Culebra–Secluded Paradise
Written: May 11 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Absolute quiet and relaxation at off-peak times.
Cons: Few restaurants, no nightlife.
The Bottom Line: For those who enjoy the thrill of exploring a small island, this no frills destination is ideal.
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| whatsapili's Full Review: Culebra |
Culebra is a wonderful choice for anyone looking for a quiet, relaxing vacation away from the tourist scene. Avoid holidays, and you’ll have the beaches all to yourself. My boyfriend and I arrived Labor Day Monday as everyone else was returning to mainland Puerto Rico after their four-day vacation.
We took the ferry from Fajardo. Unknowingly, we boarded the cargo ferry instead of the passenger ferry. Don’t make this mistake! The cargo ferry is a much rougher ride and takes 45 minutes longer than the passenger ferry, which takes an hour. The round trip fare was $4.50. I believe the ferries leave twice a day, but call several times in advance to confirm, as Puerto Rican time is a bit unreliable.
We arrived to find a taxi driver at the Culebra port who drove us to our guesthouse on Flamenco Beach (a ten-minute ride). To say Flamenco Beach is beautiful is a severe understatement. The water was a gorgeous blue. The mile-long horseshoe-shaped beach was dotted with only three other people as far as the eye could see. That first sighting will take your breath away.
There are only two places to stay on Flamenco Beach. Ours, Culebra Beach Guesthouse, was very bare bones (no television, no telephone), but the room was more than adequate. The place was run by a very friendly man who was the owner’s brother.
By 4:30 we were so hungry we ate at the only place offering food on Flamenco Beach––an outdoor hamburger hut next door with a very limited menu. We soon learned that after this time it is very difficult to get a cab from Flamenco Beach into town, and there’s no way to walk the distance.
The next day we rented a Jeep from Jerry’s Rentals. I recommend this as the best way to see all the beaches the island has to offer: Zoni Beach, Luis Pena Canal Natural Reserve (pretty tricky to get here–it’s a 20-minute hike after you park your car), and several others I didn’t have time to visit. Jerry also rents snorkeling gear and will give you detailed instructions on how to get to the best snorkeling sites.
Before you leave, don’t forget to eat at Mamacita’s for dinner––a great open-air restaurant right on the bay. I’m already planning my return!
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
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Epinions.com ID:
whatsapili
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
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