I’m studying to be a tourist guide in Puerto Rico. It’s helped me appreciate my country more.

If you had told me back in my early days as a freelance writer that I would study to be a tourist guide in Puerto Rico, I would have called it a lie. Besides considering myself an introvert, I wouldn’t have imagined a writing career would lead me to this point. But it has!

Not only has it pushed me out of my comfort zone, but studying to become a tourist guide has also made me appreciate Puerto Rico a lot more and has brought me together with a group of people who love it, too!

Here are a few ways that studying to become a tourist guide has helped me appreciate Puerto Rico more:

Studying Puerto Rico’s geography and topography helped me understand its wonders better.

I started my tourist guide course back in July at a school in San Juan, and we began by taking several classes on Puerto Rico’s geography, topography, hydrography, and natural resources. While I knew the archipelago was unique, I came to appreciate its wonders even more.

One of the most memorable facts I learned in this class is that Puerto Rico has a tropical rainforest just a few miles from the coast. Of course, I had already visited El Yunque National Forest numerous times and was aware that it is unique in many senses. But this class taught me that the rainforest’s very existence is nearly impossible due to its location so close to the coast, making it even more special.

I also learned more about Puerto Rico’s northern karst zone, which extends from Canóvanas to Aguadilla and is rich in aquifers, springs, and caves. Knowing its location and importance makes a trip through the PR-22 highway much more exciting. 

To me, what were once plain green landscapes are now limestone hills that were once submerged under water. Now above sea level, they are shaped by the incoming east coast showers and house hundreds of species.

In short, understanding that Puerto Rico has 10 out of the 12 groups of soil in the world, 250 bird species, over five types of forests, and more than 800 plant species — so much in such a small territory— shows just how much there is to explore and love. Now, a simple trip to the market feels like a unique adventure. 

That knowledge also comes with the awareness that destroying our resources for luxury condos, hotels, malls, and urbanization causes irreparable damage to the archipelago’s ecosystem and destroys thousands of years of natural processes.

But, I could dedicate an entire article to the destruction of Puerto Rico’s ecosystems and natural resources due to urbanization and economic interests. So, I digress…

I’ve learned more about my heritage, something that I should have learned in school years ago.

Even though I’ve loved history since I was a kid, I remember very little from the history classes I took in public school. I even skipped history for an entire year in 7th grade because we didn’t have a history teacher. 

What I do remember learning was about the Tainos, the arrival of the Spaniards, the false extermination of the Tainos, and the slave trade. For over 12 years of school, that was basically it. No wonder it was a challenge to connect with my indigenous heritage in Puerto Rico!

But, when I started the history class in the tourist guide course, I learned about many untold parts of Puerto Rican history I had never heard before, and I delved deeper into those I already knew.

What I previously thought was a homogeneous Taino indigenous heritage actually diversified into multiple cultures that pre-dated the Tainos, including the Archaics and Pre-Taino. Similarly, I learned more about the history of enslaved people and black historical figures in Puerto Rico. 

One of my favorite stories is the one behind the legend of La Rogativa. The legend goes that during the British 1797 attack, General Abercromby saw a religious procession at night and fled, thinking he was outnumbered by the Spaniards’ reinforcements. In reality, there was a community of enslaved people fighting back in San Mateo de Cangrejos. 

Learning more about our history allows me to enjoy and embrace the importance of numerous historical landmarks in and outside Old San Juan. It also helps me better understand the Puerto Rico of today.

The 19th and 20th centuries are often skimmed through in history classes – but now I know they shaped today’s Puerto Rico.

I’d dare say my favorite part of this course so far has been learning about the 19th and 20th centuries, which were times of great economic and social change and shaped most of the Puerto Rico we know today. 

The 20th century is often skimmed through (or entirely omitted) from history class. How the U.S. changed Puerto Rico’s agricultural economy, the form of government shifted, and political parties were born is rarely mentioned in schools.

But to my surprise, the last two centuries were filled with revolutions and important political figures who fought for a better life for Puerto Ricans. 

For example, El Grito de Lares is the most well-known revolt that sought to free Puerto Rico from the Spanish empire in 1868. 

However, the much more recent and far less-known El Grito de Jayuya is equally impressive and important, yet it is barely mentioned. 

The coup took place in 1950, and it was an insurrection against the US government during which the Puerto Rico flag was raised for the first time. Talk about important events!  

Some of the historical highlights of these centuries include Puerto Ricans’ participation in World War II, the decline of the coffee and tobacco industries, the birth of many cities, the fight for independence, and the use of Puerto Rico’s lands for bombing and experimentation.

These events gave me a better insight into our culture and political status. It also makes me admire the resilience of Puerto Ricans.

I found people like me and built a network of Puerto Ricans who love Puerto Rico.

While remote classes, independence, and solo hustling culture have been heavily promoted in the last five years, there is no denying there is something special about connecting in person with like-minded individuals.

Though it took me a few months to warm up to them (I already mentioned I’m an introvert) I found myself having enthusiastic and deep conversations with people who, like me, love Puerto Rico’s outdoors and history. 

I get to exchange knowledge with my peers, getting to know new destinations, hidden gems, and perspectives. Moreover, I gained hiking buddies, which, if I’m honest, I desperately needed. 

I also got a glimpse of the business visions of many of my fellow students, who are eager to showcase Puerto Rico’s beauty. In short, I found a network of people who get it. 

A final word.

While studying to become a tourist guide hasn’t been without its challenges (better structure, updated information, and more committed teachers are needed), I have to say it has changed me for the better.

Not only have I learned so much about Puerto Rico’s tourism industry, geography, resources, and history, but I’ve also made a new network of friends and future coworkers who have stuck together through blackouts, storms, and last-minute changes during the course—with the shared vision of telling others how great Puerto Rico truly is.

What started as a course to grow professionally ended up as an enlightening experience and a new family. And I honestly couldn’t ask for more!

📚 Related Reading: Am I dooming Puerto Rico to overtourism?

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