Planning a day journey to Culebra takes a little bit of preparation nevertheless it’s undoubtedly do-able from San Juan. You’ll have to stand up early so as to catch a flight or take the ferry, however you’ll have loads of time to atone for sleep when you’re laying on the seaside.
Mendacity 20 miles off the east coast of Puerto Rico, Culebra is an attractive, low-key island surrounded by over 20 cays. The island is a haven for seaside lovers, boasting lovely white mangrove forests, sandy seashores, turquoise blue waters and luxurious surroundings.
From round 1901 till 1976 Culebra was occupied by the U.S Navy and the Flamenco Peninsula was used for gunnery and bombing observe. The #1 attraction in Culebra is Flamenco Seashore, the place you’ll be able to see tanks left there by the navy.
At present Culebra is extraordinarily widespread for day journeys and snorkeling excursions and is taken into account among the finest locations to go to in Puerto Rico. In case you have greater than 3 days in Puerto Rico, ensure you add it to your itinerary.
How one can Get to Culebra from San Juan
By Ferry
The Culebra ferry departs from Ceiba ferry terminal, which is on the east coast of the island close to Fajardo. One of the best ways to get there may be to hire a automotive from San Juan – I like to recommend checking costs utilizing Priceline, Rentalcars.com or Uncover Automobiles.
Purpose to select up your automotive the night time earlier than, because you’ll have to depart fairly early within the morning in your day journey to Culebra. The primary ferry departs at round 3.30am after which there are ferries all through the morning round 6am, 6.30, 7.30 and 9am. The sooner the higher, because you’ll have extra time on the island. Ensure you test the ferry schedules for up-to-date occasions, as they range based on the seasons.
Tickets for the ferry value $2.25 every method, which is a steal! The journey takes round 45 minutes for the passenger ferry and round 1.5 hours for the passenger + cargo ferry, so goal to take the passenger ferry should you can.
Ensure you buy your tickets on-line right here a few weeks upfront, as they promote out shortly. The web site will say there’s tickets out there on the field workplace, however choice for these is given to residents and so they are likely to promote out. It could be unlucky should you went all the way in which to the ferry terminal solely to seek out the tickets are bought out!
Try my Culebra ferry information for detailed data on reserving tickets, parking and what to anticipate.
There’s parking out there on the ferry terminal, which prices $11 per day. Ensure you convey money! Rental automobiles aren’t allowed on the cargo ferry, so that you’ll have to depart your automotive in Ceiba and choose it up whenever you get again.
If you happen to don’t wish to drive to the ferry terminal, there are non-public automotive providers that may take you to Ceiba. They’re costly although, so it’s typically cheaper to hire a automotive from San Juan airport or Isla Verde.
The drive from San Juan to Ceiba can take wherever from 1 hour to 1 hour 45 minutes relying on visitors, time of day and which street you’re taking. The toll street is the quickest, however you’ll be able to’t pay tolls in money so your rental automotive firm will provide you with the choice to pay a each day charge for tolls. You’ll be able to refuse the toll possibility, however should you do drive on a toll street, you’ll pay a penalty charge for every toll violation whenever you return the automotive.
If you happen to don’t wish to pay for tolls, keep away from PR-66 and journey solely on PR-3.
By Aircraft
The quickest technique to get to Culebra is by taking a small aircraft. It’s attainable to fly direct from San Juan to Culebra with Cape Air, or from Ceiba to Culebra with Air Flamenco. As a result of brief runway in Culebra, the planes are small propeller plane, so should you’re nervous concerning the security of small plane, you might favor to take the ferry. That being mentioned, there have been no aircraft crashes on the Culebra route with both airline.
Count on to pay round $200 round-trip from San Juan, or round $90-$120 round-trip from Ceiba.
If you happen to’re flying from Ceiba, you’ll have to hire a automotive and drive or e-book a automotive service from San Juan. The airport is named José Aponte Hernández Airport and is located near the Ceiba ferry terminal.
While you land in Culebra you’ll arrive at Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport, the place you’ll discover taxis ready exterior the terminal.
Getting Round Culebra
When you arrive in Culebra you’ll discover taxis ready on the ferry terminal and on the airport that take guests to Flamenco Seashore.
From the ferry to Flamenco Seashore, the taxi prices $20 and seats 4 folks. The taxis could be shared, so my pal and I had been paired up with two different women and whisked to Flamenco Seashore for $5 per particular person. If you happen to can’t see a taxi ready, name one of many following firms:
If you happen to plan on spending only a day in Culebra, then it’s best to simply get round by taxi. Nonetheless, you may also drive your self round by reserving a golf cart or Jeep rental. The businesses often supply free pickups from the ferry terminal and airport. Try these web sites for leases:
Seashores & Issues to Do in Culebra
OK, so now you’ve made it to Culebra! Most guests head straight to Flamenco Seashore, which is voted among the finest seashores on this planet. We spent our total day right here simply absorbing the solar, consuming pina coladas and consuming seaside snacks. Nonetheless, there are additionally another nice seashores on the island that you could be wish to try.
Flamenco Seashore
Nestled on the north coast of the island, Flamenco Seashore is voted one of many world’s finest seashores and is known for its painted tank.
Right here you’ll discover an expansive stretch of white sand with turquoise blue water, backed by lush greenery. If you happen to stroll west alongside the seaside you’ll come throughout the tank – a rusty relic left over by the U.S army. The tank is rotting within the ocean, however it’s usually painted in brilliant graffiti and is without doubt one of the hottest photograph spots in Puerto Rico.
While you arrive on the seaside you’ll come throughout a carpark and an facilities space with meals kiosks, bathrooms and showers. There are additionally umbrellas and chairs out there for rent, costing $20 for an umbrella and $10 per chair.
Tamarindo and Carlos Rosario
Tamarindo Seashore and Carlos Rosario Seashore are a part of the Luis Peña Nature Reserve and are dwelling to all kinds of underwater life, together with remoras, bluetail fishes, stingrays, angelfish and manta rays. They’re each wonderful locations to pop your snorkel on and see what you could find.
Tamarindo attracts fewer vacationers than Flamenco Seashore, so it feels quieter and much more secluded. There aren’t any amenities at this seaside, so that you’ll have to ensure you convey your personal meals, drinks and seaside chairs.
Playa Melones
If you wish to spot sea turtles, head to Melones Seashore, which is positioned on the west of the island overlooking the Luis Peña Pure Reserve. The seaside is rocky however is great for snorkeling and attracts loads of turtles resulting from its abundance of seagrass.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
The island’s coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests are teeming with wildlife, making it the right place for snorkeling or diving. If you wish to hire snorkeling gear, study to dive or take a guided tour, try a few of these tour firms:
Museo Histórico de Culebra
Culebra is de facto all about laying on the sand, however if you need a break from the seaside, try the Museo Histórico de Culebra, which traces the historical past of the island. Housed in a former Naval munition warehouse, the museum offers details about the island’s ecosystem, in addition to the army’s presence in Culebra.
The place to Eat in Culebra
While you arrive in Culebra it is going to be breakfast time! Try the next locations:
Blac Flamingo Espresso – This cute espresso store has a brilliant pink exterior and cute out of doors seating – it’s the right place to seize breakfast earlier than you head to the seaside. On the menu you’ll discover coffees, french toast, avocado toast, bagels, sandwiches and smoothies.
Culebra Espresso – Positioned close to the ferry terminal on the primary strip, Culebra Espresso is open early at 7am and serves issues like breakfast wraps, sandwiches, bagels and avocado toast. There’s additionally a present store hooked up, the place you should buy seaside towels, sarongs and clothes.
For lunch and dinner, these are another good choices:
Restaurant Caracoles – Located near the ferry terminal by the water, Restaurant Caracoles makes a speciality of seafood, providing issues like mahi-mahi, octopus, shrimp, grouper and snapper. You can even order a wide range of steaks, together with churrasco, T-bone and filet mignon.
Dinghy Dock – Immediately recognizable by its brilliant blue facade and blue inside, this indoor/out of doors restaurant serves recent seafood and Puerto Rican delicacies with lovely views of the water. On the menu you’ll discover loads of recent fish, together with a wide range of each day specials.
Zaco’s Tacos – If you happen to fancy a fast chunk earlier than you head to the ferry, strive Zaco’s Tacos, a colourful, quirky restaurant serving nachos, tacos and refreshing margaritas!
Is A Day Journey to Culebra Value It?
Whereas Flamenco Seashore is gorgeous, there’s actually not that a lot taking place on the island. It’s very quiet, and the selection of lodging and eating places is proscribed. So I’d say at some point in Culebra is ample. If you happen to love snorkeling and diving, and also you wish to discover extra of the island’s seashores, then perhaps you’d wish to rent a automobile and keep one night time on Culebra as a way to have a full two days there.
Lodging on Culebra consists of small guesthouses and residences, so don’t count on luxurious resorts or chain inns should you do plan to remain in a single day.
I’ll be sincere, my Culebra day journey was fairly exhausting. My pal and I needed to stand up in the midst of the night time to drive to Ceiba and we didn’t get again to San Juan till about 9pm. In case you have the money and also you don’t thoughts small planes, then I’d think about flying there over taking the ferry.
Nonetheless, the ferry is far, less expensive and should you can snag the ferry occasions you need, then the journey shouldn’t be too unhealthy. Simply ensure you attempt to sit on deck so that you don’t get too sea sick.
A Remaining Phrase…
In order that completes your day journey to Culebra, certainly one of Puerto Rico’s most well-known islands! Your day will contain an early begin and a late end, nevertheless it’s completely attainable to see Culebra in at some point. Ensure you take out some money earlier than you get to the island, as you’ll want it for issues like parking on the ferry terminal, taxis on Culebra and snacks on the seaside. If you happen to do overlook, there’s an ATM proper by the ferry terminal, so ensure you convey a debit card.
