2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15
September 20 marks the one-year anniversary of the day that Hurricane Maria tore through Puerto Rico as a category 5 storm, leading to more than 3,000 deaths and an estimated itment to volunteer at one of their cleanup sites, New Yor k magazine reports.
Although most of the island's touristy areas are ready and waiting, many travelers won't see the parts of Puerto Rico that have not recovered from the devastation caused by the storm, like rural villages that still have no power.
For those looking to support the island with more than their tourism dollars, many charitable organizations will arrange volunteering trips that still allow guests to take in Puerto Rico's charm and natural beauty while doing good.
“Taking day or overnight trips and spending money in a community outside of San Juan is important, too,” Manolo Lopez, founder of the Cosa Nuestra Relief Fund told New York. “Go to Arecibo, Ponce, Mayagüez, Isabela - these are towns with a lot to offer, so much charm, and beautiful beaches. They depend on their local economy to get back on their feet.”
Para la Naturaleza offers snorkeling trips to coral reefs, which helps with data collection and research on how marine ecosystems are recovering, and nighttime kayaking trips in bioluminescent bays help fund initiatives to reduce light pollution. They also offer hands-on volunteer seminars that incorporate tree-planting and beach sweeps to continue cleaning up the coast.
Local Guest offers excursions like spelunking or hiking, while also incorporating clean-up efforts. While organizations like Instituto Nueva Escuela connect volunteers with schools in need of people to help repair playgrounds and teach children. Amigos de los Animales focuses on the stray animals that were abandoned during the storm, and pairs volunteers with shelters who need help cleaning and managing adoptions.
See more Puerto Rico vacation ideas.
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