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The current weather in Culebra
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Don't waste your day on the Ferry Lines
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jose Garcia (---.proxy.aol.com)
Date:   07-01-08 21:24

Good morning,

If you are planning a trip to Puerto Rico and Culebra is in your schedule please reserve a flight or arrive very, very early to the port. I am from Puerto Rico and have tried in 2 different ocassions to take the ferry and miss it both time. First time I arrived at 0730 on saturday morning and the ferry was full, second time I arrived at 0600 on a tuesday July 1 2008 and waited in line until 0900am, just to find out that the ferry was full with just 4 people on line ahead of me before I made it to the ticket counter. The counter did not open until 8am and there is only one person selling the tickets, line moves very slow. When I spoke with the ticket person he told me that there was people doing the line from as early as 4am in the morning. They do not sell tickets in advance during this period until august. I just wanted to warn as I saw lots of frustated people on line both days.
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Re: Do Not waist your day on the ferry Lines
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   07-02-08 01:18

Hola! Gracias Jose for the heads up. Even though, I too am a PR native, situations like these can catch you off guard. We also arrived in July '07 to find Port Authority in Fajardo in a mayhem of a situation. Hundreds of people stranded and all over the place not knowing what to do or where to go. Good thing I had purchased our ferry tickets in advance over the phone about a month before our arrival. Have a backup plan or consider making arrangements to fly to Culebra. I know it is expensive but, if you're from the US or elsewhere, it might be a good investment to assure your passage to Culebra, especially if you have already paid deposits on lodging or have no where else to stay in Fajardo. Happy travels! J

supergarcia3
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Re: Don't waste your day on the Ferry Lines
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mapi (---.tx.res.rr.com)
Date:   07-04-08 17:55

We had a similar experience on June 29th. I have family in PR way out in the center of the island. We drove about 1.5 hours and got in line at around 7:30 am for the 9am ferry ride. It seemed like they sold tickets to about 4 people when they announced the ferry was full. Most people quickly shifted to the Vieques line. That wasn't an option for us since we had reservations at Flamenco that day. So we sat for 6 hours until the next ferry. I tried reserving tickets ahead of time for about a week but the phone rang and rang and never spoke to anybody..... The experience in Culebra was amazing and worth the hassle it but I'd rather skip the ferry incident next time.
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Re: Don't waste your day on the Ferry Lines
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   07-05-08 09:28

I'm just posting this for anyone who does a search down the road and sees this and gets worried about the ferry...

There are certain times of the year when Culebra is very busy. June/July is one of them, especially during a major holiday week as in the posts above. Other bad times are New Years and Three Kings Day (Jan 6) and Easter week, etc. They're not hard to figure out.

A common theme of this insider board is that it's wise to avoid holidays. And if you go in the true off-season (especially Sept, Oct, Nov, and first part of Dec), you're in for a real treat.

My extended family went last January 8-19, and the ferries were maybe a third full.

It's extremely rare to hear on this board that the ferries were sold out, and when we do hear it, it's always at the traditional holiday periods.

Remember that most of the visitors to Culebra are from Puerto Rico for day trips or camping, especially during holidays and weekends. And virtually all of them take the ferry rather than planes. So just calculate what times of year the locals are likely to go to Culebra and work around it. The rest of the time, it's great!

If you can't avoid going during the busy times, consider booking Henry to pick you up at the airport (787-632-9600) and paying him extra to pick up your ferry tickets in advance. He lives in Fajardo.
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Re: Don't waste your day on the Ferry Lines
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Midnitestar (---.dyn.optonline.net)
Date:   07-05-08 12:28

Hi,

Is there a number you can call to book the ferry tickets in advance? My boyfriend and I are planning a day trip to Culebra on July 30th or 31st, Should we be worried?

Thanks
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Re: Don't waste your day on the Ferry Lines
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   07-05-08 22:35

Minitestar... as said above, weekends and holiday weeks are the problem times. You'll be going on a Weds or Thurs.

But given that it's summer, get there well ahead of when the ferry is scheduled to leave. There is a phone, but it's rarely if ever answered. If you (or someone you know) is in Fajardo in the days prior to your trip, you can buy your tickets in advance at the ticket window.
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Re: Don't waste your day on the Ferry Lines
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mapi (---.tx.res.rr.com)
Date:   07-06-08 15:27

I would definitely try to get tickets ahead of time for you. Although somebody there told me they only sell a number of tickets ahead of time. Be there hours in advance, and bring a good book. It will be worth it once you get to Culebra. I agree with everything Mort said.
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Re: Don't waste your day on the Ferry Lines
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   07-07-08 12:08

Hola! Numbers for Fajardo Port Authority: 787- 801-0250 and 0251, Ext. 221, 222, 230, 234, 787-860-8618, 787-863-0852 and 0705. Try all of them because they are not always very good about answering the phone. Call between 8 AM-11 AM and 1-3PM. If you get through, purchase round trip tickets with a credit card and they will give you a confirmation # to pick them up at the booth. Get there early enough because even though you have a paid ticket, you can get left behind if the ferry is over booked. Happy travels! J

supergarcia3
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Re: Don't waste your day on the Ferry Lines
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   07-07-08 14:41

Jeannie, that's a good point. A ticket does not ALWAYS guarantee you a seat. Culebra residents have priority. But again, this doesn't happen very often.

There might very well be a greater chance of mechanical and/or weather problems than ferries being sold out.

Part of the Culebra experience is going with the flow to some degree. But I'll tell you this... I'd MUCH rather deal with Culebra transportation issues than, say, Chicago O'Hare. There's no comparison. Culebra is far more reliable.
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Re: Don't waste your day on the Ferry Lines
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   07-08-08 10:09

Hola! In spite of the chaos there may be at the pier in Fajardo, getting a bit dizzy during the boat ride, and the multitudes of people (during peak travel times), I'd much rather travel by ferry than by plane. One, it's much cheaper, can't beat that $2.25 compared to $45-50 plane fare. That leaves me more $ to spend on nice meals on the island. Another reason is that it gives me an opportunity to chat with the locals both at the pier and on the ferry. Great views and photo opportunities. Participating in pure island culture, priceless! Happy travels! J

supergarcia3
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