Advertisement
Published: January 14th 2010
Wait for the ferry
Although you buy tickets on the other side of the street, the waiting room for the ferry is on the water side.FERRY RIDE TO CULEBRA
With one car, we have to make two trips every place. (*Note: Get two cars next time because you can’t be without a car on Puerto Rico. Little is within walking distance.) The first group left at 7:30 p.m., and Clint was back for us by 7:50 a.m. We ran into some traffic on the way there, and it took 15 minutes to arrive at the port. We met the rest of the group at the bakery a block from where the ferry docks. Jenny had bought us all muffins for breakfast. We were about out of food at the villa and didn’t have time to make a fourth grocery store stop. She had purchased our ferry tickets the night before for the 9 a.m. ferry to Culebra. We waited inside for about a half an hour, dodging the bees buzzing around the trash can, before we were able to board. The ride itself takes between one to one-and-one-half hours, depending on wind conditions. It took longer to return than it did to get to Culebra.
Ferry schedule:
Fajardo to Culebra:
9 a.m.
3 p.m.
7 p.m.
Culebra to Fajardo:
6:30 a.m.
1 p.m.
5 p.m.
Waiting room
A glimpse of the ferry was offered through the partial wall. For reservations, call 800-981-2005 or 787-860-2005 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 to 3 p.m.
Rates:
Culebra $2.25
Viequez $2
Children (3-11) $1
Adults (60-74) $1
Seniors (75+) Free
After embarking from the ferry, we were greeted by a man handing out cards. He offered to take us to Flamenco Beach and give us a tour of the island on our way there. If we went out and returned with him, he'd charge us only $5. Sounded like a good price. We said yes, and learned it was Willy himself we were talking to. He owns at least two small buses that traverse between the city and Flamenco Beach. Along the way, we learned where the most important woman in Culebra lives -- his mother. He also pointed out the few churches, the one pizza parlor (which is only open when the owners feel like being open), and the Jeep rental facility he operates. Willy was knowledgeable, and his love of his home showed through. Why was there a tree in the middle of the road? Why, they couldn't bare to cut it down so they put a lane on either side and saved it. He also
Culebra Ferry
We waited in line one to get to Culebra. explained why Flamenco remains so clean. There is a swamp inland that filters the water before it reaches the beach. Willy was proud to tell us that not long ago, several people from Hawaii visited Flamenco to determine its status in the world. According to Willy, these Hawaiians named it the second prettiest beach in the world.
When we got to to beach, Willy told us that the bus would be waiting for us at 3:50 p.m., which gave us enough time to make it back to catch the last ferry of the day. We strolled around the few kiosks that were open first. One sold miscellaneous items like sunscreen and postcards, another food items and pina coladas. As we left the parking lot, two attendants checked our bags to be sure we weren't bringing any glass onto the beach.
Willys: http://www.islaculebra.com/puerto-rico/willy-jeep-rental.htm
More about the island: http://www.islaculebra.com/index.htm
FLAMENCO BEACH
Walking out to Flamenco Beach felt like walking into paradise. It truly deserves its reputation as one of the top 10 beaches in the Caribbean. Sitting on the beach, watching the turquoise waves crash against a backdrop of lush mountain and black cliffs, I felt like I was
Daddy and baby
Baby's first ferry ride in Hawaii. I’d only been there during an 8-hour layover when I was 13, but the memory of the sun and waves has stayed with me. I remember how we bodysurfed on the waves, and how I was pulled under and scrapped on the sand. The same thing happened at Flamenco — luckily I lived. There was so much surf that Clint and Derek never left the water; they stayed out for a solid 5 hours. TJ nearly matched them. Jesse and Jessica were in and out, as I was. We all had a blast. The baby loved crawling towards the water and the waves. She has no fear.
As soon as I stepped out on the beach I knew what I wanted: an umbrella (to provide shade for Josey) and a lounger for me. I got both for $20. A man setting them up on the beach charged $10 an item. He’s got it going on! In a few hours on Monday he raked in $190. All he needed to do was set the pieces up and take them down. He advised me to move my chair to stay in the shade rather than move the umbrella. The
winds were pretty gusty and likely to catch the umbrella and pull it up if it were moved.
The sugar white sand was perfect. It wasn’t too grainy like at Seven Seas or too soft like east of there, nor was it so fine that it stuck to every pore like at Luquillo. No, it was simply beach sand that hardened near the water for easy walking and remained soft farther away for comfort while sunbathing. Because of the wind it did get into everything, but shook off easily. Some people complained about the wind, but I was glad for it as it kept me cool.
When we got hungry, we walked back towards the parking lot to peruse through the shops. Only three were open and the rest were shuttered. For only $9 we got our best meal in Puerto Rico: rice and beans. We got tamales, as well, but they weren’t more than corn mush. Later, before we left I returned for a strawberry/mango smoothie. For $3, I got the medium size. Oh, it was refreshing and delicious.
The boys wanted to boogie board, but as there were none to rent Jessica bought one for
Ferry to Culebra
It was freezing inside the ferry. $22. TJ had a blast riding the waves with it, hooting and hollering as he went. It made for great video! Sadly, when Derek used it the board bent and that was the end of the boogie board. It lasted less than one-half hour.
There were several lifeguard shacks set up on the beach, but I didn’t notice any lifeguards on duty. It might have been because they didn’t pop out, or else they were not there that day. I know we were pretty worried about the two little boys whose father kept paying attention to everything but them. Jessica kept her eyes on the boys, fearing that she’d have to put her lifeguard training to use.
I could have stayed there all day, but Willy’s bus was waiting for us at 3:50 p.m. If I had the Puerto Rico trip to do over again, I’d stay on Culebra the whole time. Given its small size we could have walked or rented bikes to get almost everywhere we wanted to go. It was by far the prettiest spot I saw in Puerto Rico, and seemed pretty laid back.
When we met back up with Garret and Jen,
View of El Conquisador
A few of the famous luxury resort from the ferry they praised the scuba diving instructors, as well as the gorgeous scene underwater.
I would love to return and hit up Culebrita, a small island just off the coast of Culebra. Apparently, it's breathtaking.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.117s; Tpl: 0.016s; cc: 10; qc: 56; dbt: 0.0708s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
mom
non-member comment
Beaching It!
gotta love the beach, this one sounds heavenly!