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Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Quas (---.hilton.com)
Date:   04-23-08 20:22

So I'm thinking about taking a trip by myself to Puerto Rico and just camping on the beaches. I'm an experienced backpacker so I can be pretty self contained. I'm trying to keep the week long camping trip under $200. Would that be possible or am I dreaming? I've looked at Seven Seas Beach and Flamenco Beach to visit. $10/night at Seven Seas and $20/night at Flamenco. So I figure about $100 will be used for camp spot, will the other $100 get me a bottle of rum and some food?

I plan on hitch hiking rides from San Juan's airport to Fajardo and then the ferry over to Culebra and hitching to Flamenco Beach. Is this a safe bet or is it sketchy for a mainlander to mix with the locals?

Only reason I ask is I will be alone, normally I have a friend with me.

Oh, and continue to watch this thread.... I'm sure I'll be asking TONS of questions.
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Vicki moore (---.dhcp.jcsn.tn.charter.com)
Date:   04-24-08 02:51

I would not hitch a ride on the big island. They have the highest homocide rate in the world (800+ a year), from what I have read. Most of these are locals and are related to drugs. There are many areas on the big island to avoid, especially at night. On Culebra you should not have to worry about this. Were I you, I would take a taxi to Isla Grande from SJU and catch a flight over to Culebra. Also, are you male or female? If you stay on Flamenco, your $100 should get you some rum and food from the kiosks there. I visited Seven Seas on the big island in 2006. The camping area was totally packed with locals. Good luck with your travel plans!!

Vicki in Tennessee
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Quas (---.in-addr.worldspice.net)
Date:   04-24-08 03:54

I am a 26 year old male, I have noticed the flights are a bit more expensive than taking a taxi and the ferry. I can get rooms at any of the Hilton, LXR and Waldorf Astoria Collection at a discount but really wanted to rough it. I take it you are from Jackson, TN Vicki? I work here in Memphis at the Hilton corporate offices. I wish there was a Delta flight straight into Culebra. Would it be cheaper to fly into St. Croix or St. Thomas and fly to Culebra or is it around the same pricing? I'm really starting to think this trip is going to go over my $200 dream budget, lol.

I've noticed that VAL flies from St. Croix to Vieques, would it be cheaper to fly from there and ferry to Culebra?
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date:   04-24-08 04:35

yer going backwards folks, SJU (and IG) are the hubs.

hitching on Culebra is the only place I've felt ok. reliability is a different question.

can't comment on the big island. would be cautious.
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   04-24-08 08:10

"a Delta flight straight into Culebra"!?!? Lord help us all if this ever happens. There is no jet service to Culebra or Vieques, and hopefully never will be. Part of the beauty of Culebra is that it can be difficult to get to, which deters many people. Good luck.
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: bosie (---.ulmer.com)
Date:   04-24-08 09:54

Quas,
Once you arrive in San Juan you can take public transportation (not a taxi) to Fajardo to catch the ferry. I think total, including ferry would be around $10. It may take you a few hours but if you're on a budget, it's the way to go. I am not sure of the particulars of catching the bus to Fajardo, sorry! but it has been discussed here (do a search) or I think you'll find loads of all the info you need by clicking on the subjects in the top left of this screen. See ya at Flamenco!
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   04-24-08 10:32

Thirding the don't hitch on the big island...yes, safety wise but also, I have two friends who tried it and ended up WALKING most of the way, until they finally got a bus. Not fun, if just walking on the side of that road is dangerous enough to freak out a couple of pretty travel savvy guys, so...

Sure you could live a week here on 100 bucks for food and drink, if you really pay attention to what you spend your money on. If a bottle of rum can last you a week, you'll do great!
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   04-24-08 11:57

Hola Quas:
As a former PR local, I definitely agree with all who have advised you NOT to hitch hike on the big island. Read the local papers, vocero.com, endi.com, crime rate is very high.
Your alternatives depend on how quickly you want to arrive to Fajardo to ferry off to Culebra and $.
Public transportation all the way will take you hours to arrive to Fajardo, but may be cheap. Once you arrive at the Luis Munoz Marin airport, go to the second floor to PARADAS to take the AMA or bus B-40 to Rio Piedras terminal. Fare is 75 cents. The bus is very cheap but somewhat unreliable. They go on strike every other week. At the Rio Piedras terminal, take a publico to Fajardo (Pueblo). Fare is between $20-25. Once you're in the town of Fajardo, take another publico to the pier, fare will be $10 or less. There might be a direct publico between Rio Piedras terminal to the Fajardo pier, ask. These fares depend on gas prices which is almost 80 cents/liter, very high. Then ferry to Culebra, $2.25 one way, about 1 1/2 hour trip may be more depending on sea conditions. Less than $40 for the trip to Culebra.

This alternative will get you to Fajardo in 1 hour a bit more if there is traffic. Take a publico from the airport with a private driver. John Rosario johnspublico@yahoo.com or (787)354-5851. Check out the travel blog for details about him, many comments that he is a good driver and responsible. There are other drivers, too. I see that you have requested in the FORUM to share a ride, this is good because the publico costs about $80. Sharing will cut your costs. Ferry to Culebra. Total: $82, or less if you split publico costs.

Probably, the fastest but expensive is taking a taxi to Isla Grande airport (from Luis Munoz Marin Airport), almost $20 and flying to Culebra for approx $50 one way. This alternative, $70 total. You'll be in Culebra in a little more than an hour.

We have hitch hiked in Culebra safe but, it can take a long time. If you're camping at Flamenco, walking to town is a LONG walk. There are publicos for $2 but, they usually stop working at 6PM.
Many alternatives, let us know of your adventures. Happy travels! J

supergarcia3
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Quas (---.hilton.com)
Date:   04-24-08 17:39

I guess let me ask this, is there a cheaper time of year to visit? Can you haggle at all on the prices of flights? I know most of them are stating 25 pounds on bags. I will definitely exceed that as I need to carry my tent, sleeping bag and clothes with me.

I've been offered a ride to Fajardo by someone from this site that goes from San Juan to Fajardo every Saturday when they are not working. So at least I've got the TO part taken care of, just have to worry about getting back now. If that will take less than $50 I should be good.

Aggghhhh!!! I'm so nervous, never been on a trip I did not have my own transportation. This is going to be my first trip Island hopping, lol.
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Quas (---.hilton.com)
Date:   04-24-08 17:50

Forgot to ask one main thing, is there a place to charge my cell phone? I noticed someone say there is electricity but can't remember if it was at every camp site.
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   04-24-08 18:07

Jeannie,

A little off topic - do you know of any on-line english news sites regarding PR? I've searched and searched, and have never come up with one. It's all I can do to translate the headlines; forget the whole story!

Happy Diving!
Debbie
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   04-24-08 18:11

Quas,

The airfare to Culebra is the same year round. If you go over 25 pounds, they will charge you a per pound fee.
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Quas (---.hilton.com)
Date:   04-24-08 18:31

Thank goodness they have a PetSmart up the street to check my baggage weight. I'll just have to bring light weight clothes and a sheet instead of a sleeping bag.

How cold does it get at night on Flamenco?

Looks like I'll probably just end up going by myself so I don't have to plan around others work schedules and what not.

Debbie, which is the cheapest airline to fly?
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Vicki moore (---.dhcp.jcsn.tn.charter.com)
Date:   04-24-08 23:57

Yes, Quas, I am in Jackson. My two kids live in Memphis and I was raised and grew up there. I found my airfare on Expedia.com in November for $312 all taxes included from Mem to SJU. Subscribe to Airfarewatchdog.com and they will send you almost daily updates on fares. I also check priceline, cheap tickets, kayak, hotwire, travelocity, etc. I spent hours, but you can really save some $$, especially if you can be flexible with your flight times. You also can ship your camping equipment to the post office on Culebra and pick it up there when you arrive on the ferry. I am not sure how much this would cost, but many people do it and you can also ship it back home. Good luck with your travel plans. When are you planning on going? We will be there July 19-16 and then go to Vieques for another week.

Vicki in Tennessee
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   04-25-08 00:10

Hola Debbie!
My Papi used to read the San Juan Star when we lived on the island. It was the only publication in English we had at the time. Unfortunately, it does not have an online publication as do the other newspapers.
Check these websites:
http://www.prol.com/index.php if you click on NEWS it gives you some updated some old news but, it quotes articles from the San Juan Star. Up to date weather, TUTV programs (television), etc. Looks good.

www.puertorico-herald.org Not updated but still, it's news about the island

http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/pr/pr.php Caribbean Net News This one IS updated!! LOL!!! Only 2 days behind on news, not many articles.

wapa.tv gives you live news. Maybe if you hear it, even if it is in Spanish, you'll
understand it better. The Spanish/English dictionary helps. I'll help you, too!
Happy travels! J

supergarcia3
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Will Hughes (---.slsbmd.east.verizon.net)
Date:   04-25-08 00:24

Man, don't hitch on the big island! My opinion is to fly from San Juan to Culebra, Air Flamenco style. Yes, it may be $$$ but you will be safe and have optimal fun in the sun. I think it is $90 from San Juan to Culebra but you can do it on the cheap once you are there. We had a good experience at seven sea in Fajardo, although it was very busy packed house while we were there. But it is not safe to hitch, period. I've done plenty of hitching in U.S. and PR big island is not OK. See you in Culebra soon.
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Quas (---.in-addr.worldspice.net)
Date:   04-25-08 00:28

I spoke with my backpacking partner today and it sounds like he may be interested in going also. We will be going sometime at the end of May/beginning of June. Not real sure on the dates. I did find that renting a car if we are to split the cost would be the cheapest route but if I go by myself then public transit would be cheapest.
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.nycmny.east.verizon.net)
Date:   04-26-08 11:11

Jeannie, I think your prices for the publicos are off! The ride from Rio Piedras to Fajardo Playa (which is the stop you need, change at Fajardo) is under $10 total! The problem is, you lose flexibility with arrival time of planes. You need to arrive in SJU before noon to reliably make the last ferry, or you are stuck spending an expensive night in Fajardo (not worht it!!)

Also I found for the non initiated to the Metro bus system, taking two express busses (to viejo san juan and then to rio piedras) might cost 75c more but is easier - unless you are fluent in Spanish ..

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.aep.bellsouth.net)
Date:   04-26-08 19:39

Michael, how long ago did you travel on the publicos San Juan to Fajardo and the AMA Metro bus? The info about the publicos and AMA I got this week from the Office of PR tourism at the Luis Munoz Marin Airport. It did seem steep to me, $20 from Rio Piedras to Fajardo but, gas prices have gone up to 80 cents a liter. Your price sounds better because it's very economical. Happy travels! J

supergarcia3
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   04-26-08 23:39

Yiko Rico!
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.hsd1.va.comcast.net)
Date:   04-27-08 08:30

Quas, you've seen lots of answers about getting to and from Culebra, so I won't comment on that. (That alone will pretty much shoot your entire budget.)

Once you're camping at Flamenco, you can eat decently well for under $10 per day. You'll eventually get sick of chicken on a stick, but it's a good bargain ($2 or so). There are other meats/fish for $4 or so. Sodas and water are a buck or so.

Taking a publico into town is $2 each way. There are grocery stores, and the prices aren't outrageously different than the US, but they're higher.

So, in my opinion, there is no way to do this on your hoped-for budget. You'd have to live on kiosk food and never venture into town, never go to a restaurant, never buy emergency things like bug spray, etc. The sacrifices would just be too great. (And even this assumes that you'll be sharing the cost of the tent site.)

Everyone spends more than they expect on a trip like this.

That being said, camping on Culebra is cheaper than any other place you can go in the region, but you have to be realistic about costs these days.

Now if you had a $350-400 budget, including transportation from PR to Culebra, that's another story.
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Quas (---.in-addr.worldspice.net)
Date:   04-27-08 17:00

I've started putting a little extra away to cover the transportation that I hadn't figured in. So looks like I'm going to up my budget to $400 as suggested. Now I'm just playing a waiting game to see if my friend will be able to go with me. Speaking of that I need to call him today. Hope to visit sooner than later!

The Seven Seas beach in Fajardo seems like will be my first night due to flights from Delta do not get in until 2PM. Then on over to Culebra in the morning.
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Herb (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   04-29-08 21:56

If you arrive at 2PM, you should be able to catch a flight to Culebra with little problem. The cost of getting to Fajardo and then staying the night and then getting a taxi to take you to the ferry will eat you alive. My taxi from Passion Fruit to the dock never turned on the meter, he just held out his hand and said $40. I would bypass Fajardo if possible, it looks cheaper than flying, but its not, even with a really cheap one night sleep.

Herb
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: bosie (---.ulmer.com)
Date:   04-30-08 09:33

Herb is right, if you arrive at San Juan at 2:00, take a taxi to Isla Grande airport and fly to Culebra from there. You will probably be put on a 4:30 flight. The cost is approx. $100 for flight (roundtrip)and $20 for taxi. Your ride to Fajardo, plane fare and hotel room will run you way over that. Plus if you fly from Isla Grande, you will be in Culebra faster!

18 days and counting...
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Re: Planning a trip on a LOW budget.
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.client.stsn.net)
Date:   04-30-08 20:57

Quas, I think that a couple of your questions weren't answered yet.

You can charge your cell phone in the campground office. I am not aware of any other place to do it.

Nights are not cold. You definitely don't need a sleeping bag. I recommend a flannel sheet or one of those sleep sack things.
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