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My Version of a stay in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Kim Pingston (---.try.wideopenwest.com)
Date:   02-01-06 19:35

Boy, after reading a lot of the posts on where to stay, where not to stay, people being disappointed or very happy with their choice of where to stay, etc., I thought, why not explain what Culebra is for a first time visitor....

When you get there, it's like stepping back in time. Forget about city life for your entire visit (isn't this why you're going in the first place?).

The main street that you use to get to and from the ferry is full of potholes (I was told that they were going to start repairs on it the day after we were leaving (01/21/06). And if you live in a state where salt is used in the winter for the roads, the potholes should not bother you at all!

Your villa/apartment/guesthouse/b&b, etc., will not be anything like a Hilton Hotel unless you stay at one of the more expensive places in Culebra. To me, a nice place to stay in Culebra has a bed, air conditioner, kitchenette, and bathroom. What more do you need?

The place where you purchase food is going to be somewhat different that what you're used to in a big town. Think of your Kroger or whatever grocery store you go to cut down to about 1/4 of the size. That's the size of a grocery store on the island. Remember, all of the food for sale there has to be shipped in on the ferry or maybe flown in. Don't expect a Wal-mart or even a Walgreens on the island, they just don't have them! There are a couple of places to buy souvenirs and vacation clothes if the airline loses your luggage!

There are chickens and a lot of roosters that will gladly wake you up around 5:00 a.m. You don't even have to ask them for a wake-up call! Occasionally, you may see or hear a horse in the yard of where you're staying. They want attention too, so don't be alarmed if they let out a winnie for you!

If you're used to staying up till midnight or later, that will change too. As your mother used to say.....early to bed, early to rise.......In bed by 8 or 9 p.m., and up when the roosters start around 5:00 or 6:00 a.m.

The restaurants on the island are smaller than your Red Lobster, and the food is great. You'll see conch and octopus on the menu, and you may want to try it.

Don't worry about the lizzards or Iguana's. They're more scared of you than you are of them, and they run fasssssssssssst.

Doesn't everyone have misquitos in the summer where they live? More than likely! It's summer all year in Culebra, so expect the bugs! That's why they invented insect repellent!

The beaches, ah yes, the beautiful beaches. Take the sunblock with you because if you're as white as a ghost when you get there, you'll be brown (or lobster looking) when you leave.

After renting a car twice to take to Culebra, I would personally suggest renting a jeep or something that's high off of the ground. Low cars don't do well when they hit the boulders on a dirt road, or when they bottom out on the edge of the road either!

By your third day there, you will be waving to the locals and tourists because it's that kind of a place. Everyone waves to everyone else, or says hello. When was the last time you drove through YOUR town and waved at someone you didn't know?

When you return home, everyone will tell you how relaxed you look (and you will be relaxed). You won't want to leave Culebra because you've gotten used to the laid back lifestyle of Culebra!

Everyone enjoy their trips, and take many pictures!

Kim

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Re: My Version of a stay in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Lori Martin (---.152.237.190.res-cmts.snh.ptd.net)
Date:   02-01-06 21:41

I just want to say thanks. I enjoyed reading the information. We visited Cabo Pulma, in Mexico Baja last Feb. and got used to the horses and roosters there also. I think it was even more remote. No Electricity, only solar cells. It sounds like we will find what we were looking for, something along those lines but a little more activity. We are heading to culebra for the first time next saturday and are very excited. We have not made arrangements for a rental car thinking we would be okay with the public transportation and walking.......is this a mistake? We love to explore and were thinking of getting a car for one or two days. We are staying at the Ocean View said to be on the hill overlooking the bay...the word hill does scare me a little, we are on vacation! We are very versitile but I would like your opinion on if we should just spend the money for a jeep for the entire week or just a couple days?

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Re: My Version of a stay in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   02-02-06 07:46

Great write-up, Kim!

Lori - that is a VERY steep hill leading to Ocean View. Walking up will be pretty tough. You can always get a publico to take you to the hotel. Of course, it's much easier to walk into town from there. I've done it from locations near there, and have walked back that way too, past Marcos and up the hill past Tina's, but that hill is gently sloping. If ou're used to a lot of exercise, I think you'll be fine. Like I said, if it's too tough, try to get a ride (people on the street will give you a ride, and you'll make enough friends, you can just ask).

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: My Version of a stay in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Butch Pingston (139.72.158.---)
Date:   02-02-06 09:43

You asked:

"We are very versitile but I would like your opinion on if we should just spend the money for a jeep for the entire week or just a couple days"?

My husband and I are total explorers, and we rent a vehicle everywhere we go. Although the island is only 7 miles big/long, whatever, we found places to go in that little car that we couldn't have gotten to without it. For instance, there's a house or what used to be a look-out tower directly across from the tank on Flemenco Beach. My husband HAD to drive up there to go inside to see what it was. There's also a helicopter pad at the top of the hill (the road to this house/fort forks, and if you go the opposite way, you'll get to the pad where the scenery is breath taking). Again, we HAD to go to see this. Without the car, we would have never done it.
Since we rented the car in SJU for $263 (for 9 days), it was less than renting a jeep on the island. I told my husband that we won't be renting a small car again to take to Culebra--we will be renting a jeep or something similar for our next visit.

We like our independence, and do not want to have to be dependent on a ride anywhere we go. So, in response to your question about renting a jeep for the entire week, I can only tell you that we would rent for the entire week. It's going to depend on whether or not you want to rent for the week.

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Re: My Version of a stay in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Shawn (209.217.109.---)
Date:   02-02-06 10:03

Hi Butch (or Butch's partner),

Just one clarification: you rented a vehicle at SJU and took it over? Which rental company was it that allowed you to do that and was it a challenge to bring the car over on the cargo ferry? I've never considered doing it as everyone seems to be saying that it's too difficult (or not allowed).

Appreciate any insights you have.

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Re: My Version of a stay in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: lois street (---.hsd1.va.comcast.net)
Date:   02-02-06 16:08

I'm curious - just where did you stay? It sounds like you were pretty satisfied with it.

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Re: My Version of a stay in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: scot marechaux (---.infoblvd.net)
Date:   02-04-06 20:33

Hi
my thoughts on the ferry and big island rental.
if i rememember correct Most rental agencies in SJ void insuranse if you take it to culebra.
Getting on the ferry is first come first serve, not bad on the way over but if you can't make the ferry for your retiurn trip you fihgt miss your flight home.... not a bad idea but there might be issues here.
Another thought is why give your money to a big rental agency when the few small business on Culebra could use your business.
Plus if you ferry in you miss the plane flight in to Culebra that is stunning.
My favorite rental is at Jerrys feeps.
neat guy , been there some time no . if you use him tell him Scot and Jan from NY say hello.
find him here:

http://www.culebra-island.com/CulebraIsland/Transportation/Jerrys%20Jeeps/jerries_jeeps.htm

Having been to Culebra 6 times in the past I strongly suggest a jeep or equivalent for your stay.

A typical day of 5 or 6 hours at the beach, swimming walking building castles in the sand will leave you more tired than one would think.

Lugging groceries beach bags etc and the heat will take the fun out of the day, the jeep will let you get to all the out lying spots and you can stop any where for the view or a hike. The bus does not allow this.

Culebra is very special and is a couple of steps above camping. Check out Tamarindo estates while you are there. If you go to Culebra once the next trip back you will want to stay at Tamarindo. Reasons secluded, best snorkeling on the island and believe it or not the swimming pool is to die for after a day of beaching it at Zoni or Brava beach.

Let me know what you think of the place when you get back.



Enjoy

Scot Marechaux

Belmont NY

Living well is the best revenge.

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Re: My Version of a stay in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Kim Pingston (---.try.wideopenwest.com)
Date:   02-04-06 20:44

I get what you mean about renting a vehicle on the island, but we wouldn't have a way to Culebra if we didn't get the car in SJU. We are thinking about flying to Culebra from SJU on our next visit though!

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Re: My Version of a stay in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: serafinapup (---.dhcp4.washington.edu)
Date:   02-08-06 16:38

the original post on this is fabulous!! i am going to culebra for the first time in april and can't wait. my boyfriend and i are looking forward to our probable spartan accomodations and SLOOOOOW lifestyle for a week! we currently have reservations at villa boheme but have considered changing it to villa fulladoza or posada la hamaca, mostly because they're a bit cheaper. if anyone has any recommendations, we're open to hearing them! all we want is a bed, preferably private bath, kitchen(private or shared) and a/c. as of yet we have not reserved a jeep but have considered getting one for a couple of days to go to farther beaches like zoni.

thanks!

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Re: My Version of a stay in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.aep.bellsouth.net)
Date:   02-08-06 18:49

Posada La Hamaca can be a bit noisy since it's right next to Mamacitas, but all three are good, inexpensive choices.

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: My Version of a stay in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Kim Pingston (---.try.wideopenwest.com)
Date:   02-08-06 21:41

I gotta stick with my choice of the last two visits--Maritza's guest house. Gosh, with all of the free advertising by me for these rooms, I hope she has availability for me for my next visit!!!

Kim

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Re: My Version of a stay in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.c3-0.nyw-ubr2.nyr-nyw.ny.cable.rcn)
Date:   02-08-06 21:48

Here it goes :)

http://www.islaculebra.com/puerto-rico/maritzas-guest-house.htm

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: My Version of a stay in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mari (---.prtc.net)
Date:   02-09-06 15:03

the original post is a perfect description for Culebra!!! I should add some of my family's basic rules once we go there:

1. take off your watch so....if you're hungry you eat, if you're sleepy just take a nap (it's a difficult decision 'cause you can 'nap' at the beach or in a hammock....)...if you feel like having a beer it won't matter if it's 10 am as long as you don't know the time...

2. we're not in a hurry.... you get used to the 'pace' (slow or slower) and we automatically adjust as soon as we make it on time to the ferry


3. as difficult as it is... we have to make it to school and work on Monday!!!

The last one is the hardest to follow... enjoy Culebra

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