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The current weather in Culebra

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flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: ron (---.columbus.res.rr.com)
Date:   11-15-05 15:15

For the last seven years my wife and I have flown on Isla Nena Airlines to get to Culebra from Luis Munoz. It seems now that they are no longer doing this. Well let's put it this way, I have tried ten different phone numbers, including Naomi's, the owner, with no luck. I have called Flamenco Air,with no luck, and Vieques Air,with no luck. I have been calling for three days now. Can anyone tell me how to get a flight into Culebra? This is killing me. I have so many phone numbers for each airline and all I ever get is a ringing signal. HELP, HELP, HELP!!! Thank you.
Ron
Teresa if you read this please respond. You, my wife and I flew together last year.

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.utaonline.at)
Date:   11-15-05 18:33

Don't you just looove booking a flight :) Part of the Culebra experience - no?

You will be looking back on these days with sorrow when they have built a bigger airport and you can book a flight online ..

does anyone here remember the old airport, which was pretty much Happy Landing and another shack? Getting a flight was really fun!

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Didi (---.dhcp.smyr.ga.charter.com)
Date:   11-16-05 11:37

Groan! I am trying to call them now. Your email doesn't encourage me...

Didi

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: J.P. (38.112.47.---)
Date:   11-16-05 18:16

Please post the outcome of this issue as I'm at the beginning stages of planning our next trip, thanks!!!

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Frank (---.cbcads.com)
Date:   11-17-05 10:32

It's posts like this that make me love the Culebra experience even more! If it ever becomes easy to do business on the island it will be time to find another island! Thanks to all the airlines and their non-answering phones for bringing a smile to my face today! :-)

Frank

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: ron (---.columbus.res.rr.com)
Date:   11-17-05 14:26

JP,
I have talked to Jerry at Jerry's jeeps and Jim at CIR and I was told, starting in December, that Flamenco Air will start flying from Luis Munoz to Culebra. I did get a hold of them yesterday and I was told the same. Their number is 787-724-1818. Good luck.
Ron

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: ron (---.columbus.res.rr.com)
Date:   11-17-05 14:32

Frank, as far as your statement, Culebra will always be a special island to all of us but when do you think it is time for certain businesses to be customer friendly? Hopefully you didn't take this wrong. Everyone in Culebra is very friendly. We all love the laid back atmosphere but sometimes a vacation does not need to be difficult. Airplane flights shouldn't be. Do you want to come to Culebra and end up at the ticket counter and you don't have a flight? Very bad business!! People in Culebra count on tourism. How would you like to run a company, car rental, realty, etc., waiting for your people to get off the plane and they don't show up? Not good!! I hope people will start understanding that while Culebra is so laid back some people need customer service.
Ron

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Dills (---.levtwn01.pa.comcast.net)
Date:   11-17-05 17:38

I spoke to Flamenco Air today and they said there are flights to Culebra every day at 9:00, 2:00 and 4:00. I think it costs $54 one way. If i had read this before i spoke to them i would have booked it! I didn't realize they are so hard to get a hold of!

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Frank (---.cbcads.com)
Date:   11-18-05 11:03

Ron-

No offense taken ... I sincerely apologize if my post offended! I was merely making the point that part of makes Culebra special is that it doesn't always work. And it forces those of us who are so demanding (my personality profile is "perfectionist") to lighten up a little and enjoy life AS IT COMES rather than how we WANT IT TO GO. Read that last statement again and ponder it ... it's important!

Example. One year we arrived on Culebra and walked off the ferry to a car rental business located near the ferry dock. It was February 2002 and we had made the reservations about six months prior. When arrived ... three families, 6 adults, 8 kids and luggage for a 10 day stay ... the owner looked panicked and said, "We did not think you were coming because all those people died on September 11th. We gave your cars to somebody else."

To this day I don't know if she thought we ourselves had died or just wouldn't come because of that tragedy! :-) Instead of getting upset, we sent the kids to the Dinghy Dock for a nice long lunch. I stayed behind and worked with her ... calmly ... on finding cars. We needed three but she could only promise two and not until much later that day. She finally called a friend (Arlene?) and we rented Arlene's car for the week! It was a blast! As we drove around the island that week everybody thought it was Arlene and honked and waved! We waved back and laughed! What a great time. Now I must confess ... if this same experience happened at Hertz in Philadelphia, I may have had a different reaction. An ugly, angry reaction! LOL. But the people on Culebra have a spirit that transcends customer service ... and I value that.

This is just one of dozens of stories from our trips through the years to Culebra. Many of them are about when things did not go as planned and how we adapted. If I want things to go right, I'll book a trip to Disney, not Culebra! One experience is not better than the other, they are just different. I can appreciate them both for what they are ... while enjoying them both in their own way.

I agree that there is a certain level of "customer service" that people expect. But if the bar for such customer service gets raised too high, Culebra will become just another island and not the special place it is now. People on Culebra may "need" tourism. But if they are not careful, tourism will destroy the uniqueness of Culebra.

The administrator of this forum stated it perfectly: "You will be looking back on these days with sorrow when they have built a bigger airport and you can book a flight online ... does anyone here remember the old airport, which was pretty much Happy Landing and another shack? Getting a flight was really fun!"

The changes in the last decade on Culebra have been enough! Because by catering to tourists that DEMAND customer service, you lose the unique character of Culebra. We can get customer service anywhere. I've stayed in my fair share of Ritzy hotels around the world. Give me a stripped down house, a hammock and the stars of Culebra any day! Throw in losing my electricity for two days or not finding any milk on the island for three days ... and I'm happy!

But that's just me. I respect everybody's right to their opinion. Some may want to see Culebra "progress". Me ... I would like it to regress a bit. I can get "progress" elsewhere thank you very much!

Thanks for reading ... peace.
Frank

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Candy (66.46.57.---)
Date:   11-18-05 11:55

Wow, we can't wait to go. Laid back and unique is definately what we're looking for......

Candy

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   11-18-05 14:14

Frank,

What a great post. Those are my sentiments, exactly, but I've never been able to articulate them so well. Trying to make Culebra into a country club destroys it.

I do remember before the new terminal was built. On my first flight in, the pilot buzzed the field before starting his approach. I think he was getting a better look at the windsock, but he claimed he was clearing the livestock!

I also remember the UPI photo, that appeared in my hometown paper, of the Piper cub that Hurricane Marilyn deposited, upside down, on the roof of the Happy Landings.

Keep Culebra Funky!

Doug

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.utaonline.at)
Date:   11-18-05 15:06

maybe we should start a campaign 'keep Culebra funky' lol.

Keep in mind though that a lot of the progress is not for the tourist but for the people who live here and might give them (in regards to transportation) access to better schools, better jobs etc.

There is never just one side to anything. My attitude is enjoy what is there now. Don't be sad what was yesterday and don't worry about what will be tomorrow. (and that was definitely stated way better before ..)

That is not to say that we should not state our preferences. Mine definitely go towards funky.

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   11-18-05 18:39

Bravo Frank! My thoughts exactly, but you said it so well!

Don't forget the water being shut off periodically too!

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: ron (---.columbus.res.rr.com)
Date:   11-19-05 19:52

Frank,
All I want is to make a flight reservation, not turn Culebra into St. Thomas. We don't stay in "Ritzy" hotels all over the world. This is our one big vacation every year, so wanting to be assured of a plane flight isn't too much to ask. Once on the island, I can agree with you about whatever happens, happens. Besides, I don't think we need to start worrying about Culebra until they start removing the ordnance.

I'll tell you what, if it makes you feel any better, once I get my pilot's license and start a charter business from SJU to Culebra, I promise not to answer your telephone calls.

Cheers to Culebra and it's laid-back atmosphere.
Ron

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.utaonline.at)
Date:   11-19-05 19:58

Ron, try Air America

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Frank (---.agstme.adelphia.net)
Date:   11-19-05 23:46

Ron-

I'm not being a wise-guy here ... why don't you just take the ferry? It's easy, it's cheap, and it's kind of fun. Last year my kids got to see both a whale and a sea turtle. It was the highlight of their vacation! Make sure you sit up top, the views are great!

If you are going to be on Culebra in February let me know. I'd love to buy you a beer (or wine or soda or whiskey) and make a new friend!

I hope you get that flight. Please enjoy Culebra ... it sounds like you love the island.

Frank

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.utaonline.at)
Date:   11-20-05 04:52

Frank hits the nail on the head - again :)

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: ron (---.columbus.res.rr.com)
Date:   11-20-05 10:25

Frank,
I would love to have a beer, wine or rum with you but I'll miss you by a month. We are coming in March unless I get a wild hair and come early like I have before. Thanks for the offer!!!
Ron

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: alyssa englis (---.lndnnh.adelphia.net)
Date:   11-20-05 18:29

Is anyone going to Culebra over February vacation? We are arriving in San Juan on Feb 19th (sunday) at 3 in the afternoon, and heading back on the 25th at 4 pm. I have no idea how we are getting to Culebra yet. I was looking at flights and the high speed ferry tonight but getting a little anxious about the plan. If anyone has the same timeline of arrival and departure maybe we could charter a plane together?

Let me know.

Alyssa

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: karen lee (---.bos.east.verizon.net)
Date:   11-23-05 07:40

I tried once a few days ago and got through easily to Vieques Air Link at

888 901 9247

I was told they have daily flights from SJU (expensive) and from Isla Grande (20-min cab ride away from SJU, and much less expensive)

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: ron (---.columbus.res.rr.com)
Date:   12-01-05 15:53

Isla Nena is starting to fly out of San Juan (LMM) again. They had flight/plane inspections that held them up. Supposedly there was a two month hold on some flights because of this. We all know how long things take in P.R. They are now committed to their business and I was told, by the owner, they will be flying according to their old schedule. Personnaly I love to fly with them. I have even flown their newspaper routes from Fajardo to Vieques, Culebra and back which are much cheaper. By the way they are beating Air Flameco prices from LMM. The phome number is787-863-3030.
Ron

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: alyssa englis (---.lndnnh.adelphia.net)
Date:   12-02-05 13:36

Again, Anyoone interested in cahrtering a flight from San Juan on the 19th of February? WE will be arriving at 3:42 and plan to leave after that.

Thanks

Alyssa

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (209.208.195.---)
Date:   12-02-05 16:42

Alyssa, maybe you should start a new thread with your dates in the subject line ..

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: David Magee (63.175.186.---)
Date:   12-03-05 14:08

Air Flamenco is starting flights from the International Airport. They have a new central reservation system that seems to be working well. The new number is: 787-724-1818 I support them as much as possible because the owners are from Culebra.
Matt with Air Culebra sold the business to a company called Air Culebra Carribean. Their web site is: http://www.airamericacaribbean.com/
I have used them and they are very professional. Culebra one way is $395 for a 5 seater. They have bigger planes for $600 if you want.
The high speed ferry is running again from Pier 2 in Old San Juan. If have a late flight then you should stay at the Sheraton Old San Juan. You can wake up and walk across the street and get on the boat. This year they are going to Vieques first on Monday, Wed, Friday and Sat and Culebra 1st on the other days. They have e-mailed me their pdf brochure. If you would like a copy please e-mail me at info@culebra.net and I'll send you a copy.
If all else fails the ferry system in Fajardo has a 7pm ferry now for all of you that get in on that afternoon flight.

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Re: flights from Puerto Rico
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Barbara Martin (---.esr.east.verizon.net)
Date:   12-03-05 22:56

I have never had any problem reserving flights on Air Flamenco during the past 10 years. Call them around 8 AM EST to reserve, and then call to confirm 2-3 days before your flight. Faxes also work well.

Barbara Martin

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