Best beaches in culebra: Best Beaches in Culebra Island Puerto Rico – Full Beach Guides
Best Beaches in Culebra, Puerto Rico (but shhhhh…don’t tell anyone…it’s an untapped paradise)!
Culebra, Puerto Rico is a seemingly untapped gem smack dab in the middle of the Caribbean. Isla Culebra or “SnakeIsland” is an island municipality of Puerto Rico. It is located approximately 17 miles east of the Puerto Rican mainland, 12 miles west of St. Thomas and 9 miles north of Vieques (another island municipality of Puerto Rico with considerably more development). The island is also known as Última Virgen (“Last Virgin”, reflecting its position at the end of the Virgin Islands archipelago). Culebra is just 5 miles high by 7 miles long and gorgeous beaches, snorkeling and easy access around the island via our rental jeep made it a breeze to navigate and discover.
If you’re like us and would trade a pool, swim up bar service, nightlife and 5 star dining for swimming with turtles, stunning beaches, hikes to desolate Coves and an incredibly laid back vibe, I highly recommend adding Culebra to your tick list of vacation spots.
It even features Playa Flamenco, considered by some to be one of the top 5 beaches in the world!
The Mountainsmith Day TLS Lumbar pack makes a killer travel bag that held our iPad, snacks, drinks and books for the our flights (it fits comfortable under the seats) and doubled as a beach and town bag for towels, water, sunscreen, etc.
With my son entering kindergarten this school year, we were, for the first time locked into travelling with the rest of spring break crowd. We live in the front range of Colorado and for us, that means seeking sun, sand and unique experiences for ourselves and our 3 and 6 year old when we can find the time to leave CO. My wife and I started our search in summer of 2013 and landed on Culebra after considering the Yucatan Peninsula, Belize and even the Florida Keys. We locked in after some great recommendations from friends and we even found flights into San Juan for about $200 less per person that surrounding islands and destinations in the Caribbean.
We managed to leave the snow and cold of Colorado with just carry on baggage and we were certainly light and nimble navigating a number of airports, shuttles, jeeps and cars over our 8 days in Puerto Rico. Our Mountainsmith gear, the Approach 50, Haze 50, Scream 25 and Day TLS Lumbar packs housed all of our stuff for the journey there and back while the smaller pieces did double duty as beach bags while out and about on the island.
Once in San Juan, you have 2 options to get to Culebra, a short flight from the San Juan area or a 1-2 hour drive and 1-2 hour ferry ride. We opted for the short puddle jumper flights that helped expedite the transition from the snowy mountains of Colorado to the warm sand and avoided the ferry system which seems to be notoriously unpredictable (not to mention how cool the short, 20-30 minute flight was in the little 8 seat prop plane, flying just a couple thousand feet over the crystal clear waters).
The Scream 25 Mountainlight pack is a great, small and packable daypack that my 6 year old used as his carryon (stuffed with toys, books and snacks) but also turned into our beach and dayhike bag once on the island.
The Haze 50 Mountainlight pack gets ready for it’s puddle jumper flight from the Puerto Rico mainland out to Culebra
When shopping for accommodations, it seemed there were about 3 distinct styles of lodging you could go with. Via sites like VRBO, you could find some anything from small little bungalows to palatial estates overlooking the sea. In and around the island’s main drag, there were a number of little lodges, hotels, and condos. Finally was our choice, Culebra Beach Rental, a collection of little casitas and apartments about 100 yards from the stunning Playa Flamenco. With our little ones in tow, we opted for this as we knew we wanted to avoid packing up and driving to the beach each day and in this place, we were steps from the beach and endless sand castle building and we could wade right into ocean to snorkel, swim and body surf. Flamenco Beach is about 1 mile from end to end of the horseshoe shaped cove and the rental properties here offer about ½ of that stretch that feels like your very own.
A “busy” day would have 15-20 people spread over ½ mile. Looking down to the public section of the beach from our rental, there were never more that 50 people or so over the other ½ mile. This public stretch is very cool and home to about 6-8 little food and drink stands, a campground and 2 abandoned tanks left over from when the US Military used the island as a training ground.
Old tank left behind after Culebra fought and won it’s battle to keep military testing off it’s gorgeous shores.
OK…enough of the lead up, here’s where to spend your time on the main island and what to expect at each. Note that we rented a jeep and enjoyed the flexibility of hopping around a bit and checking out about 5 other beaches but spent the majority of our time right out the front door at Playa Flamenco. The list below starts there and heads counter-clockwise around the island, hitting the beaches accessible by car. There are two beaches on the north side of the island that offer a bit more seclusion as the guide book mentions the hikes/bushwhacks needed to get there.
We’ll have to come back another time to check out Playa Resaca and Playa Brava.
The Mountainsmith Sixer Cooler taking in the view overlooking Playa Flamenco and keeping our water, beer and snacks cool.
Playa Flamenco – A stunning mile long horseshoe of paradise. This beach offers a great sand beach with coral heads wading distance into its crystal clear water littered all across its shores. A walk from one end to the other is a great little excursion and highly recommended to check out the military tanks as one end and the rock and coral outcroppings on the other with great snorkeling to be had in waist deep water. This was my 6 year old son’s first snorkeling experience and the depth of the water, the easy access and overall accessibility made for a great spot. Be sure to check out the two tanks (one on the very western tip of the cove and the other just up into the trees near the camping area). Also be sure to check out the food/drink kiosks which made for some quick and easy, cheap eats and refreshments for the family.
Whether you’re searching for cold beer, piña colada, empanada or something like the Puerto Rican specialty, mofongo, you can find it here.
The Mountainsmith Cyber camera case is built with a special set of wings to allow attachment to your backpack shoulder straps but also works well for belt loops. It’s seen here, connected to the Scream 25 overlooking Playa Carlos Rosario and Cayo Luis Peña
Playa Carlos Rosario – Likely the most popular of the hike in beaches due to it’s proximity to Playa Flamenco and the trail head sitting in the corner of the parking lot where most Playa Flamenco day trippers park or are dropped off for the day. I would guess it’s about a 1 mile hike each way and we managed to do it in about 30 minutes walking with our kids and stopping to smell every flower, inspect every bug and hydrate fairly often. The trail has a fairly gentle but steady grade for about ¾ of a mile and then a steeper descent for the last ¼ of a mile. We did it in flip flops and all but the last 100 yards as you descend to the beach where easy going but some loose ground on the last push just meant we had to hold hands with the kids and help them along a bit.
All in all, great to get in a short hike and be rewarded with stunning views of Cayo Luis Peña, a small, uninhabited island just off the west coast of Culebra. Where we stopped to picnic, pick through shells and snorkel is technically the northern edge of Playa Tamarindo, but we continued around the little peninsula on a well worn trail to Playa Carlos Rosario to see if we were missing anything. The little cove that comes into view after just a few more minutes on the trail is gorgeous but the shore was much rockier and we retreated back to the first spot where you pop through the trees, collected shells, played with fallen coconuts and my wife and I took turns snorkeling out to the grassy sea beds off the shore and saw and swam with a handful of graceful and fast sea turtles. The coral here was also the most vibrant we saw on the entire island and there seemed to be larger and more varied schools of fish. The hike back was a bit steep in the beginning but you reach the high point on the trail, it’s a mellow walk back to the Playa Flamenco lot and the strong pull of the snack stands for some cheap eats and frosty beverages.
Playa Tamarindo – This beach is about a 5 minute drive from Culebra Beach Villas and likely about 10 from the center of town. The guidebooks all highlight this beach as THE place to snorkel with turtles and it did not let us down. The beach here is more strewn with rocks, shells and broken coral than of the soft and sandy variety, but the kids loved looking through the debris as my wife and I took turns out swimming with turtles and fish just off the shore. I’d highly recommend this a great sunset spot and some locals recommended either an early or late day visit as some companies run boat tours here for tourists to hop in and check out the turtles so the beginning and end of each day avoids the boat traffic and we spent about 4-7pm there one afternoon and saw about 6 other people the whole time.
Looking south at the beautiful and secluded Punta Soldado
Punta Del Soldado – This often overlooked little peninsula on the island’s southwestern most corner was beautiful, remote and I think we saw 4 other people there over the 3-4 hours we spent in this location.
Like Tamarindo, the beach here is great for sifting through shells and coral vs. the soft expanse of sand at Flamenco. I really enjoyed the snorkeling in this spot. The cove opens up just steps from the car and the coral and fish population here was only trumped by the vibrant fan coral and fish we had seen at Carlos Rosario.
Playa Zoni – The eastern most beach on the island, this narrow but long beach is a fun little drive across the island and through some rolling hills with stunning homes (likely the kind we saw on VRBO that might be nice for adults or families with older kids). Just a few steps from the parking area, you emerge onto the sand with views of several of Culebra’s sub-islands (Culebrita and yo Norte) as well as St. Thomas off to the east. Being on the eastern shore, for those early risers, I’d imagine this would be a breathtaking spot to watch the sun rise, but we spent a late afternoon here with the sun dipping behind the palm trees and a very laid back cluster of beachgoers taking walks, playing in the water or just lounging as the day light faded.
This is said to be a prime spot for watching some of the sea turtles make their annual pilgrimage up the sand to lay their eggs and a number of tour operators will guide visitors to see this natural wonder.
Passing a beautiful afternoon on the gorgeous ZoniBeach on the eastern most point of Culebra
If you have yet to consider Puerto Rico for your next tropical vacation or like us had never heard of Culebra, I encourage you to add it to the mix of destinations on your life list as it will not disappoint. A return trip for us would certainly include some more time on the main island to see the rain forests, cave systems and other beaches, but we’d be hard pressed to skip the short jaunt over to Culebra to visit its rustic and stunning beaches.
Puerto Rico’s Culebra Island Is Worth Visiting (If Only For Its White Sand Beaches)
By
Aaron Spray
Culebra Island has some of the best beaches in the world and offers a world apart from the Puerto Rican mainland.
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Culebrita, Puerto Rico Culebra Island
Quick Links
- Why Culebra Island Is A True Gem Of Puerto Rico
- Flamenco Beach – Culebra’s Top Beach
- Other Top Beaches Of Culebra
Puerto Rico is more than just the main island; the territory also has a number of outlying islands (some of which boast excellent white sand beaches). The Culebra Island (or Isla Culebra in Spanish) is one of the two Spanish Virgin Islands located around 17 miles east of the Puerto Rican mainland. It is easy to reach by both air and sea and is a Puerto Rican dream destination worth visiting.
But Culebra doesn’t just have excellent beaches; one is beaches – Flamenco Beach – which is constantly ranked among the best beaches in the world. Culebra is, without a doubt, a destination with some of the most stunning beaches that visitors can actually afford to visit.
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Why Culebra Island Is A True Gem Of Puerto Rico
Culebra Island means Snake Island in Spanish and has a population of around 1,800 residents. Culebra has become a popular weekend tourist destination and is famous for its many pristine beaches. Some of its beaches have been ranked among some of the best beaches in the world.
- Population: 1,800 Residents
- Location: 17 Miles East Of The Puerto Rico Mainland
Culebra is popular for scuba diving thanks to the many reefs found around the island and its small archipelago. This, together with the crystal clear waters, makes it a scuba diver’s dream. The island is quite arid, so there is no run-off from streams that would cloud the waters.
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Visitors can get to Culebra by both sea and air. The fastest way to get there is by a small place from either SJU or Isla Grande airports. The flights cost between $60 to $90 per flight.
The cheaper (and the more adventurous option is to take the ferry). The ferry departs from Ceiba and costs $3-5 per trip.
Related: Beautiful Beaches In The World That Will Take Your Breath Away
Flamenco Beach – Culebra’s Top Beach
Flamenco Beach is perhaps the most famous beach on the island of Culebra. It is the top spot on the little island and is famous around the world for its crystal-clear waters and diamond-dust white sand. The beach is almost waveless, and the waters are various shades of turquoise.
The crescent-shaped beach is surrounded by lush green rolling hills.
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Flamenco Beach can be reached by shuttle buses from the ferry, and it extends for around a mile. It is protected by the Department of Natural and Environment Resources as a marine wildlife reserve.
- Length: 1 Mile
Towards the west of Flamenco Beach is Flamenco Point. This is an area that was used by the United States Navy and Marine Corps for military exercises up until 1975. Visitors can still see two old M4 Sherman tanks there that were used for target practice.
Flamenco Beach is Puerto Rico’s top-ranked beach. It has lifeguards, half a dozen kiosks selling food, showers, bathrooms, and access from the port.
Enjoy tropical Puerto Rican food like piña coladas, mango smoothies, rice-and-beans burritos, and lots of seafood.
The beach also has a designated camping area for those who would like to stay the night.
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Related: Looking For Beautiful Beaches? These Islands Are Practically Un-Touched
Other Top Beaches Of Culebra
Some or all of the other beaches are only accessible by private car or by boat on the island. The other beaches don’t have the notoriety of Flamenco Beach, but they are still very much worth exploring.
Tamarindo Beach:
Tamarindo Beach offers aqua adventures for every visitor; while snorkeling, see manta rays and sea turtles.
It is more secluded and less visited than Flamenco. It offers even more fun in exploring the underwater life in Culebra – so be sure to bring along the snorkeling gear. The beach has views of the Cayo Luis Peña, but it also lacks facilities, so bring everything needed (food and water included).
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Zoni Beach:
Another option is to visit Zoni Beach. It boasts almost two miles of white sand and deep blue water. It has a peaceful and quiet place to relax and is ideal for others looking for a romantic escape. The beach is also frequented by leatherback turtles nesting between April and June.
- Leatherback Turtles: Nest Between April and June
Resaca Beach:
Also known as Hangover Beach, Resaca Beach is one of the most secluded beaches on the little island.
It has the most challenging hiking trail on Culebra and visitors need to negotiate a half-mile trail climbing down rocks through a maze of trees (so bring some sturdy shoes).
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Always Summer Inn, Culebra – Updated 2022 Prices
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Free Wi-Fi
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Featuring a garden and garden views, Always Summer Inn in Culebra is located in Culebra.
The air-conditioned rooms feature a balcony, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries.
Cayo Luis Pena Beach is 2.9 km from the holiday home. The nearest airport is Benjamin Rivera Noriega Airport, 1 km from Always Summer Inn.
Always Summer Inn has been welcoming Booking.com guests since 15 Oct. 2020.
Distance in description calculated using © OpenStreetMap
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Great Location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.4)
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3 Bedroom House
Bedroom 1::
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bedroom 2 ::
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bedroom 4 ::
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Nearest beaches
Melones
9.0 Excellent beach
800 m from the option of accommodation
DEETILS
8.0 Very good beach
1.4 km from the option of accommodation
9000 9000 9002
9.6 Gorgeous beach
1.5 km from property
Playa de Cascajo beach
9.8 Gorgeous beach
2 km from property
Flamenco beach
9.6 magnificent beach
2.4 km from the placement option
Resaca
9.0 Excellent beach
2.5 km from the option of accommodation
Cayo Luis Peña beach
8.9 Gorgeous beach
2.9 km from property
Luis Peni Beach
9.8 9.8 9.8 9.8 9.8 9. Gorgeous beach
2.
9 km from property
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enjoy the view
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A security deposit of USD 250 is required upon check-in. This is approximately 240.98 EUR. Payment is made in cash. You will receive the deposited amount at the time of check-out. Once the condition of the property has been checked, the deposit will be fully refunded to you in cash.
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Baby cots or extra beds are not available.
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So, the best beaches in the world are presented to your attention!
Contents
- 1. Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
- 2. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
- 3. Playa Paraiso, Largo del Sur, Cuba
- 4 Anse Lazio, Praslin Island, Seychelles
- 5. Cayo de Aqua, Los Roques National Park, Venezuela
- 6.
Flamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico - 7. Playa de Ses LiLetes, Formentera, Balearic Islands
- 8. Nqapali Beach, Ngapali, Myanmar
- 9. West Bay Beach, West Bay, Honduras
- 10. Nacpah Beach, El Nido, Philippines
Flamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico1. Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
This secluded azure, white sand beach is located in the Turks and Caicos archipelago in the Caribbean. The beach season opens in December and ends in April. At this time, a stable temperature is kept here – from 25 to 33 degrees.
The infrastructure in the beach area is very developed, there is everything you need. Cons: very high prices.
2. Baia do Sancho, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
This beach is located northeast of Brazil. The climate here is tropical, the beach season lasts from January to August, the rest of the time – the rainy season.
Features:
- developed infrastructure;
- exotic fauna and flora, many seabirds;
- the temperature stays around 28 degrees with a plus sign all year round.
The beach is surrounded by jungle, it is also called the “lost paradise”. In the beach area there are hotels, restaurants, a lot of entertainment. Disadvantages: the rainy season lasts for six months.
3. Playa Paraiso, Largo del Sur, Cuba
The beach is located in the center of the Cuban archipelago. It is here that one of the best coral reefs is located, and this is a real find for diving.
This place is suitable for lovers of the underwater world and swimming. The infrastructure is developed, there are hotels, shops, bars, restaurants, many attractions of Havana. It is also possible to take a sea cruise on a liner around the islands. Disadvantages: high prices for products and services.
4. Anse Lazio, Praslin Island, Seychelles
This is a unique place located in the Indian Ocean. Here and only here sea coconut grows, there are beaches with white clean sand, formed by a natural bay, at high tide in which a pool is formed.
The area has a well-developed infrastructure: many hotels, inns.
This is a paradise for scuba divers, divers, the marine world is unique here.
5. Cayo de Aqua, Los Roques National Park, Venezuela
The beach is located on an island in the Caribbean near Venezuela, represented by excellent shallow lagoons with blue water and white sand.
There is no infrastructure at all – no shops, no cafes. All entertainment is located on the neighboring island, you can only get there by boat. But nature and the underwater world are just fabulous, a real paradise for divers. That is why the beach is recognized as one of the best in the world.
6. Flamenco Beach, Culebra, Puerto Rico
Located on the eastern island of Puerto Rico, the temperature is constantly kept within 25 degrees, there is a marine reserve.
A beach with pure white sand, surrounded by hills and an exotic forest nearby. In the waters near the beach there is a very unusual marine reef, where many divers and scuba divers gather.
The infrastructure is developed: many hotels, there are even places for camping.
Rest here is quite budgetary. Cons: very crowded.
7. Playa de Ses LiLetes, Formentera, Balearic Islands
The beach is located on a small island in the Mediterranean Sea, belongs to Spain, and is geographically located near Ibiza.
This is an ideal place for tourists looking for privacy, diving, water sports, active water tourism.
The island has a mild climate, in the winter season the temperature will be 15 degrees, in the summer – 30 degrees. The sea is always turquoise, the sand is clean.
The infrastructure is developed: there are hotels, hotels, bars, there is also all the beach equipment. There are many local attractions: fortresses, temples, guided tours, the underwater world is very rich.
8. Nqapali Beach, Ngapali, Myanmar
The beach, located in the southeast of Asia, is represented by white clean sand, tropical climate, excellent infrastructure: hotels, bars, restaurants. Jungles grow around the beach, there are many dilapidated ancient temples in the area, there are rocky ledges.