Culebra Island

The basics

Culebra Island ranks among the most popular day trip destinations from mainland Puerto Rico. Tours typically transport you by high-speed catamaran from Fajardo, and tend to include snorkel stops, a buffet lunch, and time to relax on the beach and swim. From Culebra, you can access smaller island destinations such as Culebrita and Cayo Luis Pena—for which a permit is required—by taking a public water taxi from the main town.

Things to know before you go

• Don’t forget to pack a bathing suit, beach towel, and reef-safe sunscreen.
• The island is home to a few restaurants and small hotels for those who’d like to stay overnight.
• Flamenco Beach has lifeguards, making it the best choice for families visiting with younger kids.

How to get there

Culebra is 20 miles (32 kilometers) off the coast of Fajardo on the eastern side of Puerto Rico. The only way to get there is by boat or small plane. Boats typically depart from Puerto Del Rey Marina in Fajardo.

When to get there

The best weather for soaking up the sun occurs between mid-April and June, which also happens to be the best time to spot sea turtles on the island’s beaches. Weather is often better during the winter months of December and January, but expect Flamenco Beach to be crowded during this time. 

Isla Culebrita

This small, uninhabited island just off the coast of Culebra sits within a national wildlife refuge. Accessible via a short boat ride, the island features six small beaches and an old lighthouse—one of the oldest lighthouses in the Caribbean. Wild sea turtles frequent the area; you can often see them nesting in the sand or swimming offshore.

Ways to explore

Culebra Island is one of the most popular day trips from mainland Puerto Rico. Tours typically start with a high-speed catamaran ride from Fajardo, and may include snorkel stops, a buffet lunch, and time to relax on the beach and swim. You can also take a ferry or fly to the tiny Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport. You pay a small fee to enter the island, which is usually included with your ferry or plane ticket.

From Culebra, you can access smaller island destinations and cays—such as Culebrita, part of Culebra’s National Wildlife Refuge—by taking a public water taxi from the main town.

Accessibility

Culebra isn’t fully wheelchair accessible. While some ferries are ADA-compliant and allow service animals, the island features rugged terrain and dirt roads.

Age limits

All ages are welcome, though parents might find it difficult to navigate the island’s terrain with strollers. Only some of the island’s ground transportation options offer car seats.

What to pack

Snorkel gear, reef-safe sunscreen, flip-flops, seasickness medication (the ferry ride is short, but can be bumpy)

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, hat, swimsuit

Not allowed

Glass bottles on the beaches, children under the age of 18 traveling alone on the ferry

Amenities

Rental vehicles, taxis, eateries, hotels, villas

Address 

There are a few different options for getting to Culebra: take the ferry, fly, or book a catamaran tour. You can’t reach the island by car, but you can drive to the airport or to the ferry dock.

Driving

From San Juan, you can drive to the Ceiba Ferry Terminal (Terminal de Lanchas de Ceiba), located at the former Roosevelt Roads Naval Base (near Fajardo), in about 1.5 hours. Paid parking is available at the terminal. You can also drive and park at San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), then fly to Culebra’s Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport (approximately 40 minutes).

Public transportation

The ferry is the only form of public transportation available; it costs a few US dollars each way, and you must purchase your tickets in advance and get there early. Once you get on the ferry, the ride is around 45 minutes.

Best times to visit

Head to Culebra in the morning to maximize your time and stay the whole day. Most guided tours are day trips that leave early in the morning to spend a full day on the island.

Best days to visit

If you can visit Culebra on a weekday, it will be less crowded, as most residents head there on Saturdays and Sundays.

Best months to visit

Puerto Rico enjoys its warm and dry season from December to April; however, Culebra is typically busiest then, and planning a trip for the shoulder seasons may mean you’ll have decent weather with fewer crowds. Avoid visiting during hurricane season, which occurs from June to November—this is when storms may disrupt your trip.

Special events

Culebra is a quiet island, so don’t expect a big calendar of events. However, the locals do celebrate the Carnaval Culebrense in August.