Vieques vs Culebra Which Puerto Rican Island is Better?

So which island is better Vieques or Culebra? You’re in the right place to find out! Luckily I wanted to know that exact question so I went to both Isla Culebra and Isla Vieques.

Both Islands are part of the archipelago of Puerto Rico and are off the east coast of mainland Puerto Rico. Culebra is much smaller than Vieques and both have a different feels and vibes!

I’ll go over how to get there, best things to do, best beaches, where to eat and where to stay on each island as well as who it is best suited for. Keep reading to find out which island is right for you: Vieques vs Culebra!

Making multiple stops in Puerto Rico? Explore the history of Old San Juan or discover the beauty of Rincón on the west coast!

Vieques vs Culebra – Highlights

	Vieques	Culebra
Getting There	30 minute ferry or 15 minute small Cessna plane ride	1 hour ferry or 15 minute small Cessna plane ride
Things to do	Best for beach hopping and adventure – Vieques National Wildlife Refuge – Snorkeling – Old Sugar Mill Ruins – Bioluminescent Bay	Best for small island vibes, rest and relaxation and nature. – Flamenco Beach – Snorkeling – Isla Culebrita – Culebra National Wildlife Refuge
Places to Eat	Best for travelers that want beach front bars and dining options – Placita – Banana’s – Duffy’s – Lazy Jack’s – El Quenepo	Best for travelers that aren’t picky eaters and don’t mind limited options – The Dinghy Dock – Zaco’s Tacos – Susie’s – Restaurant Caracoles – Heather’s Pizza – Mamacitas
Where to Stay	Best for travelers used to hotel amenities and close by attractions – El Blok – Finca Victoria – Vieques Guesthouse – Malecon House – Blue Horizon Hotel	Best for off the beaten path stays – Camp at Flamenco Beach – Aleli Cottages – Club Seabourne Hotel – Oceania Villas
Getting Around	Jeep Wrangler or Golf Cart	Jeep Wrangler or Golf Cart

Vieques vs Culebra – Getting There

How to get to Vieques

Multiple ferries depart daily from the Cieba Ferry Terminal which is 1.5 hours south of San Juan. The ferry ride to Vieques is a short 30 minute ride south from Cieba and arrives in the town of Isabel Segunda. The ferry ride costs $2.00 each way making the ferry the more affordable option. You can purchase ferry tickets on Puerto Rico Ferry.

Alternatively you can fly from San Juan International Airport with Cape Air or from Cieba Airport with Vieques Air Link. Flight prices fluctuate with time of year and demand for tickets. Flights to Vieques are operated on small Cessna propeller planes and the flight is only 15 minutes and a very scenic one!

How to get to Culebra

Just like Vieques multiple ferries depart daily from Cieba Ferry Terminal. The ride to Culebra is a bit longer than it takes to get to Vieques and lasts about an hour. The ferry arrives into Dewey Harbor where the small town is located. You can purchase ferry tickets on Puerto Rico Ferry.

You can also fly to Culebra on Cape Air right from San Juan International Airport on a small Cessna propeller plane. Or you can choose to fly with Air Flamenco from Isla Grande aiport in San Juan or Cieba. Both flight options are only 15 minutes long.

Pro Tip: opt for a Passenger Only Ferry. The Cargo and Passenger ferries are not as comfortable. If only the Cargo and Passenger ferries are running on a given day that means that the seas are rough. (This happened to us when going to Culebra and it was not a pleasant ride.)

Vieques vs Culebra – Things to Do

Best Things to do in Vieques

There is a lot to do on Isla Vieques! Some of your options include snorkeling, beach hopping in the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge and seeing the Bioluminescent Bay at night. You’ll be sure to have plenty to do and see on Vieques.

• Go snorkeling at Mosquito Pier (left over from the US Navy in the 1940’s) or beautiful Punta Arenas (one of my favorite beaches on Vieques!) on the west side of Vieques island to see incredible sea life and coral reef.

• For an adventure through the jungle and an afternoon off the beach visit the Sugar Mill Ruins. The abandoned sugar mill was left behind in the 1940’s and has since crumbled and been covered in tropical forrest.
  
  You can also hike to Playa Grande from the sugar mill parking area! Take the afternoon to explore – but make sure you remember the way you came!

• Explore the beaches in the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge. Be sure to rent a jeep to drive into the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge because you’ll want the clearance and 4 wheel drive – plus its so much fun! Read my full guide to the Vieques Beaches you can’t miss here.

• Experience the Bioluminescent Bay at night on a kayak tour. The Bio Bay is located on the south side of Vieques and when the water is moved the micro-organisms emit a short burst of light creating a glow.
  
  The Bio Bay on Vieques has been rated one of the brightest in the world by Guinness Book of World Records.
  

• See the “wild” horses on the beach! There are tons of horses roaming about everywhere which is unique to Vieques. (I mean everywhere! The beach, the side of the road, in someones back yard – they’re everywhere.)
  
  According to our taxi driver the horses aren’t actually wild. All the horses have owners on the island who let them graze and wander.

• Hang out at black sand beach, Playa Negra.
  
• Go sailing for a day with Vieques Sail where you’ll experience Vieques from the water. Besides sailing you’ll also have the opportunity to go swimming, snorkeling and go on a mangrove safari.
  
• Go on a beach/trail horseback ride with Esperanza Riding Company.

Best for: beach hopping and adventure

Must Read: 10 Best Beaches on Vieques

Best Things to do in Culebra

Culebra is much smaller island than Vieques and with that a bit less to explore. Culebra is about slowing down but there is still plenty to do if you want!

• Flamenco Beach – The highlight of Culebra Island is definitely Flamenco Beach, which continuously tops lists of best beaches in the world. I have written a whole guide to Flamenco Beach that you can read here.

• Swim or snorkel with sea turtles at Tamarindo Beach!! This beach is on the north side of Culebra and isn’t a sandy one – so don’t come here to sun bathe but rather get in the water and swim with the sea turtles. For a beach more accessible (if you’re short on time!) head to Melones beach to snorkel.
  
• Go on a Snorkeling or Scuba charter for the day with with Culebra Divers. They’ll take you to all the best spots including some of the nearby islands.
  
• Island hop to Isla Culebrita, a small island only a water taxi ride away and part of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. Perfect for nature lovers! (also worth a visit: Cayo Luis Peña)
  
• Learn about Isla Culebra and its history at the Museo Histórico de Culebra located in a former Unites States Naval munition warehouse.
  
• Visit Culebra National Wildlife Refuge which makes up 20% of Culebra and the surrounding Cays. Inside the Refuge you will find beaches, mangroves, lagoons, dry forests, coral reefs and seagrass beds.

Best for: small island vibes, rest and relaxation and nature.

Must Read: Guide to Flamenco Beach

Vieques vs Culebra – Where to Eat

Where to Eat in Vieques

Vieques has two main towns on the island. Isabel Segunda which is where the ferry terminal is and Esperanza on the south side of the island which is much smaller. I suggest Esperanza as it is right on the water with a strip of bars and restaurants to choose from. Isabel Segunda was more of a bustling town center.

• Placita – located in the El Blok hotel, Placita was a great meal!
• Banana’s – fun bar and restaurant on the malecón in Esperanza
• Duffy’s – another fun bar and restaurant on the malecón that attracts a crowds at sunset
• Lazy Jack’s – an island bar with classic American and Puerto Rican food. We ate here multiple times for breakfast and lunch.
• El Quenepo – open air dining steps from the malecón.

Best for: travelers that want beach front bars and dining options

Where to Eat in Culebra

Dewey is the one and only town on the island of Culebra and is very small! There are only a handful of restaurants and bars to choose from on Isla Culebra.

• The Dinghy Dock – right on the water with indoor/outdoor dining and great Puerto Rican food and drinks. Be sure to order a Painkiller! (ps- we ate here both nights we were on Culebra)
• Zaco’s Tacos – a small menu with super tasty tacos right in town!
• Susie’s – tucked into the hills Susies serves up Puerto Rican dishes with asian flair.
• Restaurant Caracoles – seafood restaurant on the water near the ferry dock.
• Heather’s Pizza – for something quick and easy
• Mamacitas – Caribbean style food located in town.

Best for: travelers that aren’t picky eaters and don’t mind limited options

Vieques vs Culebra – Where to Stay

Where to Stay in Vieques

As I said previously, although Esperanza is smaller than Isabel Segunda II, I much preferred the island vibes of Esperanza to the busy town feel of Isabel Segunda II. There are a handful of nice hotels and lovely guesthouses to choose from in Esperanza that are walking distance to the shops, bars/restaurants and beaches.

• El Blok – modern hotel with restaurant and rooftop bar on the malecón in Esperanza. (see rates and availability here.)
• Finca Victoria – luxury wellness retreat. (see rates and availability here.)
• Vieques Guesthouse – affordable guesthouse a few minutes walk to the malecón in Esperanza. (see rates and availability here.)
• Malecon House – 13 guest room boutique hotel on the malecón in Esperanza. (see rates and availability here.)
• Blue Horizon Hotel – boutique resort on the water just outside of Esperanza. (see rates and availability here.)

Best for: travelers used to hotel amenities and close by attractions

Where to Stay in Culebra

There are only a few hotels on Isla Culebra! Another good option is to find a great airbnb or guesthouse for your stay on the island.

• Camp on the beach – rent a tent and other camping gear to camp next to Flamenco Beach.
• Aleli Cottages – 4 private villas with amazing ocean views from up in the hills! (see rates and availability here.)
• Club Seabourne Hotel – the largest hotel on the island with beautiful views of Fulladoza Bay and close to town. (see rates and availability here.)
• Oceania Villas – small hotel with 3 villas overlooking Fulladoza Bay. (see rates and availability here.)

Best for: off the beaten path stays

Vieques vs Culebra – Getting Around

Both Vieques and Culebra have 4×4 Jeep Wrangler rental cars and golf cart rentals.

I would highly suggest a 4×4 Jeep when visiting Vieques. You really want the four wheel drive and clearance when driving through the dirt roads of the Vieques National Wildlife Refuge to explore all of the gorgeous beaches. If you do not plan on entering the park a golf cart rental would be fine.

For Culebra I would also rent a Jeep if you plan on driving around the whole island. If you just plan to stay around Dewey, Flamenco Beach and the west side of the island I would say you can definitely get away with a golf cart rental. Just be mindful some roads are steep!

There are taxis on both islands if you plan just to visit for a day trip.

Conclusion: Which is better Vieques or Culebra?

Overall, I personally liked Culebra better – although I did really enjoy Vieques too! You really can not go wrong with travel to either island.

Vieques has more of everything. More hotels, more restaurants and more beaches. Best for someone who wants to beach hop and see the bioluminescent bay. I also think you could spend a longer amount of time on Vieques and not get bored.

Culebra has an extremely laid back atmosphere and an off the beaten path vibe which is unique. The island is best for someone who wants to see the world famous Flamenco Beach and get lots of rest and relaxation on an island in the Spanish Virgin Islands.

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I’d love to respond to your questions or know if you used this blog post to help plan your trip!