What’s the Ferry Schedule to Culebra?
The Culebra ferry runs daily from the Ceiba Terminal on Puerto Rico’s main island and takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach Culebra. The route is operated by Puerto Rico Ferry, anchored by Hornblower, and tickets are sold at puertoricoferry.com, through the City Experiences mobile app, and at the terminal ticket window. Adult fare is $2.25 each way. All ticket sales are final with no refunds. For a full guide to what to do once you arrive, see the Culebra day trip itinerary guide.
Culebra ferry schedule
The Ceiba to Culebra ferry operates multiple departures daily. Schedules change month to month and are published as PDF timetables on the official ferry website at puertoricoferry.com under Routes and Schedules. The July 2026 timetable and the August-November 2026 timetable are both currently posted. Always download the PDF for your specific travel month before booking, since times vary and do not follow a fixed daily pattern year-round.
Key rules that apply regardless of the departure time: you must arrive at the Ceiba Terminal at least 1 hour before your scheduled departure. Boarding closes 10 minutes before departure. Late arrivals are not boarded, and tickets are not refunded for missed departures.
Ferry ticket prices (2026)
Fares are per trip, one-way, as listed on puertoricoferry.com as of 2026:
| Passenger type | Ceiba to Culebra (one way) |
|---|---|
| Adults (ages 13-59) | $2.25 |
| Children (ages 4-12) | $1.00 |
| Adults ages 60-74 | $1.00 |
| Infants (ages 0-3) | Free |
| Seniors (ages 75+) | Free |
Infants and seniors (75+) must purchase their free tickets at the terminal ticket window and present a photo ID, since online booking does not accommodate free fare categories. All other passengers can book online.
How to buy Culebra ferry tickets online
Tickets are available through two digital channels: the website at puertoricoferry.com and the City Experiences mobile app (available for iOS and Android). The app is the faster option for returning travelers since it stores your tickets and pushes real-time service alerts and vessel tracking.
Step-by-step for the website: go to puertoricoferry.com and click Buy Tickets. Select Ceiba to Culebra as the route. Choose your travel date and departure time from the available timetable. Enter the number of passengers by age category. Add any items that require separate tickets (see the items section below). Pay by credit or debit card. A maximum of 5 tickets per transaction applies across all booking channels.
If the departure you want is sold out online, your options are to try another departure time on the same day, check back 24 to 48 hours before travel since some tickets held for island residents become available closer to departure, or go in person to the ticket window at the Ceiba Terminal on the day of travel for any walk-up capacity.
Ticket policy: no refunds and transfer rules
The ferry’s ticket policy has a few rules that catch travelers off guard. All ticket sales are final. No refunds are issued under any circumstances, including for weather delays or missed connections.
If your plans change, you can transfer your ticket to another departure. Transfers must be made at least 1 hour before the original scheduled departure. Each ticket can be transferred a maximum of 2 times. Transfers are handled through your account on puertoricoferry.com or via the City Experiences app. Tickets that are not transferred in time and are not used cannot be refunded.
Item fees: what costs extra on the ferry
Each passenger may bring one small carry-on bag free of charge. Additional items require a separate ticket, purchased at the same time as your passenger ticket. As of 2026, the item fees for Culebra-bound passengers are:
| Item | Cost (per trip) |
|---|---|
| Surfboard | $6.00 |
| Bicycle | $2.00 |
| Beach cooler | $2.00 |
| Bodyboard or sandboard | $3.00 |
| Beach umbrella | $1.00 |
| Beach chair | $1.00 |
| Case of beverages | $1.00 |
| Caged pet | $2.00 |
Pets other than guide or service animals must travel in a carrier. All pets must be declared at ticket purchase and will be charged the caged animal fee.
Getting to the Ceiba ferry terminal
The Ceiba Terminal is at Marina Dr. Roosevelt Roads, Ceiba, PR 00735. From San Juan, the drive takes approximately 75 to 90 minutes via PR-52 East (Luis A. Ferré Highway) to PR-30 or PR-3. Rideshares from the San Juan airport run $50 to $70 depending on traffic and time of day. The ferry operates a ground transport service from RÃo Piedras to Ceiba for $9 per person per trip, with carpooling available from Fajardo and Luquillo for $3 per person.
Parking at the terminal is available for a fee, with 24-hour parking around $7. Arrive early enough that you are parked and at the check-in counter a full hour before your departure. The terminal has a waiting area accommodating up to 400 passengers, restrooms, and food vendors.
Peak season booking strategy
The Culebra ferry sells out fastest during summer weekends (June through August), Puerto Rican public holidays, and Semana Santa (Holy Week). During these periods, available non-resident seats can sell out within minutes of a new month’s timetable going live on the website. The practical approach: check the ferry website at the start of the month before you intend to travel and book immediately when the timetable for your dates is published. Weekday departures have more consistent availability than Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.
If you cannot get ferry tickets for your preferred date, alternatives include private catamaran tours from Puerto del Rey Marina in Fajardo ($113 to $185 per person, includes snorkeling and buffet lunch), or short flights from the Ceiba regional airport (approximately $90 to $120 each way).
Vehicle transport to Culebra
Personal vehicles can only be transported to Culebra on the cargo ferry if owned by a registered Culebra resident. Non-resident vehicles are not permitted on the passenger ferry. If you need transportation on the island, golf cart rentals are available in Dewey near the ferry dock for approximately $50 to $75 per day. Most mainland rental car companies do not permit their vehicles to be taken to Culebra, so confirm with your rental company before booking.
For Culebra residents: compact vehicles (up to 15 feet) cost $13 one-way or $22 round-trip. Midsize vehicles and SUVs up to 16 feet are $17 one-way or $32 round-trip. Vehicle tickets are only available at the port ticket window, not online.
Weather cancellations and delays
The ferry can be modified or canceled due to rough seas, high winds, or tropical weather. Puerto Rico Ferry posts service alerts on puertoricoferry.com and through push notifications on the City Experiences app. Check the app for real-time vessel tracking on the day of travel. If a departure is canceled due to weather and you have a ticket, contact Puerto Rico Ferry customer service for transfer or rebooking options. Standard no-refund policy still applies in most weather scenarios, so travel insurance is worth considering for multi-day trips around Puerto Rican holiday periods.
Where to stay near Ceiba terminal
For travelers arriving from the west or flying into San Juan the night before, staying near Fajardo reduces the morning drive and cuts commute stress. The El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo is about 10 minutes from the Ceiba Terminal and has rooms starting around $250 per night as of 2026. The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort in Rio Grande is about 30 minutes from Ceiba and starts around $200 per night. Both are full-service resorts and can arrange early-morning transportation to the terminal.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the ferry from Ceiba to Culebra?
The Ceiba to Culebra ferry costs $2.25 per adult (ages 13-59) each way as of 2026. Children ages 4 to 12 pay $1.00 each way. Passengers ages 60 to 74 also pay $1.00. Infants under 3 and seniors over 75 ride free but must obtain their free ticket at the terminal window with a valid photo ID. All fares are listed at puertoricoferry.com.
How do I buy Culebra ferry tickets online?
Go to puertoricoferry.com and click Buy Tickets, or download the City Experiences app on iOS or Android. Select Ceiba to Culebra, choose your date and departure time, enter passenger counts by age category, add any oversized items, and pay by credit or debit card. A maximum of 5 tickets can be purchased per transaction. All ticket sales are final with no refunds, so double-check your dates before completing payment.
Can you get a refund on a Culebra ferry ticket?
No. All Puerto Rico Ferry ticket sales are final. Refunds are not available under any circumstances. If your plans change, you can transfer your ticket to a different departure, but the transfer must be made at least 1 hour before the originally scheduled departure, and tickets can only be transferred a maximum of 2 times. Transfers are processed through your puertoricoferry.com account or the City Experiences app.
How far in advance should I book the Culebra ferry?
For weekend travel in summer (June through August) or Puerto Rican public holidays, book as soon as the monthly timetable is published on puertoricoferry.com, which typically happens in the weeks leading up to the month. Tickets for peak departures can sell out within days of release. For mid-week travel in off-peak months, booking a week in advance is generally sufficient, though last-minute availability can be tight on popular routes.
How long is the ferry ride from Ceiba to Culebra?
The ferry crossing from Ceiba to Culebra takes approximately 1.5 hours. This is longer than the old Fajardo route due to Ceiba’s position farther south along the coast, but the ride is on a large stable vessel with indoor seating. The crossing can be choppy in rough weather, particularly during afternoon departures when trade winds pick up. Motion sickness remedies are worth packing if you are sensitive.
What is the address of the Ceiba ferry terminal?
The Ceiba ferry terminal is at Marina Drive, Roosevelt Roads, Ceiba, PR 00735. From San Juan, take PR-52 East to PR-30 or follow PR-3 East through Fajardo and south to Ceiba. Parking is available at the terminal for approximately $7 per day. Arrive at least 1 hour before your scheduled departure, as boarding closes 10 minutes before the ferry departs.
Can you bring a surfboard or cooler on the Culebra ferry?
Yes, but oversized items require a separate ticket purchased alongside your passenger fare. A surfboard costs $6 per trip, a cooler $2, a bodyboard $3, a beach chair $1, and a bicycle $2. Each passenger gets one small carry-on bag included in the base fare. You can add item tickets at puertoricoferry.com during the booking process. Items that are not ticketed may be refused at the boarding gate.
