Day Journey to Culebra from San Juan: The Final Information!

Planning a day journey to Culebra takes a little bit of preparation nevertheless it’s undoubtedly do-able from San Juan. You’ll must rise up early as a way 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 exquisite, low-key island surrounded by over 20 cays. The island is a haven for seaside lovers, boasting stunning 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 apply. The #1 attraction in Culebra is Flamenco Seashore, the place you may see tanks left there by the navy. 

In the present day Culebra is extraordinarily standard for day journeys and snorkeling excursions and is taken into account top-of-the-line locations to go to in Puerto Rico. When you have greater than 3 days in Puerto Rico, ensure you add it to your itinerary. 

Easy methods to 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’s to lease a automotive from San Juan – I like to recommend checking costs utilizing Priceline, Rentalcars.com or Uncover Automobiles. 

Goal to choose up your automotive the night time earlier than, because you’ll must 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. Be sure to test the ferry schedules for up-to-date occasions, as they range in line with the seasons.

Tickets for the ferry value $2.25 every approach, 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 purpose to take the passenger ferry should you can. 

Be sure to buy your tickets on-line right here a few weeks prematurely, as they promote out rapidly. The web site will say there’s tickets accessible on the field workplace, however choice for these is given to residents and so they are inclined 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 offered out! 

Try my Culebra ferry information for detailed info on reserving tickets, parking and what to anticipate. 

There’s parking accessible on the ferry terminal, which prices $11 per day. Be sure to deliver money! Rental vehicles aren’t allowed on the cargo ferry, so that you’ll have to go away your automotive in Ceiba and decide it up while you get again. 

In case you don’t wish to drive to the ferry terminal, there are personal automotive companies that can take you to Ceiba. They’re costly although, so it’s typically cheaper to lease 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 highway you are taking. The toll highway is the quickest, however you may’t pay tolls in money so your rental automotive firm gives you the choice to pay a every day price for tolls. You possibly can refuse the toll choice, however should you do drive on a toll highway, you’ll pay a penalty charge for every toll violation while you return the automotive. 

In case you don’t wish to pay for tolls, keep away from PR-66 and journey solely on PR-3. 

By Aircraft 

The quickest option 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 fearful in regards to the security of small plane, you might choose to take the ferry. That being stated, there have been no aircraft crashes on the Culebra route with both airline. 

Anticipate to pay round $200 round-trip from San Juan, or round $90-$120 round-trip from Ceiba. 

In case you’re flying from Ceiba, you’ll must lease a automotive and drive or ebook a automotive service from San Juan. The airport is named José Aponte Hernández Airport and is located near the Ceiba ferry terminal. 

If you land in Culebra you’ll arrive at Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport, the place you’ll discover taxis ready outdoors 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 individuals. The taxis might be shared, so my pal and I have been paired up with two different women and whisked to Flamenco Seashore for $5 per particular person. In case you can’t see a taxi ready, name one of many following firms:

In case you plan on spending only a day in Culebra, then it’s best to simply get round by taxi. Nevertheless, you too can drive your self round by reserving a golf cart or Jeep rental. The businesses normally provide 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 top-of-the-line seashores on the planet. We spent our whole day right here simply absorbing the solar, consuming pina coladas and consuming seaside snacks. Nevertheless, 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. In case you 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 commonly painted in brilliant graffiti and is among the hottest picture spots in Puerto Rico. 

If 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 accessible 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’ll find.

Tamarindo attracts fewer vacationers than Flamenco Seashore, so it feels quieter and much more secluded. There are not any amenities at this seaside, so that you’ll must ensure you deliver 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 because of 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 proper place for snorkeling or diving. If you wish to lease snorkeling tools, be taught to dive or take a guided tour, try a few of these tour firms:

Museo Histórico de Culebra 

Culebra is absolutely all about laying on the sand, however if you’d like 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 supplies details about the island’s ecosystem, in addition to the army’s presence in Culebra.

The place to Eat in Culebra

If 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 proper 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 – Situated 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 connected, 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 too can order quite a lot 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 contemporary seafood and Puerto Rican delicacies with stunning views of the water. On the menu you’ll discover loads of contemporary fish, together with quite a lot of every day specials. 

Zaco’s Tacos – In case you fancy a fast chew 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 restricted. So I’d say in the future in Culebra is adequate. In case you love snorkeling and diving, and also you wish to discover extra of the island’s seashores, then possibly you’d wish to rent a car and keep one night time on Culebra so as to have a full two days there. 

Lodging on Culebra consists of small guesthouses and flats, so don’t anticipate 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 rise up in the midst of the night time to drive 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 contemplate flying there over taking the ferry. 

Nevertheless, the ferry is far, less expensive and should you can snag the ferry occasions you need, then the journey shouldn’t be too dangerous. Simply ensure you attempt to sit on deck so that you don’t get too sea sick.  

A Last Phrase…

In order that completes your day journey to Culebra, considered 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 in the future. Be sure to 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. In case you do neglect, there’s an ATM proper by the ferry terminal, so ensure you deliver a debit card.