Flamenco beach on culebra island: Flamenco beach | Discover Puerto Rico
11 Best Culebra Beaches in 2022 (By a Puerto Rico Local)
A small island off the east coast of Puerto Rico, Culebra is an excellent destination if you want to spend your vacation beach hopping. I’m a Puerto Rican local, and I can tell you that Culebra is home to some of the top beaches in the country and even the world.
From beaches where you can swim with turtles to hidden coves in a nature reserve, this small island will make you fall in love with the Caribbean. There’s a reason why I included it in my list of top destinations in Puerto Rico!
If you’re a beach bum, then check out my picks for the 11 best beaches in Culebra, Puerto Rico.
Table of Contents
- 11 Best Beaches In/Near Culebra
- Flamenco Beach
- Tamarindo Beach
- Zoni Beach
- Brava Beach
- Luis Peña Beach
- Tortuga Beach
- Resaca Beach
- Carlos Rosario Beach
- Punta Soldado Beach
- Melones Beach
- Datiles Beach
- FAQs About Beaches in Culebra
- How many beaches are on Culebra?
- Is Culebra safe to visit?
- Is it safe to swim on the beaches of Culebra?
- What is the most beautiful beach on Culebra?
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11 Best Beaches In/Near Culebra
Flamenco Beach
Flamenco, Culebra
Google Maps | Parking: In front of the beach, $5 per car + $2 per person | Best Nearby Hotel: Palmetto Guesthouse
World-famous Flamenco Beach will be sure to impress. This beach, with intense turquoise waters and fine white sand, is worthy of a magazine cover. Flamenco Beach waters are ideal for swimming, accessing the beach is easy, and it has amenities like bathrooms and restaurants. You can also rent a beach chair and an umbrella for the day, if you’d like.
👉 Did you Know? Flamenco Beach is often considered one of the best beaches in the world and exploring it is one of the top activities in Puerto Rico.
Tamarindo Beach
Flamenco, Culebra
Google Maps | Parking: Free parking in front of the beach | Best Nearby Apartment Rental: Seahorse Villa
This is one of the best places for snorkeling in Puerto Rico.
Snorkeling enthusiasts should head straight to Tamarindo Beach, where they’ll find a beautiful rocky shore and a beach home to coral, manta rays, sea turtles, and plenty of tropical fish.
But even if you don’t have snorkel equipment, you can see the sea life through the clear water. There aren’t any facilities on the beach, but kayak rentals are available.
👉 Local Tip: If you want to take long walks along the shores of Culebra beaches, you’ll want to use water shoes. While Flamenco Beach has fine sand, Tamarindo, Punta Soldado, and Carlos Rosario have rocky shores. The Sobaso water shoes feature a strong non-slip rubber sole and are quick drying.
Zoni Beach
Fraile, Culebra
Google Maps | Parking: Free, but limited, parking in front of the beach | Best Apartment Rental: Luxury Modern Home
Home to enchanting crystal-clear turquoise waters, Zoni Beach is a long strip of sand to the north of Culebra.
Perfect for nature lovers, Zoni Beach’s best features are the uninterrupted sounds of birds, green scenery, slow calm waves bathing the shore, and the solitude of the Caribbean.
👉 Are You a Beach Bum? Then pin my list of the best beaches in Puerto Rico to your Google map!
Brava Beach
San Isidro, Culebra
Google Maps | Parking: Free parking 25-30 minutes away from the beach | Best Nearby Apartment Rental: Villa Ensenada Honda
While not a beach for swimming, Brava Beach offers that hidden beach feeling missing from some of the more popular beaches in Culebra. To get to it, you’ll have to hike around 30 minutes from the parking lot, but the reward is a secluded beach with golden sand, giant boulders, a horizon with Cayo Matojo, and the occasional surfer catching waves.
Luis Peña Beach
Cayo Luis Peña, Culebra
Google Maps
Located in Cayo Luis Peña and only reachable by boat, Luis Peña Beach is an unspoiled beach perfect for a family day trip full of snorkeling, swimming, long walks along the beach, or just beach bumming.
While there aren’t any amenities on the small cay, and you have to pay to get there, Luis Peña Beach is, without a doubt, one of the best beaches in Culebra, Puerto Rico.
Tortuga Beach
Culebrita, Culebra
Google Maps
Breathtaking in every possible way, Tortuga Beach is one of the best beaches in Culebra, but you can only reach it by taking a boat to Culebrita. Also known as Culebrita Beach or Turtle Beach, Tortuga Beach offers snorkeling and diving enthusiasts the chance to swim with sea turtles in crystalline calm waters. There aren’t any facilities, but most water taxi services provide everything necessary for a beach day.
Concerned About Safety? I’ve listed out my top safety tips in this Puerto Rico Safety Guide to prepare you for your vacation.
Resaca Beach
Flamenco, Culebra
Google Maps | Parking: Free parking 30 minutes away from the beach | Best Nearby Apartment Rental: Villa Ensenada Honda
One of the most secluded beaches in Culebra, Resaca Beach offers thrill and solitude for those willing to hike over 30 minutes through the Resaca Rocky Forest.
This hike includes climbing over boulders, crossing mangroves, and traversing uneven terrains, so come prepared! But the final reward is so worth it – a wild landscape with waves crashing over an unspoiled coast of golden sand where you can lay down and relax.
👉 Local Tip: Depending on the season you visit Puerto Rico, the beaches in Culebra might have stronger currents or be full of sargasso. Always check the local weather before swimming and keep out of the water if you’re the only person on the beach.
Carlos Rosario Beach
Flamenco, Culebra
Google Maps | Parking: In Flamenco Beach, $5 per car + $2 per person | Best Nearby Apartment Rental: Seahorse Villa
Carlos Rosario Beach has a unique personality with crystal clear waters home to diverse sea life and a coral reef. To get to Carlos Rosario, you’ll have to hike around 20 minutes from the parking lot in Flamenco Beach, but many people classify this as the best snorkeling spot in Culebra, Puerto Rico.
Getting to the reef can be a little tricky, so after exiting the trail, walk to the right and use Google Maps Satellite view. This is the best way to see the opening where you can enter the water to reach the coral reef.
👉 Local Tip: Occasionally, there are jellyfish on Carlos Rosario Beach and other Culebra beaches. It’s best practice to wear a full-body rash guard like the Cressi Skin full suit, that can protect you both against jellyfish and UV Rays.
Punta Soldado Beach
Playa Sardinas II, Culebra
Google Maps | Parking: Free parking close to the beach | Best Nearby Hotel: Club Seabourne Hotel
One of the most underrated beaches in Culebra, Punta Soldado Beach is great for snorkeling, swimming, diving, or relaxing while surrounded by the peaceful nature of the Caribbean. Since the road to the beach is somewhat bumpy and the beach itself has no facilities, Punta Soldado is often a secluded beach.
That said, it’s one of the most romantic spots to catch the sun setting on the horizon with your partner!
Melones Beach
Playa Sardinas I, Culebra
Google Maps | Parking: Free parking in front of the beach | Best Nearby Hotel: Club Seabourne Hotel
If Carlos Rosario, Flamenco Beach, or Tamarindo are too far north for you, then check out Melones Beach. It’s a great snorkeling beach close to downtown and is just a few minutes away from the ferry port. While you do have to be careful with the sea urchins on the shore, Melones has a reef full of marine life on the right rocky side, and you might even get to see sea turtles. This pebbly beach is also an amazing spot to see the sunset.
👉 Want More Beach Recommendations? My Vieques beach guide, Fajardo beach guide, and Rincon beach guide feature some more of Puerto Rico’s best sandy spots.
Datiles Beach
Playa Sardinas II, Culebra
Google Maps | Parking: Free parking close to the beach | Best Nearby Hotel: Club Seabourne Hotel
Datiles Beach might not be as popular as other Culebra’s beaches, but this beach is great for soaking in the water.
Datiles Beach boasts shallow waters with calm waves that form a wide natural pool that extends from the shore. The beach is ideal for kids and the elderly as it has a calm relaxing atmosphere the whole family can enjoy.
⛴️ Read Next: Getting to Culebra from San Juan
FAQs About Beaches in Culebra
How many beaches are on Culebra?
Culebra has a total of 111 beaches between the main island, the surrounding islands, and the cays.
Is Culebra safe to visit?
Culebra is a safe city for visitors, but travelers should always take precautions against robbery and pickpocketing.
Is it safe to swim on the beaches of Culebra?
Most Culebra beaches feature calm shallow waters ideal for swimming or snorkeling. Playa Resaca and Playa Brava have strong surfs and aren’t for swimming. Visitors should always check the local weather before swimming on Culebra’s beaches.
What is the most beautiful beach on Culebra?
Flamenco Beach is considered the most beautiful beach in Culebra and is often rated as one of the top beaches in the world.
***
Thanks for reading all about the best Culebra beaches! Rest assured that your Caribbean vacation in Culebra will be everything you dreamed of and you’ll never want to leave this small paradise.
But, in case you do, pin these other top Puerto Rico destinations on your map and take your vacation to the next level by road tripping the main island.
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12 Unforgettable Things to Do in Culebra, Puerto Rico (2022) – Trips To Discover
By
Alyssa Ochs
Our research is editorially independent but we
may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Culebra is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Puerto Rico because of its tropical island atmosphere and laid-back state of mind.
It’s just over 10 square miles in size and an ideal place to relax on the beach, get active in the water, and enjoy a tranquil pace of life. Here are some of the best things to do when you visit Culebra and fun suggestions on how to spend your vacation days here.
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Enjoy Flamenco Beach
Best Places to Stay
Nearby Activities
What Is It?: Flamenco Beach is the most popular places to visit in Culebra and also one of the best beaches in the entire Caribbean. It features lovely sand and water, as well as restrooms, shade trees, picnic tables, and equipment for rent.
Why Do It?: The waters feature different and beautiful shades of blue, while the sand is white and soft.
In the background, you’ll see green rolling hills to add to the colorful landscape.
Good to Know: This beach is a popular spot for boating, so you’ll see many boats coming and going here. It’s also an ideal place to swim, snorkel, snap photos, or read a good book in the sand.
Go on a Snorkeling Tour
Ticket Prices
What Is It?: Snorkeling is a popular activity on Culebra and definitely worth trying while you’re here. Culebra is a common day trip destination from Fajardo for tourists to go snorkeling.
Why Do It?: Development is very limited on and around Culebra, which makes it an excellent place to view wildlife. There are reefs and pristine coastline here to explore.
Good to Know: Guided snorkeling tours are available that include a boat ride to get here, snorkeling equipment, hotel transportation, and food and drink refreshments. These are fun ways to have a relaxing adventure while meeting other travelers.
Local dive shops can also take care of your equipment needs and direct you to the best snorkeling spots.
Learn About the Native Plants
Best Places to Stay
Nearby Activities
What Is It?: There are beautiful plants that naturally flourish on Culebra because of its unique tropical and semi-arid environment.
Why Do It?: Taking notice of the native plants will give you a deeper appreciation for Culebra’s beauty and help you learn something new on your trip.
Good to Know: There are a couple of endangered plants to keep an eye out for on Culera. The peperomia wheeleri has small white flowers in clusters, small oval leaves, and can grow up to four feet tall. Cactus Leptocereus grantianus can be found in the subtropical dry forest areas of the island and are cacti that can grow up to 6.5 feet tall.
Check Out Culebrita
Best Places to Stay
Nearby Activities
What Is It?: Isla Culebrita is a smaller and uninhabited island that accessible from Culebra via water taxi.
It is part of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge and a fun place to visit on a day trip.
Why Do It?: Culebrita has a collection of several small beaches, including the most popular one called Playa Tortuga. It’s also a great place to disconnect from the rest of the world since it is uninhabited and only has an old lighthouse as far as man-made structures go.
Good to Know: This tiny island is only about a mile long. In addition to the water taxis, you can access it by private boat or kayak if you’re up for paddling over from Culebra.
Explore the Mangrove Forest
Best Places to Stay
Nearby Activities
What Is It?: Along the shoreline of Culebra, there is a coastal mangrove forest that has been restored. Mangroves have been impacted by past hurricanes and brought back to restore the natural ecosystem.
Why Do It?: It’s interesting to learn about the mangroves and how they help preserve healthy marine and coastal ecosystems for wildlife within the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge.
Good to Know: Be careful not to disturb wildlife in mangrove areas because they provide shelter for endangered brown pelicans, birds, and fish.
See the Beach Tank
Best Places to Stay
Nearby Activities
What Is It?: Culebra was once used as a military training area, including Flamenco Beach for military exercises. Still today, you can find old military tanks that were used at Flamenco Beach.
Why Do It?: It’s rare and unique to see a military tank sitting at such a beautiful beach, so take a walk by to check it out and learn a bit about local history.
Good to Know: Read a little about Culebra’s history before your trip so that you understand the significance of the tank and its role in military operations.
Go for a Boat Ride
Best Places to Stay
Nearby Activities
What Is It?: You likely had to take a boat to get to Culebra in the first place, but you can also book a separate boat ride to get out on the water.
Many boat rides include snorkeling and cocktails.
Why Do It?: It’s fun to go on a scenic boat cruise that is relaxing and really lets you soak up the scenery.
Good to Know: Local guide companies will take you out on island adventures and jet ski tours when you visit the island.
Spend Time at Tamarindo Beach
Best Places to Stay
Nearby Activities
What Is It?: Flamenco Beach isn’t the only beach to visit on Culebra, and another great one to spend time at is Tamarindo Beach. This is a more remote and laid-back beach that offers wildlife viewing opportunities.
Why Do It?: Tamarindo beach is a nice place to snorkel and experience the underwater sea life. Come here to avoid the crowds when it is busier at Flamenco Beach.
Good to Know: Playa Tamarindo also offers opportunities for kayaking in the calm waters that are protected by Cayo Luis Peña.
Beginner kayakers and even children enjoy taking boats out to have a relaxing paddle and see the turtles.
Learn About Local History and Culture
Best Places to Stay
Nearby Activities
What Is It?: Culebra offers several opportunities to learn about the local history and culture. For example, the Museo Histórico de Culebra will teach you about the ecosystems, animals, and people who have been on this island. The museum also details the military history of the island and has ancient artifacts on display.
Why Do It?: Learning more about Culebra is a great way to fully appreciate its landscapes and people. There’s also a gift shop here that’s great for collecting a few souvenirs to take home with you.
Good to Know: The local history museum here has a small fee to visit and welcomes donations. You can learn more about local culture through the island’s churches too.
Rent a Bicycle
Best Places to Stay
Nearby Activities
What Is It?: Biking is a great way to get around the island of Culebra because it’s eco-friendly and easy to navigate. There are bike rental shops on the island where you can rent bikes to use.
Why Do It?: Biking is great exercise and makes it easier to get around than any other mode of land transportation on Culebra. Mountain biking is also an option on the island.
Good to Know: Accommodation hosts on Culebra often let their guests use complimentary bikes for free. Ask the staff where you are staying before paying for a commercial bike rental.
Taste the Traditional Cuisine
Best Places to Stay
Nearby Activities
What Is It?: You can find everything from gourmet cuisine to casual food stands on Culebra. Make sure to try the local cuisine to find your new favorite dish.
Many people on the island grow their own fruits in small yard gardens.
Why Do It?: Puerto Rican cuisine is delicious and also features seafood because of the island location. You can find some very affordable food here from the food trucks.
Good to Know: Restaurants to try include Zaco’s Tacos, El Edén, and Dinghy Dock.
Watch a Beautiful Sunset
Best Places to Stay
Nearby Activities
What Is It?: Culebra offers lovely sunsets that are absolutely stunning all throughout the year.
Why Do It?: Watching a sunset is an essential part of any beach vacation and really adds a sense of romance into your trip.
Good to Know: One of the best places to watch the sunset on Culebra is Melones Beach.
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Top 5 popular beaches for recreation Akimovsky district, Zaporozhye region, Ukraine
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For most tourists, a good vacation is associated with a vacation on the sea coast.
When choosing places to visit, consider:
- Remoteness of the beach.
- Price level.
- Availability of infrastructure.
- Reviews.
- Tips from experienced travelers.
Maya Bay, Thailand
The beach is located on one of the islands of the Phi Phi archipelago in the Andaman Sea, which is part of the national park of Thailand. Almost from all sides the sandy shore is surrounded by huge rocks. They protect a small bay from sea winds and high waves. In Thailand, visitors must pay to enter the country’s national treasure. An average of 400 baht per person. The movie The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed here. The popularity of the place has led to the fact that it is rarely possible to relax calmly. There are no umbrellas and sunbeds here, so protection from the hot sun at the water’s edge is not to be found.
During the calm, you can enjoy the beauty of this paradise, hear the light rustle of the waves, admire the sunset and frisky tropical fish in shallow water.
In addition, local attractions include the Viking Cave, Lo Sama Bay and the majestic Pileh Lagoon.
Whitehaven, Australia
Whitehaven Beach occupies 7 km of the coast of Whitesunday Island, located off the eastern part of Australia. The composition of the sand here is dominated by a quartz substance – cremenes. It has a light white tint. In the northern part is Hill Inlet Bay. Here, at high tide, waves merge with sand, forming amazing white and blue patterns.
Whitehaven is surrounded by a national park and overlooks the waters of the Great Barrier Reef, so diving enthusiasts often gather here.
Varadero, Cuba
Varadero Beach stretches for twenty kilometers on the Hicacos Peninsula, in the Cuban province of Matanas. The waters of the Atlantic Ocean beckon with a comfortable temperature, and the developed infrastructure and the unique Cuban atmosphere have provided Varadero with the status of one of the most popular beach holiday destinations on the island.
Not far from the beach you can see the largest coral reef in the Caribbean, a favorite place for scuba diving tourists. In addition to a beach holiday, vacationers can enjoy local sights of the pre-colonial era where Indian settlements were previously located.
Fig Tree Bay, Protaras, Cyprus
Fig Tree Beach, as it is also called, owes its name to a fig grove that has been growing since the seventeenth century in the bay area. Fig Tree Bay is one of the most comfortable places on the island. Scenic views, cleanliness and affordable beach equipment make it a popular place for families.
Fig Tree Bay is marked with the “Blue Flag” of the European Union. This mark says that the beach meets the generally accepted criteria of the world in terms of clean water and safe recreation.
Flamenco Beach, Culebra Island, Puerto Rico
Flamenco Beach is famous for the ocean with turquoise water, so clear that you can feel like boats and boats are hovering above its surface.