Trip to Culebra Island, Puerto Rico

It may not be Morocco, but the trip to Puerto Rico wasn't far behind in brilliance. No passport needed, cheap, and isolated Caribbean beaches aren't too far.

Old San Juan felt like a European city. It's got an amazing old-world feel, with cobblestone streets, fortresses and enchanting buildings. Forget a few days; you need a week to see this city.

In the spirit of a true vacation, I spent most of my time on Culebra, an island off PR, swimming and snorkelling on some of Caribbean's best undiscovered beaches.

As my friend lazed around the hotel and read her book, one day I biked out to Flamenco, Culebra's most noted beach, and Carlos Rosario, a remote beach offering PR's best snorkelling. Enjoy a photo essay of that trip.


View from Culebra's ferry dock (Is it PR or Vieques?)


Culebra's ferry dock


A rude vendor at the ferry dock


Hippie dude Dick in old VW van with a gaggle of rental bikes to choose from


Culebra's tiny airport popped up on the way to Flamenco. Small aircraft fly in from San Juan airport, and don't leave until the 8 seats are filled.


The deserted airport had enough space for my bike. Visitors avoid Culebra between Aug and Oct fearing a hurricane.


Biking to Flamenco beach is a bit of an effort...


.. but worth it. Added gas into pedaling as the turqoise waters of Flamenco beach came to view.


An unstaffed information booth at the beach. With no tourism, Culebrans vacation in Sept.



Don't forget sunscreen!


Flamenco's calm waters are stunningly beautiful and yet to be discovered


Coconuts litter the beach


A tank on the beach.. self-explanatory


The green hill adds great effect to Flamenco


Sooty Terns breed on the island


The blue sky, turqoise waters and an isolated beach.. can't ask for more..


Heading from Flamenco to Carlos Rosario (CR) beach to snorkel


The trek to CR is arduous, on a hill with a small, slippery path and thorny bushes. Carry a Swiss Knife and antibiotic ointment. No road approaches CR.


I snorkelled around CR beach for 3 hours. Some of the best corals and fish in PR can be found there (it is a designated wildlife refuge). Snorkelling in Belize remains tops though.

Watch your step on CR beach...prickly objects are everywhere.