Making plans an afternoon outing to Culebra takes slightly of preparation nevertheless it’s surely do-able from San Juan. You’ll wish to rise up early with a purpose to catch a flight or take the ferry, however you’ll have a variety of time to make amends for sleep while you’re laying at the seashore.
Mendacity 20 miles off the east coast of Puerto Rico, Culebra is a gorgeous, low-key island surrounded via over 20 cays. The island is a haven for seashore fans, boasting stunning white mangrove forests, sandy seashores, turquoise blue waters and plush surroundings.
From round 1901 till 1976 Culebra was once occupied via the U.S Army and the Flamenco Peninsula was once used for gunnery and bombing follow. The number one appeal in Culebra is Flamenco Seashore, the place you’ll be able to see tanks left there via the army.
As of late Culebra is very popular for day journeys and snorkeling excursions and is regarded as one of the vital highest puts to discuss with in Puerto Rico. When you have greater than 3 days in Puerto Rico, make sure to upload it for your itinerary.
Learn how to Get to Culebra from San Juan
By means of Ferry
The Culebra ferry departs from Ceiba ferry terminal, which is at the east coast of the island close to Fajardo. One of the best ways to get there may be to hire a automobile from San Juan – I like to recommend checking costs the use of Priceline, Rentalcars.com or Uncover Automobiles.
Purpose to select up your automobile the evening prior to, because you’ll wish to go away relatively early within the morning on your day outing 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 easier, because you’ll have extra time at the island. You should definitely test the ferry schedules for up-to-date occasions, as they range in keeping with the seasons.
Tickets for the ferry value $2.25 every method, which is a scouse borrow! The adventure takes round 45 mins for the passenger ferry and round 1.5 hours for the passenger + shipment ferry, so purpose to take the passenger ferry if you’ll be able to.
You should definitely acquire your tickets on-line right here a few weeks prematurely, as they promote out briefly. The web page will say there’s tickets to be had on the field workplace, however choice for those is given to citizens and they generally tend to promote out. It could be unlucky when you went all of the option to the ferry terminal most effective to search out the tickets are bought out!
Take a look at my Culebra ferry information for detailed data on reserving tickets, parking and what to anticipate.
There’s parking to be had on the ferry terminal, which prices $11 in step with day. You should definitely deliver money! Condo automobiles aren’t allowed at the shipment ferry, so that you’ll have to depart your automobile in Ceiba and pick out it up whilst you get again.
For those who don’t need to force to the ferry terminal, there are non-public automobile services and products that may take you to Ceiba. They’re dear although, so it’s usually inexpensive to hire a automobile from San Juan airport or Isla Verde.
The force from San Juan to Ceiba can take any place from 1 hour to at least one hour 45 mins relying on visitors, time of day and which highway you’re taking. The dual carriageway is the fastest, however you’ll be able to’t pay tolls in money so your apartment automobile corporate will provide you with the solution to pay a day by day fee for tolls. You’ll refuse the toll choice, however when you do force on a dual carriageway, you’ll pay a penalty charge for every toll violation whilst you go back the auto.
For those who don’t need to pay for tolls, keep away from PR-66 and go back and forth most effective on PR-3.
By means of Airplane
The fastest option to get to Culebra is via taking a small aircraft. It’s imaginable to fly direct from San Juan to Culebra with Cape Air, or from Ceiba to Culebra with Air Flamenco. Because of the quick runway in Culebra, the planes are small propeller airplane, so when you’re nervous concerning the protection of small airplane, it’s possible you’ll like to take the ferry. That being mentioned, there were no aircraft crashes at the Culebra course with both airline.
Be expecting to pay round $200 round-trip from San Juan, or round $90-$120 round-trip from Ceiba.
For those who’re flying from Ceiba, you’ll wish to hire a automobile and force or e-book a automobile provider from San Juan. The airport is named José Aponte Hernández Airport and is located on the subject of the Ceiba ferry terminal.
While you land in Culebra you’ll arrive at Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport, the place you’ll to find taxis ready out of doors the terminal.
Getting Round Culebra
When you arrive in Culebra you’ll to find 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 other people. The taxis can also be shared, so my good friend and I have been paired up with two different women and whisked to Flamenco Seashore for $5 in step with particular person. If you’ll be able to’t see a taxi ready, name one of the vital following firms:
For those who plan on spending only a day in Culebra, then it’s best to only get round via taxi. On the other hand, you’ll be able to additionally force your self round via reserving a golfing cart or Jeep apartment. The corporations normally be offering unfastened pickups from the ferry terminal and airport. Take a look at those web sites for leases:
Seashores & Issues to Do in Culebra
OK, so now you’ve made it to Culebra! Maximum guests head directly to Flamenco Seashore, which is voted one of the vital highest seashores on the earth. We spent our whole day right here simply absorbing the solar, consuming pina coladas and consuming seashore snacks. On the other hand, there also are every other nice seashores at the island which you can need to take a look at.
Flamenco Seashore
Nestled at the north coast of the island, Flamenco Seashore is voted one of the vital international’s highest seashores and is legendary for its painted tank.
Right here you’ll to find an expansive stretch of white sand with turquoise blue water, sponsored via lush greenery. For those who stroll west alongside the seashore you’ll come around the tank – a rusty relic left over via the U.S army. The tank is rotting within the ocean, however it’s often painted in vibrant graffiti and is among the hottest picture spots in Puerto Rico.
While you arrive on the seashore you’ll come throughout a carpark and an facilities space with meals kiosks, bogs and showers. There also are umbrellas and chairs to be had for rent, costing $20 for an umbrella and $10 in step with chair.
Tamarindo and Carlos Rosario
Tamarindo Seashore and Carlos Rosario Seashore are a part of the Luis Peña Nature Reserve and are house to all kinds of underwater lifestyles, together with remoras, bluetail fishes, stingrays, angelfish and manta rays. They’re each very good puts to pop your snorkel on and notice what you’ll be able to to find.
Tamarindo draws fewer vacationers than Flamenco Seashore, so it feels quieter and much more secluded. There aren’t any amenities at this seashore, so that you’ll wish to make sure to deliver your individual meals, beverages and seashore chairs.
Playa Melones
If you wish to spot sea turtles, head to Melones Seashore, which is positioned at the west of the island overlooking the Luis Peña Herbal Reserve. The seashore is rocky however is very good for snorkeling and draws a variety of turtles because of its abundance of seagrass.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
The island’s coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests are teeming with flora and fauna, making it the very best position for snorkeling or diving. If you wish to hire snorkeling apparatus, discover ways to dive or take a guided excursion, take a look at a few of these excursion firms:
Museo Histórico de Culebra
Culebra is in point of fact all about laying at the sand, but when you need a ruin from the seashore, take a look at the Museo Histórico de Culebra, which lines the historical past of the island. Housed in a former Naval munition warehouse, the museum supplies details about the island’s ecosystem, in addition to the army’s presence in Culebra.
The place to Devour in Culebra
While you arrive in Culebra it’s going to be breakfast time! Take a look at the next puts:
Blac Flamingo Espresso – This lovely espresso store has a vibrant purple external and lovable outside seating – it’s the very best position to clutch breakfast prior to you head to the seashore. At the menu you’ll to find coffees, french toast, avocado toast, bagels, sandwiches and smoothies.
Culebra Espresso – Positioned close to the ferry terminal at the major strip, Culebra Espresso is open early at 7am and serves such things as breakfast wraps, sandwiches, bagels and avocado toast. There’s additionally a present store connected, the place you’ll be able to purchase seashore towels, sarongs and clothes.
For lunch and dinner, those are every other excellent choices:
Eating place Caracoles – Positioned on the subject of the ferry terminal via the water, Eating place Caracoles makes a speciality of seafood, providing such things as mahi-mahi, octopus, shrimp, grouper and snapper. You’ll additionally order various steaks, together with churrasco, T-bone and filet mignon.
Dinghy Dock – Straight away recognizable via its vibrant blue facade and blue inner, this indoor/outside eating place serves contemporary seafood and Puerto Rican delicacies with stunning perspectives of the water. At the menu you’ll to find a variety of contemporary fish, along side various day by day specials.
Zaco’s Tacos – For those who fancy a snappy chew prior to you head to the ferry, take a look at Zaco’s Tacos, a colourful, quirky eating place serving nachos, tacos and refreshing margaritas!
Is A Day Travel to Culebra Value It?
Whilst Flamenco Seashore is gorgeous, there’s in point of fact now not that a lot taking place at the island. It’s very quiet, and the number of lodging and eating places is restricted. So I’d say sooner or later in Culebra is enough. For those who love snorkeling and diving, and you need to discover extra of the island’s seashores, then possibly you’d need to rent a automobile and keep one evening on Culebra as a way to have a complete two days there.
Lodging on Culebra is composed of small guesthouses and flats, so don’t be expecting luxurious accommodations or chain accommodations when you do plan to stick in a single day.
I’ll be fair, my Culebra day outing was once beautiful laborious. My good friend and I needed to rise up in the course of the evening to force to Ceiba and we didn’t get again to San Juan till about 9pm. When you have the money and also you don’t thoughts small planes, then I’d believe flying there over taking the ferry.
On the other hand, the ferry is way, a lot inexpensive and if you’ll be able to snag the ferry occasions you need, then the adventure shouldn’t be too unhealthy. Simply make sure to take a look at to take a seat on deck so that you don’t get too sea unwell.
A Ultimate Phrase…
In order that completes your day outing to Culebra, certainly one of Puerto Rico’s most famed islands! Your day will contain an early get started and a past due end, nevertheless it’s utterly imaginable to peer Culebra in sooner or later. You should definitely take out some money prior to you get to the island, as you’ll want it for such things as parking on the ferry terminal, taxis on Culebra and snacks on the seashore. For those who do disregard, there’s an ATM proper via the ferry terminal, so make sure to deliver a debit card.
Making plans an afternoon outing to Culebra takes slightly of preparation nevertheless it’s surely do-able from San Juan. You’ll wish to rise up early with a purpose to catch a flight or take the ferry, however you’ll have a variety of time to make amends for sleep while you’re laying at the seashore.
Mendacity 20 miles off the east coast of Puerto Rico, Culebra is a gorgeous, low-key island surrounded via over 20 cays. The island is a haven for seashore fans, boasting stunning white mangrove forests, sandy seashores, turquoise blue waters and plush surroundings.
From round 1901 till 1976 Culebra was once occupied via the U.S Army and the Flamenco Peninsula was once used for gunnery and bombing follow. The number one appeal in Culebra is Flamenco Seashore, the place you’ll be able to see tanks left there via the army.
As of late Culebra is very popular for day journeys and snorkeling excursions and is regarded as one of the vital highest puts to discuss with in Puerto Rico. When you have greater than 3 days in Puerto Rico, make sure to upload it for your itinerary.
Learn how to Get to Culebra from San Juan
By means of Ferry
The Culebra ferry departs from Ceiba ferry terminal, which is at the east coast of the island close to Fajardo. One of the best ways to get there may be to hire a automobile from San Juan – I like to recommend checking costs the use of Priceline, Rentalcars.com or Uncover Automobiles.
Purpose to select up your automobile the evening prior to, because you’ll wish to go away relatively early within the morning on your day outing 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 easier, because you’ll have extra time at the island. You should definitely test the ferry schedules for up-to-date occasions, as they range in keeping with the seasons.
Tickets for the ferry value $2.25 every method, which is a scouse borrow! The adventure takes round 45 mins for the passenger ferry and round 1.5 hours for the passenger + shipment ferry, so purpose to take the passenger ferry if you’ll be able to.
You should definitely acquire your tickets on-line right here a few weeks prematurely, as they promote out briefly. The web page will say there’s tickets to be had on the field workplace, however choice for those is given to citizens and they generally tend to promote out. It could be unlucky when you went all of the option to the ferry terminal most effective to search out the tickets are bought out!
Take a look at my Culebra ferry information for detailed data on reserving tickets, parking and what to anticipate.
There’s parking to be had on the ferry terminal, which prices $11 in step with day. You should definitely deliver money! Condo automobiles aren’t allowed at the shipment ferry, so that you’ll have to depart your automobile in Ceiba and pick out it up whilst you get again.
For those who don’t need to force to the ferry terminal, there are non-public automobile services and products that may take you to Ceiba. They’re dear although, so it’s usually inexpensive to hire a automobile from San Juan airport or Isla Verde.
The force from San Juan to Ceiba can take any place from 1 hour to at least one hour 45 mins relying on visitors, time of day and which highway you’re taking. The dual carriageway is the fastest, however you’ll be able to’t pay tolls in money so your apartment automobile corporate will provide you with the solution to pay a day by day fee for tolls. You’ll refuse the toll choice, however when you do force on a dual carriageway, you’ll pay a penalty charge for every toll violation whilst you go back the auto.
For those who don’t need to pay for tolls, keep away from PR-66 and go back and forth most effective on PR-3.
By means of Airplane
The fastest option to get to Culebra is via taking a small aircraft. It’s imaginable to fly direct from San Juan to Culebra with Cape Air, or from Ceiba to Culebra with Air Flamenco. Because of the quick runway in Culebra, the planes are small propeller airplane, so when you’re nervous concerning the protection of small airplane, it’s possible you’ll like to take the ferry. That being mentioned, there were no aircraft crashes at the Culebra course with both airline.
Be expecting to pay round $200 round-trip from San Juan, or round $90-$120 round-trip from Ceiba.
For those who’re flying from Ceiba, you’ll wish to hire a automobile and force or e-book a automobile provider from San Juan. The airport is named José Aponte Hernández Airport and is located on the subject of the Ceiba ferry terminal.
While you land in Culebra you’ll arrive at Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport, the place you’ll to find taxis ready out of doors the terminal.
Getting Round Culebra
When you arrive in Culebra you’ll to find 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 other people. The taxis can also be shared, so my good friend and I have been paired up with two different women and whisked to Flamenco Seashore for $5 in step with particular person. If you’ll be able to’t see a taxi ready, name one of the vital following firms:
For those who plan on spending only a day in Culebra, then it’s best to only get round via taxi. On the other hand, you’ll be able to additionally force your self round via reserving a golfing cart or Jeep apartment. The corporations normally be offering unfastened pickups from the ferry terminal and airport. Take a look at those web sites for leases:
Seashores & Issues to Do in Culebra
OK, so now you’ve made it to Culebra! Maximum guests head directly to Flamenco Seashore, which is voted one of the vital highest seashores on the earth. We spent our whole day right here simply absorbing the solar, consuming pina coladas and consuming seashore snacks. On the other hand, there also are every other nice seashores at the island which you can need to take a look at.
Flamenco Seashore
Nestled at the north coast of the island, Flamenco Seashore is voted one of the vital international’s highest seashores and is legendary for its painted tank.
Right here you’ll to find an expansive stretch of white sand with turquoise blue water, sponsored via lush greenery. For those who stroll west alongside the seashore you’ll come around the tank – a rusty relic left over via the U.S army. The tank is rotting within the ocean, however it’s often painted in vibrant graffiti and is among the hottest picture spots in Puerto Rico.
While you arrive on the seashore you’ll come throughout a carpark and an facilities space with meals kiosks, bogs and showers. There also are umbrellas and chairs to be had for rent, costing $20 for an umbrella and $10 in step with chair.
Tamarindo and Carlos Rosario
Tamarindo Seashore and Carlos Rosario Seashore are a part of the Luis Peña Nature Reserve and are house to all kinds of underwater lifestyles, together with remoras, bluetail fishes, stingrays, angelfish and manta rays. They’re each very good puts to pop your snorkel on and notice what you’ll be able to to find.
Tamarindo draws fewer vacationers than Flamenco Seashore, so it feels quieter and much more secluded. There aren’t any amenities at this seashore, so that you’ll wish to make sure to deliver your individual meals, beverages and seashore chairs.
Playa Melones
If you wish to spot sea turtles, head to Melones Seashore, which is positioned at the west of the island overlooking the Luis Peña Herbal Reserve. The seashore is rocky however is very good for snorkeling and draws a variety of turtles because of its abundance of seagrass.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
The island’s coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests are teeming with flora and fauna, making it the very best position for snorkeling or diving. If you wish to hire snorkeling apparatus, discover ways to dive or take a guided excursion, take a look at a few of these excursion firms:
Museo Histórico de Culebra
Culebra is in point of fact all about laying at the sand, but when you need a ruin from the seashore, take a look at the Museo Histórico de Culebra, which lines the historical past of the island. Housed in a former Naval munition warehouse, the museum supplies details about the island’s ecosystem, in addition to the army’s presence in Culebra.
The place to Devour in Culebra
While you arrive in Culebra it’s going to be breakfast time! Take a look at the next puts:
Blac Flamingo Espresso – This lovely espresso store has a vibrant purple external and lovable outside seating – it’s the very best position to clutch breakfast prior to you head to the seashore. At the menu you’ll to find coffees, french toast, avocado toast, bagels, sandwiches and smoothies.
Culebra Espresso – Positioned close to the ferry terminal at the major strip, Culebra Espresso is open early at 7am and serves such things as breakfast wraps, sandwiches, bagels and avocado toast. There’s additionally a present store connected, the place you’ll be able to purchase seashore towels, sarongs and clothes.
For lunch and dinner, those are every other excellent choices:
Eating place Caracoles – Positioned on the subject of the ferry terminal via the water, Eating place Caracoles makes a speciality of seafood, providing such things as mahi-mahi, octopus, shrimp, grouper and snapper. You’ll additionally order various steaks, together with churrasco, T-bone and filet mignon.
Dinghy Dock – Straight away recognizable via its vibrant blue facade and blue inner, this indoor/outside eating place serves contemporary seafood and Puerto Rican delicacies with stunning perspectives of the water. At the menu you’ll to find a variety of contemporary fish, along side various day by day specials.
Zaco’s Tacos – For those who fancy a snappy chew prior to you head to the ferry, take a look at Zaco’s Tacos, a colourful, quirky eating place serving nachos, tacos and refreshing margaritas!
Is A Day Travel to Culebra Value It?
Whilst Flamenco Seashore is gorgeous, there’s in point of fact now not that a lot taking place at the island. It’s very quiet, and the number of lodging and eating places is restricted. So I’d say sooner or later in Culebra is enough. For those who love snorkeling and diving, and you need to discover extra of the island’s seashores, then possibly you’d need to rent a automobile and keep one evening on Culebra as a way to have a complete two days there.
Lodging on Culebra is composed of small guesthouses and flats, so don’t be expecting luxurious accommodations or chain accommodations when you do plan to stick in a single day.
I’ll be fair, my Culebra day outing was once beautiful laborious. My good friend and I needed to rise up in the course of the evening to force to Ceiba and we didn’t get again to San Juan till about 9pm. When you have the money and also you don’t thoughts small planes, then I’d believe flying there over taking the ferry.
On the other hand, the ferry is way, a lot inexpensive and if you’ll be able to snag the ferry occasions you need, then the adventure shouldn’t be too unhealthy. Simply make sure to take a look at to take a seat on deck so that you don’t get too sea unwell.
A Ultimate Phrase…
In order that completes your day outing to Culebra, certainly one of Puerto Rico’s most famed islands! Your day will contain an early get started and a past due end, nevertheless it’s utterly imaginable to peer Culebra in sooner or later. You should definitely take out some money prior to you get to the island, as you’ll want it for such things as parking on the ferry terminal, taxis on Culebra and snacks on the seashore. For those who do disregard, there’s an ATM proper via the ferry terminal, so make sure to deliver a debit card.