INTRODUCTION
SHELTER
FOOD & DRINK
TRANSPORT
TO DO
MAPS
FORVM
SEARCH
POST NEW TOPIC
Puerto Rico

The current weather in Culebra

RSS feed
New Topic  |  Go to Top  |  Go to Topic  |  Search  |  Log In Newer Topic  |  Older Topic
trip report- travel, jeep, camping etc
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jim H (---.ORA.upenn.edu)
Date:   02-21-06 16:54

got in a few hours ago from a great 5 days on culebra. just thought Id post my lessons learned-- and hopefully help others have a smooth trip to paradise. Take em or leave em. I'll definitely be back.

1- My first piece of bold advice--I recommend not going to fajardo. Just take a flight or the high speed ferry from SJ. We thought we'd save money by going to Fajardo, but it wasnt worth the hassle, AND-- we actually didnt save money. The guy driving our publico, while charging .75 cents for every local he picked up on the way, DEMANDED 40$ from us when we got out in fajardo. not sure of his reasoning, but based on the looks of this guy I thought I wouldnt mess with him too much, and just do what he said. It had something to do with the size of my backpack, because I had my tent in it. but theres no doubt we were taken advantage of. After the 22$ taxi ride from SJ airport to Rio Piedras, the 2 of us were at $62 one way to fajardo, and it took about 4 hours. you make a cost/benefit calculation based on that.

2- Jerry rules. I definitely recommend Jerry's Jeeps. The other establishments looked good too, and I cant say either way how they are. But Jerry took an hour or so to go over some island secrets with us, and led us to some great spots, with some excellent advice. And a hand-drawn pirate-esque map to boot.
ASK WHOEVER YOU RENT FROM TO EXPLAIN PARKING REGULATIONS VERY CAREFULLY. Jerry did this for us and saved us from what sounds like are crazy parking tickets that are being handed out like candy. But not quite as pleasantly. And always wear your seatbelt. They ticket for that too I guess.

3. If you fly Air Flamenco-- be sure to hang on to your receipt and return ticket when they give you your initial ticket for the flight over. No electronic tracking system-- you lose your ticket, which is provided in a piece of trashy advertising, just begging to be thrown away--- and you pay again.

4. Make sure to have a drink at the Dinghy Dock. And if they have the spicy grouper at Mamacita's-- get it. With rice and beans and fried plantains. Tasty. If youre there Sat night, check out the Conga drummers from 9-11.

5. If youre goign to be there a few days, and are planning on renting snorkel and mask-- dont-- just buy one. We found one from the vendors at flamenco beach for 15$ that didnt leak, and no one else had ever slobbered in it. Snorkel at Carlos Rosario.

6. If youre the camping type-- definitely haul your tent out there, and camp. 20$ is a bit steep for a piece of grass to lay your tent out on, but its better than 100$ anyway you slice it. and listening to the waves all night, looking at the milky way, rolling out of the tent walking 10 steps into the turquoise water in the AM was epic. Make sure you have your rain fly bc it rained on us for about 5 minutes at a time several times over the trip. and make sure you keep it zipped. the ants know how to get in. and they certainly know how to bite.

7. Drink Cruzan reserve and tonics.

8. Bring travel scrabble.

K. Back to work. (God it hurts to say that)

Reply To This Message
Re: trip report- travel, jeep, camping etc
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: JoseGuzman (---.mia.bellsouth.net)
Date:   02-21-06 18:17

Sir you were not taken advantage of... are you crazy.
It costs not less than 75.00 for two people to get from San Juan to Fajardo.
Where do you think you are... in 1898...
I think you were treated right, more then when you have all this tent, and luggage. I'm sure you were trying to take advantage of him, when you travel IT COSTS MONEY, it is not free or cheap. These publicos drivers have to live you know, or what do you expect them ... to eat once a week ?
And, $100.00 for a hotel is just beautiful as far as it has A/C, and private bathroom. Where do you think you are ...
Most hotels in Culebra have private bathroom, however, some ( not locally owned ) says A/C is not needed. It takes a fool to believe that crap of the breezze caresing your dreams ( without A/C mosquitoes will eat you, and you will sweat to death ).
... A/C is a MUST.

Capt. J.Guzman

Reply To This Message
Re: trip report- travel, jeep, camping etc
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.aep.bellsouth.net)
Date:   02-21-06 21:39

Great report, Jim.

I think you did get taken advantage of with the publico. A private van that picks you up at the airport and takes you straight to Fajardo is $65 one way, no stops. A publico, the ones that stop along the way to pick up other passengers, should not be so expensive. If you have more than two persons, it is cost effective to take a private van to Fajardo. Jerry DOES rule! It's truly part of the island experience to meet him.

Capt. Guzman -

Once again I must disagree with you. If you stay at the right place at the right elevation, a/c is not necessary, especially during these beautiful winter months. Villa Boheme, that you recommend so often, is not at a high enough elevation, nor does it have strategically placed windows to allow for cross-breezes. I enjoy a house that is built to catch the breezes, and a ceilin fan or standup fan is enough to keep the mosquitos at bay. In March, I discovered an incense in one of the local gift shops that contains natural ingredients designed to repel mosquitos (geranium, neem and other stuff). I was skeptical and surprised when it actually worked. I was quite comfy in the hammock at dusk while the incense was burning. The minute it went out, the monsters returned.

By the way, when you live outside of the tropics, it feels dang good to sweat for a week or so. I know not everyone feels that way, but I rather enjoy being warm, not cold (from weather or from a/c).

Happy Diving!
Debbie

Reply To This Message
Re: trip report- travel, jeep, camping etc
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.c3-0.nyw-ubr2.nyr-nyw.ny.cable.rcn)
Date:   02-22-06 11:29

Great report Jim, thanks!

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

Reply To This Message
Re: trip report- travel, jeep, camping etc
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Tam (---.bos.east.verizon.net)
Date:   02-22-06 18:55

Ditto -- muchas gracias for your report, Jim; very helpful advice.

Reply To This Message
Re: trip report- travel, jeep, camping etc
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: serafinapup (---.dhcp4.washington.edu)
Date:   02-22-06 19:21

Jim--thanks. I'll be a first-timer to Culebra in 6 1/2 long weeks... Can you (or anyone) tell me what's the deal with the high speed ferry from SJ (where to find out about it, how long it takes)?? I have heard about it on these message boards but haven't been able to find anything on it anywhere.

I am still grappling with where to stay--currently have reservations at Boheme but also considering Fulladoza or Hamaca.

Reply To This Message
Re: trip report- travel, jeep, camping etc
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: art (---.hsd1.ct.comcast.net)
Date:   02-22-06 19:55

For what it's worth- My wife and I are going over to Culebra for the day on March 7th. We decided to pay the $95 PP RT with Flamenco Air and get there in 15-20 minutes. The "high speed" ferry from SJ is $69 PP RT and takes an hour and 45 minutes. If your going over for the day that's almost 4 hours on a ferry. You do the math. I sure think the time savings is well worth the extra 50 bucks. Either way, enjoy your time there.

Reply To This Message
Re: trip report- travel, jeep, camping etc
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: mymoosie (---.res.east.verizon.net)
Date:   02-22-06 22:28

I would agree with Art, if you can spare the extra $26 per person it would be well worth it to fly instead. If you look in Older Threads I have posted the costs/approximate times for the 3 airlines that fly to Culebra based on my trip planning. Look for the Subject "San Juan Isla Grande/Culebra" started by Jen.

Kris

Reply To This Message
Re: trip report- travel, jeep, camping etc
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.c3-0.nyw-ubr2.nyr-nyw.ny.cable.rcn)
Date:   02-23-06 10:37

Kris, that would be

http://www.islaculebra.com/forvm/read.php?f=1&i=6110&t=6084

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

Reply To This Message
Re: trip report- travel, jeep, camping etc
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: dan fried (---.ny325.east.verizon.net)
Date:   02-23-06 11:01

we took a taxi to fijardo for 70 flat at 5 am otherwise we were told it would have been 80. and the ferry out of fijardo was beautiful- if hard on the tum tum- anyway you do fly to culebra to save time ( and perhaps money, in some cases) i would definately take the ferry back and rent from L&M a 1 way to sj $70.75 and check out el yunque- totally different from culebra but a captivating exp. and hey your right there anyway. i enjoyed a walk around fijardo ferry terminal area vert old world carribean - a walk back in time not the beauty of culebra but your there already explore

a room doesnt have to be 100 you could do alright for 65

i also like to sweat b/c i dont live in the tropics, but air conditioning was important because my room in oceanview was small and stuffy (you could never tell from the pic but it wasnt bad overall) if i would camp- and it sounds good) the a/c wouldnt be missed

culebra diverssterilizes the equip but 15 to own is good IF its quality gear

Reply To This Message
mosquito incense
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Steve Shivers (---.hsd1.va.comcast.net)
Date:   02-23-06 19:09

Debbie - you said "I discovered an incense in one of the local gift shops that contains natural ingredients designed to repel mosquitos (geranium, neem and other stuff). I was skeptical and surprised when it actually worked." Do you remember what it was called and/or which shop sold it?

Thanks,
Steve

S & L in VA
"Stercus Evenit"

Reply To This Message
Re: mosquito incense
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.aep.bellsouth.net)
Date:   02-23-06 19:52

No, I don't remember what it was called, but I bought it at On-Island (next to Culebra Divers), and I also saw it at Paradise Gift Shop (on the street where Etcetera used to be; across from Hotel Puerto Rico). Tip - it was 75c cheaper at On Island.

Happy Diving!
Debbie

Reply To This Message
Re: trip report- travel, jeep, camping etc
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Gary Eichelberger (---.89.32.206-smc-pa.hfc.comcastbusiness.net)
Date:   02-24-06 18:37

no doubt about it - flying is the way to go if you can pay it. you are usually there in no time. when I go to cvulebra - i want ot be in culebra, not waiting for transit.

Reply To This Message
Re: trip report- travel, jeep, camping etc
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.c3-0.nyw-ubr2.nyr-nyw.ny.cable.rcn)
Date:   02-25-06 13:06

Steve, Debbie, are you talking about Citronella? It does work ..

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

Reply To This Message
Threaded View Newer Topic  |  Older Topic