It’s a lucky thing for Members of Hyatt Vacation Club® at Hacienda del Mar in Dorado, Puerto Rico. This oceanfront gem is the perfect place to soak up all the beauty and charm of Puerto Rico, surrounded by warm tropical breezes and turquoise waters, along a prime stretch of famed Dorado Beach.* Just 25 miles from historic San Juan, this secluded beachfront resort invites you to experience paradise.

“We have unique (bird) species that you won’t find anywhere else besides Puerto Rico, including 19 endemic birds,” says Hilda G. Morales-Nieves of Birding PR, a local tour operator. “Six types of hummingbirds nest in Puerto Rico — more than anywhere else in the Caribbean.” 

Besides the many types of birds that make their homes in Puerto Rico, the island is a popular stopping point for others. From January to June, many migrating birds from North America either stop on their way south and then again on their way back north from South America, or spend winter on the island.

Observing migratory birds in their habitats in Puerto Rico isn't hard if you know where and when to go. Whether you're a birding enthusiast, a novice, or you just like spending time outdoors, local experts have helpful tips to help you spot the many feathered friends that live and visit this stunning area.* 

El Yunque National Forest
Spread out over 28,000 acres, El Yunque National Forest is the only subtropical rainforest in the U.S. This natural wonderland surrounding the Luquillo Mountains is a must-visit site, featuring nearly 100 bird species. It's the only place on the planet where you might spot the Puerto Rican parrot. And it’s one of only two places in Puerto Rico that attracts the rarely seen elfin woods warbler, a small bird with unique black and white markings. 

The rainforest is about 50 miles east of the resort. Make your first stop at El Portal Visitor Center to get trail maps (there are 24 miles of recreational trails) and route recommendations from experts, grab a bite, and access bathrooms before venturing into the forest.

Pro Tip: Be sure to listen for unique bird calls. "Due to the forest's lush vegetation, birds in the rainforest are more often heard than seen," says Daphne de Jersey Gemmill, author of Birds of Vieques Island Puerto Rico: Status, Abundance and Conservation. 
 

Guánica State Forest
Located about 100 miles southwest of Hacienda del Mar, Guánica State Forest is a designated United Nations Biosphere Reserve rich in biodiversity. Hundreds of species of plants and animals call this dry forest home. This includes at least 130 distinct types of birds — more than in any other place in Puerto Rico. 

Stop by the park ranger's station adjacent to the parking lot to grab a map and get details on recent sightings. Once inside the park, keep your eyes peeled for species like the Puerto Rican lizard cuckoo, featuring red-ringed eyes and long tail; the shiny green Puerto Rican emerald; and the Puerto Rican woodpecker.
 
Before leaving Guánica, check out the gorgeous sunflower farm Finca El Girasol. The mile-long boat ride from nearby Jacinto Restaurante to Gilligan's Island, where you can snorkel and swim in the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea with pufferfish, starfish, and other tropical sea-dwellers.

Pro Tip: According to Morales-Nieves, the best time to go birding in a dry forest like Guánica is early morning before the day heats up. “You can still see birds in the hot afternoons, but sightings are not as frequent,” she says.

Parque Central in San Juan
With its convenient location in the heart of San Juan and ample parking, a stop at Parque Central is a fantastic way to fit in some birding while you’re sightseeing in Puerto Rico's capital city. Unlike the other sites on this list, Parque Central (Central Park) is not a protected forest, yet it still offers top-quality birding. 

The park is a beautiful place to look for Eurasian collared doves, which have one black stripe on the back of their necks. You may also see mangrove cuckoos, recognizable by their peach-colored underbellies and black and white tails. Watch for spotted sandpipers, too, with their long, black-tipped bills and spotted bellies.

Pro Tip: Make a morning or afternoon out of it. Bring a picnic and let the kids in your group explore the playgrounds.* There’s plenty of parking and paved paths in the park, making it a good choice if anyone in your party has mobility issues. 

Nothing comes closer to perfection than a vacation in Puerto Rico at Hacienda del Mar. 

Swim, Splash & Sip
Put in a few laps at the Olympic-size swimming pool. Spread out and splash with the family at the kids' pool. Or sip a piña colada from one of two whirlpool spas as the sun sets.

Like to Move It, Move It?
Enjoy direct beach access with a sand volleyball court and beach games, two tennis courts, a basketball hoop, and table tennis. Or take a break indoors at the 24-hour fitness center featuring cardio and strength-training equipment.

Cook Out or Eat In* 
Enjoy a tasty meal at Mahi Mahi Bar & Grill, an open-air restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the beach. Or gather the group for a cookout using the grills on the property.

There’s plenty of tropical fun to be had across Puerto Rico. But you won’t mind when it’s time to head back to the resort’s residential-style, well-appointed accommodations. Choose from a studio or one-, and two-bedroom villas, and enjoy all the comforts of home, including:  
•    Private balconies or patios
•    Fully equipped kitchens (kitchenette in studios)
•    Washers and dryers

Amy Gordon is a travel journalist and the author of 100 Things to Do in Puerto Rico Before You Die.

Book your Puerto Rico adventure with a stay at Hacienda del Mar.

* No inquiry has been made into the off-site locations, activities, services, or events, or the qualifications, safety, or quality of the off-site locations, activities, services, or events, and WHV Resort Group, Inc. and HV Global Group, Inc. (collectively, “HVC”) make no warranty, express or implied, as to the condition, capacity, performance, or any other aspect of such off-site locations, activities, events, or service providers listed herein. Do not consider this an endorsement of or recommendation for any of the off-site locations, activities, services, events, or providers. Neither WHV Resort Group, Inc. nor HV Global Group, Inc. assumes liability for attendance at, or visits to, any off-site locations, or the products, activities, or services furnished by independent service providers. Additional fees and costs may apply. Activities and events are subject to change. Some activities or events may require the participant to be in good health and have a certain level of skill.