How to get to culebra puerto rico: How to Get to Vieques and Culebra

Culebra, Ceiba Airport and Ferry Dock, San Juan Airports, and Ferry Transportation

WE
STRONGLY RECOMMEND OUR
VISITORS TO FLY TO CULEBRA INSTEAD OF TAKING THE
PASSENGER FERRY. Flying is the most reliable–and
least time-consuming–way to get to Culebra. The
ferry system historically has been unreliable,
especially for non-residents.

BY
PASSENGER FERRY:

You
may check the schedule and buy passenger tickets
online at https://www.puertoricoferry.com
or in person at the Ceiba ticket office. However,
if you are unable to buy the tickets way ahead of
time, we would strongly suggest you take the
airplane.

Ferries
to/from Culebra depart from the port town of Ceiba, Puerto
Rico. The port of Ceiba is 1.25 hours from San Juan
International Airport (SJU) under light traffic
conditions, and 2.5 hours on rush times. A taxi (or
publico van)  is readily available as you exit the
airport in San Juan; $90-100 for the trip for your family
group. UBER, when available, would be somewhat cheaper.

Passenger ferries are
fast (45 minutes). The cargo ferries take 1.5 – 2.0
hours, and also carry passengers.  The present
one-way subsidized fare is $2.25 + book fees, per
person, and is expected to increase soon to about
$11.00.

We strongly recommend that you purchase the ferry
tickets online in advance to avoid lines at the ticket
office and assure
that there is space for you.

If coming by
ferry, you should
take the PASSENGER ferry, which lands at the dock in
town (Dewey, Culebra), while most of the CARGO ferries
would land at a dock at San Ildefonso, away from town
(Dewey).

If you are flying in from
abroad and want to take the passenger boat to
Culebra to check-in at Tamarindo Estates that
same day, you would need to land into San Juan not later
than 12:00
Noon. This would normally
allow sufficient time to get your luggage and then the
taxi to the Ceiba ferry dock. The last boat you may take
and still be able to check in at Tamarindo Estates
departs Ceiba at 3:00 PM.

We recommend that you
do not rent a car on the main island of PR to take on
the cargo ferry to Culebra. Bookings for cars on the
cargo ferry are very limited, insurance may not cover
if you take car on the ferry, and you would not be
able to get roadside assistance on Culebra from the
rental company. It is highly recommended that you
first get to Culebra without a car and rent a car from
the local Culebra companies.

BY PLANE:

Most of the airplanes to
Culebra depart from San Juan Isla Grande Airport (SIG),
some depart from San Juan International Airport (SJU),
and they take only about 35 minutes from San Juan. The
flight from Ceiba to Culebra takes about 12 minutes.
Flights between San Juan and Culebra are about $90 pp
each way and between Ceiba and Culebra $50 pp each way.
For airline schedules, please call the airlines or visit
their websites.

AIR
FLAMENCO http://flyairflamenco.com 787.724.1818.

VIEQUES
AIR LINK (VAL) www.viequesairlink.com  787.741.8331.
   

CAPE
AIR  www.capeair.com 
508.771.6944 

Chartering
Operators:
Taxi Areo http://taxiaereopr.travel/,
Air America Caribbean http://airamericacaribbean.com/,
MN Aviation http://www.mnaviation.com/,
Air Margarita (787.529.2336) http://www. airmargarita.com,
Air Flamenco http://www.airflamenco.net,
and Vieques Air Link http://www.viequesairlink.com. 
Below is more information.

MAIN LOCAL AIRLINES

Guests coming from abroad would typically
arrive at the San Juan International Airport (SJU). Most of
the flights from San Juan to Culebra (CPX) depart from the
smaller Isla Grande Airport (SIG), which is a 15-20 minute
taxi ride from San Juan International Airport (SJU). The
flight from San Juan takes about 35 minutes to Culebra
(CPX). The flight from Ceiba to Culebra takes about 12
minutes.

Flights between San Juan and Culebra vary from
about $90 pp each way and between Ceiba and Culebra $50 pp
each way. Airlines charge for overweight luggage. You may
check details with them.

3.

  CAPE
AIR  

www.capeair.com   
508.771.6944

……AIR CHARTERS……..	Chartered flights, timed more at your convenience, are another option. If your group has 5 people, the per person cost could be about the same as in a scheduled flight.
Taxi Areo http://taxiaereopr.travel/	Air Margarita http://www.airmargarita.com	MN Aviation http://www. mnaviation.com/
Air America Caribbean http://airamericacaribbean.com/	Air Flamenco http://www.airflamenco.net	Vieques Air L. http://www.viequesairlink.com

ONCE YOU ARE IN CULEBRA, HOW DO YOU GET TO
THE RENTAL APARTMENT AT TAMARINDO ESTATES?

FROM THE CULEBRA FERRY
DOCK  keep driving on main street (Rd. #250)
towards the airport. FROM THE AIRPORT location drive
or take a taxi to Tamarindo Estates, 7 to 10 minutes.
From the airport, stay on Rd #251 North for about 1. 3
miles; at Km. 2.2 (by the yellow house) turn left into
Tamarindo road till the very end (about 3/4 mile). At
the circle on TAMARINDO ESTATES BEACH APTS., walk to
the office building and follow the posted instructions
for check in.

RENTAL CARS: Both
Jerrys Jeep Rental and Carlos Jeeps have their
service booths at the airport terminal, where you can
arrange to rent or pick up a car.

MORE 
DETAILS  ON TRANSPORTATION TO CULEBRA ISLAND:

FLYING
FROM THE UNITED STATES TO SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO: For people coming from
abroad, the easiest way to reach Culebra is via San Juan,
Puerto Rico. The flight from New York to San Juan takes 3
1/2 hours; from Miami to San Juan it’s 1 1/2 hours. WE RECOMMEND OUR VISITORS TO FLY TO CULEBRA FROM
THE MAINLAND PUERTO RICO. San Juan International
Airport (SJU) is served from the U.S. Mainland by American
Airlines, Delta, US Airways, Continental, Northwest, Spirit
Air, and United. From the rest of the world, San Juan (SJU)
Airport is served by Air Canada Vacations, Canadian
Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa’s partner Condor, Copa
Airlines, Iberia, and LACSA-Group Taca.

FLYING FROM SAN JUAN TO
CULEBRA:  There are basically two ways of
travelling from the ‘Big Island’ of Puerto Rico to Culebra.
You can either take an airplane or take the passenger boat.
Flying to Culebra is usually the most hassle free option,
and in 35 minutes you can get from San Juan to
Culebra.  Flying in from San Juan to Culebra is in most
cases the only way to be able to check in into your hotel
the same day of your flight from abroad.    There
are several daily flights arriving in Culebra from San Juan
Isla Grande Airport (SIG) on Vieques Air Link
(787-722-3736) and Air Flamenco (787-724-6464). You may
also consider chartering a plane to expedite your arrival.

Major Air Carriers Serving
San Juan International Airport (SJU) from the U.S. and
Abroad

Getting to Vieques and Culebra

Essential planning information on how to reach Puerto Rico’s famed remote island jewels.

Two of Puerto Rico’s greatest assets, Vieques and Culebra rank high on the wish list of many travelers. As two of Puerto Rico’s island municipalities, it takes more forethought and planning to ensure a seamless travel experience. The only way to reach the islands is by plane—commercial, charter or private flight—a public ferry from Ceiba, or a day trip via a high-speed catamaran and yacht.

Playa Negro (Black Sand Beach) in Vieques / Discover Puerto Rico

Vieques

An island municipality, famed for its picture-perfect crescents of sand, boutique hotels and crystalline waters, Vieques is the ultimate Caribbean dreamscape. Substantially larger than Culebra, Vieques draws visitors to its bioluminescent bay which boasts the highest concentration of phosphorescent dinoflagellates of any of the world’s five bio bays. Kayaking through the bay under star-studded skies is a bucket-list experience. There are dreamy beaches where you will barely see another soul, aquamarine waters teeming with marine life and even semi-wild horses. The U.S. military’s presence on the island for over 60 years prevented overdevelopment and, since 2003, their former bases have been reclaimed and protected as part of Vieques National Wildlife Refuge.

Getting to Vieques

By Plane

Unless budget is your primary consideration, flying is the fastest, easiest and most convenient way to reach Vieques. With breathtaking views, the flight is part of the adventure. Planes are small, jet-propelled aircraft and only carry up to eight passengers—you’ll need to book ahead of time to secure your seat. There are around five flights a day from San Juan International Airport (SJU) with Cape Air and Vieques Air Link. Flights start at $110 one way; airtime is around 30 minutes. From San Juan’s Isla Grande Airport (SIG), 10 minutes by car from downtown San Juan, there are flights with Cape Air, Air Flamenco and Vieques Air Link.  One-way tickets cost from $72 each way; airtime around 17 minutes. There are also daily flights from Ceiba Airport with Vieques Air Link, from $40 (7-min. flight time.) Daily flights connect Vieques with Culebra, as well as islands of the Greater Antilles—St. Thomas and St. Croix. A partnership between JetBlue and Cape Air means that you can now book a flight from the mainland U.S. with a connection to Vieques as part of your initial reservation.

All airlines charge extra for luggage that weighs more than 30lbs. Surcharges are applied at a rate of $1 per pound above the limit. The maximum weight permitted is 50lbs.

MN Aviation offers charter flights for up to nine passengers from San Juan to Vieques. Prices start at $1,500 each way.

By Ferry

The less convenient alternative is a public (45 min.) ferry ride (less than $5) from Ceiba, a 90-minute drive from San Juan (taxi fare around $170). All ferries now operate from the new ferry terminal (a former naval base) in Ceiba (no longer from Fajardo). The schedules are notoriously erratic. Always try to reserve a seat on the earliest ferry—getting bumped isn’t unusual. Try to avoid traveling on weekends and holidays and always arrive at least an hour ahead of departure to improve your chances of getting a seat. Vieques is a popular day trip destination for Puerto Ricans and if the ferries fill up, residents will get priority. You will also need to purchase tickets for each item; beach gear, bikes, suitcases, strollers, etc. coolers,Generally, nine ferries operate per day, from 5am to 7:30pm. You can check the latest ferry schedules and make reservations here: Ceiba to Vieques Ferry

Getting around Vieques

By car   

There is limited public transport on Vieques. Hiring a car is the best way to explore the island. Vieques’ interior is wild and rugged, so a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended. Demand for rental cars frequently outstrips supply—driving higher prices. Expect to pay around $100 per day for a Jeep (or equivalent), around $70 per day for a golf cart. Be sure to make a reservation well ahead of time. There are several rental companies at the airport: Vieques Car Rental, Avis and Coqui Car Rental. If you decide not to rent a car, it’s best to stay in Esperanza, the tourist epicenter.

By taxi and público (public taxi)

The two main services on Vieques are Vieques Taxi (787-741-8294) and Mode’s transportation services (787-295-3021).

You’ll find públicos waiting at Vieques’ ferry terminal and airport as well as in the towns of Isabel Segunda and Esperanza. Publicos operate on fixed routes and fares range from $3.00–$5.00 per person. A shared ride will lower the cost further. 

Culebra / Discover Puerto Rico

Culebra

Less than 33km (20 miles) from Puerto Rico’s main island and half-way to the U.S. Virgin Islands, sun-soaked Culebra is an embarrassment of riches. Blessed with balmy tropical weather,  white sand beaches, excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities, and a stunning interior, Culebra has all the ingredients for an idyllic Caribbean escape. Playa Flamenco’s charms are renowned— it’s often cited as one of the 10 best beaches in the world. Surrounding the island are 22 other tiny island jewels, including Culebrita, a mile-long (1.6km) coral-isle satellite of Culebra. 

Reached in just ten minutes by water taxi, the island is ringed with six glorious beaches—the most visited is Playa Tortuga. There’s also a picturesque lighthouse—the only man-made structure on the island. Culebra and its cays are part of the Culebra Wildlife Refuge, one of the Caribbean’s most important turtle-nesting sites.

Getting to Culebra

By Plane

As with Vieques, if you want to travel independently to Culebra flying is the most convenient, efficient and reliable means of inter-island transportation. The scenic journey provides a bird’s-eye view of small cays scattered across impossibly blue waters. There are around five flights a day with Cape Air (JetBlue code-share) and Vieques Air Link (35 min.), from $69 one way ($135 return). Flights operated by Vieques Air Link are a code-share with Seaborne.

By Ferry

If you are time rich, the ferry from the new Ceiba ferry terminal is the cheapest way of getting to Culebra. On Puerto Rico’s East Coast, Ceiba is a 90-minute drive from San Juan (taxi fare around $170). There are generally around seven ferries per day, operating from 4am to 5:30pm. Schedules are erratic and subject to change. You can check the latest schedule and make reservations here: Ceiba to Culebra Ferry

By Catamaran

High speed catamaran tours offer a seamless travel experience. Full-day tours (from $150) depart from Marina Puerto Del Rey or Villa Marina Yacht Harbor in Fajardo, around 8:30am. Tours involve snorkeling at a coral reef—usually at Luis Peña, Carlos Rosario, Melones or Punta Soldado. The boat is then moored at one of Culebra’s famous beaches; normally Flamenco Beach or Playa Tortuga on Culebrita Cay—depending on the sea conditions. Private charters can also be arranged; around $3,500 for up to 12 passengers. A buffet (or packed) lunch, drinks and refreshments are included. The tours are suitable for children aged six and over. Recommended tour operators are Sail Getaways and East Island Excursions.

Scenic Island Flight

If you want to avoid too much time on the water, another option is to take a 30-minute scenic island flight over Culebra followed by a relaxing afternoon on the island’s most famous stretches of sand: Flamenco Beach and Tamarindo Beach. Private transportation, lunch and snorkeling gear is provided. I Ventures Carribbean is a recommended tour operator. For a more VIP experience, custom day-trip packages are also available including flights, transfers, car rentals and snorkeling gear; from around $265.

Getting around Culebra

By car

With limited transport, you’ll need to rent a car or golf cart to explore the island’s beaches and interior: Carlos Jeep Rental, located a five-minute walk from the airport, rents jeeps (from $75 per day) and golf carts (from $40 per day), Jerry’s Jeeps  is located in front of the airport and offers SUVs and jeeps (from $70 per day) and golf carts (from $40 per day).