Culebra enjoys a well-deserved reputation as Puerto Rico’s undeveloped paradise. The majority of the hotels, bars, restaurants and facilities have a decidedly rustic air to them. There is only one town, Dewey, and it is little more than a few intersecting roads. There are only two gas stations, one of which is used by boats; the largest luxury hotel had to shut its doors because the island’s infrastructure and labor force wasn’t sufficient enough to keep it going. And half the island lives in relative isolation. And no Culebrense would have it any other way.
A weekend on Culebra Island is an escape not just from the rest of the world, but from the rest of Puerto Rico. There is one world-famous beach that most visitors flock to, along with several not-so-famous beaches that can hold their own against pretty much any other stretch of sand in the Caribbean. In season, nesting turtles enjoy rock-star status and the preferential treatment that comes with it. Snorkeling; diving; swimming; hiking; fishing; boating: these are the engines that drive the tourist trade. Having said that, you’ll need to book your hotel, car rentals and even restaurant reservations (at the town’s most popular eateries) well in advance, because people love to come here.
What do you need to bring on your trip to Culebra? Better yet, here’s what you need to leave behind:
- Suits and formal clothing
- Notions of five-star hotels and upscale restaurants
- Your flashy club threads
