How do you get to Flamenco Beach from San Juan?

You drive or ride to Ceiba, take the ferry to Culebra and then a van to Flamenco. The Ceiba terminal is 73.2 km from Old San Juan. Cape Air also flies from San Juan's international airport. Rental cars can't go on the ferry, so you arrange your ride on Culebra separately.

How much is the ferry to Culebra?

Ceiba to Culebra costs $2.25 each way for adults aged 13 to 59. Children aged 4 to 12 and adults aged 60 to 74 pay $1 each way. Children under 4 and adults 75 or older ride free. The $11.25 visitor fare for a one-way crossing isn't in force.

Can you swim at Flamenco Beach?

Yes, you can swim when the bay is calm. The reef gives the water shelter. Winter swells can still bring rough water and red flags, so don't treat the beach's usual calm as a guarantee. Lifeguards work posted hours in season.

Is there snorkeling at Flamenco Beach?

Yes, you can snorkel from shore in calm conditions. Descriptions differ between the rocks at the east end and the reef farther out. You can rent gear near the parking lot. Your route should suit your swimming ability and the day's conditions.

Does Flamenco Beach have food, bathrooms and shade?

Yes, there are food kiosks and bathrooms, with showers and changing rooms too. Trees give some shade behind the sand, and the kiosks rent umbrellas and chairs if you want a spot near the water. The gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m., and your ferry may mean leaving earlier.

Can you camp at Flamenco Beach?

Yes, camping costs $35 per tent per night and needs a reservation. You register at the campground entrance. Bring your own gear and plan dinner apart from the daytime kiosks, which close after the day visitors leave.

Things to do in Puerto Rico › Puerto Rico beaches › Flamenco Beach

Flamenco Beach

Swimming and shore snorkeling

Updated October 8, 2026 ferry and airline fares from their own sites; the beach's facilities from travel guides

Flamenco Beach is a public beach on Culebra's north shore. You reach its horseshoe bay by ferry from Ceiba or by plane, then take a ride to the sand. Entry costs $2 per person. The reef keeps the water calm on many days. Winter swells can bring red flags and keep you ashore. Your return ferry sets how long you can stay for a swim or lunch at the kiosks.

Map

Where Flamenco Beach is

18.3286° N, 65.3206° W Directions in Google Maps Apple Maps OpenStreetMap

How to get there

By ferry from Ceiba The ferry leaves from Ceiba, 73.2 km from Old San Juan by road, or 45.5 miles. Each way costs $2.25 for ages 13 to 59, and $1 for ages 4 to 12 and 60 to 74. The ticket covers the crossing only. The ride to Flamenco and the beach entry are separate costs.
From the Culebra dock The Dewey dock is 4.3 to 4.6 km from Flamenco by road, or 2.7 to 2.9 miles. Shared vans wait at the dock and cost $3 to $5 per person each way. You can also rent a golf cart in Dewey if you want to see more of the island.
By plane Cape Air flies from San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport to Culebra's Benjamín Rivera Noriega Airport. That route lets you skip the drive to Ceiba. You'll still need a ride from Culebra's airport to Flamenco, so plan that transfer with your flight.
With a tour The Culebra list includes ferry trips with a ride to Flamenco and boat days with lunch. Choose the ferry option for a visit centered on the beach, or a boat trip for time on the water.

At a glance

Flamenco Beach at a glance

Water	calm in the bay behind the reef on most days. Winter swells can reach the north shore. Red flags mean swimming is unsafe.
Lifeguards	on duty in season during posted hours. Look for a staffed station before you choose where to swim. The gate hours are not a lifeguard schedule.
Snorkeling	possible from shore in calm conditions. Travel sources name different spots: the east end near the rocks, and the outer reef, which puts you beyond standing depth.
Shade	trees shade parts of the back of the beach. Picnic tables sit beneath some of them. Umbrellas and chairs are available to rent if you prefer a spot closer to the water.
Entry and parking	entry costs $2 per person; parking costs $5 per vehicle. The paid lot also takes golf carts. The ferry ticket doesn't cover either charge.
On the shore	restrooms and showers are available near the beach. Food kiosks and changing rooms sit near the parking lot. The gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m.
From the dock	4.3 to 4.6 km by road from Dewey, or 2.7 to 2.9 miles. Shared vans cost $3 to $5 per person each way. Arrange the return ride before you leave the dock.
Camping	available at $35 per tent per night. Reservations are required before arrival. Overnight stays need their own food plan because the kiosks serve day visitors and close after they leave.

Before you go

Book both ferry crossings ahead of the visit. The return ticket doesn't include the ride from the beach back to the dock. Leave the beach in time to reach the terminal 1 hour before sailing, as the ferry asks. Boarding closes 10 minutes before departure.

The beach

What Flamenco Beach is like

The horseshoe bay opens to the north with a reef between the beach and the open sea. On calm days you swim straight from the sand and come back to the same spot for a break. You don't need a boat to snorkel here. The reef doesn't stop every swell. Winter waves can turn a swimming day into a day on the sand, and a red flag means you stay out of the water.

White sand curves around the bay toward the old tanks at the west end. Paint covers parts of the old armor. The U.S. Navy used the area for weapons testing and left two tanks behind. Shade lies back from the water, where trees shelter picnic tables and give you somewhere to pause between swims. An umbrella rental lets you choose a spot on the open sand without relying on the trees.

The kiosks by the parking lot sell food and drinks during the day, with picnic tables under the trees for lunch. Glass containers aren't allowed on the beach. Camping costs $35 per tent per night and needs a reservation, so an overnight stay takes planning before you arrive. On a day trip, arrange the return ride when the van drops you at Flamenco. Allow for the drive back to Dewey and the ferry's 1 hour arrival rule before you decide on a last swim.

Tours

Culebra and Flamenco Beach day trips

Culebra and Flamenco Beach day trips 11 tours · from $80

Ferry trips with island transport suit a day focused on Flamenco's sand and facilities. Boat days with lunch suit you if the sea journey matters as much as your time ashore.

Snorkeling and catamaran sails 59 tours · from $39

The snorkeling list compares departures and what's in each price. Pick a Culebra route with beach time if you want both the reef and Flamenco.

Boats, kayaks and jet skis 30 tours · from $30

The boats list gives you other ways to spend a day on the water. A boat trip isn't automatically a Flamenco visit, so check that the route names the beach.

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