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The current weather in Culebra

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Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MikeZ (---.dia.static.qwest.net)
Date:   08-18-08 00:34

Can anyone tell me about coming to Culebra in mid November? We were there last year mid October. We loved it, but much of the island was closed for the season. Will most everything be open and how crowded will it be?

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-18-08 13:43

Hola! It should be great. Right after the national sport has ended: Elections and right before the Thanksgiving holidays. Happy travels! J

supergarcia3

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-18-08 14:07

Mike, can you clarify what do you mean by "much of the island closed for the season"?

I've never been there in October, but I've never heard of massive closings.

Are you saying that things like grocery stores, restaurants in town, Mamacita's, rental cars, Flamenco food kiosks, etc, were closed? That's hard to imagine.

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: KathrynJ (---.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net)
Date:   08-18-08 14:27

Mike,

Please do tell what October was like last year. I will be going there this year from the 18th - 26th.

What was closed, how was the weather and crowds?

Did you take the ferry? If so how was that, lots of other people???

Any info would be great, THANKS

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-18-08 17:11

Beachlover, you do not have to worry about crowds in late October. It's probably the least crowded time of year!

The weather is great unless there's a hurricane.

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: KathrynJ (---.tx.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-18-08 18:59

Mort,

Yeah, I keep being told that its not crowded. I'm not sure why i'm worried about it, crowded on Culebra is nothing anyway! Our last trip was in May and it was great! I'm just looking forward to my favorite little quiet island!

Do you live in Florida Mort?

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-18-08 19:18

I've been in October, and I can vouch for Mike's statements in regards to restaurants in town. The markets were open usual hours, but some business owners find October a good time to go on vacation, so regular hours (whatever that is - LOL!) were not observed. You can't really blame them - if there's not enough business, it may not be worth it - paying employees, food prep time, supply ordering, etc. to open.

mid-November is on the uphill swing of getting ready for season, so business owners should be around and things should be open as normal.

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-18-08 19:52

BeachLover, I do live in Florida (Clearwater). Looks like the storm isn't going to affect us much. We'll see what they say tomorrow, though.

When you go in October, even with some things closed, there should be plenty of places to eat.

And the beaches never close! LOL.

I have to disagree, though, that "crowded on Culebra is nothing anyway". Culebra quickly reaches a capacity once past a certain threshhold. I've been there on a holiday weekend where Flamenco campground was insanely crowded. And I've seen 40 boats tethered together on Culebrita's little beach. And recently some reported recent ferry lines winding around for blocks.

You're wise to choose October. And I chose early December for this year's trip. I'm drooling at the thought!

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MikeZ (---.dia.static.qwest.net)
Date:   08-18-08 20:31

First off, last year was the best vacation I've ever had. We had the beaches to ourselves except when we went to Flaminco (there were less than a dozen people there). We were there Mon-Sun Oct 15- Oct 21. Friday was the first day the resturant at Mamacitas was open. Most of the restaurants were closed until Friday. We had dinner at Dingy Dock every night. Again, I'm not complaining, otherwise I wouldn't come back. In fact, we are bringing two friends with us this time.

I read some posts that said it was "crowded" in June/July, so it made me curious. We loved having the beaches to ourselves. I'm just hoping that it doesn't get overly crowded.

We took a cab from the airport, a ferry from Fajardo, rented a jeep from Carlos jeeps. We forgot about what was going on in the world while we were there. We'll be coming back for years to come!!

Thanks for the info.

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: BLACKBURN (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-18-08 20:41

We will arrive the Saturday before Thanksgiving and leave the friday after.
Is wbe a buzy time?

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: KathrynJ (---.tx.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-18-08 21:45

Mort,

Well hopefully you won't get too much of the storm, stay safe! We are getting a bunch of rain in Dallas, which is a nice break from the high heat we had the last couple of weeks.

I agree with you about the crowds. I understand they can get bad, I guess what I was saying was that normally "crowded" on culebra means not being alone at Resaca, which was one of my best memories of my last trip.

I hope December treats you well!

Debbie and Mike,

Thanks for the info, I will keep all that in mind!

TWO MONTHS FROM TODAY! YEAH!!!! CAN'T WAIT!!!!

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-19-08 08:58

True, crowded is a relative term.

MikeZ, thanks for that info. You must have hit the brief period when many business people take vacation at once, or do renovations, or just plain relax. I had never heard of that on such a scale, but then again, not many people have gone to Culebra in October to report it! LOL.

Blackburn, there are lots of recent threads that discuss when the crowded times of the year are. Naturally, Thanksgiving is a crowded time like it is anywhere else in North America. All holidays are crowded in Culebra relative to non-holidays. Summer is more crowded than fall, etc.

The majority of visitors to Culebra come from Puerto Rico by ferry. So, weekends are a lot more crowded than weekdays because most people work during the week. For the same reason, holidays periods are a lot more crowded than non-holidays.

It is not easy to define "crowded". Is Culebra ever like "Times Square on New Year's Eve"? Of course not.

But a holiday weekend on Culebra is a very different experience. MikeZ talked about there being only a dozen people on Flamenco Beach. Well, during Thanksgiving weekend, that won't be the case! There could be hundreds. Well, that's still a hell of a lot better than Daytona Beach or Miami Beach will be.

For me, I go to Culebra to get away from crowds. I am a big fan of the scenario that MikeZ describes. To me, that's the perfect vacation. I've been there on holiday periods and I didn't enjoy it nearly as much, but that's just me. Clearly lots of other people enjoy it... Otherwise there wouldn't be so many people.

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: BLACKBURN (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-19-08 20:23

I don't want crowds. We have travled all over the Caribbean Scuba diving. This is our first time in PR except as a cruise port years ago.

Airfares in the past from Atlanta to PR have been extreemly high. We could go to other places for half the cost. We stumbled on a deal on Delta for under 500.00 per person over Thanksgiving. Looking forward to Culebra.

We like to take 2 to 3 dive trips a year, so we spread the money thin. My concern is getting to Culebra on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. We get there about 1 pm. We will get a taxi to run us over to the ferry. Our concern is that we make the 4pm ferry.

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-19-08 20:46

Blackburn - there is no 4pm ferry.

Fajardo to Culebra runs are at 9am, 3pm and 7pm. You should be able to make the 7pm ferry with no problem. (On weekdays, there is a 4:30pm cargo ferry which also takes passengers - maybe that's what you were looking at.)

Are you diving while you're there?

Where are you located in Atlanta?

Amen on the cheaper airfare from ATL to San Juan. We have been going for 8 years, and have paid as much as $565 per person if we weren't able to find FF seats. With the introduction of Airtran, both airlines are running around $250 - $350. We bought Thanksgiving tix for $282! Last spring, just to snub Delta, I took Airtran for $242 or something like that.

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: BLACKBURN (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-19-08 21:14

I should have said $500 total for both of us!

A PR native in my office came running in my door two weeks ago to tell me about the deal. We both booked right then. My wife and I for Thanksgiving and my co-worker for first week in December.

It is normally +500 for each.

I work at the Airport and live in Hogansville (near Lagrange). My wife teaches school in Clayton County. Moved here from Stockbridge 3 years ago to escape the crowds!

We are going to dive with Culebra Divers three or four days.

Are you from the ATL area?

I am ALWAYS happy when diving,
John & Alisa

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-19-08 21:49

Hogansville? Lived here all my life and never heard of it. Looks like it's a fair piece from the big ATL - Lewis Grizzard country, huh? I grew up in Conyers and am currently living in the Tucker area and working in Buckhead (which is why I LOVE CULEBRA!) You will totally understand that once you make contact with its uncrowded bliss. I have a feeling you will love it too.

Whew - I hope you don't work for Delta after that comment I made. Of course if you work for Delta, then price wouldn't be an issue. So you must not work for Delta. We're good. . .

If you want an idea of the u/w scene on Culebra, check out:

http://web.mac.com/debalew/Scuba/Welcome.html

Enjoy diving with Monika and Walter - be sure to make reservations, if you haven't already.

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.aep.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-19-08 22:35

Hola! Small world, I'm in Alpharetta. I too miss PR desperately, especially my family. I love Culebra but, I love my hometown of Cabo Rojo more. The beaches are nice but Flamenco and Carlos Rosario are the winners! Happy travels! J

supergarcia3

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-20-08 08:01

Jeannie - really?!?!?!?

I thought you had mentioned at some point that you were in Miami. I would love to meet up with you sometime.

My goal on this forum is to have a better showing of people from Atlanta than from St. Louis. :-)

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   08-20-08 09:18

And as coincidence would have it, I'm flying to Atlanta this morning for a meeting!

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-20-08 12:00

Hola! That would be great! Happy travels! J

supergarcia3

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: BLACKBURN (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-20-08 21:19

Debbie,
Loved the pictures. Noticed the Belize trip. We were in Ambergris Caye this summer. How do you compare it to Culebra to San Pedro?

John

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-20-08 22:15

Lewis (my hubby) sez: The major difference is there is no Belizean Badass on Culebra. (Sorry - inside joke/memory that will never be erased - you know how Latinos in Atlanta plaster decal slogans across the back of their pick-up truck windows? Picture a Belizean golf cart in a similar manner.) Lewis' favorite line ever heard on Culebra is "We don't have a town drunk. We take turns."

Seriously, the atmosphere is similar on both islands. The fact that both are inaccessible by large jets is part of the charm. There are no fast food restaurants. The locals are super nice - both Culebrense and gringos. The pace is very laid back - no Type A personalities allowed. What I like better about Ambergis Caye is the lack of cars. It may have changed, but when we were there, golf carts were the transportation of choice. Very refreshing. Culebra has a huge fleet of rental cars, and all the locals drive, even though many things are within walking distance. The convenience of a car is just too great for many people to pass up, us included.

As far as the diving, Belize's barrier reef is more wall-like with canyon like formations (but you knew that). You won't find much like that in Culebra's waters (unless you go to the far outer islands on the north side - and Walter doesn't tend to go out that way much). Culebra's reefs are mostly patch reefs close to the island and its surrounding cayos. Max depth is around 80 feet. Average is 60. Fish life is abundant, and soft corals are phenomenal. Hard corals are hit and miss - some years they look great, other years coral bleaching is abundant and we have seen that suffocating green mat algae too.

We had a bit of a discussion about various islands earlier this summer - see http://www.islaculebra.com/forvm/read.php?f=1&i=13877&t=13859

Where are you staying on Culebra? and what are your dates? (we'll be there Nov. 28, 29, 30).

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: kerry parsons (---.il-chicago0.sa.earthlink.net)
Date:   08-20-08 23:26

wow...this thread is 2 kool...i am going for my first time to culebra nov. 5...what drew me to culebra out of all the choices, was how much it sounded like san pedro, on ambergris caye, belize...i lost my fiance to cancer in 2001, and his ashes are scattered at west point lake, near la grange, georgia...my mom passed away in november last year, and i am taking her to west point lake next week to be scattered there as well...i would love to get together while i am there....debbie or blackburn???i will be staying at the motel 6 in opelika, AL, just on the georgia/AL border

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   08-21-08 11:47

"My goal on this forum is to have a better showing of people from Atlanta than from St. Louis. :-)"

Smiley noted...hell, half the St. Louis contingent LIVES there.

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: kerry parsons (---.ca-sanfranc0.sa.earthlink.net)
Date:   08-21-08 16:08

i don't know if u were referring to me, about the st. louis thing??? but i am from louisiana....just thought it would be kool 2 hook up with some people in georgia when i go next week, that seem to have the same love of the caribbean as i do...

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   08-21-08 17:11

Kerry,

Nah, she's poking fun at me and my ragamuffin pals. Anybody from StL who's smart has moved to Culebra, already. Hint: one is a well respected businessman whose bangers get you where you want to go. Another toils ceaselessly to preserve the beautiful reefs you enjoy snorkling. We're well represented.

Doug

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Re: Travel in November
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   08-21-08 18:38

Kerry,

That's a bit far for me, but I do wish you the best in taking care of your Mom's ashes. I know that is not easy. Several years ago, an internet-only friend who was a scuba diver and had little family was killed in a motorcycle accident. The scuba community came together in scattering his remains on reefs throughout the world. It was an amazing feat, and yes, he rests partially in Culebra.

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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