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When researching Puerto Rico I’m certain you’ve most likely come throughout beautiful footage of Flamenco Seashore, which is persistently listed as probably the greatest seashores on the planet. Flamenco Seashore was voted third greatest seashore on the planet within the 2014 TripAdvisor Vacationers’ Selection Awards and has been listed as one of many High 50 Seashores within the World by The Guardian.
With its powdery white sand, turquoise blue water and plush greenery, Flamenco Seashore is the right place to loosen up, unwind and absorb the solar. To get to the seashore you’ll must take a flight or a ferry to the island of Culebra, then hop a taxi or hire a automobile to drive to the seashore.
On this Flamenco Seashore information I’ll cowl precisely the best way to get there, and what to anticipate while you arrive.
Historical past of Flamenco Seashore
First, slightly background about this lovely seashore. The title “flamenco” means “flamingo” in Spanish, and it will get its title from the flamingos that after inhabited the Flamenco Lagoon.
Positioned on the north coast of Culebra, the seashore 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. Nevertheless, in 1975 they had been compelled to depart 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 Seashore.
The place is Flamenco Seashore Precisely?
Flamenco Seashore lies on the north coast of Culebra, to the east of Reserva Pure de Culebra (Culebra Nature Reserve). The seashore is round 4 km (8 minutes drive) from the ferry terminal and round 2.7km (5 minutes drive) from Culebra airport.
The right way to Get to Flamenco Seashore
As a way to get to Flamenco Seashore you’ll first must get to Culebra. You’ve gotten two principal choices for attending to Culebra – aircraft or ferry. The ferry is MUCH cheaper than taking a flight, however you’ll must get your self over to Ceiba on the east coast of the island. The flight is faster and less complicated although, so you probably have the funds, you could need to go together with this selection.
Aircraft
To get to Culebra by aircraft 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 in case you’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 means, so about $90-$120 round-trip. That’s cheaper than the flight from San Juan, nonetheless it’s important to consider attending to Ceiba.
To get to Ceiba from San Juan you’ll must pay for a automobile rental, or you’ll be able to ebook a non-public switch service, which is fairly costly.
Ferry
I made a decision to go together with the ferry possibility, which is significantly cheaper than taking a flight. The fare is $2.25 every means, and tickets will 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 site visitors and time of day. As a way to get there it’s good to hire a automobile and drive there – check out Uncover Automobiles, Rentalcars.com or Priceline to search out the most affordable deal.
For my Culebra day journey, I picked up a automobile at round 2pm on a Wednesday and dropped it off at 9pm the next day. With insurance coverage, the full value was round $120. So whereas the ferry is cheaper than the flight, you additionally must take into accounts the price of the automobile rental, gasoline and parking.
Rental firms don’t let you take your automobile onto the Culebra ferry, so that you’ll must park your automobile on the Ceiba ferry terminal. The price for that is $11, and there’s a parking shuttle that takes you from the automobile park to the terminal. Boarding for the passenger + cargo ferry often begins round 1 hour earlier than departure – attempt to get there no later than half-hour beforehand.
When you resolve to go together with the ferry possibility, purchase your tickets on-line at the least a few weeks upfront! The tickets promote out in a short time, and whereas there are some tickets out there on the field workplace, choice is often given to Puerto Rico residents. Trying 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 will be tough, and plenty of folks complain of seasickness on the ferry. When you do undergo from movement illness, be certain to pack some dramamine, or take into account taking a flight as a substitute.
I felt fairly sick on the way in which over to Culebra, since we needed to sit contained in the ferry. On the way in which again from Culebra I sat on the highest deck and felt significantly better – I skilled no seasickness in any respect!
For extra data on what it’s wish to trip the Puerto Rico ferry – take a look at my weblog publish filled with Culebra ferry ideas.
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 hire a automobile and drive across the island your self. When you solely plan on visiting Flamenco Seashore, follow the taxi possibility and don’t hassle with renting a automobile.
After we arrived on the ferry port there have been a number of shared vans ready to whisk vacationers to Flamenco Seashore. The taxis from the ferry to the seashore value $20 however will be cut 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.
Whenever you need to head again to the ferry port, you’ll additionally discover taxis ready within the automobile park at Flamenco Seashore. Be sure that to hold money, as they don’t take playing cards.
When you do need to hire a golf cart or a Jeep, take a look at Carlos Jeep Rental, which is the most well-liked firm on the island. The corporate provides courtesy pick-up from the ferry terminal and the airport in case you resolve to ebook by means of them.
Flamenco Seashore 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 grow to be one of the well-liked picture spots in Puerto Rico.
If you wish to have your picture taken with the well-known Flamenco seashore tanks, flip left while you’re going through the ocean and maintain strolling alongside the sand for about 10 minutes.
Flamenco Seashore Amenities
Earlier than you enter the seashore you’ll see an space with quite a few meals kiosks, in addition to showers and loo services.
The kiosks promote pina coladas, beers, gentle drinks and snacks similar to tostones, empanadas, rice and beans, burgers and pinchos.
When 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 pictures of rum.
Most guests convey their very own towels however in case you want a seashore chair and umbrella, these can be found for hire. A seashore chair prices $10, whereas an umbrella prices $20. Be sure to convey money for cost.
Tenting at Flamenco Seashore
The one campground on Culebra island is positioned at Flamenco Seashore. It has capability for round 400 tents, however it may possibly get fairly busy in the course of the summer time months and on vacation weekends.
If you wish to sleep underneath the celebrities and be at one with nature, take into account tenting right here for the night time as a substitute of staying at a guesthouse. Tenting prices $30 per tent per night time, with a most of 6 folks per tent. Test-in is often after 8am, and check-out is earlier than 4pm. When you want to name the campground, they are often contacted on (787) 742-0700.
You may buy your individual gear on the primary island at shops like Walmart and Sears, or you possibly can hire the gear from Tent Metropolis – a kiosk at Flamenco Seashore. The kiosk provides a wide variety of tenting gear together with tents, flashlights, mattresses and camp stoves.
Is Flamenco Seashore Value It?
There’s little doubt that Flamenco Seashore is a beautiful seashore, nonetheless, lots of the photographs you see on-line have been photoshopped to make the colours pop. Sure, 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.
Nevertheless, the tanks make Flamenco Seashore fairly distinctive, so in case you plan to spend greater than 3 days in Puerto Rico, it’s value including this present day journey to your itinerary. It’s positively the very best seashore in Puerto Rico, though I additionally love Luquillo Seashore on the primary island as effectively.
The journey from San Juan is a little bit of a grueling one although in case you resolve to take the ferry, so in case you’re brief on time and have the money to spare, take into account taking a flight from San Juan.