Dewey
Village, ferryGuesthouses and restaurants.
Island guide
Things to do in Culebra
A small island east of Puerto Rico: Flamenco Beach, regularly ranked among the best in the world, snorkelling with turtles at Tamarindo, the cays of the Culebrita refuge, and a laid-back village with no traffic lights.
1
Village
2–3
Days
One of the world's best beaches
Culebra is a small, hilly island about 30 kilometres east of the main island, home to around 1,800 people. Like Vieques, it was used by the US Navy for training until the 1970s, and an old tank still rusts on the sand at Flamenco Beach.
Flamenco, a long horseshoe of white sand and clear turquoise water, is the reason most people come. But the island also has reefs and seagrass beds where turtles feed, and most of its coast is protected as a national wildlife refuge.
The only village, Dewey, is small and relaxed. Day trips are popular, but staying a night or two is better. Give Culebra two or three days.
Where to base yourself
Dewey, the village by the ferry dock, has most guesthouses and food; Flamenco Beach has a campground.
Flamenco
Beach, campingThe famous beach and campground.
East coast
QuietZoni and rentals.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do on Culebra
Spend a day at Flamenco Beach, and see the old tanks left by the Navy. Snorkel with turtles at Playa Tamarindo and Melones, and at Playa Carlos Rosario, a walk from Flamenco.
Take a water taxi or kayak tour to Culebrita, a small island in the refuge with a lighthouse, beaches and natural pools.
Visit Zoni beach on the east coast, a turtle nesting beach, and explore by golf cart.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
The beaches are free, although Flamenco charges for parking. Snorkelling from the shore costs nothing if you bring gear.
Walking Dewey is free.
Water taxis, golf carts and tours charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Food kiosks at Flamenco serve empanadillas and fritters for €3 to €8. Dewey's restaurants serve seafood and burgers for €12 to €25.
There are a few small grocery shops; bring snacks from the main island if you can.
Tipping works as in the US: 15 to 20 per cent in restaurants and bars.
Nightlife
Going out
Culebra is quiet, with a few bars in Dewey.
Nights are for stars and early starts.
A beer costs €3 to €6.
Getting around
Getting around
Ferries run from Ceiba to Dewey; they are cheap but seats sell out and schedules change, so book ahead online and allow a buffer. Small planes fly from San Juan and Ceiba.
On the island, rent a golf cart or jeep, or use the públicos (shared vans) to Flamenco.
Costs
What Culebra costs
Beds start at around €50 to €90 a night, mostly guesthouses; the Flamenco campground is the budget option. Meals cost €3 to €25.
Golf cart hire costs about €60 to €90 a day, a Culebrita trip about €40 to €80, and the ferry a few euros.
Puerto Rico uses the US dollar. There are only one or two ATMs; bring cash.
Safety
Safety and scams
Culebra is safe and relaxed. Use reef-safe sunscreen and keep your distance from turtles.
The ferry crossing can be rough, and services can be cancelled in bad weather; leave a buffer before flights home.
Tap water is generally safe to drink, but buy bottled water after storms or outages. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Cays and beaches.
Flamenco Beach
World-famous beach.
Vieques
Mosquito Bay.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The season.
Roughly April to September
Turtle nesting
Zoni and Flamenco
Leatherbacks and hawksbills.
December to April
Dry season
Culebra
Best weather.
March or April
Holy Week
Culebra
Very busy.
When to go
December to April is dry and busy. May to November is hotter and wetter, and hurricane season runs from June to November. Weekends and holidays fill the ferries.
Jan
Dry, busy
Feb
Dry
Mar
Dry
Apr
Easter
May
Rain
Jun
Hurricane season opens
Jul
Summer
Aug
Peak risk
Sep
Highest risk
Oct
Hurricane season
Nov
Season ending
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Warm all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Culebra prices.
Treat these as a guide. Beds are pricier than on the main island.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Culebra questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get to Culebra?
By ferry from Ceiba or a small plane from San Juan or Ceiba.
Is Flamenco Beach worth it?
Yes, it is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
Can I day trip to Culebra?
Yes, but a night or two is better.
Where can I snorkel with turtles?
At Tamarindo and Melones.
Is there camping?
Yes, at the Flamenco campground.
How many days do I need?
Two to three.
When is the best time to visit?
December to April.
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