Culebra Puerto Rico Travel Guide: Beaches, Sea Turtles & Island Adventures
Culebra
Culebra is a tiny island halfway between “mainland” Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Things move a little slower here making it a great place to relax and appreciate life. The island has a small town with great restaurants, is home to multiple nature reserves and a variety of beaches.
Things to Do
There are many things to do while exploring Culebra, primarily focused on outdoor activities like snorkeling, beach hopping, hiking and watching the sunset.
Explore Dewey. Culebra’s only town can be walked from end to end in minutes. Though small, its main road is home to restaurants, cafes, guest houses and the ferry terminal.
Jump from the Bridge. Join locals and jump from the Dewey bridge into the canal. Wear water shoes to protect your feet from the mussels and urchins.
Hector the Protector. Walk along the rock break wall across from the ferry terminal and visit Hector the Protector, a planked wood human figure holding a lantern.
Watch a Caribbean Sunset. Many of the western beaches like Tamarindo, Punta Soldado or Carlos Rosario are peaceful places to watch the sunset below the Caribbean.
Visit the Beaches
Culebra has many great beaches all worth visiting for different reasons. There are white sand beaches, rocky beaches, remote beaches and unofficial nude beaches.
Flamenco Beach
Flamenco Beach is beloved for its powdery white sand shore that wraps around a turquoise blue bay. Come here to relax under the heat of the Caribbean sun or shade of a swaying palm tree. The beach is famed for its graffitied tanks. home to a campground and offering of beach services and amenities.
Flamenco’s Tanks. Flamenco Beach is famed for its graffitied tanks. The shoreline surrounding the most iconic tank has been swept away by recent storms. Though still accessible, it’s now a pelican nesting ground. The second tank resides on a small hill nearby.
Beach Services. Flamenco Beach has a range of services and amenities making it easy to stay here all day.
Fees. Parking costs $5 per vehicle and $2 per person.
Amenities. Restrooms, showers and lockers are available 24/7. Lockers cost an additional fee to use. Bring your own hand soap for the restrooms.
Kiosks. A series of modern kiosks offer food, beverages, ice cream, beach supplies and souvenirs. Try the traditional Puerto Rican snacks like empanadillas, bacalaitos, alcapurrias and pinchos. Pair them with a boozy tropical cocktail, local beer or fruit juice.
Rentals. Two kiosks offer beach rentals including chairs, umbrellas, snorkel masks, life jackets and floaties.
Lifeguards. Lifeguards watch over designated swimming areas.
Flamenco Beach Camping. Camping at Flamenco Beach is one of the most enjoyable ways to maximize beach time and experience Culebra’s pristine nature. We camped here for a long weekend on our most recent trip to the island. Tent under the stars, fall asleep to the sounds of crashing waves and wake up to the calls of roosters.
Camping is DIY. Bring your own gear: tent, sleeping bags, air mattress, hammock, beach chairs, flashlight, etc.
Where to Camp. The official camping area is located after the kiosks and behind the beachfront tree line. It’s an expansive and shaded area with plenty of space to set up undisturbed.
Fees & Bookings. Camping costs $35 per night per tent. Call ahead for a reservation or book at the beachfront ticket office. The office hours are from 8am-5pm. If showing up after hours, return the next day to register and pay. For reservations and information, call (787) 742 0700.
Culebrita Beach. A crescent shaped beach with a narrow white sand shore and calm aquamarine water. It’s located on the island of Culebrita (Little Culebra) and requires a boat to reach. We sailed here on a catamaran with a group of friends through East Island Excursions. The tour brought us to a coral garden off the coast of Culebra to snorkel before mooring offshore from Culebrita Beach. We spent the afternoon diving from the catamaran, dancing to Reggaeton music, swimming between the boat and shore, relaxing on the beach and enjoying an unlimited supply of rum cocktails.
Playa Resaca. This beach is as much about the journey as it is the destination. After a rigorous hike, you’ll reach a vast beach that you’ll likely have to yourself the entire day. The only swimmable area is the shallows at the far east end of the beach. Because it’s so remote, it’s the perfect place to get naked ;)
Hiking to Resaca:
Follow a paved road up the hill past the airport. There will be a parking lot at the top. Walk through the waist high grass behind the sign to locate the trail.
The further you descend, the more rigorous the trail gets. You’ll have to walk over boulders and duck under tree branches. We recommend wearing pants, hiking shoes and bringing a stick to knock away spider webs and thorny plants.
The trail ends at a mangrove forest just before the beach. There will be pink and orange ribbons, nautical debris and water bottles strung along the trees guiding you through it. Follow these markers, even if you think you’re on the path, or you will get lost!
The final stretch leads through a thicket of beach grape trees ending at a lone palm tree overlooking the beach. From the parking lot, it should take 45min to reach Playa Resaca. Plan to leave the beach at least 1 hour before sunset.
Playa Zoni. A white sand beach equally as beautiful as Flamenco. It’s located on the northeast side of the island, easily reachable by car though rarely that busy. Outside of free parking, there are no amenities.
Playa Punta Soldado. A rocky beach great for finding conch shells. You’ll find a lot of fragments and occasionally a whole shell. Supposedly it’s a good spot to snorkel though we’ve never tried here.
Snorkeling Beaches
Culebra is a beautiful place to snorkel with multiple reefs easily accessible from shore. The beaches along the southwest coast of Culebra are the best on the island for snorkeling.
Reserva Natural Canal Luis Peña. A canal and protected nature reserve separating Culebra and Cayo Luis Peña. It’s home to coral reefs, sea grass meadows, an abundance of sea life and views of Caribbean sunsets.
Cayo de Luis Peña. A protected island and nature preserve home to coral reefs, sea grass meadows and sandy shorelines. We snorkeled along its southwestern bay in a shallow water reef with large formations and fields of fan corals waving in the currents. Tiny tropical fish swam between coral nodules while larger fish hid within crevices. Spotted eagle rays circled each other and glided past.
Playa Tamarindo Grande. A secluded beach along the Canal Luis Peña, accessible via the Carlos Rosario Nature Trail. Just offshore is a vibrant reef with all types of lively and colorful corals. For the best snorkeling, enter the water near the green beach sign at the center of the beach, swim about 25 feet out, then follow the reef to the left. Water shoes are recommended due to jagged rocks near the shore.
Carlos Rosario Nature Trail. A nature trail leading from the parking lot of Flamenco Beach to Playa Tamarindo Grande and Playa Carlos Rosario. The hike is relatively easy, leading over a hilltop crest, taking about 20 minutes one way. Along the trail, watch out for skittish lizards, hermit crabs and the occasional garden snake.
Good to Know. Stay on the trail as unexploded munitions from military testing are believed to be in the area.
Playa Tamarindo. A beautiful beach with salt and pepper pebbles and a narrow stretch of white sand. This easily accessible spot is a popular place for snorkeling. A small and colorful reef home with tropical fish resides just offshore to the far left while a vast seagrass meadow begins about 50 feet out. Sea turtles, eagle rays and reef squids can be seen gliding through these waters.
Playa Melones. A small and unassuming beach with a rocky shoreline and breathtaking coral reef. Enter the water at the center of the beach then swim out and towards the rocks on the right. Beneath the surface are large formations brimming with colorful corals and tropical fish. Green, purple and yellow corals sway in the currents as fish swim between and lurk within crevices. It’s some of the best snorkeling on Culebra!
Tips for Snorkeling in Culebra:
Snorkel Gear. Bring your own snorkel gear or rent it from Blue Water or Culebra Divers, both located next to the ferry terminal.
When to Snorkel. The sea life is most active before 10am and an hour before sunset.
Sunblock. Wear reef safe sunblock to avoid harming the corals.
Underwater Camera. Capturing photos underwater is possible with most smartphones and a specialty case. We used the Pictar Waterproof Smartphone Caseavailable on Amazon.
Places to Eat and Drink
For a tiny island, Culebra has a range of great restaurants, cafes and bars, mostly centered around Dewey.
Dinghy Dock. A popular restaurant overlooking the island’s inner bay, frequented by boaters on inflatable dinghies. Come here for tropical cocktails and fresh caught seafood dishes like grilled Mahi Mahi and Chillo Frito Entero (whole fried red snapper). Feed the scraps to the giant tarpon waiting dockside.
Mamacita’s. A lively restaurant and bar located along the narrow canal in the middle of town. It’s a favorite spot of ours to come for boozy cocktails and sharable appetizers like coconut shrimp, mahi mahi bites and tostones. Like Dinghy Dock, come here to feed the tarpon.
La Cocina del Navegante. An elevated restaurant overlooking the island’s inner bay. Their kitchen specializes in seafood dishes like Caribbean lobster, filets of red snapper, shrimp stuffed mofongo and paella!
El Batay. A roadside bar and local hangout located halfway between town and the airport. Come here to play a game of pool, sip on drinks or order one to takeaway.
Pan Café. A very popular bakery serving pastries, breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Try the Mallorca, a bready Puerto Rican pastry shaped into a swirl and sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Hotel Kokomo. The perfect go to for an inexpensive meal or quick lunch, especially while waiting for the ferry. We’ve ordered fish sandwiches and empanadas.
Black Flamingo Coffee. Our favorite breakfast spot on the island. Come here for their coffee, homemade sourdough toast and breakfast tacos.
Culebra Coffee. A coffee shop selling mango and acai bowls, egg dishes and baked goods.
Tips for Dining Out in Culebra:
Most places accept credit cards however it’s good to have cash. There’s an ATM in town near the ferry terminal.
Make reservations at places you want to eat. Service ends early and places can book up.
Be patient, people and businesses move slower here.
Grocery Stores
There are two grocery stores on the island. Colmado Carnicería Milka, located in town and Colmado Costa del Sol, located next to the airport. Both offer all the basics and necessities of any grocery store. They’re also good spots to buy snacks and drinks for the beach.
Getting to Culebra
By Ferry. Take the Puerto Rico Ferry from Ceiba to Culebra. It’s an efficient and cost effective way of reaching the island. The ferry operates on a strict schedule. You need to buy tickets at least 1 week in advance, especially if traveling on a weekend. It can take anywhere from 1-2 hours depending on the type of boat and sea conditions.
Getting to Ceiba. Preschedule an Uber or Lyft. Rides typically cost around $100 one way. The drive from San Juan to Ceiba takes on average 1 hour 30 minutes depending on traffic and time of day.
By Plane. Book flights on a puddle jumper through Cape Air. Flights take less than 30 minutes from San Juan. Roundtrip tickets can cost between $200 and $300 per person. Due to cost, we typically opt for the ferry.
Getting Around Culebra
Golf Cart Rentals. A golf cart is the most efficient way to navigating Culebra on your own. UTV Rental PRoffers a range of rugged club cars for $70-$85 per day.
Jeep Rentals. Having a Jeep is helpful for getting around on your own schedule but can be expensive. We’ve rented from Jerry’s Jeep Rental and Carlos Jeep Rental on past trips for around $150 per day. It’s often more advisable to rent a golf cart or call a taxi when needed.
Culebra Taxis. Local drivers provide taxi services around Culebra. The typical ride costs $20 for up to 4 people. Expect to pay in cash or by payment link. Here are some reputable taxi drivers.
Angel (787) 455 1892
Damaris (787) 455 1893
Abner (787) 237 5313
On Foot. Though Culebra is a small island, getting around on foot outside of the town is difficult but not impossible. Many people are friendly enough to stop and give you a ride. Carry a flashlight when walking at night.
Where to Stay
Having visited Culebra three times, we’ve camped, stayed in Dewey and further away along the bay.
Mamacita’s Guest House. A hub for activity on Culebra and a lively place to stay in the center of town. The rooms are simple but well equipped for a relaxing stay. Make sure to visit the restaurant and bar for dinner and drinks. Book on Airbnb.
Oceanfront Villa. A vacation rental with panoramic views of the island’s inner bay. The villa has private suites and shared balcony. It’s located about 20 minutes on foot from Dewey or 5 minutes by car. Book on Airbnb.
Location Specifics
Respect the Culture. Puerto Ricans are very proud of their island, culture and heritage. Please show respect when discussing local issues and topics. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn about the culture and island.
US Territory. Puerto Rico is a US Territory meaning US Citizens can visit the island without a passport.
Language. Spanish is the primary language spoken in Puerto Rico. English is widely spoken as a second language. Knowing basic Spanish words and phrases is helpful and beneficial when visiting.
Currency. Puerto Rico uses the US Dollar.
Metric vs Imperial. Puerto Rico uses a combination of the Metric and Imperial systems. Speed limits are in marked in mph while distances are marked in kilometers. Gasoline is sold by the liter instead of by the gallon.
Cash vs Card. Credit and debit card is widely accepted across the island. Cash is preferred by most vendors at markets, kiosks and some businesses.
Power Outages. The electrical grid is fragile due to devastation from past natural disasters. While power outages rarely affect tourists, they do happen. It’s a difficult part of life for many Puerto Ricans.
Tap Water. Tap water is generally safe for consumption around the island.
Tropical Weather. Puerto Rico experiences tropical weather. Carry an umbrella incase of afternoon and evening rain storms. Tropical storms and hurricanes are possible from June through November with September through October being the most active.
Swimming. Mind the warning signs and red flags advising about dangerous ocean currents. Pay attention to where others are and are not swimming.
Sun Protection. The harsh UV is dangerous in Puerto Rico. Wear sun block when outside, even on cloudy days.
Insect Repellent. Mosquitos are prevalent across the island with mosquito borne illnesses on the rise. Wear insect repellant to minimize bites.
Clothing. Shorts and tank tops are generally acceptable to wear, keep the swimwear for the beach and plan to change into pants while dining out or visiting local spots.
Elsewhere in Puerto Rico
From vibrant cities and rainforest hikes to surf breaks and mountain landscapes, explore more of Puerto Rico beyond its offshore islands through these travel guides:
San Juan Puerto Rico Travel Guide: Beaches, Food & Local Culture. Wander between San Juan's sunny beaches, lively plazas and colorful neighborhoods while experiencing the food, music and culture that makes Puerto Rico unique.
Old San Juan Travel Guide: Historic Streets, Food & Colonial Charm. Stroll through Old San Juan's cobblestone streets, historic forts and colorful architecture while discovering the colonial charm of Puerto Rico's most iconic neighborhood.
Eastern Puerto Rico Travel Guide: El Yunque, Bioluminescent Bays & Beaches. Explore Eastern Puerto Rico's lush El Yunque rainforest, glowing bioluminescent bays and tropical beaches where island adventures and local culture converge.
Western Puerto Rico Travel Guide: Rincón, Beaches & Surfing. Chase waves and sunsets across Western Puerto Rico's tropical beaches, sleepy surf towns and coastal landscapes where island life and adventure converge.
Southwestern Puerto Rico Travel Guide: Cabo Rojo, La Parguera & Beyond. Journey through Southwestern Puerto Rico where historic towns, Caribbean cayos, pristine beaches, bioluminescent bays and dry forests reflect the island’s diverse character.
Central Puerto Rico Travel Guide: Mountains, Hiking & Taino Sites. Discover Central Puerto Rico's lush mountain landscapes, waterfalls, ancient cave systems, scenic hiking trails and Taíno archaeological sites beyond the island's beaches.
Ponce Puerto Rico Travel Guide: History, Architecture & Local Culture. Experience Ponce's historic architecture, cultural landmarks, Taíno archaeological sites and annual carnival traditions in Puerto Rico's Pearl of the South.
Vieques Puerto Rico Travel Guide: Mosquito Bay, Beaches & Island Adventures. Island hop to Vieques to experience the bioluminescent waters of Mosquito Bay, wild horses and black sand beaches on an unforgettable island adventure.
