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Traveling to Culebra Suggestions
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Willie (---.sub-166-180-63.myvzw.com)
Date:   05-16-05 23:25

We (4 people) are traveling to PR on Sat. in Feb. 2006. Once in San Juan we will continue our journey to Culebra. In viewing flight reservations, the earliest we will arrive on Sat. is between 11-12 pm. We plan on staying in Culebra from Sat to Tues. On Tues., we will be returning to San Juan for an additional 4 days.

We have reviewed the various forms of transportation from San Juan to Culebra or Fajardo (Ferry) and prices associated with them and have come to the conclusion that we should just rent a car in San Juan, park the car at the Fajardo port, take the ferry. When we return to Fajardo, we can pick up the car and continue our stay in San Juan. I have reviewed the following:

- Charter Flights - $375 (cheapest found)
- Shuttle van from San Juan Airport to Fajardo ($125 one-way)
- Ferry from San Juan - departs once/day at 8 am

We have considered flying in Fri night, stay at a hotel and them proceed Sat. morning to Fajardo to take the ferry at 6:30 am or 9:30 am.

Does anyone have any other suggestions that can make this trip less complicated.

Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks to all who reply.

New Jersey Vacationer
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Re: Traveling to Culebra Suggestions
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: JoseGuzman (---.87.109.9.netdial.caribe.net)
Date:   05-17-05 06:33

The ferry from Fajardo leaves at 0930, the 0630 trip is from Culebra to Fajardo. You have get into the ticket line at least 0730, or there is a chance to loose your tickets, and then get into the line to the gate.
You can get a cheaper way from SJU to FAJ, I have heard about 75.00/80.00.
There are flights from Fajardo airport too, they fly mostly on demand, that is when there are enough passengers. They fill up quickly. Or you may want to check either from SJU intl. to Culebra, or from Ribbas Dominicci airport, which is 20 minutes drive from SJU.
About leaving the car in Fajardo, sounds reasonable, that way you will have the car waiting for you when you return. You may leave it at the fajardo airport too, should you decide to fly from there.

Enjoy your stay...

Capt. J.Guzman
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Re: Traveling to Culebra Suggestions
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   05-17-05 20:44

There is no longer a ferry from San Juan, so that's out. You should have plenty of time if you land around noon to catch the 6:30 pm ferry from Fajardo. However, a Saturday in February might be crowded, especially if it's President's Day weekend. Keep in mind that you will be arriving in Culebra after dark, and if you are unfamiliar with where you are going, it will be a little difficult. Also, the car rental places close long before the arrival of the last ferry, but you should be able to get a taxi to your lodging. You might be more comfortable spending Saturday night in Fajardo (I hear the Fajardo Inn is nice).

If you wish to arrive on Friday before sundown, your best bet is to make reservations to fly from Fajardo on Vieques Air Link or Air Flamenco ($25/one way/per person). Return on the ferry on Tuesday, as Tuesday won't be so crowded. It's a beautiful sunrise, leaving Culebra at 6:30am. . . At the Fajardo airport, leave your party at the airport (let the counter folks know what you're doing) then drive to the port, park your car and take a taxi back to the airport. There are parking lots around the port for $5-$10 per day. If you're lucky, as we have been, a taxi driver at the airport will actually lead you to the port, show you where to park, and cart you back to the airport (for 10 bucks).

Good Luck!

Happy Diving!
Debbie
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Re: Traveling to Culebra Suggestions
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Stephen Phillips (---.merck.com)
Date:   05-23-05 09:20

Take the $80 plane ride if you can afford it (not charter, unless you can get 5 people to split the fee). The ferry is cheap but I hear it is like sitting in a crowded rolling Greyhound bus for 2 hours.
sp
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Re: Traveling to Culebra Suggestions
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: JoseGuzman (---.87.109.92.netdial.caribe.net)
Date:   05-23-05 12:00

In week days is not too crowded, and the trip takes one hour.

Capt. J.Guzman
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Re: Traveling to Culebra Suggestions
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Leslye Garrison (---.225.211.182.Dial1.Denver1.Level3.net)
Date:   06-06-05 19:54

I have stayed at Fajardo Inn and it is nice. However, the beds are not comfortable. Not near the water. I would stay there again - price is good and the staff is great.
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Re: Traveling to Culebra Suggestions
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Shawn (209.217.109.---)
Date:   06-07-05 13:19

If you take the shuttle to Fajardo and catch the ferry you will save yourselves about $100 total (a lot less if you have to rent rooms). For the extra $25 per person, I would recommend flying. I believe Vieques Air Link has the cheapest flights (around $95 per person) and they fly out of Isla Grande, which is a 20 minute taxi ride from SJU. If you're arriving at noon, you should have plenty of time to make this connection, land in Culebra at a decent time and enjoy your afternoon in the sun. I also recommend Isla Nena airlines for the convenience (they fly out of SJU) but they're more expensive.

While you may be looking at the dollar and cents right now, you will appreciate the extra time in paradise that flying will afford you (we've done both the flying and the rental car-ferry options, so I speak from experience). I would recommend the ferry only if you're also interested in seeing the El Yunque rainforest near Fajardo (if you do stay at the Fajardo Inn, don't go for their cheapest rooms in the old hotel -- the beds are really bad).

Have fun!
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Re: Traveling to Culebra Suggestions
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mary Korte (69.146.244.---)
Date:   06-13-05 17:05

We were planning to rent a car in San Juan and take it on the ferry to Culebra. We will be in Puerto Rico 2 weeks and spend 4 days in the middle on Culebra and thought it would be easier than renting and returning a car each time. Any thoughts on the plan?
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Re: Traveling to Culebra Suggestions
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Joel Maners (---.150.78.66.aeneasdsl.com)
Date:   06-13-05 23:46

I agree with Shawn. Years from now you'll forget about the money but you'll have the memories. I never heard anyone come back from a trip wishing they had saved more money but I do hear everyone say that they wished they had more time. Exchange money for time every time!

BTW, We got our tickets on Air Flamenco for $80 each, round trip.

Have a good trip.

Joel

Joel Maners
Jackson, Tennesse
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Re: Traveling to Culebra Suggestions
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mai (---.houston.res.rr.com)
Date:   06-14-05 14:17

My husband and I honeymooned in Culebra for 3wks in 2002. We took a cab (not so expensive considering the drive) to Fajardo. We arrived at night and stayed at the Fajardo Inn. We had dinner on the back patio (up on the hill) overlooking the nice view at the Fajardo Inn restaurant. In the morning, we took the ferry to Culebra Island. Make sure to allow sufficient time to get the ticket counter since they're first come first serve. If on a weekend or a holiday, there might be a lot of people (locals from PR) and you'll miss that morning ferry. Staying in Culebra, I would recommend something that is more the native island feel (we stayed at Villa Fulladoza...there are many others). We weren't really considering the price but we basically had the whole villa to ourselves for a week and it overlooks the bay. We chose our own room which has the best view...and it seemed more private than the other "ritzy" hotels (more expensive and "Americanized" or "city-like". I forget the name of that certain one but it has a bar outside and the bartender was rude to us because we didn't dress "rich" when we went to the bar that night. Anyways, I would say it is imperative to rent a vehicle while you're in Culebra. It is much more convenient, not expensive, and would safe you time to spend more joyously on the island. Many are stick-shifts since it's hilly there so keep that in mind. I'm not sure if any of you drive a stick. We rented a susuki vitara jeep-like vehicle but it didn't have too much power. One mistake we did was drive down an unpaved rode downhill (which we went against advisement) and got stuck, had to hike back uphill and hitchhiked back into town. The locals are very friendly there. Hope our experience will help with your plans.
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