Fourteen-Day Endemics of the Greater Antilles Tour
A two-week circuit through Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, built around the endemic birds and varied habitats of the Greater Antilles.
About this tour
This two-week Caribbean journey combines Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in a single endemic-focused route. Together, the three islands support a dense concentration of single-island birds as well as near-endemics, distinctive subspecies and other regional specialties. The published programme estimates more than 300 species may be possible, including 76 endemics across the three destinations.
Jamaica opens the tour with coastal wetlands, dry southern scrub and the Blue Mountains. Nocturnal searches and daytime forest birding introduce todies, parrots, hummingbirds, quail-doves, warblers and other Jamaican specialties. The Dominican Republic then adds salt pans, mangroves, dry country and the cloud forests and pine zones of the Sierra de Bahoruco. The final sector in Puerto Rico moves between rainforest, the southwest and additional endemic sites before returning to San Juan.
The itinerary uses regional flights and ground transfers to cover the three countries efficiently. Trails are generally described as maintained and fairly level, although several steeper sections occur; light and moderate ascents are taken slowly with rest opportunities. The maximum group size is seven clients plus the Birding the Islands leader, with an additional guide when the group is full. Individual sightings are never assured, but the sequence provides repeated habitat-specific searches and time to revisit difficult targets when conditions allow.
Guides
Itinerary ▼
Arrive near Kingston and transfer to the first hotel. After dinner, the planned introduction is a nocturnal search that may include Jamaican Owl, Northern Potoo, Chuck-will’s-widow and the local form of American Barn Owl.
Begin in protected dry scrub in the Hellshire Hills for Jamaican Vireo, Jamaican Mango, Yellow-shouldered Grassquit and other southern specialties. Continue toward the Blue Mountains, stopping for Yellow-billed Parrot before another optional evening search for nocturnal birds.
Start the Hispaniola sector with wetland and coastal habitats before traveling toward the Sierra de Bahoruco. Salt pans, mangroves and the shores of Lake Enriquillo add waterbirds and Hispaniolan specialties before the route reaches the mountain base.
Travel to Puerto Rico for the final island sector and begin exploring its endemic-rich habitats. The programme then divides time between rainforest and southwestern sites, with the exact searches adjusted to conditions and remaining targets.
After breakfast, take the arranged transfer to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. The tour concludes with onward flights from Puerto Rico.
Locations & map
- Kingston - Jamaica
Availability & pricing
Price: Price on request
Included
- Regional flights
- Accommodation and stated meals
- Ground transport and entrance fees
- Birding guides
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Transport & stays
- Flights and private vehicles