Give Back in Puerto Rico: A Day of Service with The Happy Givers   

8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. | Vega Baja 

Make a meaningful impact in the local community with The Happy Givers (La Fundación Happy), a Puerto Rico-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting vulnerable older adults, strengthening food security, and developing community initiatives.

Spend the morning giving back through hands-on volunteer activities. Head to Vega Baja and help make meals or work on the organization’s farm.  Then help distribute meals to those in need. Whether you're lending a hand in the kitchen or getting your hands in the soil, it's a wonderful opportunity to connect with Puerto Rico and make a difference alongside fellow alumni.

Come ready to roll up your sleeves and give back!

 Included in the Compass package; however, this service project is limited to eleven participants, registrations will be accepted in the order they are received. Transportation provided, departing from the Hyatt Centric. 

 

Discover Caguas: Art, Culture, Community & Service 

8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Caguas 

Experience the creative spirit of Caguas with a visit to Urbe Apie, a nonprofit transforming the city’s historic downtown by revitalizing abandoned spaces into vibrant cultural and community hubs.

Join a guided walking tour highlighting Urbe Apie’s neighborhood revitalization projects, followed by an opportunity to meet and engage with the artists. Afterward, enjoy lunch on your own and free time to explore Caguas at your own pace. Browse local shops, sample Puerto Rican-style ice cream, visit a chocolate or rum producer, or discover the city’s museums and historic landmarks.

An opportunity to meet and engage with their artists-in-residence!

Included in the Compass package, transportation provided, departing from the Hyatt Centric. 

 

Finding Your Rhythm: What Music Teaches Us About Leadership, Listening, and Lifelong Growth 

4:30 to 6:30 p.m. | Hyatt Centric

A conversation with Yale School of Music faculty on what musicians know about performance, listening, resilience, and personal well-being that can help all of us navigate careers, family, leadership, and life transitions. Refreshments will be provided. 

Included in the Compass package.

 

El Yunque Rainforest Night Walk

5:00 p.m. | El Yunque

Experience El Yunque After Dark! Discover a different side of El Yunque on a guided nature walk beginning about an hour before sunset. Explore the rainforest’s lush trails, learn about its daytime flora and fauna, and visit the scenic Mameyes River, where you may even enjoy a swim in the natural Las Damas pool, weather permitting. As twilight falls, watch the rainforest come alive! Listen for the calls of tree frogs and the Puerto Rican screech owl, spot bats taking flight, and experience the sights and sounds of the forest’s nocturnal wildlife. Experience El Yunque as it transitions from day to night on this unforgettable rainforest adventure!

 Duration: 2.5 hours |  Fitness Level: Beginner – Intermediate

Approximate Itinerary

5:30 p.m. – Meeting time at Angelito Trail
5:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. – Group safety & pre-walk orientation, equipment dispersal (backpacks, towels, snacks, and water)
5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. – Tour duration – Walk the Angelito Trail with guides; interpretation of natural areas, flora, fauna, and history. Break at a Las Damas Pool to enjoy snacks and swimming, weather permitting. Return to the trail entrance. Return of backpacks and towels
8 p.m. – Activity completion

$110 per person, transportation included through tour provider. This tour must have at least 12 participants. If the minimum isn't reached, the YAA will refund your cost.

 

Cirque du Soleil LE LO LAI

8:00 p.m. | Coca-Cola Music Hall

Feel the pulse of Puerto Rico with LE LO LAI, an original creation by Cirque du Soleil. Inspired by the island's rhythms, traditions and creative energy, the production brings Puerto Rico's heritage and contemporary culture to life through Cirque du Soleil's distinctive artistic language. Created in collaboration with Puerto Rican artists, musicians and artisans, LE LO LAI celebrates the talent, artistry and traditions that continue to shape Puerto Rico today.

$85 per person, tickets are extremely limited, transportation not provided, all ticket sales are final.

 

 

Rise, Run & Cafecitos!

6:45 a.m. | Hyatt Centric 

Start your morning with a little movement and a lot of good company! Meet members of the Yale Club of Puerto Rico at 6:45 a.m. for a 7:00 a.m. start and a scenic 3-mile course. Whether you prefer to run, walk, or mix it up, go at your own pace—everyone is welcome! We'll wrap up with well-deserved cafecitos and conversation. The perfect way to kick off the day! 

 

YAA-Redpath Faculty Lecture: The Poetry of Music, the Music of Poetry

10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | Hyatt Centric

Portraits of Langston Hughes and Pauline Viardot

Associate Dean Dr. Albert Lee and Assistant Dean and Associate Professor Adriana Zabala explore the lives, works, and artistry of American poet Langston Hughes and French composer and singer Pauline Viardot. From Hughes's poetry inspired by Puerto Rico and his connection to the legacy of historian Arturo Schomburg, to Viardot's Spanish heritage, childhood in Mexico, and lifelong creative engagement with Hispanic culture, this presentation illuminates two distinct artistic voices whose enduring legacies resonate across languages, cultures, and artistic traditions.

Included in the Compass package.

 

Discover the Art, Culture, and Traditions of Loíza

1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Loíza

Immerse yourself in the vibrant Afro-Puerto Rican culture of Loíza, a coastal town celebrated for its rich artistic heritage, music, and traditions. This afternoon’s cultural excursion will offer a closer look at the history, creativity, and cultural influences that make Loíza unique. Visit the gallery of renowned local artist Samuel Lind and explore the colorful world of traditional Puerto Rican craftsmanship at Artesanías Castor Ayala, where artisans create the iconic vejigante masks—elaborately decorated coconut-shell masks with dramatic horns that play a central role in Loíza’s and Puerto Rico’s beloved festivals and celebrations.

 Experience Puerto Rico beyond the usual tourist destinations, connect with its cultural roots, and discover the artistry and traditions that bring this remarkable community to life.

Sponsored by the Yale Latino Alumni Network

$25 per person, transportation provided, departing from the Hyatt Centric. 

 

Explore Old San Juan!

Various times | departing from the Hyatt Centric

Enjoy an afternoon or evening exploring the colorful streets, historic landmarks, charming shops, and vibrant restaurants of Old San Juan at your own pace. Transportation will be provided with two departure options, at 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., giving you the flexibility to choose the time that works best for you. Whether you’re interested in discovering the city’s rich history, browsing local shops, enjoying authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, or simply taking in the beautiful architecture, the time is yours to explore!

$25 per person, transportation provided, departing from the Hyatt Centric. 

 

A Perfect Puerto Rico Send-Off: Private Brunch at Casa Paulina

9:30 a.m.

End your Puerto Rico getaway on a delicious note with a relaxed farewell brunch at Casa Paulina! This chef-driven bakery and restaurant offers a bright, beautiful setting just steps from the beach in Ocean Park. Enjoy a tempting menu of elevated Mexican-inspired brunch favorites, freshly baked artisanal pastries, and expertly crafted coffee. Whether you're craving savory chilaquiles or something sweet, it's the perfect spot to slow down, savor one last meal together, and soak up a little more of Puerto Rico before heading home. ¡Buen provecho!

$75 per person (minimum participation must be met), transportation not included.