Culebra National Wildlife Refuge

If you spend any time in Culebra [1], you’re bound to enter the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge (787/742-0115, Mon.–Fri. 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.). It encompasses 1,568 acres, including much of Flamenco Peninsula, where 60,000 sooty terns nest, as well as mangrove forests, wetlands, coastline, surrounding cays (except Cayo Norte), and Monte Resaca, the island’s highest point at 650 feet, which contains forested canyons, ravines, and a unique habitat known as the boulder forest.

Culebra National Wildlife Refuge contains excellent beaches, diving, bird-watching, and hiking. Culebrita, Cayo Luis Peña, and Monte Resaca are open daily sunrise–sunset. Other areas are off-limits to visitors. For maps and information, visit the refuge office, east on Carretera 250, just past the cemetery.