🇵🇷 Puerto Rico ⎮ Puerto Rico Islands Travel ⎮ Ceiba Ferry to Vieques & Culebra
Snorkeling adventure to Culebra – Reserve now & pay later
A ferry is an affordable option for visitors wishing to visit the islands of Vieques and Culebra, but it takes some planning and may require patience.
We take pride in offering unbiased information for our readers, we will be honest so you don’t have any surprises, so please read this page carefully, this guide includes ferry travel tips, taxi/transfers to Ceiba ferry, and other options for travel to Culebra and Vieques.
Government agencies are making efforts to make travel for residents and visitors more enjoyable, it is a work in progress and MUCH work has yet to be done. With that said, we can assure you the magic and allure of Vieques and Culebra are worth the annoyances you may encounter at the ferry terminal. Vieques and Culebra rely heavily on tourism, your visit and vacation dollars make a real difference to families and businesses on the island.
Disclaimer: We update the page when information is available. This information is offered as a general guide, we make every effort to keep it up to date, however, the ferry schedule, rates, and availability is constantly changing. We recommend you purchase the tickets online ahead of time. If you’re planning on purchasing tickets at the ferry terminal, please arrive early in the morning for the best possibilities and expect delays. Don’t miss reading our tips below.
Visiting Guide - Ceiba Ferry to Vieques and Culebra
If you wish to visit Vieques and Culebra, taking the ferry is the most economical option and gives you the most flexibility while on the island to enjoy at your own pace. Following are a few tips for the best ferry experience.
- Give yourself an additional 30 minutes for traffic if driving from San Juan.
- You should arrive at the ferry terminal one hour before departure.
- You are advised to reserve tickets online in advance. If tickets are not available online, we advise that you try to get them at the booth prior to your desired date, especially if you’re going during a weekend or holiday week.
- Transportation from San Juan and tourist areas: While there are many taxis in San Juan and resort areas, booking a private transfer service may be the best option, especially if traveling with a family or group. Taxi Vans are shared, or you may have to spend more for your group. The average shared ride from San Juan starts at around $85. Below, we have provided the top-rated transfer service from San Juan to Ceiba Ferry Terminal.
Transfers from San Juan to Ceiba Ferry Terminal
- If you have a car rental, you may park at the ferry parking lot. Car rentals are not permitted on the cargo ferry.
Culebra / Ceiba Passenger Ferry & Cargo Schedule
Top Rated Tour to Culebra by Ferry
- Residents & Visitors – $2.50 one way
- Ages: 3 – 11 and 60 – 74 – $1.00 one way
- Ages 75 and older – Free
For more travel options to Culebra, please visit the Travel to the Islands Guide
Ceiba / Culebra Ferry Schedule
The schedule below is subject to changes due to weather and vessel availability.
Monday - Friday
Ceiba to Culebra
|
Culebra to Ceiba
|
Saturdays & Sundays
Ceiba to Culebra
|
Culebra to Ceiba
|
Top Rated Tours to Flamenco Beach
Visit PuertoRicoFerry.com where you can purchase tickets online in advance.
Source – Puerto Rico Ferry
Vieques / Ceiba Passenger Ferry & Cargo Schedule
Puerto Rico
Book a Catamaran Excursion to Vieques
- Residents & Visitors – $2.00 one way
- Ages: 3 – 11 and 60 – 74 – $1.00 one way
- Ages 75 and older – Free
For more travel options to Vieques, please visit the Travel to the Islands Guide
Ceiba / Vieques Ferry Schedule
The schedule below is subject to changes due to weather and vessel availability.
Monday - Friday
Ceiba to Vieques
|
Vieques to Ceiba
|
Saturdays & Sundays
Ceiba to Vieques
|
Vieques to Ceiba
|
Top Rated Tours to Vieques
Please visit PuertoRicoFerry.com where you can purchase tickets online in advance.
Ceiba Ferry Reservations
Reserve Ferry Tickets Online
Please visit PuertoRicoFerry.com where you can purchase tickets online in advance.
Purchasing tickets at the Ceiba ferry terminal
- Ticket Window Hours: 6:30am – 3:30pm
Rates for ferry tickets:
- Vieques: $2.00
- Culebra: $2.25
- Children 3 – 11 years old: $1.00
- Adults 60 – 74 years old: $1.00
- Adults 75 years and older: Free
- Children under 3 years old: Free
- Handicapp passengers: $1.00
- Passengers with Medicare: $1.00
Forms of Payment: Cash, ATH (debit), Visa / Mastercard
- Tel: (be patient, average wait time is 10 minutes) 787-497-7740 ext: 2736, 2727, 2729
- Email: the email address implies that you can make reservations by e-mail. Again, we called Nov.15 and we were informed that e-mail reservations are not possible at this time until further notice. In case you wish to have it: reservaciones@atm.gobierno.pr
Travel Tips & FAQ's
Vacation Planning Tips
Booking Tips
Most of the tips apply to visitors booking their tickets at the ferry terminal.
- Arrival time: If you are purchasing the tickets at the terminal, be sure to get to the ferry terminal at least 1.5 hours before your desired time of departure, 2 hours on weekends.
- Weekends – Vieques & Culebra are popular vacation spots for Puerto Rico residents, we recommend you arrive early in the morning to get a ticket. Again, we recommend you purchase the tickets in advance online.
- Purchase a round-trip ticket to secure your seat back to the main island if booking in person at the terminal. If you are not sure of your return date, no worries, it is typically much easier to get a ticket back to Puerto Rico on busy travel days.
- Holidays & Holiday Weekends: If you want to travel to Vieques or Culebra on a holiday or holiday weekend, be prepared for large crowds. It is not guaranteed you’ll get a ferry ticket. We highly recommend you fly to Vieques or Culebra from San Juan Airport, Isla Grande, or Ceiba airports and take the ferry back.
The Ferry Ride
Ride Length
- Ceiba to Culebra – The ride from Ceiba to Culebra is about 45 minutes on the fast ferry.
- Ceiba to Vieques – The ride from Ceiba to Vieques takes about 30 minutes on the fast ferry to the current terminal in town. When the route changes to the “short route” in Rompeolas / Mosquito Pier (currently under construction), the ride will be just 15 minutes on the fast ferries and 30 minutes on the cargo boats.
Seasickness – The ride is pretty stable, but depending on the weather the boat may get a little rocky. If you suffer from seasickness, sit on the middle seats where you’ll feel less motion. Speak to your doctor about a prescription or over the counter medication before your trip to prevent motion sickness
Facilities at Ceiba Ferry Terminal
The ferry terminal is on Marina Drive inside Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba (see map below).
- There is a tent with plenty of seating where passengers can wait until ferry departure.
- Parking – located next to the ferry terminal. Cost: $5 plus tax. Bring cash.
- Restrooms – Bring your own wipes and hand sanitizer.
- Food – Before you drive to the Ceiba ferry terminal, just in case, stop by a gas station for a few snacks and drinks. There is one gentleman selling ice cream, coffee, and sandwiches at the terminal. The terminal offers vending machines with a few snacks, soda, and water.
- Food on Board – The fast ferries sell water bottles during the trip.
Car Rentals & Ferry
Book your car rental in Culebra & Vieques before your arrival date. They will pick you up at the ferry terminal, some companies already have car rental employees waiting at the dock to transport you to the car rental office.
Can we rent a car in Puerto Rico and bring it to Vieques on the ferry?
Rent a car in Vieques and Culebra for the day. It is not necessary to rent a car in Culebra, you can rent a golf cart or take a taxi to Flamenco Beach and have a wonderful time. The magic of Vieques is best enjoyed with a vehicle or scooter rental.
May I take my car to Vieques / Culebra?
Puerto Rico residents: It is certainly a plus being able to take your vehicle to Vieques and Culebra. Be advised that space is very limited; priority is given to residents of the islands. You will need your car registration number and driver’s license. Reservations are required for the Cargo Ferry. Call as soon as you know your dates to make a reservation. They take Visa / MasterCard for reservations. See above for contact information.
Is there parking at the dock?
Yes, you may park your car at the public parking lot for about $5 per day
Map - Ferry Terminals in Ceiba, Vieques & Culebra
Ceiba, Vieques & Culebra Ferry Updates
January 2022 Update
July 2021 Upddate
Message from PorFerry.com
“We want to inform you that as of July 1, 2021, we will not continue providing the maritime transport ticket sales service between Ceiba and the municipality islands of Vieques and Culebra.
It is important to note that tickets purchased on porferry.com for trips that take place on or before Sunday, July 31, will continue to be valid.”
April 2018 Update
On April 8th, 2018 it was announced that visitors and residents will be able to make online reservations.
With that said, many tourists and locals report about the inability to make the reservations.
Ferry Terminal Location Changes
For years the Fajardo ferry was a poor experience for both tourists and residents of the island. In the month of October 2018, the long-awaited “short route” from Ceiba to Vieques and Culebra began to offer ferry service.
- Two new fast ferries are offering services, operated by Puerto Rico Fast Ferries, LLC. The rides are nice and stable. You have the choice of seating inside the air-conditioned cabin or outdoor seating offering the best views during the ride. The two passenger ferries are Big Cat and Schoodic Explorer.
- Please Note: There are no more ferries leaving to Vieques & Culebra from Fajardo.
Top Rated Tours to the Islands of Vieques & Culebra
🇵🇷 Puerto Rico ⎮ Puerto Rico Islands ⎮ Puerto Rico Islands Travel ⎮ Ceiba Ferry to Vieques & Culebra
