According to Steve Meckfessel, WTC’s chief operations officer, “We are thrilled to kick-off next year’s North America racing season with Ironman 70.3 San Juan.”

Additionally, Steve added, “San Juan provides breathtaking, natural and historic beauty, high-profile event venues and race routes, and accessibility from the U.S. and major international markets. The race will complement existing 70.3 events in the region, including Ironman 70.3 St. Croix and Ironman 70.3 Miami.”

What better place to come for a quick training before the race, or to relax after, than Culebra Island. We have many great running locations, swimming areas, and biking routes.

For additional Culebra Island information, get in touch with us here at the Palmetto Guesthouse. For more Puerto Rico information, checkout Visit-the-Coqui.

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(The following is an answer to a reader question, and the continuation of two recent posts Running on Culebra and Biking on Culebra.)

There are no public pools on the island of Culebra, but if you’re like me and enjoy swimming for exercise, then this post should help a little bit.

On Culebra, of course, you are surrounded by water with many amazing beaches, however, trying to find a calm place to swim for exercise can sometimes be tricky during the winter. One of my favorite spots to swim from November to March is Tamarindo beach.

Typically Tamarindo is well protected from the north swells, and the predominant wind direction (NNE) this time of year does not affect conditions too adversely.

.32 Mile Swim (.16 each way) – Short Swim

When you arrive at Tamarindo beach if you start at the corner of the concrete structure shown below -

Walk into the water (Luis Pena will be directly across from you) and swim to the left following the coast line.

The green dot on the map below denotes the starting point and the red dot denotes the turning spot.

If you are not all that comfortable swimming for distance in the ocean, with this route you can get a nice little .32 mile swim (with the confidence of always being able to touch bottom) if you go all the way to the tree (shown below) and back to the starting point. Note, I usually try to keep a rock or two balanced on the trunk for easy identification.

.62 Mile – Long Swim

If you are looking for a bit more distance and have done the initial .16miles, you can swim from the turn tree (shown above) all the way down to the other end of Tamarindo. The green dot denotes the starting point and the red dot is the end, which is back at the initial concrete structure.

When you get down towards the other end of Tamarindo you want to sight for the ‘topless’ tree (see below) and when you are directly across from it you will turn and head back.

Should you happen to find yourself on Culebra Isalnd during the summer months, Flamenco beach makes a fabulous swimming venue and you can easily sneak in a full mile if you start at the second life guard tower and follow the coast down to the mullecito (.5 miles) and back again.

If you have any questions about swimming, biking, or running on Culebra get in touch with us here at the Palmetto Guesthouse.

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Even though Culebra is only 7×3 miles we have some fantastic running routes. One of my favorites is a six mile loop that runs through town and then  heads out east along the coast road by the Culebra cememtary and back again.

If you start at the four way intersection near the Culebra Island airport and Carlos Jeep rental and run to town and go past Mamacitas restaurant, over the hill past Butiki and then cruise on the coast road (and back again) it’s exactly six miles.

I did the run today at a fairly easy 9.30 minute pace and burned 711 calories.

If you would like to come to Culebra Island for some sun and fun, or if you’re looking for a warm weather training destination, give us a call at the Palmetto Guesthouse and we can help get you sorted.

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