10 Best Things to Do in Culebra, Puerto Rico
Find the best things to do in Culebra, Puerto Rico, from the obvious to the hidden gems!
If you’re trying to decide what to do in Culebra, Puerto Rico, you’ve come to the right place. From the first time I visited this island, it has had my heart and kept me coming back for more. In this guide, we’ll take a look at all of the fun things to do in Culebra, but first, let’s learn a little about the island.
Culebra is a small island in Puerto Rico located just 17 miles off the mainland’s coast. It measures about 7 miles by 5 miles making it perfect for spending a day when visiting Puerto Rico. You’ll find amazing beaches, snorkeling, and some unique island features that aren’t available on the mainland.
Let’s take a look at how to spend your time in Culebra.
Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.
1. Enjoy Flamenco Beach
Flamenco Beach is known for not only being the best beach in Culebra, but also one of the best beaches in the world! This makes it the main draw for most people visiting Culebra. Here you’ll find 1.5 miles of long white sand beaches lined with palm trees and green hills in the distance. It truly is as beautiful as they say!
Visit Flamenco Beach for swimming, sunbathing, photography, reading, snorkeling, and more! It’s the perfect beach to relax on in Puerto Rico. Just remember to pack your reef-safe sunscreen, and consider renting an umbrella on the beach to help protect you from the aggressive Puerto Rican sun.
As Flamenco Beach is so popular, you’ll find it far more developed than other beaches in Culebra. In fact, there is a $5 fee to park and a $2 entrance fee per person. This does fortunately come with access to changing facilities and restrooms. Additionally, you’ll find there are usually a few food kiosks available here serving up snacks and drinks – including alcoholic beverages.
Read More: Everything to Know Before You Go to Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico
2. Hop Beach to Beach in Culebra
There are a lot of amazing beaches in Culebra. While you might typically only hear about Flamenco Beach, you’ll also want to check out a few of the other Culebra beaches. These may include Playa Zoni, Playa Tamarindo, Playa Melones, Playa Sardinas, Playa Brava, Playa Punta Soldado, Playa Resaca, Playa Mazanilla, or Playa Carlos Rosario.
Here’s an overview of a few of the most visited beaches in Culebra:
- Tamarindo Beach: Located in the Cayo Luis Pena Nature Reserve, this beach offers a wide variety of fish, stingrays, and sea turtles making it an excellent place to swim, snorkel, and kayak in Culebra.
- Zoni Beach: The second most popular beach in Culebra, this beach is ideal for snorkeling and swimming in Culebra. It’s also a common nesting site for hawksbill and leatherback turtles.
- Melones Beach: One of the best places to find a sea turtle in Isla Culebra is Melones Beach. It’s also a great place to catch sunset.
- Sardinas Beach: Located close to one of the main tourist areas of Culebra, you’ll find this beach is a bit busier and gives you a bit more local flavor than many of the more secluded beaches.
Get the full beach packing list to ensure you’re ready to explore Culebra, Puerto Rico!
3. Locate Abandoned Tanks
Okay, hear me out. I know this is an off beat Culebra activity, but it’s actually also pretty popular! Culebra used to be a US naval base and as such there are a few abandoned tanks throughout the island. They have since become some of the most photographed spots in Culebra! This is partially because they are frequently painted and repainted making them colorful relics of the past.
One of the most photographed tanks in Culebra is located near the end of Flamenco Beach in the water. When you first enter onto the beach just turn left and walk down the sand until you see the tank sitting in the shallow water.
Another one is located just off Flamenco Beach before you hit the water tank. It’s in the trees and brush. Just keep your eyes on the trees next to the beach and you’ll see it sitting on a hilltop. People often climb on the tanks for photos, but be cautious as they are heavily rusted and made of jagged metal!
4. Go Snorkeling or Scuba Diving in Culebra
With such clear water and white sand, Culebra offers abundant coral reefs, mangrove forests, and sea life making it one of the best activities in Culebra. Choose to bring your own snorkel gear, rent it, or join a snorkeling tour to find the best snorkeling spots in Culebra!
The beaches that face westward tend to have the best snorkeling on Culebra due to land blocking most of the waves that come from the northeast. These beaches are typically not the ones with the powder white sand, like Flamenco Beach, but you will have the opportunity to spot turtles, fish, and coral.
However, if you’re looking for great snorkeling on a beautiful beach, Flamenco Beach actually does offer a couple of smaller reefs within reach. Head left on Flamenco Beach to explore the reef right off the beach. The water is shallow and you’ll be able to see it through the clear blue water. Continue further down and there is another reef located out behind the tank. The water there is a bit deeper.
Another option, is to go to the far right on Flamenco Beach where the sand ends and the rocks pick up. Here is an area called Muellecito by the locals – translated to “Shark Cages”. Note that as you swim out closer to the point of the island, the current will pick up – snorkel safely!
Check out this awesome snorkeling tour to Culebra from Ceiba.
5. Rent a Kayak or Paddleboard
Another great way to get out on the water of Culebra is via kayak or paddleboard. You can of course bring your own if you are willing to struggle through getting it there or you can rent them on Culebra, which is the easiest way.
Kayaking Puerto Rico is one of the best places to rent kayaks in Culebra, and they are located on Tamarindo Beach making it simple to rent one and get out on the water in just minutes. You can also opt to combine kayaking and snorkeling with a Culebra Island Adventure tour.
6. Take a Side Trip to Culebrita
Culebrita – or little Culebra – is a small uninhabited island off the Eastern coast of Culebra. It’s only about a mile long. To get here, you’ll either need to book a day trip, charter a boat, or find a water taxi to take you over to this stunning little island. If you’re up to a challenge, you can also try paddling over from Culebra in a kayak.
Why visit Culebrita? Well, on Culebrita, you’ll find some of the best snorkeling and reefs in Culebra. Make sure to take your snorkel gear. You’ll also want to visit Playa Tortuga, which is the more popular beach on Culebrita.
You also won’t want to miss the only man made structure on the island. It’s the Culebrita Lighthouse and it offers panoramic views of the surrounding area.
7. Catch an Amazing Sunset
Sunsets in Culebra are quite memorable – particularly if you can catch them on the west side of the island. To find the best sunset in Culebra, head to Melones Beach. It also offers clear and calm waters making it a great place to wind down the day.
Another great option is to wait for sunset at Flamenco Beach. It’s a beautiful place to relax until the sun sets as you’ll be able to enjoy the beach as it starts to empty out from all of the day trippers.
8. Learn about Culebra at the Culebra History Museum
Want to learn more about this beautiful island? Head to the Museo Historico de Culebra. This museum showcases the island’s ecosystem, animals, and people from the past and present. This includes when it was under US military control. You’ll be able to learn about the military history and admire the ancient artifacts on display.
This neat museum is located downtown in a former Naval munition warehouse and offers a small gift shop that’s a great place to check for souvenirs from Culebra.
Open: Friday – Sunday from 10am – 3pm
Cost: $2 entrance fee
9. Visit the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge
Another can’t miss Culebra activity is visiting the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. This area is actually much larger than Culebra Island, encompassing 23 islands and 20% of the main island of Culebra. It’s considered a wildlife refuge due to the large diversity of animal species that call it home, including endangered sea turtles and more than 13 species of birds.
To visit the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, you need to head to Cayo Luis Pena or Culebrita. Here you’ll find mangroves, beaches, lagoons, dry forests, coral reefs, and seagrass beds.
10. Explore Local Life in Town
While the town in Culebra is small, there are some great places to check out while you’re there. Stop at Blac Flamingo Coffee. Shop at Galeria de Regalos Gift Shop. Eat at Zaco’s Tacos, Dinghy Dock, and El Eden. Taste the local seafood.
As the island is small, just remember accommodation, shopping, and restaurant options are limited and the few places that are on the island offer short hours. I highly recommend you take some snacks and drinks with you just in case!
Learn More about Visiting Culebra
Still debating if there’s enough things to do in Culebra to make it worth the trip from San Juan? You may want to look at doing a day trip to Culebra from San Juan or a snorkeling trip to Culebra from Ceiba. These options allow you to see the highlights of Culebra while not monopolizing your time in Puerto Rico.
How to Get to Culebra Island
Find all the nitty gritty details about how to get to Culebra, Puerto Rico in this detailed post. It covers the four main transportation options with all of the details and links needed to start booking your trip to Culebra:
- Book the Ceiba to Culebra ferry ahead of time online.
- Fly to Culebra from San Juan or Ceiba on one of the many airlines available.
- Take the inter-island ferry from Vieques to Culebra.
- Plan a day trip to Culebra Island, like these options:
- Full day catamaran tour of Culebra from Fajardo
- Flamenco Beach day trip from San Juan which includes flights
- Kayak and snorkel adventure from Ceiba which includes ferry tickets
Where to Stay in Culebra
Being a small, popular vacation island, the limited selection of hotels in Culebra do fill up quickly. Make sure to book your accommodations well in advance if you want to stay overnight. To help get you started, here are some recommended Culebra hotels to check out: Aleli Cottages, Club Seabourne Hotel, Island Charm Culebra, Ulala Culebra, and Posada La Hamaca.
Check Booking.com now to see what hotels are available!
Explore Other Parts of Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico is one of the gems of this US territory, but Puerto Rico does offer many other amazing opportunities. Now that you know the best things to do in Culebra, let’s take a look at some additional posts to help you make the most of your time in Puerto Rico:
- How to Get to Culebra, Puerto Rico: 4 Key Transportation Options
- Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico: Everything to Know Before You Go
- 16 Helpful Things to Know Before Traveling to Puerto Rico
- 10 Top Things to Do in San Juan for the Trip of a Lifetime
- Where to Stay in San Juan, Puerto Rico: Best Hotels & Areas
- The Essential Beach Packing List: What to Pack for a Beach Vacation
- How to Visit Mosquito Bay: The Vieques Bioluminescent Bay, Puerto Rico
Like this post? Pin it.
