Culebra Blog | Culebra, Puerto Rico

Culebra doesn’t have a Barnes & Nobel or a Borders bookstore, so where does one go to find some holiday novels?

There are 4 spots that I can think of here on Culebra. The first is the Culebra public library. They will lend to visitors and residents alike and their hours are as follows: Monday, Friday, & Saturday 10-2 and Thursday 10-5 (closed Sundays).

The next place that you might try for some reading beach fodder is the Paradise Gift Shop. They have a book exchange in a big room in the back.

The Butiki Gift Shop located in Dewey also has a book exchange shelf where you might find the latest best seller once, or twice read.

Finally, guests of the Palmetto Guesthouse can enjoy a good selection of some of the latest fiction & non. A constantly changing exchange library, which is further augmented by the owners’ recent Amazon.com order funneling in is a good place to look for a book to relax with on one of Culebra’s beautiful beaches!

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Culebra, with its amazing beaches, friendly residents, and numerous outdoor activities really is a highly affordable Caribbean destination.

Recently, we had to leave Culebra for a week or so and have just returned from a trip overseas. Let me just say that the cost of the airfare to our destination in Central America was ridiculous!

For those of you who live in the states, you are very lucky. I was speaking with someone yesterday and they told me that plane tickets to Puerto Rico for September and October are currently at very affordable rates (like $250 roundtrip).

Are you kidding me? $250 to get to the Caribbean and then add on $2.50 for the ferry to Culebra…and you have to ask yourself – Can I afford not to go?

If you are burnt out or drowning in work, need some time on a secluded beach, or just want to get away for a romantic weekend grab up one of those inexpensive fares down to San Juan. Then get on the ferry in Fajardo or fly from Isla Grande and head on over to Culebra. You won’t regret it and you can even leave your passport at home because it is not required to visit here!

As always, if we can help you with anything feel free to contact us here at the Palmetto Guesthouse.

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Culebra, home of the world famous Flamenco Beach, has just been named one of the “Ten Best Islands to Live On” by Islands Magazine.

From the article: “If you think you have to leave your favorite island to return to your “real life,” let us say with the utmost respect … you’re utterly wrong. This could be your real life — a barrier reef outside your front door, a wallaby in your backyard, a vacation smile always on your face. Backing us up are 10 stories from expatriates that you’re about to read as well as our own research into the best islands for inviting culture, enviable weather and available real estate. For any age, any career, any family, there is a perfect island to live on.”

Read the rest  – Islands Magazine or go straight to the “Best Islands to Live On: Culebra” portion of the article.

Thanks Jennica! And if you are coming to Culebra please consider staying with us here at the Palmetto Guesthouse.

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Recently we had some guests visiting one of the beaches here on Culebra and while they were there a nest of about 60-100 sea turtle hatchlings decided to hatch and pursue their evolutionary path down towards the ocean.

Turtle hatchlings photo 1.
 

Sea turtle hatchlings photo 2.

Culebra sea turtle hatchlings photo 3.

Sea turtle hatchlings 4.

Culebra turtle hatchling 5.

 Culebra sea turtle hatchlings 6.

I can tell you that the people who were lucky enough to witness this completely unexpected event went home from their Culebra vacation VERY happy.

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A couple of weeks ago we finally had a little bit of free time and wound up hiking down to Resaca Beach. Here are a couple of photos.

Here is an aerial shot of some popular north coast Culebra beaches.

Resaca from the air.

Here is the start the start of the Resaca trail.

The Resaca trail, which is not as well demarcated as the Brava trail.

Leaving the trail and heading out onto Resaca Beach.

Resaca Beach looking east.

If you are interested in hiking down to Resaca, or any of Culebra’s other great beaches, please consider staying with us at the Palmetto Guesthouse.

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Buzzing around the net this morning I came across an interesting article about Culebra by Jeremy W. Peters over at the New Times Online, “A Tropical Getaway in Puerto Rico That’s Also a Bargain.”

“As new resorts and high-end developments continue their march across the Caribbean, it is getting ever harder to find a place that hasn’t priced out travelers on a budget. But Culebra, a tiny island halfway between St. Thomas and Puerto Rico, still clings hard to its peaceful origins. It’s the kind of place where Carnival and Royal Caribbean don’t visit, the Four Seasons can’t be found, and you really have to work hard to spend more than $200 a night on a hotel room.”

 If you would like to read the whole article click on the link above.

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We went out to Zoni Beach a week ago and it appears as though someone has been doing a “beach art” installation out there…Apologies, I don’t know who did the art so I can’t credit the person.

Zoni Beach Art 1

Zoni Beach Art 2

Zoni Beach Art 3

Zoni Beach Art 4

Zoni Beach Art 5

Finally, two amazing Culebra stray dogs (Satos) need a good home. They are a mother and puppy pair known as Salty and Pepper who have both been fixed, and it would be best if they went to the same home.

I can tell you that they are both extremely well behaved, GREAT with people and kids, and would make a fantastic addition to any loving family. For more information please contact Jill Buckingham at jillbuckingham723@yahoo.com.

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Today I have the pleasure of posting some GREAT pictures that were submitted by Aidan Wood. Aidan was a guest of ours a couple of weeks ago and he is quite a talented photographer.

Playa Flamenco and Culebra from the plane.

Playa Flamenco Tank Compliments of the Navy

Rainbow at Playa Flamenco

Playa Flamenco Conch Shell

Tree

We are always happy to post up pictures, so if you have visited Culebra and would like to see your photos online just send me an email using the form on the Contact page.

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One of the nicest things about being on Culebra is the many hikes, walks, and outdoor activities that are available. Hiking to Brava Beach is by far one of the most fun things you can do on a trip here.

Yesterday, we had a guest that did not want to go to Flamenco Beach for a fourth day in a row, so we told him that we would walk to Brava with him.

If you are reasonably fit you shouldn’t have any problems doing this walk. The hike in takes about twenty five minutes and is best done in sneakers or Tevas because the trail can get a little muddy.

 Remember to bring any water or food along with you because once you get down there you will most likely be the only people and there are no kiosks. Below are some photos from our hike:

The start of the walk to Brava, just park on the side of the road and start hiking.

The beginning of the trail to Brava Beach:

Walking the Brava Beach trail. 

Coming up to the beach, as seen in the distance (boy is that nicer than looking out the window and seeing a driveway full of snow!).

FINALLY – Brava Beach Culebra, Puerto Rico.

If you have had enough of the cold, come on down to Culebra!!

This post has been powered by the Palmetto Guesthouse.

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Because the northeast has been having quite a run of cold, snowy weather lately, I thought it would be a good time to post about ‘Ten Things You Could Be Doing on Culebra Instead of Shoveling Snow:’

1. Snorkel at Carlos Rosario & marvel at the fish & corals
2. Hike to Brava Beach & have the beach all to yourself
3. Take a boat ride to Culebrita with a picnic & cooler
4. Watch the sunset at Melones & drink in the view
5. Have a pina colada here in the Caribbean
6. Lounge in the sun at Zoni Beach & relax the day away
7. Boogie board at Flamenco Beach & catch some fun waves
8. Search for seaside treasures/shells on Tamarindo Beach
9. Explore the outer Cays & Isles on a scuba trip
10. Make a sandcastle (not a snowman :))

 The weather has been a perfect 85 degrees lately with a nice breeze and no rain. Come down and visit if you can…

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