EVERYTHING You Have to Know!

When researching Puerto Rico I’m positive you’ve most likely come throughout gorgeous footage of Flamenco Seashore, which is constantly listed as among the best seashores on the earth. Flamenco Seashore was voted third greatest seashore on the earth within the 2014 TripAdvisor Vacationers’ Alternative Awards and has been listed as one of many Prime 50 Seashores within the World by The Guardian. 

With its powdery white sand, turquoise blue water and plush greenery, Flamenco Seashore is the proper place to chill out, unwind and take in the solar. To get to the seashore you’ll must take a flight or a ferry to the island of Culebra, then hop a taxi or lease a car to drive to the seashore. 

On this Flamenco Seashore information I’ll cowl precisely the best way to get there, and what to anticipate while you arrive. 

Historical past of Flamenco Seashore

First, somewhat background about this lovely seashore. The identify “flamenco” means “flamingo” in Spanish, and it will get its identify from the flamingos that after inhabited the Flamenco Lagoon. 

Positioned on the north coast of Culebra, the seashore is a horseshoe-shaped stretch of sand measuring about half a mile lengthy. 

For a few years Culebra was occupied by the U.S. Navy, who used the island and its surrounding cays as a weapons testing floor and coaching facility. Nevertheless, in 1975 they have been compelled to go away the island, after demonstrations and riots organized by native residents. 

The navy left behind a few of their gear, together with two tanks, which have been left to rust on Flamenco Seashore.

The place is Flamenco Seashore Precisely?

Flamenco Seashore lies on the north coast of Culebra, to the east of Reserva Pure de Culebra (Culebra Nature Reserve). The seashore is round 4 km (8 minutes drive) from the ferry terminal and round 2.7km (5 minutes drive) from Culebra airport. 

The way to Get to Flamenco Seashore

With a view to get to Flamenco Seashore you’ll first have to get to Culebra. You may have two major choices for attending to Culebra – aircraft or ferry. The ferry is MUCH cheaper than taking a flight, however you’ll have to get your self over to Ceiba on the east coast of the island. The flight is faster and easier although, so when you’ve got the funds, chances are you’ll wish to go along with this feature. 

Aircraft

To get to Culebra by aircraft you possibly can both fly from San Juan airport or Ceiba airport. Flights from San Juan are with Cape Air and value roughly $200 round-trip. It’s costly for such a brief flight, however when you’re staying in San Juan it’s the best possibility, taking simply half-hour to get there. 

Alternatively you possibly can fly to Culebra from Ceiba, which is on the east coast of Puerto Rico close to Fajardo (and the ferry terminal). Flights with Air Flamenco value round $45 to $60 every method, so about $90-$120 round-trip. That’s cheaper than the flight from San Juan, nonetheless it’s a must to consider attending to Ceiba. 

To get to Ceiba from San Juan you’ll have to pay for a automotive rental, or you possibly can ebook a non-public switch service, which is fairly costly. 

Ferry 

I made a decision to go along with the ferry possibility, which is significantly cheaper than taking a flight. The fare is $2.25 every method, and tickets might be bought on-line with a Visa or Mastercard. 

The ferry departs from Ceiba, which is a couple of 1 hour to 1.5 hour drive from San Juan relying on site visitors and time of day. With a view to get there you might want to lease a automotive and drive there – check out Uncover Vehicles, Rentalcars.com or Priceline to seek out the most affordable deal. 

For my Culebra day journey, I picked up a automotive at round 2pm on a Wednesday and dropped it off at 9pm the next day. With insurance coverage, the whole value was round $120. So whereas the ferry is cheaper than the flight, you additionally must think about the price of the automotive rental, fuel and parking. 

Rental firms don’t mean you can take your automotive onto the Culebra ferry, so that you’ll have to park your automotive on the Ceiba ferry terminal. The price for that is $11, and there’s a parking shuttle that takes you from the automotive park to the terminal. Boarding for the passenger + cargo ferry normally begins round 1 hour earlier than departure – attempt to get there no later than half-hour beforehand. 

For those who resolve to go along with the ferry possibility, purchase your tickets on-line a minimum of a few weeks prematurely! The tickets promote out in a short time, and whereas there are some tickets accessible on the field workplace, choice is normally given to Puerto Rico residents. Trying to purchase tickets on the field workplace on the day of departure is dangerous, since they might be bought out by the point you get to the entrance of the road. 

One factor to notice is that the water might be tough, and plenty of folks complain of seasickness on the ferry. For those who do endure from movement illness, ensure to pack some dramamine, or contemplate taking a flight as a substitute. 

I felt fairly sick on the way in which over to Culebra, since we needed to sit contained in the ferry. On the way in which again from Culebra I sat on the highest deck and felt a lot better – I skilled no seasickness in any respect! 

For extra data on what it’s wish to trip the Puerto Rico ferry – take a look at my weblog submit filled with Culebra ferry ideas. 

Taxis and Transportation on Culebra

There are two choices for getting round on Culebra – you possibly can both catch one of many shared taxis, or you possibly can lease a car and drive across the island your self. For those who solely plan on visiting Flamenco Seashore, stick with the taxi possibility and don’t trouble with renting a automotive.  

After we arrived on the ferry port there have been a number of shared vans ready to whisk vacationers to Flamenco Seashore. The taxis from the ferry to the seashore value $20 however might be cut up between 4 folks. Since there have been solely two of us, we have been paired up with two different women, so the journey value $5 every. 

Whenever you wish to head again to the ferry port, you’ll additionally discover taxis ready within the automotive park at Flamenco Seashore. Make certain to hold money, as they don’t take playing cards. 

For those who do wish to lease a golf cart or a Jeep, take a look at Carlos Jeep Rental, which is the most well-liked firm on the island. The corporate provides courtesy pick-up from the ferry terminal and the airport when you resolve to ebook by way of them. 

Flamenco Seashore Tanks

When the U.S. Navy left Culebra in 1975, they left behind two M4 Sherman tanks, which started to rust and corrode within the salty air. Locals and guests painted the tanks in colourful graffiti, inflicting them to turn into one of the crucial widespread photograph spots in Puerto Rico.  

If you wish to have your photograph taken with the well-known Flamenco seashore tanks, flip left while you’re going through the ocean and preserve strolling alongside the sand for about 10 minutes. 

Flamenco Seashore Services

Earlier than you enter the seashore you’ll see an space with quite a few meals kiosks, in addition to showers and toilet amenities. 

The kiosks promote pina coladas, beers, mushy drinks and snacks akin to tostones, empanadas, rice and beans, burgers and pinchos.

For those who fancy a refreshing pina colada (Puerto Rico’s nationwide drink), anticipate to pay $6 for no alcohol, $7 for one shot of rum and $9 for 2 pictures of rum. 

Most guests carry their very own towels however when you want a seashore chair and umbrella, these can be found for lease. A seashore chair prices $10, whereas an umbrella prices $20. Be sure to carry money for fee. 

Tenting at Flamenco Seashore

The one campground on Culebra island is situated at Flamenco Seashore. It has capability for round 400 tents, however it might probably get fairly busy throughout the summer time months and on vacation weekends. 

If you wish to sleep beneath the celebrities and be at one with nature, contemplate tenting right here for the night time as a substitute of staying at a guesthouse. Tenting prices $30 per tent per night time, with a most of 6 folks per tent. Test-in is normally after 8am, and check-out is earlier than 4pm. For those who want to name the campground, they are often contacted on (787) 742-0700. 

You possibly can buy your personal gear on the primary island at shops like Walmart and Sears, or you may lease the gear from Tent Metropolis – a kiosk at Flamenco Seashore. The kiosk provides a wide variety of tenting gear together with tents, flashlights, mattresses and camp stoves. 

Is Flamenco Seashore Price It?

There’s little doubt that Flamenco Seashore is a beautiful seashore, nonetheless, plenty of the pictures you see on-line have been photoshopped to make the colours pop. Sure, the water is a stunning turquoise blue shade, however I’ve seen seashores with whiter sand in locations just like the Dominican Republic and the Philippines. 

Nevertheless, the tanks make Flamenco Seashore fairly distinctive, so when you plan to spend greater than 3 days in Puerto Rico, it’s price including this present day journey to your itinerary. It’s undoubtedly the perfect seashore in Puerto Rico, though I additionally love Luquillo Seashore on the primary island as effectively. 

The journey from San Juan is a little bit of a grueling one although when you resolve to take the ferry, so  when you’re brief on time and have the money to spare, contemplate taking a flight from San Juan.