• Location: Caribbean Sea, U.S. territory
  
• Climate: Tropical; coastal beaches and inland rainforests
  
• Rainfall: 56 in annual; Hurricane Maria dropped ~52 alone
  
• Average Temperature: ~81°F; cooler in mountains (~70°F)
  
• Rainy Days: ~196 days per year
  
• Unemployment: ~12%
  
• Poverty Rate: ~43%—highest in the U.S.
  
• National Debt: ~$72 billion
  
• Manufacturing Share: 46% of GDP
  
• Migration: ~200,000 moved to Florida by late 2017; projected population loss of ~25% by 2020
  
• Colonial History: 406 years under Spain; U.S. territory for past 122 years
  

Natural Beauty & Biodiversity

• Endangered Species:
  
  • Puerto Rican Parrot (Amazona vittata)—critically endangered with conservation efforts helping its recovery.
    
  • Puerto Rican Nightjar—rare nocturnal bird found in southwest forests.
  • Puerto Rican Rock Frog (coquí guajón)—a unique cave-dwelling species considered threatened.
    
  • Also: Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles are critically endangered.
    
• Other Wildlife: Puerto Rico is home to 48 endangered species and around 600 uncommon species.
  
• Bad Bunny’s Spotlight: Popular artist Bad Bunny recently sparked dialogue on environmental respect through creative references to the iconic coquí frog and endangered species like the “sapo concho”.
  

History, Economy & Challenges

• Vital Historic Event: Hurricane Maria (2017) was devastating—but it also inspired long-term restoration and mission work built on hope.
  
• Population & Economy: Puerto Rico records the highest poverty rate in the U.S. at ~43% , with complex migration and underemployment fueling a demographic shift.
  
• Fiscal Crisis: A $70 billion debt, economic downturn, and manufacturing reliance (46% of GDP) continue challenging recovery.
  
• Infrastructure Recovery: Despite massive US support, power restoration post-Maria was slow; months after, nearly 14% of homes and infrastructure remained offline, and dealing with continual, sporadic power outages are a way of life for most Puerto Ricans.
  
• Migration Pressure: Thousands risk perilous sea passages (like the Mona Passage) seeking work in Puerto Rico, reflecting regional economic distress.
  

Hurricanes, Floods & Power Grid Challenges

Puerto Rico’s recent history has been shaped by natural disasters and fragile infrastructure. These ongoing struggles create significant opportunities for service and hope:

• Hurricane Maria (2017): One of the deadliest U.S. storms in over a century. Nearly 3,000 deaths, catastrophic flooding, and island-wide blackouts. Many rural areas waited over 6 months for power restoration.  Thirst Missions teams continually work with people who living in squalor as a result of Maria or other hurricanes or flooding
  
• Hurricane Fiona (2022): Triggered widespread floods and landslides, leaving 1 million residents without power for weeks.
  
• Flooding & Landslides: Regular heavy rainfall, mountain terrain, and deforestation combine to make flooding a recurring danger for vulnerable communities.
  
• A Fragile Electrical Grid: Puerto Rico’s power system remains unreliable—frequent outages affect homes, hospitals, and businesses. Even after major U.S. aid, much of the grid remains outdated, inefficient, and prone to collapse under stress – which happens on a regular basis
  
• Economic & Human Toll: Disasters worsen unemployment, food insecurity, and migration—making mission partnerships vital to rebuilding lives and strengthening communities.

These realities mean that mission teams can make a direct, tangible impact—whether by helping with construction, supporting families, serving in churches, or simply offering encouragement to those who feel forgotten.

1. What are the maximum and minimum group sizes?

Our private trips can accommodate groups as small as 10 people and as large as 50+.

2. What are the Mission Trip prices?

All trip details are available on our registration page.

3. Is Puerto Rico safe?

Yes! Puerto Rico is a United States territory and is governed by most United States laws. We always travel in groups, our staff have local knowledge, and we are invited by local pastors and communities. Quality hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies are a short drive away from all areas we’ll serve and stay. We do our very best to provide safe and healthy food, and we are experienced in leading teams. There are no guarantees in life, but we have never had a major safety issue in Puerto Rico or in any of our mission trips over 10 years in ministry. God calls us to go, and we go wisely and pray he will go before us and guide our journey.

4. What denominations do you work with?

Every year we work with a wide variety of denominations from teams in the US and Canada. Our base of church partners in Puerto Rico is varied as well. We strive to match the team with an appropriate church partner and location.

5. What is the trip length?

6 days/5 nights. See our Prices and Registration section for specifics

6. What medications and shots are needed?

None are required. We ask that each person visit their own doctor or travel nurse to see what is personally needed to stay up to date. We have a list of recommended medications for those traveling to Puerto Rico in our trip handbook, but nothing is required by Thirst Missions. Generally Puerto Rico – a US territory – is a very safe and healthy place to visit.

7. What travel documents do I need?

All adult United States citizens only need a driver’s license or another official form of identification. Youth under 18 need a notarized letter allowing them to travel without both parents. No passport is required for United States citizens.

You know what’s great? When you arrive in San Juan you just walk off the plane, grab your luggage, and exit the airport like you would in any other US city. There’s no drama with immigration or customs!

8. Is airfare included in the trip cost?

9. Can I make contact with my loved ones while on my trip?

Phones work in Puerto Rico with most major US carriers, so communication is generally easy and good. That being said we strongly discourage trip participants from using their phones for calling, texting, going online, or on social media during the trip. Most people use their phone as their main camera, and that’s fine – just put it in airplane mode.

The ministry and relationships built when putting our personal devices down is eye-opening. Our philosophy is no news is good news. We encourage each group leader to to post trip updates and send pictures back home on behalf of each group. In addition we post pictures every day from every trip on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thirstmissions. In the case of emergencies we have open and direct lines of immediate communication on every trip.

10. I have special dietary needs. Can these be met?

There is a section on the Individual Registration form each person fills out prior to the trip in which these needs can be listed. We read these over thoroughly and pass them along to our cooks. The food on our trips is plentiful and amazing!

We do our very best to accommodate all diets and diet restrictions, but please realize we are in a different culture without all the options we have back home. Feel free to bring supplemental food options with you if this will ease the anxiety of not knowing if there will be food which fit your tastes or diet.

11. Is the $499 registration fee deducted from my final payment?

No, it’s used right away to offset a small portion of planning and preparing for your group’s trip. Please read through our generous payment policy and cancellation agreement.

12. Where will our team stay?

Lodging will all be either a floor stay, camp/dorm stay or a hotel/guesthouse stay.

A floor stay would be at a local church, which would require the team to bring air mattresses, pillows, and a sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner for bedding. (Think indoor camping!)

A camp/dorm stay would mean shared bathrooms, physical bed provided, group lodging, but you will need to bring your own bedding.

A guest house stay would mean each person would have their own bunk with linens provided. Your consultant will let you know how to plan.

13. What about on-ground transportation?

On-the-ground transportation is included in the price of the mission trip.  Our Staff will pick you up from the San Juan airport after your arrival, transport you throughout the duration of your mission trip, and bring you back to the airport for your departure.

14. Are service project materials provided?

Approximately 10% of each trip’s cost is dedicated toward materials. If you see a need and are interested in contributing during your trip, please see one of our staff members and we can talk through options for additional contributions of materials or donations. In order to keep trip costs down we ask that each participant bring the tools/supplies listed on the supplies list.

15. Are construction funds included in the cost of the trip?

Construction Project Funds are not included in your mission trip cost.  Your mission consultant will give you some needed project options with costs if you are interested in doing larger projects with your team.  If it is a larger project you are welcome to donate extra funds to go towards needed supplies and materials that can be purchased prior to your arrival and onsite when you arrive.

16. What additional costs are there?

Not many, our trips are all-inclusive. The only additional money that most people spend is for souvenirs, offerings in church, extra snacks or desserts, and travel money for meals at the airports.

Feel free to bring a credit card if you feel you will want to purchase more expensive souvenirs. Most tourist and souvenir shops accept credit cards and the US dollar is used everywhere, there is no need to exchange money.

17. How can I stay in contact with people once I return home?

You can use Facebook and Instagram or email, call, or text just like you do with your friends back home. Staying in touch with new friends in Puerto Rico is such a blessing and benefit to going and serving.