Culebra, Puerto Rico Travel Guide

With countless direct flights and no passport needed for U.S. travelers, Puerto Rico is one of the most convenient and affordable destinations for a Caribbean beach vacation. But those searching for the best beach in Puerto Rico will have to go a little further than San Juan to Playa Flamenco in Culebra, considered one of the best beaches in the world.

The island of Culebra, a municipality of Puerto Rico located just 20 miles off the island’s eastern coast, has much more to offer than just its most famous stretch of sand. “Though Playa Flamenco steals the spotlight, the island is well-rounded with great food, friendly people, and a laidback vibe, and has too many beautiful, bare beaches to count,” says Jorge Montalvo, founder and CEO of Patria Tours. “I can’t think of a better beach destination in the Caribbean.”

The countless locals packing the ferry and toting beach chairs and coolers filled with Medalla are the ultimate confirmation that the journey to Culebra is well worth the effort. Crack a coconut and sink into the sand, or cruise the island coast to coast in just 25 minutes. Either way, you’re in for raw beaches and untouched landscapes that feel increasingly hard to find in the Caribbean.

Best Places to Stay

Aleli Cottages

Colorful Caribbean bungalows, some fitting up to eight guests, dot the 33-acre hillside property at Aleli Cottages. Stripped down and simple, “the cottages are cool, but the view is even better,” says Joshua Diaz, founder of Wander Camp Puerto Rico, rating it the top place to stay on the island. Rooms reveal sweeping vistas overlooking the nearby island of Cayo Luis Peña, which perfectly frames each spectacular sunset.

Villa Flamenco Beach

“There are surprisingly few places to stay near the famous Playa Flamenco,” says Montalvo. The colorful Villa Flamenco Beach is one of them, ticking every box for an extended beach stay with kitchenettes, a barbeque grill in the backyard for guests, and plenty of beach chairs, all within steps of the sand. “It’s my favorite place to stay on Culebra, and one I’ll always come back to,” he says.

Club Seabourne Hotel

While Culebra is best known for its simple guesthouse and villa rentals, Club Seabourne Hotel is a great choice for travelers looking for the conveniences and amenities of a boutique hotel. Daily à la carte breakfast and transfers from the airport or ferry terminal are included in the room rate, as is the use of bicycles and kayaks. Set in a tranquil cove on Culebra’s southern coast, it feels conveniently close to the best of the island while peacefully secluded.

Villa Pelicano

A tranquil inlet lined with mangroves and dotted with cottages hides Villa Pelicano, a six-bedroom vacation villa ideal for families and groups of friends. The property’s private dock is appealing whether you’re sailing in from the mainland or are simply looking forward to spending lazy days by the water. A breezy, shaded deck complete with hammocks and an outdoor kitchen means you’ll be spending most of your stay outdoors.

Best Things to Do

Soak up the sun on Playa Flamenco.

A perfect crescent of sugar-fine sand meets crystal-clear waters at Playa Flamenco, a beach so breathtaking you’ll marvel that it’s still so untouched. Nearly waveless waters make it the perfect spot for families, and beach amenities like showers, changing facilities, and bathrooms make it ideal for long, lovely days on the sand. Playa Flamenco bears a unique feature that stands as a testament to the island’s past as a U.S. Navy munitions testing and training site: an abandoned tank, now covered in colorful graffiti, sits on the west side of the sand.

Snorkel with sea turtles.

Dozens of dive sites replete with rays, colorful fish, and coral make Culebra a coveted destination for divers, but there is plenty to see even just a few feet under the water. Rent snorkeling gear from Culebra Divers and head to the protected waters of the Reserva Natural Canal de Luis Peña on the western side of the island for the best chance to swim alongside sea turtles. They’re particularly fond of munching the sea grasses near the shore at Playa Tamarino and Playa Melones.

Hike to Playa Resaca.

A hidden trailhead and a small parking lot off Highway 250 on the north side of Culebra leads beachgoers to Playa Resaca, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. “It’s a journey to get to, but it’s gorgeous, and you’ll have it all to yourself,” says Diaz of the mile-long stretch of golden sand. The hike is only about 30 minutes, but it’s nothing to scoff at, so come prepared with sturdy, close-toed shoes.

Explore Culebrita.

If you thought the beaches on Culebra were bare and unblemished, just wait until you see Culebrita, an uninhabited islet off the island’s eastern coast. No ferries reach the island, so you’ll have to take a water taxi or private charter to the island known for Tortuga Beach, where sea turtles nest near clear waters. Despite its tiny size, it’s one of the best places to visit in Puerto Rico.

Visit Museo Histórico de Culebra El Polvorín. 

“I recommend visiting Culebra’s museum if you’re looking for a bit of a break from the beach or are curious to learn a little more about the island’s Indigenous roots and modern history,” says Montalvo of the Museo Histórico de Culebra El Polvorín. The museum occupies the building once used by the U.S. Navy for housing munitions and features everything from Taíno pottery to exhibits detailing the history of the U.S. military presence on the island.

Best Restaurants

Dinghy Dock

Just a few blocks from Culebra’s ferry terminal, the waterfront Dinghy Dock is an obligatory first stop for every visitor to the island. This colorful eatery hoisted above the harbor serves hearty portions of classic Puerto Rican dishes, heavy on the seafood and accompanied by cold beers and live music in the evenings.

Blac Flamingo Coffee

Blac Flamingo Coffee is the only cafe of its kind on the island, with an impressive array of coffees and sweet and savory options for breakfast and brunch. The cozy indoor space and colorful mural outside give a cosmopolitan cool to an otherwise laid-back Caribbean cafe.

Susie’s

A breezy outdoor dining space illuminated by string lights and surrounded by vegetation makes a meal at Susie’s feel like coming home. This popular eatery is famous for its lobster tail and fresh fish but has a wide-ranging menu of refined island favorites. Reservations recommended.

Zaco’s Tacos

Mexican street food favorites are forged in Caribbean flavor at Zaco’s Tacos near the waterfront facing Ensenada Honda. Frequent live music and free-flowing margaritas make it one of the most beloved spots on the island for dinner and drinks.

Areas to Visit

Ensenada Honda

The area around Ensenada Honda (in English, “Deep Cove”) is the main commercial heart of the island, where ferries and flights disembark, and shops, restaurants, and residences dot the coastline and hillside. However, don’t expect a bustling metropolis; Culebra has just over 1,000 permanent residents, lending even the busiest streets that friendly, small-town feel. Travelers looking for convenience will find it a great place to stay.

Playa Flamenco

Located on the northern shore of Culebra, Playa Flamenco feels anything but built-up and busy despite being the island’s main attraction. Immediately surrounding the beach are just a few tiny cottages and vacation rentals and only enough places to eat and drink to count on one hand. A large parking area and well-maintained beach amenities like showers and changing rooms mean many visitors are in and out.

The West Coast

Facing the protected waters of the Reserva Natural Canal de Luis Peña, the west coast of Culebra is home to some of the island’s most beautiful beaches. Protected from waves and wake by the uninhabited island Cayo Luis Peña just offshore, beaches like Playa Tamarindo, Playa Tamarindo Grande, and Playa Carlos Rosario are some of the best on the island for snorkeling and sunning, “but get just a fraction of the visitors at Playa Flamenco,” says Diaz.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Culebra is between December and May when the island enjoys sunny skies and warm weather with gentle breezes, perfect for a beach day. Prices are slightly higher during these months, though not drastically so, as more visitors escape colder weather back home, but locals tend to visit in the summer months.

The island’s location makes it susceptible to tropical weather during hurricane season, which lasts from June through the end of November. Even when storms or hurricanes steer clear of the island, the season is generally marked by warmer, wetter weather.

How to Get There

By Ferry

For just a few dollars, travelers can book tickets for the 45-minute ferry to Culebra that embarks from Ceiba, just an hour’s drive east of San Juan. Passengers can book tickets in advance online or purchase them directly from the ferry terminal, and they are recommended to arrive one hour in advance of their departure time.

By Plane

Culebra receives direct flights from San Juan, Ceiba, and the nearby island of Vieques at the tiny Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport (CPX) near Ensenada Honda. Cape Air offers flights directly from San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), but additional carriers like Vieques Air Link fly the 25-minute route out of San Juan’s smaller Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (SIG). Private charter planes from leading regional providers like Tradewind Aviation fly directly to Culebra for those looking to skip the hassle altogether.

How to Get Around

Culebra’s tiny size makes navigating the island a breeze. Taxis are the easiest way for most visitors to get around, especially those who plan on sticking to popular destinations like Playa Flamenco. Those looking to explore with a bit more freedom can rent Jeeps, vans, and even all-terrain golf carts at Jerry’s Jeep Rental. “The island is small enough that many people explore it all exclusively by golf cart,” explains Diaz. “It’s popular, convenient, and of course, a lot of fun.”