CULEBRA ISLAND
With eight beaches around the island,
quality of surf varies, but the calm, clear and warm water
of Flamenco Beach can't be beat. As a matter of fact, Flamenco
Beach has been named year after year one of the best beaches
of the world. This horseshoe-shaped, palm-tree-lined beach
is situated between mountain ridges, and is excellent site
for entry-level snorkeling and diving, Playa Flamenco offers
toilet facilities, and Coconuts Beach Grill for lunch.
Today Culebra is appealing for what it lacks. There are no
luxury resorts, elegant restaurants, discos, movie theaters,
casinos, museums or boutiques. There's also no crime, hardly
any traffic and few crowds (except during Semana Santa —
Holy Week — which precedes Easter).
What Culebra does offer is an unsullied and under-populated
beach along with pristine waters filled with beautiful fish.
There is also plenty of wildlife. The disconnected tracts
of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, which total more
than one-third of the islands' area, are populated with terns,
gulls, pelicans, boobies and several species of endangered
turtle.
Getting
to Culebra is part of the experience. The easiest way
is to catch an Isla Nena Air Service flight from Fajardo
($20 one way) or to catch from Fajardo the Puerto Rican
Port Authority ferry ($2.25 one way). Fajardo is located
10 minute car drive from the Rio Mar Resort. Upon
arrival to Culebra you can move by taxi or rent your own
wheels — but instead of Hertz or Avis you'll be
renting a vehicle from someplace like Jerry's Jeeps (787-742-0587),
Carlos Jeep Rental (787-742-3514), or a handful of others.
Because demand for cars occasionally exceeds supply, make
reservations early. From the ferry dock in Culebra or
from outside the airport you can easily catch public transportation
to Flamenco Beach. $2.Also, Culebra is a nice place to
bicycle. Culebra Bike and Beach Rentals 787-742-2209 is
located right in town.