Suite Hotel on Beautiful Island Famed for White-Sand Beaches

The tiny, little-known island of Culebra is located about 17 miles east of mainland Puerto Rico, and it happens to be home to some of the world’s premier beaches. First among them is Playa Flamenco, a mile-long stretch of white coral sand framed by tree-covered hills and dotted with sunken tanks left over from the US Marine Corps exercises that took place here in 1975. You can see the ocean from the Sea Breeze Hotel, which occupies 10 acres of land just minutes from Playa Flamenco and the island’s other magnificent beaches.

Culebra is best reached by flying into San Juan (SJU) and scheduling a short flight out to the island. See the hotel’s travel page for additional information.

Kayaks, sailboats, and snorkeling gear are available for rent at the hotel, and knowledgeable guides are on hand to provide lessons and tours. Two onsite restaurants, the Lobster House and Las Brisas Poolside Grill, serve a mix of Caribbean and American dishes. At The Lobster House, appetizers such as fried green plantains filled with churrasco steak, king crab, or shrimp precede entrees such as pan-seared grouper and whole fried red snapper. At the poolside Las Brisas, frozen specialty drinks, including piña coladas and daiquiris, accompany casual food such as hamburgers and chicken wings.

Each of Sea Breeze’s junior suites features a granite-topped private bath with two sinks and a bidet. Furnished private balconies offer views of the hills or the bay. The master suite has a separate sitting area and a large private terrace.

Culebra, Puerto Rico: Tranquil Island Teeming with Wildlife

Culebra is an arid island, meaning it has no major rivers or streams. The lack of runoff from inland waterways results in remarkably clear coastal waters. That clarity, plus an intricate network of coral reefs, makes for world-class scuba diving. The island’s dozen beaches are interspersed with soaring cliffs and mangrove forests along Culebra’s winding shoreline.

Further inland—where much of the land is composed of volcanic rock—you’ll find several nature reserves. Among them is one of the oldest bird sanctuaries in the United States, established in 1909 by President Theodore Roosevelt. The reserve is home to brown boobies, laughing gulls, and sooty, bridled, and noddy terns. It’s estimated that 50,000 seabirds return to the area each year.

Culebra has an area of only 11 square miles and a population totaling fewer than 2,000. Most residents live in small, traditional towns. But the population can swell on weekends, when Puerto Ricans from the mainland hop on ferries and head for the beach.

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