Heads up: among the hyperlinks on this web site are affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on and make a reserving or buy, I’ll make a fee (at no additional value to you). I accomplice with firms I personally use and the $$ goes in direction of creating extra superior, free journey content material.
When researching Puerto Rico I’m certain you’ve in all probability come throughout beautiful footage of Flamenco Beach, which is persistently listed as probably the greatest seashores on the earth. Flamenco Beach was voted third greatest seaside on the earth within the 2014 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards and has been listed as one of many Top 50 Beaches within the World by The Guardian.
With its powdery white sand, turquoise blue water and luxurious greenery, Flamenco Beach is the right place to loosen up, unwind and take in the solar. To get to the seaside you’ll should take a flight or a ferry to the island of Culebra, then hop a taxi or lease a automobile to drive to the seaside.
In this Flamenco Beach information I’ll cowl precisely methods to get there, and what to anticipate if you arrive.
History of Flamenco Beach
First, a little bit background about this lovely seaside. The title “flamenco” means “flamingo” in Spanish, and it will get its title from the flamingos that when inhabited the Flamenco Lagoon.
Located on the north coast of Culebra, the seaside is a horseshoe-shaped stretch of sand measuring about half a mile lengthy.
For a few years Culebra was occupied by the U.S. Navy, who used the island and its surrounding cays as a weapons testing floor and coaching facility. However, in 1975 they had been pressured to go away the island, after demonstrations and riots organized by native residents.
The navy left behind a few of their gear, together with two tanks, which have been left to rust on Flamenco Beach.
Where is Flamenco Beach Exactly?
Flamenco Beach lies on the north coast of Culebra, to the east of Reserva Natural de Culebra (Culebra Nature Reserve). The seaside is round 4 km (8 minutes drive) from the ferry terminal and round 2.7km (5 minutes drive) from Culebra airport.
How to Get to Flamenco Beach
In order to get to Flamenco Beach you’ll first have to get to Culebra. You have two most important choices for attending to Culebra – airplane or ferry. The ferry is MUCH cheaper than taking a flight, however you’ll have to get your self over to Ceiba on the east coast of the island. The flight is faster and less complicated although, so if in case you have the price range, it’s possible you’ll wish to go along with this feature.
Plane
To get to Culebra by airplane you’ll be able to both fly from San Juan airport or Ceiba airport. Flights from San Juan are with Cape Air and price roughly $200 round-trip. It’s costly for such a brief flight, however for those who’re staying in San Juan it’s the simplest possibility, taking simply half-hour to get there.
Alternatively you’ll be able to fly to Culebra from Ceiba, which is on the east coast of Puerto Rico close to Fajardo (and the ferry terminal). Flights with Air Flamenco value round $45 to $60 every manner, so about $90-$120 round-trip. That’s cheaper than the flight from San Juan, nonetheless it’s a must to consider attending to Ceiba.
To get to Ceiba from San Juan you’ll have to pay for a automotive rental, or you’ll be able to e-book a non-public switch service, which is fairly costly.
Ferry
I made a decision to go along with the ferry possibility, which is significantly cheaper than taking a flight. The fare is $2.25 every manner, and tickets might be bought on-line with a Visa or Mastercard.
The ferry departs from Ceiba, which is a couple of 1 hour to 1.5 hour drive from San Juan relying on visitors and time of day. In order to get there you might want to lease a automotive and drive there – check out Discover Cars, Rentalcars.com or Priceline to search out the most cost effective deal.
For my Culebra day journey, I picked up a automotive at round 2pm on a Wednesday and dropped it off at 9pm the next day. With insurance coverage, the entire value was round $120. So whereas the ferry is cheaper than the flight, you additionally should take into accounts the price of the automotive rental, fuel and parking.
Rental firms don’t assist you to take your automotive onto the Culebra ferry, so that you’ll have to park your automotive on the Ceiba ferry terminal. The value for that is $11, and there’s a parking shuttle that takes you from the automotive park to the terminal. Boarding for the passenger + cargo ferry normally begins round 1 hour earlier than departure – attempt to get there no later than half-hour beforehand.
If you determine to go along with the ferry possibility, purchase your tickets on-line at the least a few weeks prematurely! The tickets promote out in a short time, and whereas there are some tickets accessible on the field workplace, choice is normally given to Puerto Rico residents. Attempting to purchase tickets on the field workplace on the day of departure is dangerous, since they might be offered out by the point you get to the entrance of the road.
One factor to notice is that the water might be tough, and plenty of folks complain of seasickness on the ferry. If you do endure from movement illness, make sure that to pack some dramamine, or think about taking a flight as a substitute.
I felt fairly sick on the best way over to Culebra, since we needed to sit contained in the ferry. On the best way again from Culebra I sat on the highest deck and felt a lot better – I skilled no seasickness in any respect!
For extra info on what it’s wish to experience the Puerto Rico ferry – try my weblog submit full of Culebra ferry suggestions.
Taxis and Transportation on Culebra
There are two choices for getting round on Culebra – you’ll be able to both catch one of many shared taxis, or you’ll be able to lease a automobile and drive across the island your self. If you solely plan on visiting Flamenco Beach, persist with the taxi possibility and don’t hassle with renting a automotive.
When we arrived on the ferry port there have been a number of shared vans ready to whisk vacationers to Flamenco Beach. The taxis from the ferry to the seaside value $20 however might be break up between 4 folks. Since there have been solely two of us, we had been paired up with two different ladies, so the journey value $5 every.
When you wish to head again to the ferry port, you’ll additionally discover taxis ready within the automotive park at Flamenco Beach. Make certain to hold money, as they don’t take playing cards.
If you do wish to lease a golf cart or a Jeep, try Carlos Jeep Rental, which is the preferred firm on the island. The firm gives courtesy pick-up from the ferry terminal and the airport for those who determine to e-book via them.
Flamenco Beach Tanks
When the U.S. Navy left Culebra in 1975, they left behind two M4 Sherman tanks, which started to rust and corrode within the salty air. Locals and guests painted the tanks in colourful graffiti, inflicting them to turn into some of the well-liked photograph spots in Puerto Rico.
If you wish to have your photograph taken with the well-known Flamenco seaside tanks, flip left if you’re dealing with the ocean and hold strolling alongside the sand for about 10 minutes.
Flamenco Beach Facilities
Before you enter the seaside you’ll see an space with quite a few meals kiosks, in addition to showers and loo amenities.
The kiosks promote pina coladas, beers, mushy drinks and snacks equivalent to tostones, empanadas, rice and beans, burgers and pinchos.
If you fancy a refreshing pina colada (Puerto Rico’s nationwide drink), anticipate to pay $6 for no alcohol, $7 for one shot of rum and $9 for 2 photographs of rum.
Most guests convey their very own towels however for those who want a seaside chair and umbrella, these can be found for lease. A seaside chair prices $10, whereas an umbrella prices $20. Make certain you convey money for fee.
Camping at Flamenco Beach
The solely campground on Culebra island is positioned at Flamenco Beach. It has capability for round 400 tents, however it might probably get fairly busy in the course of the summer time months and on vacation weekends.
If you wish to sleep beneath the celebrities and be at one with nature, think about tenting right here for the evening as a substitute of staying at a guesthouse. Camping prices $30 per tent per evening, with a most of 6 folks per tent. Check-in is normally after 8am, and check-out is earlier than 4pm. If you want to name the campground, they are often contacted on (787) 742-0700.
You might buy your personal gear on the primary island at shops like Walmart and Sears, or you could possibly lease the gear from Tent City – a kiosk at Flamenco Beach. The kiosk gives a wide variety of tenting gear together with tents, flashlights, mattresses and camp stoves.
Is Flamenco Beach Worth It?
There’s little doubt that Flamenco Beach is a beautiful seaside, nonetheless, quite a lot of the pictures you see on-line have been photoshopped to make the colours pop. Yes, the water is a stunning turquoise blue shade, however I’ve seen seashores with whiter sand in locations just like the Dominican Republic and the Philippines.
However, the tanks make Flamenco Beach fairly distinctive, so for those who plan to spend greater than 3 days in Puerto Rico, it’s price including this present day journey to your itinerary. It’s undoubtedly the perfect seaside in Puerto Rico, though I additionally love Luquillo Beach on the primary island as nicely.
The journey from San Juan is a little bit of a grueling one although for those who determine to take the ferry, so for those who’re brief on time and have the money to spare, think about taking a flight from San Juan.