There’s a charm to Culebra and Vieques that’s hard to articulate. These are two small island municipalities off the eastern coast of mainland Puerto Rico, and going there is just a completely different experience from the rest of Puerto Rico.
Culebra is notable because of Flamenco Beach, an attraction that’s frequently included in lists of the best beaches in the world. Getting there’s easy once you know…
The Route To Culebra
Flights to Culebra
There are two ways to get to Culebra: by air or by sea. Booking a flight to Culebra is more expensive than taking the ferry, but it’s quicker and more convenient. Let’s see what that entails.
What airports fly into Culebra?
- The main flights to Culebra depart from either Isla Grande in San Juan, San Juan International (SJU), or from Ceiba.
- The most commonly used airlines that fly into Culebra are Cape Air and Vieques Air Link. The former only flies out of SJU, and the latter flies out of Ceiba and Isla Grande, but not SJU.
- While flights are available year-round, seasonality can impact the cost of your ticket.
How long is the plane ride?
- If departing from Ceiba, you can expect a flight lasting between 10 and 20 minutes. If you prefer a San Juan departure, you’ll be in the air possibly up to 30 minutes.
- All flights are direct.
How much do the plane tickets cost?
- Tickets can cost anywhere from $90 to $120.
- Variance in price can be due to seasonality and your choice of airport.
- Most major airlines will provide a combined bookable fare if you include Culebra on your itinerary.
- Depending on your group size, booking an air taxi can save you on the per-person cost.
Ferries to Culebra
If you want to save as much money as possible, the ferry is the way to go. Just keep in mind that the tradeoff here is convenience. The ferry is more crowded than a small plane will be, and if you get seasick, be sure to pack some Dramamine because the waters can get choppy. However, if you are going in with the right expectations, there’s no more affordable way to get there.
Where do you catch the ferry to Culebra?
- The ferry to Culebra departs from Ceiba.
- The quickest way to get to the port is to take Expreso Román Baldorioty de Castro nearly all the way to the end. Near the end of the expressway, you will see an exit onto Route 66. Take Route 66 all the way until it ends at PR3 and exit eastward. Continue straight and you will notice PR3 becomes Autopista Dr. José Celso Barbosa. Keep going, take exit 5 onto PR 975, then turn left onto carr. 3, then right onto calle Feliza Rincon de Gautier. Continue onto Calle Isabel Rosado, turn right onto Tarawa Dr. Keep going until it becomes Forrestal Dr, and then hang a left onto Marina Dr. Or you could use Google Maps, whatever works best for you.
How long is the ferry ride?
- Depending on water conditions, the trip can take anywhere from 50 minutes to an hour.
- The ferry makes several trips, with the earliest leaving from Ceiba at 3:30 AM and the latest departing at 7:30 PM. Make it a point to be at the terminal an hour before you go, and remember that boarding closes 10 minutes before departure.
How much do the ferry tickets cost?
- A one-way ticket costs $2.25 for adults and $1 for seniors and children; round trip is $4.50 and $2, respectively. Babies until age 3 and seniors over 75 travel free of charge. Vehicles can only be brought on board if they belong to a resident of Vieques or Culebra.
- No discounted rates are available at this time. Note: Non-resident rates go into effect on 12/1/24. This post will be updated when new rates are available. Discounted rates for residents will be available when non-resident pricing goes into effect.
Tickets can be purchased at the Puerto Rico Ferry website, through the City Experiences Mobile app, or in person at the terminal.
Conclusion
Like Vieques, Culebra is a part of Puerto Rico that you simply have to experience firsthand. Both islands have something unique to offer: whether it’s the bioluminescent bay in Vieques or the unbelievably pristine Playa Flamenco in Culebra, the experiences are simply not interchangeable.
When it comes to getting there, it’s really a matter of what’s most important to you. Would you rather save money or would you rather get there quicker and more comfortably? At the end of the day, the “how” matters little compared to the “wow”.
