FAQs
Should I take the ferry or fly?
We strongly recommend that you fly. Flying is the most reliable—and least time-consuming—way to get to Culebra. The ferry system historically has been unreliable, especially for non-residents. Air Flamenco and Cape Air (beginning April 10, 2019) offer direct flights from San Juan Airport (SJU) to Culebra. Contact Air Flamenco at 787-724-1105 or https://airflamenco.net/ or Cape Air at 800-227-3247 or https://www.capeair.com.
Air Flamenco and Vieques Air Link (787-741-8331 or http://www.viequesairlink.com/) offer less expensive regular flights from Isla Grande Airport, south of Old San Juan, which is a short taxi ride away from the international airport (SJU), depending on traffic. From Ceiba on Puerto Rico's east coast, both Air Flamenco and Vieques Air Link offer flights to Culebra. All of these are small planes (Britten Islanders and Cessna Caravans), and baggage weight restrictions apply. Check schedules at Air Flamenco and Vieques Air Link.
The Ferry is much cheaper than flying, but service can be unreliable and schedules are approximate. Especially in summer months and holiday weekends (see listing of Puerto Rican holidays), it can be difficult to get a ticket at the counter in Ceiba. You can purchase a ticket online up to a month in advance and have it delivered via email at www.porferry.com/. The current schedule is also posted there, along with information on luggage charges. Schedules are also posted here. Regardless of official hours, the Ceiba ticket office seems to open about an hour before a ferry's scheduled departure. If you arrive in Ceiba to take the ferry, don't be shy about asking officials and other passengers for current information.
There is both a passenger ferry (faster) and a cargo ferry (slower) that takes both cars and foot passengers. The cargo ferry ride is about an hour and a half, while the faster passenger ferries take about 45 minutes. Passengers have seen interesting sea birds, and (on occasion) turtles and dolphins. If you sometimes get seasick, be advised that the crossing can be rough.
You can take a taxi from San Juan to the ferry dock in Ceiba for about $80-$90 one-way. If you can, find other travelers to share the cost. Note that many rental car companies will not allow you to take their cars on the ferry (and the ferry employees sometimes check registration); some rental car companies allow you to rent one-way San Juan to Ceiba if you're coming back by the same means. Otherwise, paid parking lots are available in Ceiba close to the ferry terminal.
Should I rent a car, golf cart, or bike on Culebra?
It all depends on the kind of vacation you want to have. You can get to town and the major beaches (Flamenco, Tamarindo, Melones, Zoni) via publico (minibus) or taxi. Guests who enjoy walking often simply hike along the road to Flamenco, Tamarindo, and town. It can get hot, however, and it can also rain!
Renting a jeep gives you access to all of the beaches, and gives you a way to carry a cooler, water, snorkel gear, and so on. 4-person golf carts (available at both Carlos Jeeps: Carlos Jeep Rental ($45/day plus fees) and Jerry's Jeeps ($45/day plus fees ((787) 742-0587 or 742-0526) are great for getting to town, Flamenco, Tamarindo, and Melones, but Carlos Jeeps warns golf cart renters away from places like Zoni and Punta Soldado because of the steep hills.
Jerry's Jeeps ((787) 742-0587 or 742-0526) rents Jeeps as well as golf carts and is a bit cheaper than Carlos Jeeps. Both rental places are very close to the airport terminal. Another option for golf carts is Culebra UTV Rental ($45/all day; $55/24hrs.; (939) 400-0753 or (787) 525-5456), located about halfway between the airport and The Lighthouse.
Avis rents compact SUVs ($70/day) and Jeeps ($90/day): (787) 742-3000 or reserve at their website: Avis Car Rental . Passenger cars, if available, are a bit cheaper, and can get to most places on the island.
If you arrange it in advance, Carlos Jeeps, Avis, and Culebra UTV rentals will pick you up at the ferry.
If you're in reasonable shape, a bike can get you around town and to Flamenco Beach (one serious hill), Tamarindo Beach (add another short but steep hill), or Melones (one short, steep hill). You can carry a cooler or gear on the bike rack, but be prepared for rain or for getting thirsty and tired after a day at the beach. A bike trip to Zoni Beach, even though it looks short on the map (5.8 miles from The Lighthouse), can be challenging. Some of our younger guests have enjoyed the ride, especially if they walk their bikes up the steeper hills; others have found it quite tiring. For bike rentals, call Ramti at 787-645-5355.
Where can we eat?
For dinner, places like El Eden and Susie's offer $20-$30 entrées (best to call for reservations at both). Mamacita's has a great location in town along the canal. Heather's Pizza in town offers affordable daily specials, drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere. The Dinghy Dock, located across the bridge in town and right on the bay, has a fun bar and serves great appetizers as well as entrées in the $17-$25 range. Also across the bridge and to the right, Caracoles has comfortable indoor seating and $20-$30 entrées. In town, Zaco's Tacos has great Mexican food and good drinks. A ten-minute walk from The Lighthouse will take you to Harspoon's, the best new restaurant on the island (with the best mofongo!), located up the road from the Ecological School. Nina's (Nina Island Cuisine) is located on the road into town and gets consistently great reviews.
Jacki Sea's (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) is located in town across from the ferry dock, near Hotel Kokomo.
The Krusty Krab is located near Banco Popular in town. Fresh seafood is featured, but there are many other items on the menu.
It's worth a trip up to the Sunset Grill, which has an unequaled view of (you guessed it) the sunset from its ridge-top perch two roads above the road The Lighthouse is on. Ask for directions; it's not a long drive, but finding the right road is a bit tricky.
Lunch is available at most restaurants, and also at the kiosks at Flamenco Beach (open weekends and also daily in the high season). La Pista, just a couple of blocks from The Lighthouse, has the best chicken on the island. Vibra Verde, in the center of town, is another great option for healthy eats. The Dinghy Dock serves lunch as well as dinner and breakfast.
Tiki's Grill (breakfast, lunch, and dinner; BYOB) is a local favorite and has outdoor deck seating as well as takeout. It's on Route 250 on the way to Zoni Beach, about a half-mile past the end of the airport runway, on the left.
Breakfast is available at Tiki's, the Dinghy Dock across the bridge from town, Pan Deli in town, and La Pista, which is about 2 blocks from The Lighthouse. (La Pista happily serves local truck drivers, construction workers, airline pilots, and tourists!)
The best grocery store on the island, Costa del Sol, is a block away from The Lighthouse. Here you can find cereal and milk, juice, fruit, ice cream, ice for your cooler (and beer for same), wine, rum, bug spray, sunscreen, and other basics. Most grocery stores close early on Sundays.
Where can I snorkel/dive? Where can I rent equipment?
Favorite spots for snorkeling and diving are Tamarindo Beach (especially off to the left, near the rocks) where turtles are often seen, Carlos Rosario Beach and Tamarindo Grande, a fairly easy 20-minute hike from the left-hand end of the parking lot at Flamenco Beach, and Melones, a short drive from the ferry dock and the hospital in town. For the more adventuresome, Punta Soldado, at the southern tip of the island, is a beautiful but remote spot accessible by a steep dirt road.
Be aware that you may encounter sea urchins and their seriously painful spines at all these places, so wear reef shoes or full-heel flippers, and don't touch things with your hands!
Divers can arrange to charter a boat for a day or a part-day. Information is available through Culebra Divers, below.
We recommend Culebra Divers (located opposite the ferry dock and next to Ricky's gas station in town) for good-quality rental equipment, fitting, and advice.
How can I get to Culebrita?
A day trip to the nearby island of Culebrita, with its lighthouse, beaches, and tidal rock pools, is well worth considering. Culebrita is accessible by boat from Culebra, weather permitting. It's best to hire a boat well ahead of time. Prices vary, but the per-person cost is lower if the boat's captain can bring a larger group. We recommend the knowledgeable and reliable Captain Louis Padron and his motorized catamaran Flash Gordon: (787) 376-9988.
We strongly recommend that you fly. Flying is the most reliable—and least time-consuming—way to get to Culebra. The ferry system historically has been unreliable, especially for non-residents. Air Flamenco and Cape Air (beginning April 10, 2019) offer direct flights from San Juan Airport (SJU) to Culebra. Contact Air Flamenco at 787-724-1105 or https://airflamenco.net/ or Cape Air at 800-227-3247 or https://www.capeair.com.
Air Flamenco and Vieques Air Link (787-741-8331 or http://www.viequesairlink.com/) offer less expensive regular flights from Isla Grande Airport, south of Old San Juan, which is a short taxi ride away from the international airport (SJU), depending on traffic. From Ceiba on Puerto Rico's east coast, both Air Flamenco and Vieques Air Link offer flights to Culebra. All of these are small planes (Britten Islanders and Cessna Caravans), and baggage weight restrictions apply. Check schedules at Air Flamenco and Vieques Air Link.
The Ferry is much cheaper than flying, but service can be unreliable and schedules are approximate. Especially in summer months and holiday weekends (see listing of Puerto Rican holidays), it can be difficult to get a ticket at the counter in Ceiba. You can purchase a ticket online up to a month in advance and have it delivered via email at www.porferry.com/. The current schedule is also posted there, along with information on luggage charges. Schedules are also posted here. Regardless of official hours, the Ceiba ticket office seems to open about an hour before a ferry's scheduled departure. If you arrive in Ceiba to take the ferry, don't be shy about asking officials and other passengers for current information.
There is both a passenger ferry (faster) and a cargo ferry (slower) that takes both cars and foot passengers. The cargo ferry ride is about an hour and a half, while the faster passenger ferries take about 45 minutes. Passengers have seen interesting sea birds, and (on occasion) turtles and dolphins. If you sometimes get seasick, be advised that the crossing can be rough.
You can take a taxi from San Juan to the ferry dock in Ceiba for about $80-$90 one-way. If you can, find other travelers to share the cost. Note that many rental car companies will not allow you to take their cars on the ferry (and the ferry employees sometimes check registration); some rental car companies allow you to rent one-way San Juan to Ceiba if you're coming back by the same means. Otherwise, paid parking lots are available in Ceiba close to the ferry terminal.
Should I rent a car, golf cart, or bike on Culebra?
It all depends on the kind of vacation you want to have. You can get to town and the major beaches (Flamenco, Tamarindo, Melones, Zoni) via publico (minibus) or taxi. Guests who enjoy walking often simply hike along the road to Flamenco, Tamarindo, and town. It can get hot, however, and it can also rain!
Renting a jeep gives you access to all of the beaches, and gives you a way to carry a cooler, water, snorkel gear, and so on. 4-person golf carts (available at both Carlos Jeeps: Carlos Jeep Rental ($45/day plus fees) and Jerry's Jeeps ($45/day plus fees ((787) 742-0587 or 742-0526) are great for getting to town, Flamenco, Tamarindo, and Melones, but Carlos Jeeps warns golf cart renters away from places like Zoni and Punta Soldado because of the steep hills.
Jerry's Jeeps ((787) 742-0587 or 742-0526) rents Jeeps as well as golf carts and is a bit cheaper than Carlos Jeeps. Both rental places are very close to the airport terminal. Another option for golf carts is Culebra UTV Rental ($45/all day; $55/24hrs.; (939) 400-0753 or (787) 525-5456), located about halfway between the airport and The Lighthouse.
Avis rents compact SUVs ($70/day) and Jeeps ($90/day): (787) 742-3000 or reserve at their website: Avis Car Rental . Passenger cars, if available, are a bit cheaper, and can get to most places on the island.
If you arrange it in advance, Carlos Jeeps, Avis, and Culebra UTV rentals will pick you up at the ferry.
If you're in reasonable shape, a bike can get you around town and to Flamenco Beach (one serious hill), Tamarindo Beach (add another short but steep hill), or Melones (one short, steep hill). You can carry a cooler or gear on the bike rack, but be prepared for rain or for getting thirsty and tired after a day at the beach. A bike trip to Zoni Beach, even though it looks short on the map (5.8 miles from The Lighthouse), can be challenging. Some of our younger guests have enjoyed the ride, especially if they walk their bikes up the steeper hills; others have found it quite tiring. For bike rentals, call Ramti at 787-645-5355.
Where can we eat?
For dinner, places like El Eden and Susie's offer $20-$30 entrées (best to call for reservations at both). Mamacita's has a great location in town along the canal. Heather's Pizza in town offers affordable daily specials, drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere. The Dinghy Dock, located across the bridge in town and right on the bay, has a fun bar and serves great appetizers as well as entrées in the $17-$25 range. Also across the bridge and to the right, Caracoles has comfortable indoor seating and $20-$30 entrées. In town, Zaco's Tacos has great Mexican food and good drinks. A ten-minute walk from The Lighthouse will take you to Harspoon's, the best new restaurant on the island (with the best mofongo!), located up the road from the Ecological School. Nina's (Nina Island Cuisine) is located on the road into town and gets consistently great reviews.
Jacki Sea's (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) is located in town across from the ferry dock, near Hotel Kokomo.
The Krusty Krab is located near Banco Popular in town. Fresh seafood is featured, but there are many other items on the menu.
It's worth a trip up to the Sunset Grill, which has an unequaled view of (you guessed it) the sunset from its ridge-top perch two roads above the road The Lighthouse is on. Ask for directions; it's not a long drive, but finding the right road is a bit tricky.
Lunch is available at most restaurants, and also at the kiosks at Flamenco Beach (open weekends and also daily in the high season). La Pista, just a couple of blocks from The Lighthouse, has the best chicken on the island. Vibra Verde, in the center of town, is another great option for healthy eats. The Dinghy Dock serves lunch as well as dinner and breakfast.
Tiki's Grill (breakfast, lunch, and dinner; BYOB) is a local favorite and has outdoor deck seating as well as takeout. It's on Route 250 on the way to Zoni Beach, about a half-mile past the end of the airport runway, on the left.
Breakfast is available at Tiki's, the Dinghy Dock across the bridge from town, Pan Deli in town, and La Pista, which is about 2 blocks from The Lighthouse. (La Pista happily serves local truck drivers, construction workers, airline pilots, and tourists!)
The best grocery store on the island, Costa del Sol, is a block away from The Lighthouse. Here you can find cereal and milk, juice, fruit, ice cream, ice for your cooler (and beer for same), wine, rum, bug spray, sunscreen, and other basics. Most grocery stores close early on Sundays.
Where can I snorkel/dive? Where can I rent equipment?
Favorite spots for snorkeling and diving are Tamarindo Beach (especially off to the left, near the rocks) where turtles are often seen, Carlos Rosario Beach and Tamarindo Grande, a fairly easy 20-minute hike from the left-hand end of the parking lot at Flamenco Beach, and Melones, a short drive from the ferry dock and the hospital in town. For the more adventuresome, Punta Soldado, at the southern tip of the island, is a beautiful but remote spot accessible by a steep dirt road.
Be aware that you may encounter sea urchins and their seriously painful spines at all these places, so wear reef shoes or full-heel flippers, and don't touch things with your hands!
Divers can arrange to charter a boat for a day or a part-day. Information is available through Culebra Divers, below.
We recommend Culebra Divers (located opposite the ferry dock and next to Ricky's gas station in town) for good-quality rental equipment, fitting, and advice.
How can I get to Culebrita?
A day trip to the nearby island of Culebrita, with its lighthouse, beaches, and tidal rock pools, is well worth considering. Culebrita is accessible by boat from Culebra, weather permitting. It's best to hire a boat well ahead of time. Prices vary, but the per-person cost is lower if the boat's captain can bring a larger group. We recommend the knowledgeable and reliable Captain Louis Padron and his motorized catamaran Flash Gordon: (787) 376-9988.
