Flamenco puerto rico: Flamenco beach | Discover Puerto Rico
EVERYTHING You Need to Know!
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When researching Puerto Rico I’m sure you’ve probably come across stunning pictures of Flamenco Beach, which is consistently listed as one of the best beaches in the world. Flamenco Beach was voted 3rd best beach in the world in the 2014 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards and has been listed as one of the Top 50 Beaches in the World by The Guardian.
With its powdery white sand, turquoise blue water and lush greenery, Flamenco Beach is the perfect place to relax, unwind and soak up the sun. To get to the beach you’ll have to take a flight or a ferry to the island of Culebra, then hop a taxi or rent a vehicle to drive to the beach.
In this Flamenco Beach guide I’ll cover exactly how to get there, and what to expect when you arrive.
History of Flamenco Beach
First, a little background about this beautiful beach. The name “flamenco” means “flamingo” in Spanish, and it gets its name from the flamingos that once inhabited the Flamenco Lagoon.
Located on the north coast of Culebra, the beach is a horseshoe-shaped stretch of sand measuring about half a mile long.
For many years Culebra was occupied by the U.S. Navy, who used the island and its surrounding cays as a weapons testing ground and training facility. However, in 1975 they were forced to leave the island, after demonstrations and riots organized by local residents.
The navy left behind some of their equipment, including two tanks, which have been left to rust on Flamenco Beach.
Where is Flamenco Beach Exactly?
Flamenco Beach lies on the north coast of Culebra, to the east of Reserva Natural de Culebra (Culebra Nature Reserve). The beach is around 4 km (8 minutes drive) from the ferry terminal and around 2.7km (5 minutes drive) from Culebra airport.
How to Get to Flamenco Beach
In order to get to Flamenco Beach you’ll first need to get to Culebra. You have two main options for getting to Culebra – plane or ferry. The ferry is MUCH cheaper than taking a flight, but you’ll need to get yourself over to Ceiba on the east coast of the island. The flight is quicker and simpler though, so if you have the budget, you may want to go with this option.
Plane
To get to Culebra by plane you can either fly from San Juan airport or Ceiba airport. Flights from San Juan are with Cape Air and cost roughly $200 round-trip. It’s expensive for such a short flight, but if you’re staying in San Juan it’s the easiest option, taking just 30 minutes to get there.
Alternatively you can fly to Culebra from Ceiba, which is on the east coast of Puerto Rico near Fajardo (and the ferry terminal). Flights with Air Flamenco cost around $45 to $60 each way, so about $90-$120 round-trip. That’s cheaper than the flight from San Juan, however you have to factor in getting to Ceiba.
To get to Ceiba from San Juan you’ll need to pay for a car rental, or you can book a private transfer service, which is pretty expensive.
Ferry
I decided to go with the ferry option, which is considerably cheaper than taking a flight. The fare is $2.25 each way, and tickets can be purchased online with a Visa or Mastercard.
The ferry departs from Ceiba, which is about a 1 hour to 1.5 hour drive from San Juan depending on traffic and time of day. In order to get there you need to rent a car and drive there – take a look at Discover Cars, Rentalcars.com or Priceline to find the cheapest deal.
For my Culebra day trip, I picked up a car at around 2pm on a Wednesday and dropped it off at 9pm the following day. With insurance, the total cost was around $120. So while the ferry is cheaper than the flight, you also have to take into consideration the cost of the car rental, gas and parking.
Rental companies don’t allow you to take your car onto the Culebra ferry, so you’ll need to park your car at the Ceiba ferry terminal.
The cost for this is $11, and there’s a parking shuttle that takes you from the car park to the terminal. Boarding for the passenger + cargo ferry usually starts around 1 hour before departure – try to get there no later than 30 minutes beforehand.
If you decide to go with the ferry option, buy your tickets online at least a couple of weeks in advance! The tickets sell out very quickly, and while there are some tickets available at the box office, preference is usually given to Puerto Rico residents. Attempting to buy tickets at the box office on the day of departure is risky, since they may be sold out by the time you get to the front of the line.
One thing to note is that the water can be rough, and lots of people complain of seasickness on the ferry. If you do suffer from motion sickness, make sure to pack some dramamine, or consider taking a flight instead.
I felt pretty sick on the way over to Culebra, since we had to sit inside the ferry. On the way back from Culebra I sat on the top deck and felt much better – I experienced no seasickness at all!
For more information on what it’s like to ride the Puerto Rico ferry – check out my blog post packed with Culebra ferry tips.
Taxis and Transportation on Culebra
There are two options for getting around on Culebra – you can either catch one of the shared taxis, or you can rent a vehicle and drive around the island yourself. If you only plan on visiting Flamenco Beach, stick to the taxi option and don’t bother with renting a car.
When we arrived at the ferry port there were several shared vans waiting to whisk tourists to Flamenco Beach. The taxis from the ferry to the beach cost $20 but can be split between four people. Since there were only two of us, we were paired up with two other girls, so the journey cost $5 each.
When you want to head back to the ferry port, you’ll also find taxis waiting in the car park at Flamenco Beach. Make sure to carry cash, as they don’t take cards.
If you do want to rent a golf cart or a Jeep, check out Carlos Jeep Rental, which is the most popular company on the island. The company offers courtesy pick-up from the ferry terminal and the airport if you decide to book through them.
Flamenco Beach Tanks
When the U.S. Navy left Culebra in 1975, they left behind two M4 Sherman tanks, which began to rust and corrode in the salty air. Locals and visitors painted the tanks in colorful graffiti, causing them to become one of the most popular photo spots in Puerto Rico.
If you want to have your photo taken with the famous Flamenco beach tanks, turn left when you’re facing the ocean and keep walking along the sand for about 10 minutes.
Flamenco Beach Facilities
Before you enter the beach you’ll see an area with numerous food kiosks, as well as showers and bathroom facilities.
The kiosks sell pina coladas, beers, soft drinks and snacks such as tostones, empanadas, rice and beans, burgers and pinchos.
If you fancy a refreshing pina colada (Puerto Rico’s national drink), expect to pay $6 for no alcohol, $7 for one shot of rum and $9 for two shots of rum.
Most visitors bring their own towels but if you need a beach chair and umbrella, these are available for rent.
A beach chair costs $10, while an umbrella costs $20. Make sure you bring cash for payment.
Camping at Flamenco Beach
The only campground on Culebra island is located at Flamenco Beach. It has capacity for around 400 tents, but it can get pretty busy during the summer months and on holiday weekends.
If you want to sleep under the stars and be at one with nature, consider camping here for the night instead of staying at a guesthouse. Camping costs $30 per tent per night, with a maximum of 6 people per tent. Check-in is usually after 8am, and check-out is before 4pm. If you wish to call the campground, they can be contacted on (787) 742-0700.
You could purchase your own gear on the main island at stores like Walmart and Sears, or you could rent the gear from Tent City – a kiosk at Flamenco Beach. The kiosk offers a good selection of camping equipment including tents, flashlights, mattresses and camp stoves.
Is Flamenco Beach Worth It?
There’s no doubt that Flamenco Beach is a gorgeous beach, however, a lot of the photos you see online have been photoshopped to make the colors pop.
Yes, the water is a lovely turquoise blue color and the sand is powdery soft, but I’ve seen beaches with whiter sand in places like the Dominican Republic and the Philippines.
However, the tanks make Flamenco Beach quite unique, so if you plan to spend more than 3 days in Puerto Rico, it’s worth adding this day trip to your itinerary. It’s definitely the best beach in Puerto Rico, although there are still plenty of great beaches in San Juan to choose from.
The journey from San Juan to Culebra is a bit of a grueling one though if you decide to take the ferry, so if you’re short on time and have the cash to spare, consider taking a flight from San Juan.
The Best Flamenco Beach Snorkeling in Culebra Puerto Rico
Flamenco Beach is a beautiful beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico. It is one of the most popular destinations in the world, and it is also one of the top things to see in Culebra. It is located on the North Shore of Culebra, and about a mile long.
The water here ranges from shallow to deep, which makes it a perfect location for snorkeling.
The beach has white sand with some rocks on the shoreline. There are also beautiful palm trees that line its shoreline, as well as many great viewpoints that are found inland from the shoreline.
Enjoy this small, secluded paradise minutes away from Flamenco Beach on a fantastic snorkeling tour.
Flamenco Beach is Family Friendly
Visiting Flamenco Beach is a great experience for people of all ages. If you are looking for a place to snorkel, then this is the best spot. The water here is shallow and clear, so it’s perfect for beginners or kids. You can also enjoy beautiful views of the sunset while you are snorkeling.
How to Prepare for a Flamenco Beach Snorkel Adventure
Snorkeling is a great way to explore the underwater world and see some of the amazing creatures that live there. However, before you go out on your next snorkel adventure, there are some essential steps that you need to take first.
1. Plan and Prepare: Research the best snorkeling spots and schedule your adventure for a day or two with friends or family members
2. Book the Full-day: Culebra and Flamenco Beach snorkeling from San Juan
3. Pack Your Valuables in Plastic: Put your documents, cash, and other valuable stuff in a plastic baggie to keep them dry on the way to your destination
4. Pack a Bag: with snacks, water, and sunscreen
5. Wear the Right Gear: Put on sunscreen and any other sun protection you may need before you head out of the house, and wear appropriate clothing
What’s the Best Time to Visit Flamenco Beach?
One of the best times to visit Flamenco Beach is during the winter. The snorkeling conditions are great, and there are a lot of fish to see.
It’s also a good idea to check the weather before you go. If it is going to be raining, it can ruin your trip.
How Safe is it to Visit Culebra?
Many things make Culebra an attractive tourist destination, but there are also some risks that come with visiting this beautiful island. These include the risk of getting sick, the risk of getting robbed, and the risk of being in an accident.
But they are not as high as they may seem. The island is a popular tourist destination, and there are many people who visit it every year.
So you can enjoy the best snorkeling Culebra for full.
5 Best Reasons Why You Should Take a Flamenco Snorkeling Tour
Flamenco Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and it is also one of the most popular snorkeling spots.
- It’s a beautiful place for a family vacation.
- You can snorkel with tropical fish, turtles, and even dolphins!
- The water is clear so you can see all the colorful reef formations below the surface!
- You’ll get to explore a beautiful island with pristine beaches and turquoise waters!
- Culebra has some of the best fishing in Puerto Rico, which makes it an excellent spot for fishing enthusiasts to visit as well as enjoy its natural beauty and stunning scenery.
What is the Cost of the Flamenco Beach snorkeling tour?
The Flamenco Beach snorkeling tour is one of the most popular tours in Culebra, Puerto Rico. It is a great way to explore the underwater world without having to dive deep into the ocean.
The cost of this tour depends on a few factors, such as how many people are going on the tour and what time you want to go. If you want to go during the low season, it will cost less rather during high season.
How to Get the Most out of Your Flamenco Beach Snorkeling Tour
The Flamenco beach is a beautiful, serene place, and the snorkeling is some of the best in the world. The water is clear, and you can see the sea life below. This makes it an ideal spot for snorkeling tours.
A Flamenco beach snorkeling tour is a great way to explore the underwater world. It’s also a fun activity for the whole family.
Bottom line
Flamenco beach snorkeling is not only beautiful and full of biodiversity, but also very safe.