Discover the Heart of Puerto Rico with Wegether Tour Guides Gloricel and Laura
Puerto Rico, an island paradise known for its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality, offers an array of unforgettable experiences for travelers. To truly immerse yourself in the essence of this Caribbean gem, who better to guide you than the passionate and knowledgeable tour guides of Wegether? Meet Gloricel and Laura, two remarkable guides whose unique backgrounds and love for their island make them the perfect ambassadors of Puerto Rican tourism. Ready?
Meet Gloricel: The Eco-Tourism Advocate
Background and Journey into Tourism
Gloricel is from San Lorenzo, a
picturesque countryside town in
eastern Puerto Rico. Her journey
into tourism began with a deep-
rooted passion for sharing
knowledge and helping others.
Gloricel shares:
"I am from San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico. A countryside town at the East of Puerto Rico. When I was growing up, I always loved to help people by sharing my knowledge with them. Also, learning about different topics, including imagining starting a business at some point of my life. I spent most of my time reading about geography and the environment.
I started working at 19 years old with a multinational company in the accounting department. I worked there for around 12 years of my life. During that time, I always helped co-workers to learn about Puerto Rico and gave them recommendations for what to do in our archipelago. For that, I earned the title of “tour guide” at the office.
Also, when I was in my job travels or vacation travels, I always compared how Puerto Rico could do a lot of things in tourism versus other countries or taking things as an idea to create something inspired from them.
That company started to cut job positions and one of them was mine at the beginning of 2017. It took only a few days after this to realize that my new path was on tourism, because of my love to share with visitors Puerto Rico’s culture, history, agriculture, gastronomy, and biodiversity."
In 2018, she founded Turismo Borincano, although it took a few years to officially start due to various challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, she is a certified tour guide by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and a dedicated advocate for sustainable tourism.
Sustainable Tourism Initiatives
Gloricel emphasizes the importance of sustainable tourism through Turismo Borincano. Her initiatives focus on the economy, society, and the environment. She explains:
"I am focused on the well-being, education, and collaboration of tourism in Puerto Rico. Turismo Borincano’s purpose is to be able to contribute positively to the tourism sectors, supporting sustainable tourism within its three pillars: the economy, society, and the environment. Making known the different activities and tourist providers throughout the island, for the enjoyment of all.
As part of the collaboration initiative with other companies, let people who are visiting us about other excellent tour guides and local businesses that are more ready to receive them.
Also, I am developing other experiences for people with disabilities (functional diversity) to give the accessibility to enjoy Puerto Rico with their family and friends. This project is a collaboration with an expert group of people in accessibility and inclusion topics. People around the world can see the progress of the project in social media @caribbeanabilitypark (Facebook and Instagram)."
Sustainable Practices and Recommendations
"When I go to the destinations through the experiences of Turismo Borincano is to provide to the visitors the priority of learning about respect for other cultures and the nature in the place we are in. People with knowledge of what they are seeing, what they are enjoying… should be more receptive in respecting differences and help to protect the surroundings."
For those seeking sustainable tourism, Gloricel recommends:
Visit small towns and spend more than three days in our archipelago.
Go to real local businesses in those small towns; Gastronomy, Artisan Workshops, Dance Classes.
Explore all the State Forests beyond the famous El Yunque.
Visit farms or haciendas and engage with local farmers.
What Visitors Will Learn
"I expect that visitors learn about how true Puerto Rican is in a daily basis. How do we live? How do we walk? Why do we eat this or other? Why are we a country in our hearts? How being so small in territory we are so big in all our behavior?"
Meet Laura: The Young Passionate Historian
Passion for Guiding Tours
Laura’s journey as a tour guide began eight years ago, driven by her love for history and a desire to educate tourists about Puerto Rico’s rich heritage. She shares:
"I began working as a tour guide 8 years ago and ever since, this has become my passion. I love, as a historian and tour guide, to be able to educate the tourist about the history of Puerto Rico, the culture, the gastronomy and creating a sense of appreciation in each of the tourists I get on my groups."
Laura's dedication to her work is evident in the enthusiasm she brings to every tour. Her deep knowledge of Puerto Rican history and culture allows her to offer insights that go beyond the typical tourist experience.
Favorite Aspects of Guiding
Laura's favorite part of her job is seeing tourists leave with amazing memories of their Puerto Rican adventure. She believes that a successful trip is a blend of the destination and the experiences, tours, food, and locals. She explains:
"In each of my tours my goal is that the customer takes with him/her an amazing memory of their tour in Puerto Rico. I believe that what makes your vacation amazing is 50% the destination and the other 50% the experiences, the tours, the food, the locals. I appreciate very much when they thank me for being their highlight of their trip and that they cannot wait to come back."
Her commitment to creating memorable experiences is reflected in the positive feedback she receives from tourists, many of whom express their gratitude for her engaging and informative tours.
Memorable Tour Moments
One of Laura’s standout tours includes the Ponce, Yauco, Cayo Caracoles, and BioBay Experience. Witnessing the awe and excitement of tourists experiencing bioluminescence in the biobay is a highlight that reaffirms her love for guiding:
"All my tours are very special to me, but the Ponce, Yauco, Cayo Caracoles & BioBay Experience is the one that makes me say 'wow, I love my job'. Bioluminescence is not something you get to experience every day, and being able to take people to the biobay and hearing them screaming with excitement the first time they get in the water and see the glowing dinoflagellates around their body gives me a fulfilling feeling that I chose the right job."
This unique experience of swimming in glowing waters leaves a lasting impression on her guests, making it one of the most sought-after tours.
Hidden Gems and Culinary Delights
Laura loves introducing travelers to off-the-beaten-path locations like the hidden waterfalls in the mountain regions of Puerto Rico, including Salto Collores and Las Delicias. She explains:
"I have always had a special love for the mountain side, so being able as a tour guide to introduce and show the culture and the beautiful hidden waterfalls in the mountain side like Salto Collores, Las Delicias, Doña Juana and Toro Negro river is definitely an adventure."
In addition to natural wonders, Laura ensures that her guests experience the culinary delights of Puerto Rico. She never misses recommending the iconic Puerto Rican dishes:
"I always tell my customers that they cannot leave this island without first trying a delicious mofongo, a succulent plate of rice and beans with carne frita (fried pork), and a delicious alcapurria."
These traditional dishes provide a taste of the island's rich culinary heritage and are a highlight of her tours.
Festivals and Adventure
For an unforgettable experience, Laura suggests planning a visit around the vibrant Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián in Old San Juan or the Fiestas de Santiago Apóstol in Loíza. She explains:
"Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián in Old San Juan, Fiestas de Santiago Apóstol in Loíza."
These lively festivals offer a deep dive into Puerto Rican culture with music, dance, and local cuisine, providing visitors with a unique and immersive experience.
For adventure seekers, Laura's extreme mountain hike adventure through Orocovis and Villalba promises a thrilling connection with nature, culminating in a hearty Boricua-style dinner:
"I would recommend my extreme mountain hike adventure. This is a 6-mile hike through the mountains of Orocovis and Villalba. This hike features beautiful waterfalls and swimming holes along the way, a great connection with nature, and for those who love a good challenge, it’s a perfect experience. Did I mention that after we finish, we celebrate with a homemade Boricua style dinner in the mountains?"
What Sets Puerto Rico Apart
Laura believes that what truly sets Puerto Rico apart is its people. Puerto Ricans are known for their warmth, hospitality, and welcoming nature. She explains:
"What sets Puerto Rico apart from other islands in the Caribbean that offer sun and sand tourism is its people. Puerto Ricans are warm and welcoming, and we are always looking to make the tourist feel welcome and at home. Anywhere a tourist goes they will always be greeted with a smile."
This genuine hospitality and the unique blend of cultural experiences make Puerto Rico a must-visit destination.
Last words …
Exploring Puerto Rico with Gloricel and Laura is more than just a tour; it’s an immersive journey into the heart of the island’s culture, nature, and community. Whether you're an eco-tourism enthusiast or a history buff, their unique perspectives and dedication to sustainable tourism promise an enriching and unforgettable experience. Come and discover the true spirit of Puerto Rico with Wegether's exceptional tour guides.