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Food & Groceries on Culebra

Author: Michael Burke (---.ny5030.east.verizon.net) Date:   12-16-03 10:06 I am curious about the grocery situation on Culebra. I've been getting a lot of conflicting reports. Some have said that bringing food to the island is "ridiculous" because the grocery situation has improved a lot over the past 5 or 6 years. Others say to bring groceries over. There are 6 of us staying at a house and we plan on cooking in every night, so we don't want to get stuck with a limited cooking menu (ie steaks and fish, which is what a lot of sites seem to talk about when it comes to groceries on the island). We were thinking of renting a car and driving to Fajardo to get the ferry. The person who owns the house we're renting said you can drop off a rental car at Fajardo for a drop off fee. Does anyone know of good supermarkets on the way from San Juan to Fajardo? Also, any good places to buy wine (which i also heard is expensive on the island)? And is liquor (rum, vodka, tequila) expensive to get on the island? Also, how reliable is the ferry service? We're coming on on a Sunday and it says there is a passenger ferry leaving Fajardo at 6:30pm (the last one). But when I told this to the guy at the car rental place I called on Culebra he kind of laughed and said the ferry service was unreliable. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! -Michael

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Re: Food & Groceries on Culebra

Author: Casablancacondo.com (---.tc.faa.gov) Date:   12-17-03 07:27 Hi, Michael. The grocery store situation in Culebra is fairly good; may not have all of the selections we find in the States, but it is adequate. There are about 8 grocery stores on the island; for example Isla del Sol (new), Genesis (new), Mayra's Superette, Milka's, Marco's, Tina's, etc. If you can't find an item in one of the stores, try the next one. To me, it is not worth dragging your groceries from the "Big Island" (PR), unless is a specialty item that you would like to enjoy while on the island. And, the prices are not bad either. When it comes to liquor, there are at least two places: one next to the ferry terminal and the other next to the airport ("Happy Landing"). Same situation as with the groceries, if it is a specialty item you may not find it. But you can count on rum, vodka, tequila, inexpensive wines, and beer (domestic and some imports). Take care and enjoy Culebra; Happy Holidays! John

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Re: Food & Groceries on Culebra

Author: raylene (---.mrgnhll.ca.charter.com) Date:   12-18-03 23:22 STAYED IN CULEBRA NOV TO DEC 5. WE ARE FROM CALIF, COOKED ALMOST EVERY DAY---BRING FOOD!. I THOUGHT I COULD BUY FRESH FISH, VEGIES, FRUIT ETC----WRONG!! ALSO GET ALCOHOL IF NEEDED--VERY EXPENSIVE THERE!!! THE FOOD IN THE GROCERIERS IS FREEZER BURNED AND THE VEGGIES I WOUL'NE BUY HERE. BUT THE ISL.S BEAUTIFUL.

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Re: Food & Groceries on Culebra

Author: Kim (---.try.wideopenwest.com) Date:   12-19-03 15:14 Hi, I read your note about food and groceries on Culebra, and there is one grocery store in the middle of town for all of your needs. They carry a variety of meat, vegetables and anything you'll need during your stay. Directly across the street from the grocery store, there's a fruit market, but I've heard to buy fruit off of the truck that supplies the stores there is much better. There are several places to eat on the island, and quite reasonably priced too. There's an outside "cafe" across from the new school they're building there. You won't want to miss eating the BEST red snapper dinner in town there for about $13. It's run by mom & pop, and if you ask around, someone can tell you the exact location of that "restaurant/bar". If you are taking your automobile to Culebra, you will need to get a reservation on the ferry (the schedule is on the internet) because it only makes trips at certain times, and you must have a reservation to get on the ferry with an automobile. The island is 7 miles long, so unless you're planning on riding bikes, you may want to keep the auto to drive around and see all of the beaches. Be SURE you wear a shirt AND seatbelt while driving over there! They strictly enforce the shirt and seatbelt law over there. Be sure to check out the new Culebra museum, which is located near the cemetary. Would love to hear how your visit goes, as we are going back in a couple of months to check on our little shack on the hill. Oh, there is a grocery store in Fajardo that you can go get food at before you get to the ferry dock. Enjoy your stay!

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Re: Food & Groceries on Culebra

Author: Carol (---.58.47.68.Dial1.Chicago1.Level3.net) Date:   01-04-04 17:40 Culebra is awesome, however don't expect to find the variety and quality of food that you are use to in the States. If fresh meat and good produce is what your looking for you will need to change your expectations. Dried and canned foods are abundant. We have no problem buying plenty of food to cook our own meals, but we keep it very simple. For example, beans and rice topped with salsa and cheese or pasta mixes with canned vegetables and canned meat. There are frozen meals and frozen pizza available also in the stores. To keep from getting boaed with with the food you will want to eat out once in a while.

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Re: Food & Groceries on Culebra

Author: Doug (207.246.195.---) Date:   01-07-04 12:16 I had a pleasant surprise at Colmado Milka over by the gas dock. I was able to buy frozen chicken leg quarters which we used for jerked chicken (got the marinade at the Peppery Parrot), and was able to buy incredible t-bones there. Doug

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Re: Food & Groceries on Culebra

Author: Robert Breeden (---.wyndham.com) Date:   01-08-04 10:09 Hi MIchael: Visited Culebra last year for the first time with a friend who has been visiting there once a year for about 6 years....we are actually heading back there in about 3 weeks!!! Grocery situation is fine in Culebra!! At least last year it was! We did take some groceries with us though... We spent the night in San Juan and bought Fresh Steaks (all of the steaks on the island are frozen and we prefer to eat unfrozen beef)..... The veggie situation is fine...in fact...they have great plantains which you can take and make little potatoe patties out of and fry in oil...they are really good!! I would reccommend taking fresh beef only.....you can buy fish and lobster from the local seafood market which is located at the Gas Station.....(fish and gas...hehe) If this is your first trip there you will be amazed....we just returned from Aruba (where everyone raived about the beaches and the cleanliness of the ocean)---BAH.....Aruba to me (compared to Culebra) is like Baltimore's Inner Harbor!!!! The water on Culebra is so clear...the first time I saw it, I almost cried (honestly)....the visibility in any direction under water is about 100 feet. GREAT SNORKELING...and scuba..if you do that...f The beaches are incredible too....!!! In fact, two years ago, Travel Channel hosted an episode of the 10 top beaches on the planet and "Flamenco" beach on Culebra was #2.....of course #1 was a beach on Hawaii..... I read one of the responses here and someone said liquor was expensive...I don't know about the rum, but the beer price isn't so bad....it's about $20 bucks a case...(more than the states, but these people have to make money somehow)..... DEFINITEY WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT AT ALL TIMES....the funny thing is, as long as you are wearing your seatbelt you can do just about anything....(not that I reccommend this)...but you can actually breeze through town with a beer in one hand and one hand on the wheel.....hehe Bottom line---take fresh beef, otherwise it will be frozen...buy seafood from the local market....wear your seatbelt and get ready for one of the most beautiful islands in the caribbean!! Sincerely, Rob

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Re: Food & Groceries on Culebra

Author: Kim (---.try.wideopenwest.com) Date:   01-10-04 09:57 Yes, the liquor is expensive, but beer runs about $2 a can over in Culebra. Ice (when we were there last April) will be $2 a bag, so try to conserve. It doesn't last long in the heat there! :) They have a limited supply of cigarettes, so if you're used to one brand, you'll be smart to stock up and take your own! Everyone, have a great time in Culebra! The people are great, and if you're lucky, you'll have chickens or even a horse as an alarm clock! That was the funnest part of the trip for me--bolting out of bed to see a horse just yards away from the front door carrying on! Watch for the iguanas trying to run on the hot black top, that's good for a laugh as well. Explore as much as you can because you never know when you'll get to go back to this beautiful place! Kim

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