This Latina Travels Brings College Students to Puerto Rico for a Meaningful Spring Break!
I can’t believe I am typing this, but… This Latina Travels successfully hosted its FIRST Alternative Spring Break (ASB) group!!! AHHHHHHH!
For those who may not be familiar, Alternative Spring Break is a program offered at colleges across the United States, giving students the chance to travel with purpose… immersing themselves in local cultures, volunteering, and engaging in educational experiences beyond the classroom!
This year, I had the incredible opportunity to partner with two Penn State University campuses, bringing 21 students and 4 faculty members to Puerto Rico for a transformational, hands-on experience. When you know better, you do better, and this trip was all about expanding perspectives and making an impact.
In this blog post, I’ll take you through the details of our ASB experience, highlighting:
✅ The hands-on service projects we participated in
✅ How we supported ONLY local vendors and organizations
✅ How you can collaborate with This Latina Travels, LLC. in the future
I am truly in awe of what we accomplished, and I cannot wait to partner with more universities for future Alternative Spring Breaks. Let me tell you… these students gave me so much hope for the next generation!
Planning a Trip Like This is No Joke!
I don’t think people realize just how much planning goes into putting together an experience like this. We started brainstorming ideas way back in the summer of last year! Seeing everything come to life was truly magical. I want to give a huge shout out to my sorority sister TaLisa pictured above because she reached out to me and believed in me!
Community service and respect for Puerto Rico’s people, culture, and environment have always been core values for me. So, I knew if This Latina Travels was going to host an Alternative Spring Break, it had to be meaningful, impactful, and locally driven.
And I am so happy to say…. that’s exactly what we did!
The Heart of Our Trip: Service, Culture & Education
We started our journey with a day of service at SASFAPR, an incredible no-kill animal shelter in Cabo Rojo. Puerto Rico faces a heartbreaking animal crisis, with over 600,000 abandoned dogs and cats struggling to survive. Students rolled up their sleeves to help clean, feed, and take care of the animals—offering love and care to those in need. We also had an eye-opening discussion about the root causes of this crisis and what we can do to help advocate for better solutions. Additionally, some students ended up adopting and also becoming flight angels.
✈️ Becoming a Flight Angel: Helping Rescue Dogs Get to Their FURever Homes
One of the most incredible parts of our visit to SASFAPR was the opportunity to become Flight Angels… volunteers who help transport rescued dogs to loving homes in the mainland U.S. Since Puerto Rico has an overwhelming number of stray animals, many shelters partner with rescue organizations stateside to give these pups a second chance. The process is simple: if you’re flying back to the U.S., you can escort a rescue dog on your flight at no cost to you—the rescue group covers all expenses and meets you at the airport for check-in. I’m so proud to share that our students helped fly 13 dogs to the States, where they will now have the chance to find their FURever homes! If you’re visiting Puerto Rico and want to help, reach out to local shelters or rescue groups—they are always looking for Flight Angels! 🐶✨
If you are interested in becoming a flight angel please fill out this link here but I highly suggest you also join this FB group called: Flight Angels. Many times the organizations that lead flight angels are understaffed so you may not hear a response right away but follow up using this FB group.
🌱 Sustainable Farming in Orocovis: Connecting with the Land
Our next stop was in the mountains of Orocovis, where we learned about sustainable agriculture and why reconnecting with the land is crucial for Puerto Rico’s future. The students got hands-on experience working the soil, learning about traditional farming practices, and understanding the impact of imported vs. locally grown food. It was powerful to see them reflect on food sovereignty, environmental responsibility, and the importance of supporting local farmers. Huge shout out to Stephanie from agricultora.pr who is one of the few WOMEN agricultures on the island that share her knowledge with us during our visit.
🥁 The History of Plena & A Music Workshop in Ciales
Music is the heartbeat of Puerto Rico, and Plena is one of its most powerful rhythms… a style that tells the stories of our people, struggles, and celebrations. We had the privilege of learning from Pleneros de la Cresta in Ciales (their hometown), who gave us a deep dive into the history of Plena and its role in activism and cultural preservation. Students even got to play the instruments, and let me tell you—it was a whole vibe! Watching them embrace the music was unforgettable and let me tell you the location was also stunning. The mountain towns of PR are truly something else.
🔥 Bomba & Our African Ancestral Roots in Carolina
Bomba is more than just a dance… it’s a direct connection to our African heritage and history of resistance. In Carolina, we joined a Bomba workshop led by Rafael and Sara where students not only learned the steps but also the meaning behind the call-and-response rhythms that have been passed down for generations and generations. This was one of the most emotional moments of the trip, for me personally, as students reflected on colonial history, identity, and the ways African influence continues to shape Puerto Rican culture today.
What’s Next for This Latina Travels?
Hosting this Alternative Spring Break was just the beginning! I can’t wait to continue working with universities, organizations, and local businesses to create more experiences like this.
If you’re a professor, student leader, or university looking to plan an Alternative Break trip to Puerto Rico, let’s make it happen!
📩 Want to partner with me? Let’s talk! Email me at info@thislatinatravels.com or DM me on Instagram [@thislatinatravels].
This trip was truly life-changing…for the students, for me, and for the communities we served. I cannot wait to do it all over again. Nos vemos en la próxima aventura! 💛
Picture credit for these awesome pictures during our ASB: LK Digital
A Huge Shoutout to Laura & Sofrito Tours!
I want to take a moment to give a HUGE shoutout to Laura, the powerhouse behind Sofrito Tours! From the very beginning, Laura worked hand-in-hand with me to ensure every detail of this trip came together seamlessly. She is an absolute BOSS and a walking encyclopedia of Puerto Rico’s history, culture, and traditions. I feel truly honored and blessed to have partnered with her to bring this vision to life.
If you’re visiting Puerto Rico, I highly recommend booking a tour with Sofrito Tours—you won’t regret it! Laura’s passion and knowledge make every experience unforgettable. Use the links below to book your tour and explore Puerto Rico like never before!
Disclosure: By booking through these links, This Latina Travels receives a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps us continue creating meaningful travel experiences!
