My First Weeks as an Intern

Imagine an internship at a boutique bed & breakfast nestled in the heart of a lush rainforest in Puerto Rico. It was precisely the opportunity I stumbled upon while seeking an engaging internship in the tourism/hospitality sector. In this article, I will guide you through my application process and recount how I came to be composing this piece from the incredible Rainforest Inn!

After one week of practicing, I finally made my first latte art

This adventure began after much online research and eventually led me to the Rainforest Inn. After reading their backstory and learning about their experience hosting interns, I decided to send them my resume along with an enthusiastic email.

In no time, I received a response from the owners, Bill & Renée, asking me to schedule a video conference via Skype. This provided me with the opportunity to virtually meet them, ask questions, and get a glimpse of the property. During the call, they discussed their expectations for interns and inquired about what I hoped to achieve during my time there.

The application process and the communication I had with Bill & Renée highlighted their dedication towards the interns!

Gracie loves to help you out every morning while you’re making coffees for the guests

Even though I was already convinced, I needed the permission of my home university. I further discussed with Bill and Renée what my assignments would be, gave the information to my professor, and finally received confirmation! After signing the internship contract, it was time for the next step: arranging all the practical matters. Some necessary items for the internship include a round-trip ticket and your ID/passport. It is also crucial to have health insurance and/or travel insurance, as you never know what will happen in the future, of course!

After successfully completing the interview process, which is easy if you are interested in this industry and willing to make a full commitment, I started organizing everything to be ready for take-off! The communication with the owners was smooth and transparent, which allowed me to confidently prepare for my adventure in Puerto Rico.

Bill & Renée love to let you taste some of the sweets Puerto Rico has to offer, these are some typical coconut cookies!

This experience not only offers an engaging internship but also promises an unforgettable adventure amidst Puerto Rico’s natural beauty. For me, this application process and the communication I had with Bill & Renée highlighted their dedication towards the interns and they will be glad to help you in every step of the way. So if you’re dreaming of an internship in this incredible environment, I highly recommend this place!

A Day in the Life of a Hospitality Intern at the Rainforest Inn

Have you ever worked somewhere so beautiful?

Every day is a new experience here at the Rainforest Inn. With guests checking in and out almost every day, as well as different interns and volunteers coming and going, you’re guaranteed to meet some great people and learn something new!

We start each morning by preparing and serving coffee to our guests, and of course, we have to make a cup (or two) for ourselves. We also help serve breakfast to our guests and help out with the preparation if it’s needed. Once all of the food and drinks are served and the kitchen is cleaned, we get to take a little break for ourselves to eat breakfast.

Preparing espresso will be one of the first things you'll learn.

Serving our breakfast tacos!

What comes next after breakfast depends on the day. There will typically be a few check-outs after breakfast since our check-out time is 11:00 am. Check-outs are very simple and only take a few minutes. This will also be the time to make any lunches or grazing boards that have been ordered. We also help the staff with cleaning out the rooms of guests who have checked out, as well as refreshing the rooms for our current guests.

Vegetarian Grazing Boards can be ordered for lunch or dinner.

After guests are checked out, lunches are made, and rooms are cleaned, we get to take a break for lunch, and then start up any special projects that might need to be completed around the property. There might be a room that needs a fresh coat of paint, or a garden that needs tending to. If there aren’t any projects that need to be completed, you will have free time until it’s time to get ready for check-ins. This would be a great time to work on any homework or internship-specific projects you may have (like for me, writing this blog!). You are also welcome to do the private hike we have here on the property or take a dip in the pool if there aren’t any guests signed up to use it during your free time.

Complementary piña coladas at check-in always make the guests excited for their stay!

Guests will start checking in a 4:00 pm, but there will sometimes be early check-ins (and sometimes super late check-ins close to midnight!). We have to get all of the paperwork ready, and put together any grazing boards or flower arrangements that the guests have ordered to have in their room upon arrival. Guest check-ins are also a very simple process- we prepare complimentary piña coladas, give them a tour of the property, and answer any questions they may have.

Once the all of guests are checked in, you will be free for the rest of the evening (unless something comes up, keep your work phone close by!).

View from our private Lost Machete Hike.

Be sure to bring some good hiking shoes with you!

Unlike breakfast and lunch where you are on your own, all of the interns, volunteers, and owners come together for dinner. We like to experiment with new recipes and take turns with the preparation and cleaning. It’s always something delicious and healthy, especially if Renée is cooking!

A photo from my trip to the stunning Playa Flamenco

Every day here is going to look a bit different. Some days you’ll get to go into town with Renée to shop for supplies, some days you’ll have loads of free time, and some days you’ll be exhausted from a day full of work. The Bed & Breakfast is an extremely beautiful place, and getting days off each week to explore places like Luquillo, San Juan, and Culebra, makes this, in my opinion, one of the best hospitality internships you could find.