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The current weather in Culebra
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What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: alashas (---.dhcp.embarqhsd.net)
Date:   08-01-08 21:31

Hello Culebra friends,

We'll be making our first ever visit to Culebra in early January, 2009, are wondering what the beaches are like during that time of the year. We were in the BVI last yr in Jan. and a system came through that made the beaches unsafe for swimming for several days.

Thanks, alashas
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-02-08 00:06

Well, no matter where you are and no matter the time of year, a "system" can come through and make swimming unsafe. Mother Nature. . .

Happy Diving!
Debbie
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-02-08 09:55

Hurricane season is June through October.

You say you're coming in early January. I suggest you arrive after January 6, which is Three Kings Day (very crowded on Culebra).
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.nyc.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-03-08 07:24

As Richard would say, don't worry about the hail, it's normal for that time of year ;)

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Culebra MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   08-03-08 08:22

...as are the camel droppings all over the ferry dock

Save What's Left!
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-03-08 19:54

Yeah, I hate that! Owners should always clean up after their dromedaries. There should be signs posted. There's tons of turtle signs. Why only turtles? Doesn't seem fair.
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Culebra MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   08-04-08 07:07

Life isn't fair, Mort. No one ever promised you a frangipani garden. The grass is always greener on the other side of the bay. Walk a mile in the other man's Crocs. If iguanas were wishes, Junior would fly.

Save What's Left!
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-04-08 09:54

That's very deep, MJ. I think I understand.
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Culebra MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   08-04-08 14:27

;)

Save What's Left!
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Herb (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   08-07-08 21:01

We were there in late January and it was beautiful. We like the warmth of the island in January over the heat in the summer. We had the short wet suits for snorkeling because I absolutely hate any kind of chill and the water was 1 degree too cool for me (but I am a total wimp about it) Other people were snorkeling in their suits and seemed very comfortable.

There were not very many people on the beach when we were there. At times we were the only ones on Flamenco or Carlos Rosario.

Herb
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-07-08 22:41

Herb,

You are what divers call a www - warm water wussie. :0

Happy Diving!
Debbie
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-08-08 09:20

I second what Herb said about January being a wonderful time to go (except that Jan 1 through 6 can be very crowded). I've gone twice in January. This year we're going in the first half of December, which is also a great time to go.

I think that wetsuits are kind of a pain for snorkeling (they take up room in your luggage, they have to be hung up to dry, they get kind of smelly after a few uses, etc.) But I agree with Herb that it's nice to have some kind of extra layer for snorkeling (not just for warmth but for sun protection).

I strongly recommend a good rash guard shirt. You can find them all over the Internet for less than $25. They are fantastic! They aren't nearly as warm as a wetsuit, of course, but they take the edge off the cold and protect you from the sun. And they take up virtually no room at all in your luggage.
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Vicki moore (---.dhcp.jcsn.tn.charter.com)
Date:   08-09-08 01:59

Dive skins are great too and give greater coverage, but are made of the same material as the rashguard. Very affordable, as well.

Vicki in Tennessee
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-09-08 09:26

Skins are great if you want full body coverage. And you can't go wrong at http://www.divegoddess.com/
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: alashas (---.dhcp.embarqhsd.net)
Date:   08-09-08 11:03

Thanks, lots of helpful info & a few good laughs, too (:>) I should have clarified my question a bit. If a system comes through that impacts the beaches on the Atlantic side, what are the beaches like on the Caribbean side? I assume a major system will impact the whole island, but I'm thinking about weather less significant than that.

And, we'll miss most of the crowd. After spending a week on Vieques, we are headed to Culebra on Jan. 5 for 4 more nights.

Cheers, alashas
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-09-08 12:13

Hola! January 5 is the eve of the last of the Christmas holidays, Three Kings Day (official celebration day, January 6). It is a major day. Be prepared if places are closed early or all day. The ferry should be running that day but maybe on a delayed or shorter schedule. It will be a pretty holiday on Culebra. Check out their newspaper, The Culebra Calendar, it's on the web: http://theculebracalendaronline.com/ to find out about last year's celebration and more info. The beach should be great. Watch out for jellyfish, cooler waters attract them that time of the year. Happy travels! J

supergarcia3
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   08-09-08 13:00

Last January, Zoni was definitely affected; it was just a few yards from foliage to waterline at high tide. Carlos Rossario and Punta Soldado, on the lee side were normal. I'm not offering this up as a typical scenario, just last January's.
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: alashas (---.dhcp.embarqhsd.net)
Date:   08-09-08 14:04

Thanks, Doug, that sounds like the same system that we experienced on Virgin Gorda last Jan. It was quite a sight to see the waves, but we could not use the beaches for several days.

Jeannie, Thanks for that great Culebra Calendar link! I've been looking at it for over an hour already and am sure we'll spend quite a bit of time going through it between now and Jan. "Three Kings Day" sounds like a wonderful celebration. Anything we should know about in particular as visitors? Should we bring items to give to children? Places to worship that day? Will most of the restaurants and grocery stores be closed?

Gracias, alashas
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Herb (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   08-09-08 17:56

yep....that wwwwwwould be the sound of me wwwwwwwwshivering...my love for snorkeling out weighs my dislike for shivering....but a sams $25 short wetsuit makes everything right.

remember to come in everyonce in a while to reapply sunscreen...otherwise you will stay out too long and wash it off...not so nice on the back of your arms , legs and neck...did that too.

Herb
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-09-08 21:46

Hola Alashas! I'm sure the community of Culebra would love it if you could contribute to their Three Kings Festivities. This holiday is all about children, family and welcoming all who want to have a good time and share in the spirit of Christmas.
On the Mainland, most places and shops will start to close early on the 5th and definitely will be closed on Jan. 6. On Culebra, they might do the same. Now that you have the website for the Culebra Calendar Online you can call City Hall (alcaldia), grocery stores and restaurants to find out if they will be open and at what times.
The Catholic church is Nuestra Senora del Carmen which will probably have services on Jan. 5 and 6. There are other places of worship too that I'm sure will have services as well.
If you want to contribute, I'd suggest calling Nuestra Senora del Carmen Catholic Church or Family Social Services (Servicios Sociales Familia) They might know of a family in need. You might try Head Start or the School. The Principal, Waleska Collazo seems like a nice lady and is very active in the community. Kids always need school supplies and books when the schools year starts again in January. Scroll down that phone guide list and don't hesitate to call. I'm sure someone has suggestions and then you can pick who you want to make a contribution to.
Read the January 2008 issue of the Culebra Calendar Online and you can see what happens on Jan 6 in Culebra. Three men dress up as the Wise Men and go around giving treats to the children and I'm sure it's followed by music. Find out at what time this takes place, sometimes it's very early in the morning, afternoon or evening activities. Have fun on these days, eat the local Christmas food (pasteles, lechon asado, guineitos en escabeche, allkinds of coconut desserts, etc.), enjoy the traditional Christmas music (parrandas), enjoy your time with the Culebrense and the rest of the joyous puertorricans. I'm sure they will make you feel more than welcome. Happy travels! J

supergarcia3
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: alashas (---.dyn.embarqhsd.net)
Date:   01-16-09 12:32

Hola Jeannie and others,

Thanks for your helpful advice about "Three Kings Day." We took a carry on of items with us, primarily candy, including some local treats that we purchased in SJU before arriving on Culebra. We also took a dozen t-shirts from our church in Charlottesville, VA, Park Street Christian Church, AKA "the happy church on the hill." Here are some of us wearing our t-shirts at our Oct. CROP Walk for world and local hunger relief: http://parkstcc.smugmug.com/gallery/6881205_ofKgN#440181522_Qcdry

We arrived on Culebra on Jan. 5 and made several inquiries before discovering that most of the activities were being held at the local school the next morning. It was a very nice program in which every child was called by name and received a bag of age appropriate gifts that included electonic toys such as remote controlled cars and ipods.

We appeared to be the only tourists present. We mentioned to one of the teachers that we had a few items for the children. Our daughter was introduced and Amy spoke a few words in Spanish to the children and parents. Everyone liked the candy, but the t-shirts were a big hit and we wished we would have brought more! A number of smiling parents asked for the shirts for their children and we plan to send a box of shirts to the school. Our nephew took a video that we would like to post on Youtube, but here are a few photos: http://honeymoon2.smugmug.com/gallery/7064351_huyff#452604282_jTbTt

By the way, back to my original post that started this thread - the beaches were fabulous in January!

We had a wonderful time on Vieques and Culebra, alashas
http://honeymoon2.smugmug.com/
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Re: What are Culebra's beaches like in Jan?
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   01-16-09 14:13

Hola! Your pics are awesome, happy to hear you had a great time. In Puerto Rico, everybody loves T-shirts. If you go away on vacation, you bring back T-shirts for everyone. Great gift for the person who has everything or can't figure what to gift them with. You wear them everywhere and everyone wears them, from babies to 99, LOL!!!! Thanks for bringing gifts to the kids, I'm sure they enjoyed them. Happy travels! J

supergarcia3
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