earth. However, these aren’t just any tours, but rather, they’re live guided expeditions hosted by locals to some of the coolest destinations on the island.

Jorge Montalvo, from Patria Tours, will host a series of three live guided tours of Puerto Rico during National Travel and Tourism Week, May 3 - 9, helping people feel like they’re really there too.

"With nearly 73 percent of Americans saying they miss travel, we want to continue offering travelers ways to vacation virtually," Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico, said in a statement. "Through these and other activations we've been offering, we've not only been able to keep Puerto Rico top of mind, reminding travelers of everything that will be waiting for them when the time is right to travel again, but it's also given us the opportunity to highlight valued members of the local tourism industry.”

All viewers need to do to join the free 30-minute tours is tune in to Discover Puerto Rico's Facebook page for the following tours:

Tuesday, May 5, 5 p.m. EST: Discover the natural wonders of Puerto Rico

Viewers will tag along to places like El Yunque (the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service), spend some time in the bioluminescent bays in Vieques, walk along Playa Negra, explore the historical cave known as Cueva Ventana, and much more.

Friday, May 8, 5 p.m. EST: Off the beaten path in Puerto Rico

On this tour, viewers will visit Ponce, the second-largest city in Puerto Rico; Rincón, a major surfing destination; Culebra and Flamenco Beach, rated as one of the best beaches in the world; Gilligan's Island, a mangrove Island where travelers can find shallow crystal water ideal for snorkeling, and more.

Wednesday, May 13, 5 p.m EST: Road-tripping across Puerto Rico

Take a road trip adventure through cultural and historic sites around the island including Castillo San Felipe del Morro and Castillo San Cristóbal, which together form part of the San Juan National Historic Site, the Guajataca Tunnel, which crosses the mountain from Playa Guajataca to Playa Mirador, and more.