Ceiba Puerto Rico Ferry Guide – May 2023 Update

For visitors traveling to Vieques and Culebra wishing to stretch their vacation dollars taking the ferry is most definitely the best option, but be sure to plan your transportation from San Juan to Ceiba so it doesn’t end up wasting the savings and precious vacation time.  While there are many taxis in the San Juan and resort areas taking travelers to the Ceiba ferry terminal, booking a private transfer service in most cases is actually the best option.  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.

• Residents & Visitors – $2.50 one way
• Ages: 3 – 11 and 60 – 74 – $1.00 one way
• Ages 75 and older – Free

For the most convenient way to ride the ferry to Culebra, take a look at the following tours which some include ferry tickets and transportation to the terminal from hotels. 

Ceiba / Culebra Ferry Schedule

Please visit PuertoRicoFerry.com where you can purchase tickets online in advance.

The schedule below is subject to changes due to weather and vessel availability. 

Visit PuertoRicoFerry.com where you can purchase tickets online in advance.

• Residents & Visitors – $2.00 one way
• Ages: 3 – 11 and 60 – 74 – $1.00 one way
• Ages 75 and older – Free
• For the most up-to-date ferry schedule please see below under Reservations.

Ceiba / Vieques Ferry Schedule

Please visit PuertoRicoFerry.com where you can purchase tickets online in advance.

The schedule below is subject to changes due to weather and vessel availability. 

Purchasing 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

The ferry terminal is located on Marina Drive inside Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba (see map below).

• Currently, 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 –  Visitors, we highly recommend that you stop at a fast food place, get a few bottles of water and a snack before driving to the Ceiba ferry terminal, and use the restrooms.   Facilities were not completed before moving the ferry service from Fajardo to Ceiba.  There are portable bathrooms until the construction of the bathrooms is completed.  Bring your own wipes and hand sanitizer.
• Food – Before you drive to the Ceiba ferry terminal stop by a gas station for a few snacks and drinks just in case.   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.

If you’re only planning on spending a night in Vieques or Culebra, we recommend you plan most of your vacation stay in San Juan, Rio Grande, or the Fajardo area in order to shorten travel time to Ceiba and get the most of your day trip on the islands.

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.
• Bathrooms: Although we are not affiliated with or work at the ferry terminal, we sincerely apologize for the bathroom situation.  It is beyond embarrassing to us that visitors and residents have to use portable toilets.  Do yourself a favor and stop by a fast food place on the way to the Ceiba ferry terminal.
• 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.
• Car Rental –  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.
• Dear Puerto Rico Residents:  You’re incredibly lucky to live in a place where ferry tickets to such beautiful places cost just a few dollars.  Please support the local economy by purchasing food and drinks there.   The cost to take a cooler is not worth the hassle, you’ll make travel easier and you’ll be supporting Viequenes and Culebrenses that rely on tourism to support their families.  Please don’t leave trash on the beaches, a simple act can make a huge impact on the environment and it shows respect to the locals who already struggle with a lack of resources to maintain the island.  Take only memories, leave only footprints. 

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.

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.

Can we rent a car in Puerto Rico and bring it to Vieques on the ferry?

If you have a rental car in Puerto Rico, check with the car rental company.  We recommend you simply 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.  Read our car rental tip above under Travel Tips.