Culebra is a small Caribbean island, mostly covered in nature preserve that lies about 20 miles east of Puerto Rico. Culebra is part of the self governed commonwealth associated with the USA.

Get In

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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 one to one and a half hours from Fajardo. However, reaching Fajardo from San Juan by taxi costs $80-100. There is also a new high speed ferry option from San Juan on Thursdays through Sundays, which costs about $45 a head. Crowds can be thick for both ferries, so get there early, especially on weekend mornings. You can also reach Culebra via daily airplane service from San Juan, Fajardo, Vieques or nearby Saint Thomas. These are small 4-8 passenger planes. The plane ride may cost $25-$80 and take about 20 to 45 minutes.

For a budget traveler, you may also want to consider taking one of the local buses to Fajardo. Prices may be negotiated if you speak Spanish, and $10-$20 per person should cover the two hour ride. The buses are vans that depart sporadically, do not have air conditioning, and primarily serve locals. Tourists may have difficulty persuading taxi drivers that you want to go to the bus station.

Get Around

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There are several native-run taxi services on the island, ferrying tourists around town, to the airport, and to Flamenco Beach. They charge a very reasonable $2 per person. These taxis are essentially the only way to get around besides on foot.

See

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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, and a few rusted-out U.S. Army tanks silently watch over the beach. The water is clear, shallow, and calm, and the waves are small. 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, and other snorkeling beaches can be accessible by taking the (safe) path through the old army minefield. The reefs are not world class but they are interesting enough for amateur snorkelers. Facilities at the beach are few. Showers run sporadically and there are flush toilets, but no lights. Fresh water is freely available. Bring a cooler with plenty of snacks and drinks, plus towels or beach chairs if you can. Campers should be warned that it gets surprisingly windy and chilly at night. Bug spray is recommended. Bring a tent and sleeping bags, and, if you have one, bring a hammock to string between two trees for a night under the stars.

Do

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Amazing snorkeling.

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.

Camp on Flamenco Beach and just relax.

Eat

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There are several small restaurants...