Is Flamenco beach in Culebra worth the hype?

Last Updated on March 11, 2024

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If you’ve ever come across various lists of the best beaches around the world, you might have noticed the one, that always ranks really high is Flamenco Beach in Culebra. It’s often praised for its undeniable beauty, and the fact, that despite its popularity, it remains unspoiled. I will admit, I often wondered if Flamenco Beach in Culebra is worth the hype? Well, after having just spent a week not only in Culebra, but on the beach itself, I think I’m competent enough to answer this question. The answer is YES! It’s all they make it out to be and more.

The fact is Flamenco beach is a beauty. It’s the most beautiful beach I’ve seen so far, and I’m afraid I’m spoiled for life. The sand is powder soft, and has a gorgeous pink tint to it. Water is crystal clear and has many different shades of blue. Being very long, in never feels crowded. Especially if you walk away a bit from the main entrance, you will have a handful of people near you at the most. I found this surprising, since Flamenco beach is the most popular on the island, and that’s where most day-trippers head upon arrival to Culebra.

Flamenco beach is a protected Marine Wildlife Reserve, and a lot of effort has been made, to keep it the unspoiled piece of paradise that it is. There is no motorized sports allowed on the beach, so you can enjoy it without the noise of motor boats or jet skis.

Flamenco beach snorkeling

One great thing about snorkeling in Culebra is, that you don’t have to venture out very far to see some amazing marine life. On most beaches, you can find a reef right off of them, and it’s no different on Flamenco beach. Both ends have great snorkeling spots, all you need to do is grab your snorkel mask and walk over.

When you arrive on the beach, take a right and head all the way to the east end. There, you will find an area between two rows of rocks, called Shark cages. The reef starts almost immediately as you enter the water, and you will be able to spot a variety of fish there.

Another great spot to see a lot of fish is on the west end of the beach, near the graffiti covered tank. The dark spots on the turquoise water, that indicate the reef will lead you there. If not, the swarms of pelicans hunting for the next meal will.

Culebra Tanks

It’s almost hard to believe, that the beautiful island of Culebra was once used by US Navy for bombing and target practice. After years of locals’ protests, the military finally seized the operation and left the island in 1975. Upon departure they left all their tanks and gear, that later got removed from the island. Well, with the exception of two tanks, that were left behind on Flamenco beach.

If you walk to the far west end of the beach, you will find one up on the hill, the other partially submerged in water. Time and salty water turned the tanks rusty, but the locals gave it a fun make over and covered them with colorful graffiti. It gave the tanks a more cheerful appearance, and they quickly became a unique part of the beach. While the opinions are divided on whether they spoil the otherwise pristine beach, or are a fun addition, the tanks are an integral part of Flamenco Beach.

Food on Flamenco Beach in Culebra

Most of the beaches in Culebra ( there are 13 of them ) have no facilities, which means no changing rooms, restrooms and no places to get any food or drinks. Flamenco Beach is an exception, probably because it’s the most popular and visited one. If you forget to pack a cooler with food and drinks, you can get those at Los Kioskos.

There are about 6 kiosks, near the parking lot, with a decent selection of food and drinks. You will be able to get things like empanadas, chicken kebab, tripleta sandwiches, salads and pizza. One of them opens early for breakfast and serves all kinds of sandwiches, scrambled eggs and amazingly good coffee.

Where to stay on Flamenco Beach

The accommodations choices in Culebra are somewhat limited, and Flamenco beach is no exception. Much like the rest of the island, the beach is not lined with hotels and resorts, but trees and mangroves. The fact, that the beach remains unspoiled is amazing, even though it means, choices to stay right on it are just a few.

Having said that, it is possible to stay right on Flamenco beach, but your options are VERY limited. This 1 mile long beach has only 3 accommodation choices. On the east end of the beach, there are 2 Villa rentals: Villa Flamenco Beach and next door Culebra Beach Rental. The first one has just 6 units and scoring a room is not easy, with many repeat visitors booking way in advance. The chances are higher in Culebra Beach Rental, as the property is much bigger.

If you are looking for a real adventurous experience, there is an option of camping on Flamenco beach for $30/night. The campground is all the way to the left of the beach, near the graffiti covered tanks. There are showers and bathrooms on site, and kiosks with food are within a walking distance.

Day trip to Flamenco beach – how to get to Flamenco beach

A lot of people take a day trip to Culebra from the main island and majority of them do so just to spend a day on Flamenco beach. There are several ways you can get to Culebra for the day. By far the most popular way is to take a ferry, followed by a catamaran tour and plane being a great, but most expensive, therefore the leats popular option.

Getting to Culebra by ferry

The most popular way to get to Culebra from the main island of Puerto Rico is by taking the ferry from Ceiba. The whole process is a bit of a hassle and not the most reliable, but it’s the most economic option. The smaller ferries have less capacity and residents have priority over visitors, so scoring a seat is not a guarantee. If you are heading to Culebra just for the day, I recommend showing up at the ferry terminal as early as possible. Not only to make the most out of your day, but also to score a seat on the ferry.

The ferry arrives at the Terminal in Culebra, which is 4 km away from Flamenco Beach. It’s about a 10 min taxi drive.

UPDATE: things just got easier in terms of getting ferry tickets to Culebra. As of April 2019 you can look up schedules and book tickets online. This is a limited ticket inventory set aside for online booking.

Getting to Culebra by plane

Another option of getting to Culebra, that is definitely stress and hassle-free, is by plane. It does come with a much higher price tag, therefore it’s usually not what most people choose when taking a day trip to Culebra. You can fly from the International Airport in San Juan with Seaborne Airlines. The two smaller airports in Ceiba and Isla Grande in San Juan have daily flights with Air Flamenco and Vieques Air Link. The planes are tiny, with 8 seats only, so you need to book early, as naturally they fill up quickly. Especially in high season.

Flamenco Beach is about 2.7 km, which is a 5 min ride, from the Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport. There is public transportation to Flamenco beach, that will get you there in just minutes for $3 one way. Alternatively, you can rent a golf cart or a jeep for the day from Carlos Jeep Rentals. Their office is right around the corner from the airport.

READ MORE:

• Things to do in Culebra – Puerto Rico’s laid back island
• 16 Fun Things to do in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

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