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My partner and I are arriving in Puerto Rico on Friday, March 18 in the wee hours of the morning. My question is about the practicality of planning to use our feet to get us around Culebra. We might rent bicycles, but I would like to know if it is possible for two very happy walkers to walk nearly wherever we want to go. We will be staying at the campground at Playa Flamenco and I'd love to simply head out on foot from there whenever the mood strikes. In terms of safety, while I know that it is mostly safe there, FYI he is a big guy and I would walk always walk with him and not alone.
Speaking of the campground: I have not made reservations yet; on average does the campground fill up in mid-March? We are staying from March 18, 2011 - March 23, 2011.
Thank you for any insights that you may have. I have never had a Caribbean vacation before in my whole life and I am very excited.
Re: walking the island of Culebra
Walking is a great idea and great goal..a few comments. It gets REALLY HOT, especially in the hours between 11 and 4, and there's not always shade. If you are walking from Flamenco into town, plan on maybe 45 minutes..it's perfectly safe, and if you decide the heat is too much, you can stick out your thumbs, or you can flag down one of the beach buses, they will charge $3 a person. From town you can easily walk to Melones, a sweet coral-lined beach that has nice snorkeling. You might want to try walking along the shore too, if you are fond of climbing up and down and over rocks, boulders, coral. It's an amazing way to get to new places to swim or just to oooh and ahh. There is a grocery store a block above the airport that would be maybe a 30 minute walk from the camp. You'll be able to figure it out when you arrive because culebra's size is pretty cozy. From Flamenco you can also walk over a hill (slightly arduous 20 minute hike each way) to Carlos Rosario which is a little peninsula with snorkling on either sides. You can do some amazing shoreline walks from any point on any beach, the further you walk the wilder and quieter and awesome it is! Always clear turquoise water on one side..enjoy!
Thank you, Marywho. The information that you've provided is very helpful. I didn't think about the heat to the degree that you've mentioned; I imagined a lot of trees and shade along the roads because the island appears to be very green and lush in photos.
I'd like to go out for cocktails and dinner one of the nights during our stay. Is walking back to our campsite at night a comfortable option, in terms of safety on the road from motor vehicles and people? We will wear mosquito spray and have flash lights, of course!
Do you live on the island?
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Re: walking the island of Culebra
Author: Linda H (---.dhcp.mrqt.mi.charter.com)
Culebra is actually pretty arid -- there are cacti in many areas. Since I thrive on heat I love being on the island, but I would agree with Marywho that it can get very hot when walking/biking.
The roads tend to be narrow, with little or no shoulder for walking, so if you walk at night be watchful. We walked and biked after dark with headlamps, etc. so we could see and be seen, and didn't have any problems as long as we kept our eyes open. I'm not sure how late the buses to and from Flamenco run, but that might be an option. I know they run from Flamenco to town right after dark, but for how long after I don't know. Pinchos and Medalla at the kiosks at Flamenco are a low-rent (and delicious) version of cocktails and dinner, and wouldn't require a trip to town.
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Re: walking the island of Culebra
Author: Penny Powell (---.nycap.res.rr.com)
Thank you, Linda H. Headlamps are a great idea and my boyfriend already has at least one. We will try Pinchos and Medalla if they are open when we are there!
Speaking of food availability: How late is the Friday market open? We will likely get to Culebra on the 9:30 am ferry from Fajardo, but if we must take the later ferry, we wouldn't actually arrive until 2:30 or 3; will the market still be open?
I'm soooooooooo excited! We have many feet of snow here in the northeast and I have absolutely had it with the cold.
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Re: walking the island of Culebra
The 2 in town groceries and Costa Da Sol , the one closer to the campsite, are all open til at least 7 i think..it is a long dark walk back to the campsite from town, but doable depending how devoted to the experience you are...the fruit and veg stand on Fridays, by the airport starts to pack up by 4-ish..if you miss them, you'll do fine at the local stores i think..
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Re: walking the island of Culebra
Costa del Sol is open until 9 (ish)pm.
If you take the "later" ferry, that would be the 3pm (or the 7pm) which wouldn't get you to Culebra until 4:30 (ish).
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Re: walking the island of Culebra
Author: Christine Fredenburgh (184.151.63.---)
I came back from a solo camping trip on Culebra in early December. You're going to have such a great time! It's absolutely beautiful there and the people are just incredibly generous. Even if you can't get to the market on the first day, the kiosks offer some good food at very reasonable prices. Silva has a Cuban burger that is really good. Match it with a cold beer, and it's pretty much a perfect match.
I flew over so can't speak first hand of the ferry experience. However, I did hear through the campground grapevine that it was pretty chaotic and that, often, the locals are given first dibs on the morning ferry. The flight over was lovely, fast and reasonably priced (less than $120 return as I recall). Plus, it'll get you in nice and early so you can get to the store, even before setting up camp.
While of course always being smart, I never once felt threatened, even as a single female traveler. It was totally fine. Plus you'll meet lots of other campers. Head right down to Section E....really nice there!
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Re: walking the island of Culebra
Author: DAVID BREWBAKER (---.sub-70-215-147.myvzw.com)
Hike into Brava Beach for a real adventure. The entrance is at the end of the road north of the Muesum. Resaca is too steep and hot climbing out. Bring a gallon of water and you will be the only people on Brava. Rough with strong undertow but a different experience from all the smooth as glass bays and beaches. Hike into Tamarindo from the corner where the dump is off the road to the campground. Best snorkling on the island w/o any wave action. Probably see turtles. Check out my rentals @ Casa Mango for your next trip. Camping is OK but we have had record rainfall this past year. Enjoy.
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Re: walking the island of Culebra
Author: Vicki moore (---.dhcp.jcsn.tn.charter.com)
We stayed in a casita on the road just past the museum. It was a challenge even getting back there to our rental with all the flooding.
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Re: walking the island of Culebra
Author: Frank S. (---.nyc.res.rr.com)
Im wondering what you plan on doing with all your stuff while you are walking around. especially at night. i know people think culebra has no crime but the truth is different. especially with unattended things in the dark.
the other thing is, you want to walk to the beaches? no beach chairs umbrellas or coolers then? can you imagine carrying that stuff back after 6 hours in the sun?
just make sure you think it through.
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Re: walking the island of Culebra
Author: Christine Fredenburgh (184.151.63.---)
I was in Culebra alone and camped at Flamenco. I certainly didn't leave anything of value out in the open, buried my passport, extra cash, etc and left personal belongings in my tent. I had no issues what-so-ever. I was out for a few evenings and a full day on Culebrita too, and nothing went missing. There were also other, longer term visitors who live there all winter, equipped with computers, stoves, etc, who also left their things. I'm sure there's some crime, but if one is careful not to leave things laying about, it should be fine. Plus, you make friends pretty quickly there and you all sort of look out for one another. At least that was my experience.
So far as lugging a cooler around...ugh...forget it. Take an extra towel to sit on, wear a hat, pack a snack and a couple water bottles in your snorkel or beach bag and you're good to go. And don't forget to take your sunscreen everywhere....oh....and some vinegar just in case you meet up with a sea urchin or some jellyfish. I also took water purification tablets, just in case. It's generally a good idea to pack your emergency information in your beach bag...again, just in case. Just relax and have a blast. Oh...one more thing...take Solarcaine and antihistamines. They work well on the bug bites you'll have from the knees down. I found it tough to sleep due to the itching without them. You're going to have a great time!
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Re: walking the island of Culebra
Author: Linda H (---.dhcp.mrqt.mi.charter.com)
I agree with Christine. We biked most of the time both times we've come to Culebra, and got by fine with a beach towel, sunscreen, water bottles and snacks in the snorkel or beach bag.