Culebra

Culebra is a small Caribbean island, mostly covered in nature preserve that lies about 20 miles east of Puerto Rico.

Get In

You can reach Culebra via daily ferry from Fajardo or on week days from Vieques. Average price is about $2.50 for a ferry ride and it takes about 1 to 1/5 hours from Fajardo. There is a new high speed ferry option from Fajardo on Thursdays through Sundays. You can also reach Culebra via daily airplane service from San Juan, Fajardo, Vieques or nearby St. Thomas. These are small 4-8 passenger planes. Average plane ride is about $45 and takes about 20 to 45 minutes.

Stay

There are half a dozen or so hotels/resorts on Culebra. The term 'resort' is a bit of an oxymoron as the average facility will be 2-3 stars at best. This is a small island after all! Some of the older hotels are barely a one star. Service is typical laid back (ie slow) island style. There are also plenty of houses and villas for rent on the island.

Do

Amazing snorkelling.

Rent a jeep and visit the beaches

Rent a small motorboat ($150-$200/day) and visit the nearby islets such as Culebrita with even more private beaches.

See

Flamenco Beach is quite outstanding, and unlike the other beaches in Vieques and Culebra, popular enough to attract a real crowd. The beach is in a calm cove and stretches into a cirle of nearly a mile in length. The water is shallow and calm. Reefs exist on each side of the beach and are very easy to access directly off the beach if you have snorkeling equipment with you. The reefs are not world class but they are interesting enough for amateur snorklers. Facilities at the beach are few. Bring a cooler with plenty of snacks and drinks, plus towels or beach chairs if you can.

Eat

There are several small restaurants on the island as well as small hotels which have restaurants. Reservations are recommended if you plan on going to a hotel restaurant.