rubio's tours

We've been in a number of rain forests before, and the one thing we learned was this: If you're going to take the time to hike, do it with a local who is knowledgeable about the area. My husband researched guide for El Yunque prior to our travels to Puerto Rico, and John Druitt's name rose to the surface. He was prompt in responding to our inquiry and answered all of our questions, so we didn't hesitate to book a tour.And we weren't disappointed! John was a most gracious host and tour guide, providing us with much knowledge and insight regarding El Yunque. If you want to do more than just hike and enjoy the beauty of El Yunque, and really want to learn more to better understand what you're seeing, you can't go wrong with Rubio's Tours.

This tour was truly the best part of the recent trip my husband and I took to Puerto Rico. I am usually a planner and plan tours far ahead of the time we visit, but dropped the ball this time. Luckily, we were able to get a tour for the morning of our last full day there. John picked us up promptly in front of our hotel in a comfortable van and began the short drive to the rainforest. He was so incredibly knowledgeable about the plants, trees and animals in the rainforest and took us to an area that was not on the standard tours (one of which we had done two days before). John actually hiked along with us and pointed out so many interesting plants, trees and even animals. (The stick bugs were just SOOOOO cool!!) It is obvious while listening to John that he loves the rainforest and wants to share the information (and the love) with the people on his tours. When I mentioned that the sound of the coqui frog is something I had quickly grown to love and would love to listen to all the time, he was kind enough to stop at a shop on the way down the hill so I could purchase a CD featuring the sounds of the coqui frog and the rainforest. (No music, just rainforest sounds....crickets, thunder, rain and coqui frogs....truly delightful!!) I had the time of my life seeing and hearing all that the rainforest offers and I would recommend John's tours to anyone that wants the BEST El Yunque rainforest tour possible!

I think my friends and I would have been able to sort our hiking in El Yunque on our own, but it would not have been as great of an experience. John is someone you will enjoy spending a few hours with and is extremely knowledgeable about the trees, plants, animals and history of the Park Service. He was able to point out ginger root growing in the wild, the sounds of the coqui (tree frogs), and even had extra ponchos when rain began to fall in earnest. John is flexible and offers different possible routes. We ended up going to the top even though we were with a 7-month pregnant friend (who is quite an athletic person to start with). John was able to let us know the paths recently got maintenance and that the path didn't get too steep. We wouldn't have known that on our own. Some of the signs were incorrect on the trails- John pointed it out and we were even more glad to have him with us.

We met Javier- "El Cabra Montes" at 10:00, and we hiked to three peaks. Feet and legs are tired, but what a day! Be prepared to go beyond the tourist spots. Remember to bring water and snacks, because if El Cabra Montes is your guide it will be a hike. Great operation.

We met John in Rio Grande and he drove us up to the trail. We hiked for almost 5 hours. John kept the whole trip amazing and fun. All four of us learned and laughed. highlighted by an amazing vista at Mount Britton. World class attraction, world class tour, world class guide. (Very reasonable fee). You should see this sight if your are in Puerto Rico. And your will see it best with John(Rubio).

I booked a hike for my family in El Yunque. John did a great job of gathering info via email on skill levels and what it was we wanted out of the hike (my kids were hoping for a Waterfall swim and I wanted to learn about the rainforest). He was extremely knowledgeable, was able to keep my kids engaged as well as my 60 year old parents. He was funny as well and was able to keep is motivated throughout the hike. I would definitely use his services again. He knows a ton about the island and does various kinds of tours. Thanks John! It was amazing .

Thanks John for sharing your knowledge and a great place to hike! It was an experience we will never forget. John took us to a bakery where we had a delicious breakfast. Then We took a 3 hour hike. It was breathtaking.

Our group of two women had a personalized hike in El Yunque. The arrangements were flawless and easily arranged via e-mail. John Druitt picked us up at our hotel and drove us to the rain forest, preparing for the visit with numerous interesting facts about Puerto Rico. Our hike was almost 5 hours and took us through various parts of the rain forest to some of the most amazing viewpoints we had ever seen. Along the way, John pointed out birds, flowers, trees and explained the forest in an interesting and clear manner. We hiked the El Yunque trail to the peak. It was a miraculously clear day and we had perfect 360 degree views at 3500 ft. Quite breathtakingly beautiful. We went to Roca El Yunque, then took the Mount Britton Spur on the way back. I had been on a group tour to El Yunque a couple of years ago and was disappointed that the advertised "hike" was only a 30 min slow shuffle, but the hike with John was just perfect and the pace was geared exactly to our abilities. I recommend a personalized hike with John Druitt very highly. It was an incredible and unforgettable experience!

Our family went on two tours with John Druitt. We spent one day in the rainforest and another touring Old San Juan. Everyone had a wonderful time, age range 8yrs-72yrs. John customized the tours to fit our needs, what we were able to do, and what we wanted to see. John is extremely knowledgable and told us a wealth of information we wouldnt necessarily have got on a bigger, more commercialized tour. I think we spent about 12-13hrs with John during our tours and by the end it felt like he was part of our family:) We had a wonderful time and made us feel extremely comfortable. I will continue to use Rubios Tours whenever visiting Puerto Rico

John Druitt, the Rubio in Rubio's Tours, runs a first rate tour guide business. His knowledge of the El Yunque rain forest is extensive and his general knowledge of environmental science is astounding. The combination of the two, coupled with his dry British wit, results in an experience you are not likely to ever forget. John will completely customize your tour to suit your needs. If you want simple and paved, John will deliver the tour. If you want rugged and challenging, John will deliver that experience as well. In fact, he favors the off road route to see El Yunque in all of its glory. That's the tour week took and we have no regrets. If you want to leave El Yunque with a new depth of knowledge about rain forests, have John lead the tour.

This was such a fantastic tour. John was involved in a reforestation effort so is really knowledgeable about the rainforest. Although we got rained on the forest we still had a great 1.5 mile hike along a paved walkway. John provided plenty of water and info. We highly recommend this tour.

Excellent day tour; John Druitt (Rubio's Tours/ Island walkers) picked up our disparate group of 7 ranging in age from 18 to 70 in San Juan, took us the scenic route along the coast, stopped at a local bakery for coffee and cakes and then provided a wealth of information in the rainforest. It really does rain, and is quite steep on the trails we took, so take a raincoat and wear decent shoes. It really helped having a guide, as the maps are very inaccurate (plus we didn't have a car and there's no public transport). On the way back, John went on ahead and moved the minibus so we wouldn't have to walk so far, then we stopped at a roadside stall for lunch on the way back. My only slight quibble is that it might be better to take a packed lunch, as we ended up very late for lunch! John is also a really interesting source of information about Puerto Rico. I'll post this review in the El Yunque and Rubio's tours sections as well.