Puerto Rico
Mission Trips

Teams serving in Puerto Rico, will be staying at an air-conditioned ministry house in a gated property.

Sleeping quarters include multiple bedrooms, small kitchens and shared living spaces all with air conditioning. Beds, sheets and pillows are provided.

There will be modern toilet facilities available where you are staying. Indoor and outdoor private showers are available.

The housing facilities have plumbing and running water. “The food and drink standards in Puerto Rico are comparable to those of the mainland United States. The tap water is safe to drink as it is filtered and treated at the source.” (discoverpuertorico.com)

Electricity is mostly stable, but there are times when it may go out for several hours. You can expect to have electricity at your lodging facilities without any significant issues. Cell phone and data connection are decent for all major carriers, although there are many spots where it may be weak.

Breakfast and dinner will be provided at the ministry house/church, and you will pack sack lunches to bring with you to work each day. There will be at least one opportunity to enjoy a locally made Puerto Rican meal.

If your team is serving with The Happy Givers in Vega Alta you will fly into Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan.

If your team is serving with The Family Church in Rincon you will fly into Rafael Hernández Marín International Airport (BQN) in Aguadilla.

You as a team are responsible for covering the cost of your round-trip airfare to Puerto Rico and should make plans to arrive after lunch on the first day of your selected trip.

Checkout time is 10 a.m. on the last day of your selected trip. If your return flight departs later in the day you may want to walk around Old San Juan or the Old Aguadilla Lighthouse Ruins with your extra time.

Your team's transportation to, from, and while in Puerto Rico is NOT covered. You will need vehicles throughout the entire week to transport your team to various locations for work and ministry.

Because Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States you do not need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico! Adults will be required to show a state-issued photo I.D. card, such as a driver's license or a non-driving photo I.D.

All minors (younger than 18) need a signed and notarized medical release while in Puerto Rico. Team leaders should keep these documents on hand throughout the trip.

Staff Certification
All Summer Staff are certified in First Aid and CPR.

Medical Kits
Medical kits that include first-aid supplies for general accidents and ailments are provided for each site. EM Staff will not dispense any medications. We ask that teams supply their own medications like Tylenol, Ibuprofin, Benadryl and Imodium as they deem necessary.

Emergency Response Plan
Based on the severity of each emergency, EM has a plan for appropriate response.

- If a team member becomes seriously ill, they will be taken to a local doctor to receive appropriate medical attention and medications. If they are a minor, their Team Leader along with our staff will accompany them to the clinic. If needed, their parents will be contacted. Their recovery will be carefully monitored by our staff.

- If there is an accident that requires a doctor, but is not life-threatening and does not have the potential to cause permanent damage, Experience Mission staff will locate the Team Leader, contact parents or guardians (providing the injured is a minor), and provide safe but quick transportation to a local clinic.

- In the event that an accident occurs which is life-threatening or has the potential for permanent damage, emergency 9-1-1 services will be contacted immediately. The family will be contacted to assist in guidance for an appropriate response.

All medical care is the sole responsibility of the team member. Experience Mission requires every team member to be covered by domestic medical insurance and recommends that team members traveling abroad carry additional international travel insurance to cover any medical needs their domestic medical insurance may not cover.

Immunizations
As with all mission trips, it is essential that volunteers are up to date on all childhood immunizations. Each volunteer must also have a tetanus shot.

For more information about health concerns and recommended immunizations, you can visit the CDC travelers guide to Puerto Rico. You should consult your local doctor prior to receiving any immunizations.

Check out EM's current Covid Guidance

Experience Mission has specific policies regarding team registration and withdrawal. Please refer to the document below for specifics.

View EM's Mission Trip Registration Policy

INDIVIDUALS

All volunteers on this week-long EM mission trip must be part of a team of at least 10 people, with at least one team member age 21 or older to serve as the Team Leader. In some cases, smaller teams of 3 or more may partner alongside a larger group if one is already registered. See "Small Teams Trips" below for available dates. Not part of a group? All young adults ages 18-30 are eligible to apply for EM's IMMERSION program.

What age group can you accommodate in Puerto Rico?
These trips are open for high school age youth and older. Because of the nature of the work there, we are unable to make many exceptions. View all EM mission trips for Jr. High students.

How much do Puerto Rico mission trips cost?
The cost of this trip in 2023 is $845-$995/person (depending on your chosen location). This includes all lodging, food, staffing, and trip-related expenses. Note that all construction projects are generally provided at no cost to families. Your fees help cover this blessing for homeowners.

What seasons do you offer Puerto Rico mission trips?
Trips to Puerto Rico take place in the spring and summer. To see more spring options, check out this list of all available spring break trips.

Will we work with children in Puerto Rico?
There may be various opportunities to engage with local families in the community, and taking breaks to get to know these families (and children) during the workweek is highly encouraged.

What paperwork is required for this mission trip?
Each team member will need to fill out a team member registration form and liability waiver, and all adults 18.5 years and older are required to pass a background check. All minors (younger than 18) must have a signed and notarized medical release while in Puerto Rico. Team Leaders should keep these on hand for the duration of the trip. Your mission trip support representative will contact you if any other paperwork is required.

Where will my mission team stay in Puerto Rico?
Teams will stay at a guesthouse on the campus of our partner organization. Your mission trip support representative will be able to provide you with specific details 30 days prior to your trip.

How does transportation work during Puerto Rico mission trips?
Ground transportation is NOT included for our Puerto Rico trips. Vehicles can be rented at or near the airport at major US companies (Alamo, Enterprise, Hertz) or smaller local companies (Target, Charlie's, Dario's). Your team will enjoy the independence of having your own transportation as there are many local beaches, souvenir shops, and eateries to explore during your free time!

Will my team have free time?
Each morning, there is time set aside for devotions and quiet time. This is a valuable time and we strongly encourage all team members to spend it with God, journaling their thoughts and experiences as the days unfold. EM will provide a physical or printable devotional journal. There is also time in the evening for what we call Evening Gathering, a moment to debrief, reflect and worship. Throughout the week there will be pockets of time to explore the community, get souvenirs and swim at the beach.

What time should I arrive on the first day in Puerto Rico?
Teams are asked to arrive after lunch on the first day of their selected trip.

Can I extend my stay through the weekend?
We are unable to accommodate teams after Friday morning. We encourage teams who are interested in experiencing the tourism options in Puerto Rico to book a hotel or vacation home. This is a meaningful way to support the once-thriving tourism industry as the locals continue to recover.

Will I need a passport for a Puerto Rico mission trip?
No! US citizens only need to show a valid drivers license or state ID. For more information, contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

What do I pack for a Puerto Rico mission trip?
Your work clothes should include long pants, socks tall enough that pant cuffs can be tucked in at the ankle, closed-toed shoes, t-shirts, and work gloves. Shorts, sandals, and modest tank tops are fine for free time. Ladies should pack a skirt for church. Please also pack sunscreen, bug repellant, hats, sunglasses, swimsuits, and beach towels.

Does EM have any Covid requirements for teams?
We ask that teams bring 1-2 masks/person and 2-4 rapid tests in the event that someone on your team becomes sick during the trip. Outside of that, we simply recommend that teams follow current CDC recommendations regarding travel, testing, and what to do if you're exposed or get sick. View EM's Current Covid Guidance

Does EM offer any other similar mission trips?
Yes! EM is also offering multiple community noptions for Caribbean mission trips.

Have more questions about Experience Mission trips? Check out our general FAQs, or call our support team at 888-475-6414.