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A tree growing along the shoreline of Punta Soldado on the Culebra
coastline. Our guests discover beaches, interesting rock formations and
vegetation.
If you like to hike you can reach any of Culebra's 23 beaches. it is a short
drive to Flamenco Beach, voted one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the
world by The Travel Channel Best Beaches 2002.
The
Brown Pelican
Hawkbill Turtle |
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Culebra island is part of the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico and is located 12 miles east of Fajardo, Puerto Rico. About a third of the island is occupied by the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge (CNWR) established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1909.
Natural Beauty
Nature is the main attraction in Culebra. While you are on the island, she will fill your senses with sights and sounds that you will never forget. Nature lovers might like to consider:
- A Department of Natural Resources (DNR) visit to see endangered turtles. For reservations, call: 787-763-9875.
- A hike from Flamenco Beach to Carlos Rosario Beach. This trail is available on the south side of the Flamenco Beach parking area and lasts about 20 minutes.
- A Glass Bottom Boat tour of Ensenada Honda, call 787-501-0011.
- Culebra Boat Rental, call 787-742-3559 or 800-484-9659.
- Capt. Bill's Catamaran deep sea fish sail 787-215-3809
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Culebra Bike Shop, call 787-742-2209.
- Culebra Divers, call 787-742-0803.
Shopping
Shopping in Culebra reflects the local scenery, birds and sea life. Visitors will find food, clothing and fine art work.
 Prehistoric Culebra
When the offices and residential facilities of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge were destroyed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, an interesting prehistoric history of Culebra was revealed. Before new buildings went up on the CNWR property, Federal law required that The National Park Service determine
if any prehistoric or historic sites would be impacted by the project. The National Park Service found prehistoric artifacts near the Ensenada Honda Bay and an Atlanta-based
archaeological firm was brought to Culebra to excavate the prehistoric site. Puerto Rican
archaeologist Jose R. Oliver led the scientific investigation.
 Large numbers of ceramic vessels were found as well as beads, pendants and grinding instruments.
Archeologists determined that the artifacts belonged to a people known as the Cuevos who were descendants of a Caribbean "ceramic subculture" group known as the Saladoids. The Cuevos migrated from Venezuela to Puerto Rico around 250 B.C.
Yvonne Nargones Storde at the University of Puerto Rico analyzed the prehistoric food remains and determined that the Cuevos consumed mostly marine life from the coral reefs around the Ensenada Honda. Varieties included cotorros and loros (parrot fish), meros (groupers), capitones (wrasses) and pargos (snappers).
Miles and miles of undisturbed
coral reef |
