Travel to Culebra

We’ve traveled many times to the BVI via STT and realized private travel is the ultimate way to go over the ferry. We’re looking at a trip to PR and are weighing options to Culebra. Cape Air obviously presents the quickest turn, but a $2.50 ferry from Ceiba has us questioning paying the higher ticket. What is the taxi and ferry like from San Juan, and is it worth the upcharge to catch the flight? We will be traveling with 3 kids, two under 2, but not adverse to a little adventure if it’s worth the ride.

Hello Boonbox, we don’t have any experience in traveling to Culebra, but there is an American couple from Florida that has a sailing YouTube channel named GBU ( sailing the good the bad and the ugly), I know that sounds bad but there quite funny. They have a whole series of videos on Culebra and the surrounding islands. They also have extensive videos on their ferry rides to and from the mainland and explains quite a bit about it. I thought you might want to view there video’s to give you a first hand experience of how the ferry operates.
Just a suggestion, I thought this might help you out some.

It is a bit of work to take the ferry. The taxi is not cheap, but I have not done that since Roosevelt Roads was open. Last we looked at the option, there were flat fee shuttles that were in the $100 range.

Cheers, RickG

Thank you, I'll check it out!

Other options:

Air Flamenco out of Isla Grande Airport. It's a quick $25 cab ride from SJU. Or out of Ceiba, an hour taxi ride at $100.

Taxi Aereo is a charter company that flies from Isla Grande Airport or Ceiba Airport to Culebra.

I have flown and taken the ferry. I much prefer the flight.

In general, it's recommended to fly over because even if you buy a ticket (at https://www.puertoricoferry.com/en/) you aren't guaranteed a seat. Puerto Rico residents are given priority, so it's entirely possible that you will be bumped and cooling your heels at the ferry terminal with 3 kids. I will also say that it seems that the ferries are a rough ride. Even if you don't get seasick, there's a good possibility that someone else on your ferry will! They're not really like the USVI-BVI ferries--I've seen video and on the passenger/cargo ferries you're stuck below decks with no windows and when it starts rolling...

You can fly from Ceiba, Isla Grande, and SJU on Cape Air (SJU only), Air Flamenco, and Vieques Air Link. SJU flights are usually a little more expensive but the way the flights work, you might as well just go for the times that are best for you because they all cost about the same depending on origin. Once when we went to Vieques with a group of 5 adults I made a whole spreadsheet of times and costs and we flew out of Ceiba, but I am admittedly a little nuts. On our most recent and our upcoming Culebra trip we're doing Isla Grande on the way down and Cape Air to SJU on the way back. Since you have two lap-sized kids, I'd check with the airlines about the best way to do it. They are genuinely tiny planes and the Culebra landing is an adventure!

At the end of the day, what you get in exchange for all that planning and math is a really spectacular vacation. Culebra is right at the edge of not developed enough and developed just enough. It's certainly not overly busy! Because so many people from Puerto Rico head over with their families for their vacations/long weekends, there are probably lots of places to stay that will be very kid-friendly.

Thank you for your thorough reply. From your statement and what I've read, it seems the flight is well worth it.

Follow up question. There's a debate between our group. We're looking at a 5 night trip and where to stay has been stay in a more vacation rental home with a pool a little removed from the town, or stay on Flemenco beach? I think flemenco is a big draw for some in our party, but I get the feeling that it is a main attraction for those visiting the area and would be quite busy for our stay. When you stay on the island do you tend to look for more exclusive lodging?

Thanks for all your help

Private house with a poll and rental jeep or jeeps for the duration.

We have friends who love to stay on Flamenco Beach on Culebra. But, there are other beaches and attractions. Flamenco Beach is very busy mid-day. But I am with Capt. Jay, house with a pool and jeeps. It is a small island and everything is close.

Cheers, RickG

The Flamenco apartments are all quite rustic, which doesn't necessarily bother us, but if you're accustomed to a more upscale and private experience you may not love them. I think there may be one villa on the eastern side of the bay? Regardless, I agree that a villa or apartment elsewhere on the island may be a better idea, pool or no pool. Flamenco is a big bay and sometimes gets hit with sargassum on the west side by the tanks, which can ruin the fun of a beachfront rental very quickly. It's also fairly busy (but only by Culebra standards--it's not the Jersey Shore, honest!). And if you're sitting on a nice beach, you may just stay there and miss out on many of the other great parts of the island.

We're just a couple and generally stay in apartments/condos pretty much everywhere unless we go with a larger group instead of just the two of us. We're staying above Melones this trip and are incredibly excited because we'll have a huge, panoramic view ranging from Cayo Luis Pena to town and beyond. No pool, but without kids it's not really something we end up using very much when we have one.

I'm happy to report back in a few weeks! Our next trip is coming up very soon and I absolutely cannot wait.