Puerto Rico is our favorite winter getaway, and Culebra—a small island about 20 miles east of the mainland—is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Flamenco Beach features a crescent of powdery white sand, calm turquoise waters, and two iconic, rusting military tanks resting right at the shoreline, remnants of the days when Culebra served as a US Navy training site.

Is Culebra worth a day trip? For our family, the answer was a clear yes.

We spent an unforgettable day exploring Culebra by ferry and golf cart. Along the way, we discovered why it’s a wonderful fit for sensory-seeking kids, and learned a valuable lesson every travel parent needs to know for the ride home. Here’s our complete guide to making the most of a single day in paradise.

We took the Puerto Rico Ferry from Ceiba to Culebra.

We bought our tickets a few days ahead so we'd be sure to get seats at our preferred times. From what we saw, the fast boats can fill up on holidays and peak weekends, when many Puerto Rican families head to the beach for the day, so buying ahead is a good habit even if you're not sure it's needed. Check the current booking rules before you go.

On the morning of our trip, we parked in the ferry parking lot, and walked to the boarding area. During the check-in process, you will need to show photo IDs, and your bags may be inspected.

We traveled light, with beach bags for our towels, spare clothes, and just a few snacks. One thing we noticed at boarding: many local families came aboard with huge coolers, clearly planning a full day of relaxation at the beach.

Cost: The nonresident fare is $4.25 in 2026, and includes one beach bag per person. If you’re bringing chairs, umbrellas, coolers, extra baggage fees of $1-2 per item may apply. The parking lot at the Ceiba ferry terminal charges $15 per day.

Seat tip: Choose a seat with a view of the horizon. Our daughter G, who is autistic, became violently ill on the return crossing, and we explain what happened and what we'd do differently below.

We took the ferry, but many visitors take a catamaran from the harbor in Fajardo to enjoy a day on Culebra.

These tours typically include snorkeling in a turtle area and then a swim at Flamenco Beach, though itineraries vary by company. Prices vary too; we've seen them between $150-200 per person including lunch. Whether you get there by ferry and golf cart, or on a catamaran tour, Flamenco Beach is amazing.

Our choice wasn't about money. We chose the ferry and golf cart because we knew G would enjoy exploring the island. Snorkeling can be disorienting for people who struggle with depth perception, and we weren't sure how she'd handle it. We decided it would be better for G to try snorkeling for the first time with just our family, so we could control the pace and adapt to her needs.

The catamaran option is a good choice for confident swimmers, kids who’ll enjoy a turtle snorkel, and families who are comfortable joining a larger group.

If a catamaran trip seems right for your family, here’s a typical family-friendly day trip. (This is an affiliate link, so we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, though we haven’t taken this tour ourselves. Check the current price and itinerary before you book.)

There are two simple ways to get from the Culebra ferry dock to the beach.

Taxi. Taxis and vans meet the ferry. When we went the fare was about $5 per person, which makes it a fast and inexpensive way to reach Flamenco. Taxis start to line up at the beach parking lot when each ferry time approaches, so getting a ride back isn’t very difficult. Aim to be at the taxi area about an hour before your return ferry. Be aware that most Culebra taxi drivers expect to be paid in cash.

Golf cart. For us, the cart was a really fun part of the trip, and G loved it! She had never ridden one before. She seeks out vibration, changes in elevation, and deep pressure, and the rumble of the road in the cart gave her all of those things. Our cart had a canopy, but plenty of sun still got in, so wear sunscreen and a hat for the drive too.

The details: we rented our cart from Jerry’s Jeep Rental. Current pricing runs about $80-100 per day. Winter is high season, so we reserved about 30 days ahead to make sure we would have one waiting for us. The rental company ran a shuttle from the port to its lot, a ride of under a mile, then the rental pickup process took about 15 minutes. At the beach, we parked in the lot next to the food kiosks, which costs $5 per day for a golf cart or a car. At the end of the day we drove the cart back to the lot, and the shuttle took us back to the port.

If all you want is Flamenco, take a taxi. If you want to see more of the island, rent a cart.

Culebra's main town is small, with limited shopping and attractions. The coastal roads offer scenic ocean views, though, so a golf cart is a fun way to explore beyond the beach. If you're looking for a lively town, you may be disappointed; if you want a beautiful beach and a scenic drive, you'll be happy.

Whether you get to the beach by taxi or in a golf cart, the first thing you’ll see from the parking lot is a small group of kioskos. They sell Puerto Rican comfort foods like empanadillas (fried local turnovers), arepas (corn cakes), pinchos (skewers), fresh seafood ceviche and piña Coladas. Most don’t open until about 11 AM, so if you come early, bring some snacks and drinks to get started with. The restrooms are located here too, not on the actual beach.

When you arrive at the beach gate, you’ll need to purchase a wristband for each member of your group, regardless of age. The current price in 2026 is $2, and this needs to be paid in cash. You don’t need to wear the wristbands on the beach - but you’ll need them if you want to leave the beach to visit the kioskos or restrooms. We attached all of ours to our smallest beach bag.

The beach itself is stunning. Its powdery white sand has a tinge of pale pink, and the water is clear, turquoise blue. If you see a dark spot in the water, you’ve found a group of fish. There are palm trees to sit under at the back of the beach, and towards the end on the left, you’ll find two abandoned military tanks that have been decorated with colorful graffiti. One is near the water’s edge, the other is tucked back in the shrubbery. The beach itself is large enough that it doesn’t get overcrowded.

The water is tropically warm, and the surf is usually mild. Flamenco is a wonderful beach for swimming, with water that deepens gradually. But - conditions can be rough during storms, so it makes sense to check the Flamenco Beach wave forecast the night before your trip, especially if swimming is your top priority.

If you’re travelling light, you can rent a beach chair and umbrella at the main entrance to the beach. Prices vary, so bring cash and ask before you rent.

Sensory note: The sand is very soft. Most people wouldn’t need water shoes here, but if your child has sensory issues with touching sand, bring a pair.

Every child is different, but a few things made Culebra a great adventure for our family.

The journey was part of the fun. The golf cart gave G the vibration and changes in elevation she enjoys, turning transportation into an activity in its own right.

We controlled our own schedule. Once we arrived on Culebra, we could decide when to explore, eat lunch, head to the beach, and leave. The return ferry was our main fixed commitment, which gave us flexibility throughout the day.

We could skip activities we weren't sure about and focus on experiences we knew G would enjoy, without feeling pressured to keep up with a group.

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Even though the sea was calm on our return crossing, G got violently ill on the way home. Since G is autistic, she couldn't tell us how she felt until it was already happening.

Our best guess about the cause is where we sat: the lower level, in the middle of the boat, with no view of the horizon. We can't be sure, but it fits what's commonly said about motion sickness: seeing the horizon can help, and an enclosed spot with no outside view can make it worse.

The bigger lesson was about warning signs. Some autistic people have difficulty noticing, interpreting, or communicating internal sensations, including nausea. In G's case, we hadn't realized she was feeling unwell until it was already happening.

If you want to prepare for this possibility —

Choose your seat early. Board early enough to get a seat with a view of the horizon, preferably on an outside deck.

Pack for an accident, with a plastic bag at the ready, not stuck deep in a beach bag. An extra full set of clothes, and a plastic trash bag to hold the dirty ones. A spare shirt for the lucky parent sitting next to the child, and a pack of wet wipes.

Practice a signal for your child to communicate that they feel unwell. Consider whether discussing seasickness in advance might increase anxiety in your particular child.

Talk to your pediatrician ahead of time about whether an over-the-counter medication like Dramamine could help, including the proper dosage and timing.

Cash: For taxis, beach admission, kiosks, and any chair or umbrella rentals.

Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. You'll want these for the golf cart ride as well as the beach.

Beach gear: Towels and a change of clothes for the trip home.

Waterproof pouches: These pouches can help protect phones, credit cards, and cash from water and sand.

Water and snacks: Bring enough for the ferry ride, especially if you're traveling early before the beach kiosks open.

A seasickness kit: Pack wet wipes, plastic bags, and a full change of clothes in an easy-to-reach spot for the return ferry.

If you want nothing but an awesome beach on your vacation, look no further, because this is your spot. If you're hoping for a livelier pace with more activities, Culebra is a stand-out day trip.

We'll definitely go again, and next time we'll choose our ferry seats with a view of the horizon.

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