This weekend, a group of us traveled to Culebra, an island off the east coast of Puerto Rico! First, here’s a little history and some facts about the island!
Christopher Columbus was the first European to arrive at the island in 1493. The island was populated by Taino Indians prior to this and was used by pirates as a refuge for more than 3 centuries. It is located approximately 17 miles east of the Puerto Rican mainland, 12 miles west of St. Thomas.
In 1902, Culebra was integrated as part of Vieques, another Puerto Rican island just 9 miles south of Culebra. One year later, on President Roosevelt established the Culebra Naval Reservation. In 1939, the U.S. Navy began to use Culebra as a gunnery and bombing practice site. This was done in preparation for the United States' involvement in World War II. In 1971 the people of Culebra began protests for the removal of the U.S. Navy from Culebra. Four years later, in 1975, the use of Culebra as a gunnery range ceased and all operations
were moved to Vieques.
In 1902, Culebra was integrated as part of Vieques, another Puerto Rican island just 9 miles south of Culebra. One year later, on President Roosevelt established the Culebra Naval Reservation. In 1939, the U.S. Navy began to use Culebra as a gunnery and bombing practice site. This was done in preparation for the United States' involvement in World War II. In 1971 the people of Culebra began protests for the removal of the U.S. Navy from Culebra. Four years later, in 1975, the use of Culebra as a gunnery range ceased and all operations
were moved to Vieques.Culebra has many beautiful beaches including Flamenco Beach (Playa Flamenco), which is the picture to the right. Flamenco Beach (where I stayed!) is ranked # 2 in the top 10 most exotic beaches in the world. The beach extends for a mile of white coral sand and is framed beautifully by arid tree-covered hills.
Many military relics, including tanks like the one we saw below in the picture, remain in the area of Flamenco Beach. Culeb
ra and Vieques offered the U.S. military an experience of great value to the battles in the Pacific as a feasible training area for the Fleet Marine Force in amphibious exercises for beach landings and naval gunfire support testing.
ra and Vieques offered the U.S. military an experience of great value to the battles in the Pacific as a feasible training area for the Fleet Marine Force in amphibious exercises for beach landings and naval gunfire support testing. Culebra was by far the most beautiful place I have ever been in my life! Before this I thought Santorini, Greece was the most beautiful, but this is better! The water was clear as glass, there were coral reefs in the shallow water even with pretty little fishies everywhere! It was paradise. I felt like I was on the TV show Lost because it was so un-inhabited and green. There were no hotels, houses or restaurants or gro
cery stores around on Flamenco Beach. Only the camping ground and one small villa rental on the whole stretch of the beach. There were wild animals everywhere in our camping ground too! I am talking hugggeee iguanas like this one >>>>>!!were wobbling around us! They were so funny looking.
cery stores around on Flamenco Beach. Only the camping ground and one small villa rental on the whole stretch of the beach. There were wild animals everywhere in our camping ground too! I am talking hugggeee iguanas like this one >>>>>!!were wobbling around us! They were so funny looking.So, to sum up, CULEBRA = PARADISE ISLAND!
