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El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   05-31-05 17:02

Just returned from Culebra...hot as hades down there last week. The trades finally reappeared for our last 2 days, whew!

Many good things to relate, starting with my superior experience with El Eden Liquor Store and Cafe. Like many Culebra establishments, it is a multi-faceted place. Liquor store, wine shop, deli, bakery, bistro, bar, gift shop, and internet cafe all rolled into one.

The beer prices were the best I found on the island, especially if purchasing by the case. The sandwiches we bought to take to the beach were delicious, made on crusty homemade bread, with 4 or 5 bread types offered. The meats and cheeses were all premium, and portions were generous. The pastries reminded me of Cafe Madeleine in New Orleans, with fine buttery texture served warm from the oven; wifey had seconds!

I have always carried my own wine to Culebra, which makes for a painfully heavy carry-on and very worrysome on the flight from San Juan. The wine selection at El Eden was way beyond my expectations, and compared to other consumables on the island, reasonably priced. No need to BYO, anymore.

The location is rather surprising, in the rather industrial part of Dewey, near the Fishermans Association and Joe's Frozen Hielo. This is in sharp contrast to the excellent merchandising touch that Richard and Luce displayed in the decor and layout. As hot as it was down there, it was a pleasant spot for a cup of coffee, while waiting for sandwiches and pastries.

I'll be back!

Doug
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   05-31-05 19:48

You know why it's in that odd location? A liquor store has to be x amount of feet away from a church or school. Pretty hard to do "in town". LOL!

Happy Diving!
Debbie
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Joel Maners (---.150.78.66.aeneasdsl.com)
Date:   05-31-05 23:12

How do their pricesand selection compare to the mainland?

Joel Maners
Jackson, Tennesse
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   06-01-05 12:33

If you mean the big island of Puerto Rico, it's been too long since I shopped for beer there. Wine-wise, prices are about 20% higher than I pay in St. Louis, easily attributable to transportation costs. I'm used to only seeing wines from South America, and there were French, Spanish, Italian, and Napa selections. Even had Veuve Cliquot bubbly. Anyway, 20% is easily worth the trouble it saves me not to haul my own.

Doug
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: dan rasmusson (---.mayo.edu)
Date:   06-01-05 13:06

Wow, we paid about $9 for a six pack of Medalia. We never returned after that.
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   06-01-05 14:52

Where did you see it cheaper?

Doug
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: ron (---.columbus.res.rr.com)
Date:   06-01-05 15:00

Doug,
Wow, you must be a big spender. I paid $16.00 for a case of water and like Dan $9.00 for a six of Medalia. I never went back either. I was there last March and I was told the old liquor store by the ferry dock was going to open again and their prices are much better. Every year until last I did buy there and the prices were normal. Many merchants in Culebra that I talked to told me that El Eden was gouging people. If I hear it from sources that live there I will go with what they tell me. I was even told that the price of a case of water to any merchant is about six dollars. I wish I could make ten bucks on every case. No wonder they gave up their scuba business. By the way they charge $25.00 dollars for the cheapest Cuban cigar.
RJ
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   06-01-05 15:58

You must be a better negotiator than I. The best price I had previously paid on the island for a Presidente or Heineken beer was $2.00 a bottle at the Happy Landing or the Puerto Rican Hotel. The ferry dock price was $2.50. This was whether you bought 1 beer or 24. Please let me know where I can buy either of those two brands for less than El Eden. Until then, I'll stand by my comments.

We buy our water by the half gallon at Milka. Don't remember the price, but it's pretty cheap.

I don't smoke, but last time I heard, Cuban cigars are illegal on U.S. soil. What's the going price for a Cuban?

Doug
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: ron (---.columbus.res.rr.com)
Date:   06-01-05 17:18

Doug,
I didn't want to include "illegal" in my comments but it is. Way to go Doug!! Let's let everyone know. I am going on six years in culebra and I guess you didn't catch my drift. Locals on the island are telling me you can get a better deal on beer, wine and liquor at the ferry dock. This was just two months ago. Try the ferry dock store and let me know what the prices are like. Happy landing is a bar and no wonder they charge so much.
RJ
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   06-01-05 18:19

Ron,

Times change and so does management of establishments on the island. I just returned from my 9th trip to the island. In the past, I have seen no place sell beer at anything resembling a stateside 6-pack price. Not the ferry-dock place, nor any of the bars that do package sales. When I found that El Eden, unlike the rest, discounted for 6-pack and case sales, I was a repeat customer. When you next go to the island, please send us a consumer report. Since I didn't buy Medalla, please ask about Heinies or Presidentes, so we can compare apples to apples.

Thanks,
Doug
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Gary Eichelberger (64.9.52.---)
Date:   06-01-05 18:48

Just back two weeks ago. I concur El Eden is a great addition. great wine selections. Prices very reasonable. I was back many times. One of the owners, Richard, even gave me a suggestion for a Spanish joven wine I had not tried and it was a real winner. SO nice to buy some nice wines on this great island to enjoy in the marvelous setting. Sandwiches were terrific. This was my 13th trip to Culebra, and it is nice to see it offer nice services for visitors. A real plus all around.
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: ron (---.columbus.res.rr.com)
Date:   06-01-05 19:23

Doug,
I paid $35.00 for a case of Presidente at El Eden in March and back in January at the ferry dock I paid $6.50 a six pack for that and Hacke Beck.
Yes El Eden is a great place for food and you shouldn't have to pay an arm and a leg for a beverage especially water!!!! I do like El Eden, don't get me wrong. They have a nice thing going on. I will be back in a few months and will give my report if I don't open my own shop first!!
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Manny Garcia (---.jax.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-19-07 13:46

Im not promoting any one but stocking bottles is not easy specially when you have to bring it by Ferry and before that San Juan I like Richard he will
give you the time of day its a/c electric in Culebra is expensive the place is nice , it is a matter of convinience you can haul your own and pay over weight in the plane or go thru the hassle of the port or pay more and
save the trouble.
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.nyc.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-20-07 10:36

Very often people do not calculate the price of labou into the equation. By the time they have hauled the stuff, spent several hours doing so, those two $ savings don't look so good anymore. Plus I think local establishments should be supported, simply so they can survive and we have the convenience of being able to not have to haul 6 cases, if I only want to drink one!

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: GRK (---.mpls.qwest.net)
Date:   08-23-07 19:55

Hmm, I've been getting ripped off for quite a few years. I've never bought a sixpack of any beer for 6.50 at any place on the island, maybe for 8oz cans. I always figgured it was cheaper to buy beer by the can from a bar than by the six pack. I've found that each store will have a better deal on some things than the others but no store is cheaper accross the board than the rest.
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Re: El Eden Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.aurorasys.com)
Date:   08-24-07 12:30

Gary,

Since I haven't been there since March, I can't comment with accuracy about the current price of beer or spirits. Like you, I was used to paying for beer by the can. A case of beer was 24 times the price of a can. That's why $11 a six-pack for Presidente didn't seem bad to me and $33 for a case was the best I'd seen. I didn't feel ripped off. Like Michael, I don't begrudge the merchants their profit - survival on the island is a thin red line.

Doug
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