Detailed instructions on how to get to Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico on a budget.
If you are considering a trip to Culebra, the small island off the coast of Puerto Rico, then you are probably wondering how to get to Flamenco Beach.
Playa Flamenco (as it’s know to locals) is the most popular beach on Culebra and often makes it onto lists of the top beaches in the world.
However, it is a bit complicated to get to Flamenco Beach.
Here’s how to get to Culebra and then get to the beach plus a cost breakdown.
How To Get To Culebra
The first step in getting to Playa Flamenco Puerto Rico is getting to the island of Culebra, which is 17 miles off the east coast of Puerto Rico.
You can get to Culebra on a small plane or ferry.
We opted for the ferry since it was WAY cheaper and more flexible.
The ferry ride is 45 minutes each way and only costs $2.25 for adults and $1 for kids.
If you are interested in flying to Culebra, here are some details:
- Flights depart daily from San Juan and Ceiba (on the east coast, an hour from San Juan).
- Flights from Ceiba are $45 each way on Air Flamenco.
- Flights from San Juan are $89 each way on Cape Air.
If it is in your budget to fly, it is the fastest way to get to Culebra.
Ferry To Culebra
The ferry is run by Puerto Rico Ferry out of the Ceiba ferry terminal, which is a little over an hour from San Juan.
Definitely buy your tickets at least two weeks in advance because they do sell out!
The ferry was very nice and comfortable inside and exceeded my expectations.
However be warned that the 45 minute ride to Culebra is quite rough.
Some people definitely got sick and I even started feeling queasy the last few minutes of the ride. Luckily my daughter was fine!
On the plus side, we did see some whales at the surface as we approached Culebra which was a treat.
Also, the return ride to Ceiba is MUCH smoother and shouldn’t cause any issues.
Tickets are super affordable at $2.25 for adults, $1.00 for kids and $1.00 for seniors each way.
After you buy your tickets online you’ll get an email with QR codes that will be scanned as you enter the ferry. This is super convenient!
The schedule changes seasonally so I suggest checking the PORFERRY site for your dates.
For example, in June the passenger ferries leave Ceiba for Culebra at:
- 6:00 am
- 9:00 am
- 1:00 pm
- 4:00 pm
You’ll want to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time to allow time to get from the parking lot to the ferry building and get your tickets scanned, etc.
In June the ferry returns from Culebra to Ceiba at these times:
- 7:00 am
- 11:00 am
- 2:30 pm
- 5:30 pm
When we went there was also a late ferry that left at 9:30 pm, which is what we ended up taking back.
You can buy your tickets in advance from the PORFERRY site.
I strongly suggest you buy your tickets at least two weeks in advance because the popular times do sell out.
We wanted to take the 9:00 am ferry but it was sold out, so we had to take an 11 am ferry instead.
Our roundtrip for one adult and one child was $7.
Ceiba Ferry Terminal Parking
You do have to pay to park your car at the Ceiba ferry terminal.
When we went the cost was $8 per day. You can pay by cash or credit card.
Unfortunately, the parking is not directly next to the terminal.
You can walk (about 10 minutes) or take a free shuttle bus.
Keep in mind that when the ferry returns there are a lot of people trying to get back to the parking lot at once and you will likely have to wait for a shuttle.
How To Get To Flamenco Beach: Ceiba Ferry Terminal
There is a cute little cafe inside the ferry building if you need to grab a snack. There are restrooms as well.
To get into the waiting area for the ferry you will have your tickets scanned on your phone (or you can print them out of course).
The waiting area was great – covered to protect you from the sun and kept cool by giant fans.
There was a man selling shaved ice in the waiting area so we got some while we waited.
They started to board the ferry about 20 minutes before departure.
How To Get To Flamenco Beach from Dewey Ferry Terminal
The ferry from Ceiba arrives in Culebra in the only town on the island, Dewey.
Flamenco Beach is about 3 miles from town, so getting there is the next leg of your journey.
You can either take a public shared van (publico) or rent a vehicle for the day.
The cost per person for the publico is $6 round trip cash. This is a set cost so you won’t be gouged on the price!
There are dozens of shuttle buses waiting outside the ferry terminal so just grab the first one with room and you are good to go.
Or you can rent a Jeep or golf cart for the day through the popular Carlos Jeep Rental. Just be sure to make your reservation well in advance!
If you do rent a vehicle it is $5 to park at Flamenco Beach.
How To Get To Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico: Cost
As you can see, it is complicated to get to Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico – but that is part of the adventure of going here!
And once you set foot on the slice of paradise, it will all be worth it.
Here is a breakdown of the costs involved in getting to Playa Flamenco Puerto Rico for one adult and one child:
- Ferry terminal parking: $8
- Round trip ferry tickets: $7
- Publico transport to the beach: $12
- Entrance fee/donation to the beach: $4
The total cost to visit Flamenco Beach for the day was about $15 per person.
Wow, does that seem like a deal when I look back on the experience!
I hope this post answers all of your questions about how to get to Flamenco Beach in Puerto Rico.
Check out my other Puerto Rico posts here:
Anything else you want to know? Just leave a comment below or send me a message on The Frugal South’s Facebook page.
Carmen
Thursday 2nd of February 2023
Hi that’s is an excellent information. I’m going to PR on June this year. Can you tell me if they have restaurants? Thanks
thasin
Sunday 8th of January 2023
are the publicos there as soon as you get to the culebra ferry?
Leah
Monday 23rd of January 2023
Yes, there are many waiting at the ferry dock.
Hector Reyes
Monday 12th of December 2022
Excellent information. I am from PR but since I left at age 18, have not seen much of anything on island.
Jessica
Sunday 28th of August 2022
This is an extremely helpful article! Thank you!
Do you happen to know if there a ferry we can put our rental car on or would it be better just to rent one there? We’d only being staying over there for a day to visit the beach, do some horseback riding, and see the bioluminiscente.
Thank you!
Leah
Saturday 3rd of September 2022
Hi Jessica! I think you have the island of Vieques in mind where you can do horseback riding and visit a bioluminescent bay. For both islands (Culebra and Vieques) you will have to rent a car, jeep, or golf cart when you arrive. Rental agencies won't allow you to take the car off of the main island in Puerto Rico.
Shawn
Sunday 31st of July 2022
Any tips going from San Juan to Culebra? Also, did you buy your ticket online? Looks like a lot are sold out.