×

Puerto Rico🇵🇷 | beachesPlaya TamarindoGreen turtles, seagrass beds, narrow sand, no services | things to do and best time to go

Explore Playa ZoniExplore Ponce

Backpacking in Playa Tamarindo
👍 Recommendedbeach ranked #12
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Playa Tamarindo has no restaurant, no bathrooms and no lifeguard, yet it is one of the most reliable spots on Culebra to float above green sea turtles. It sits on the island’s northwest side, off the east coast of Puerto Rico. The sand is a narrow strip, the shore is rocky in places, and the water is clean and calm on gentle days. Crowds stay thin, especially if you arrive early, before the day-trip ferries land. The cost is the logistics, since you bring your own food, water and shade. Snorkelers and quiet-beach people will love it. Anyone wanting beach bars and nightlife will not.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Puerto Rico Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
cities
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
beaches
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #12 beach in Puerto RicoWhat makes it a must-see beach

Playa Tamarindo earns its stop for one reason above the rest: green sea turtles grazing the seagrass a short swim from shore. You do not need a boat or a tour, just a mask and some patience. Early morning, before the wind builds, gives the clearest water and the best odds of a sighting. The second draw is the setting itself. The beach is wild and unequipped, so you share it with hermit crabs and a few other travelers instead of vendors. Culebra’s tiny town of Dewey, with its cheap local food and guesthouses, is close enough to make this an easy half-day away from the busier sand at Flamenco. Pack lunch and leave nothing behind.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Snorkeling with green sea turtles: the seagrass beds just off the beach are where the turtles feed, and they usually surface for air every few minutes. Stay calm, keep your distance and never touch them.
  2. Reef snorkeling along the rocky edges: the stones at either end of the beach shelter small reef fish, sea urchins and the occasional ray. Water shoes help on entry.
  3. Quiet beachcombing and shade-spot lounging: the sand is narrow, but the sea grape and palm shade gives you a private corner for a picnic. Come early and you may have it to yourself.
  4. Walking over to neighboring Carlos Rosario: the nearby beach has coral snorkeling, so you can combine two swim spots in one morning.
  5. Sunset from the northwest shore: with the beach facing out to open water and no buildings in sight, the evening sky is the
… read more 👉
  1. Snorkeling with green sea turtles: the seagrass beds just off the beach are where the turtles feed, and they usually surface for air every few minutes. Stay calm, keep your distance and never touch them.
  2. Reef snorkeling along the rocky edges: the stones at either end of the beach shelter small reef fish, sea urchins and the occasional ray. Water shoes help on entry.
  3. Quiet beachcombing and shade-spot lounging: the sand is narrow, but the sea grape and palm shade gives you a private corner for a picnic. Come early and you may have it to yourself.
  4. Walking over to neighboring Carlos Rosario: the nearby beach has coral snorkeling, so you can combine two swim spots in one morning.
  5. Sunset from the northwest shore: with the beach facing out to open water and no buildings in sight, the evening sky is the only show. There is no nightlife here, so head back to Dewey for dinner before dark.
Playa Tamarindo costs nothing to enjoy, and the turtle snorkeling is free if you already carry your own gear.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Playa Tamarindo

San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports

San juan Puerto Rico PrivateTransfers Airport,Hotels,Cruise Ports

4.9(50)
From €61
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Dry Season (December to April): Days run 27 to 30°C (81 to 86°F) with the calmest seas and the longest stretches of sun, and the Culebra ferry crowds are thickest on weekends.
  • Hurricane Season (June to November): Highs of 30 to 32°C (86 to 90°F), humid air, and afternoon downpours. Peak storm risk falls from August to October, and rooms get cheaper.
  • Holiday Weeks: Christmas, Easter week and summer weekends bring Puerto Rican families, packed sand and higher rates.
  • Daylight: Roughly 11 hours in December and 13 in June, so plan beach time before late afternoon.
Book a weekday in late April or May for good weather and thinner crowds.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
when-to-go

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutPuerto Rico Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Puerto Rico
The digital guide (310 pages) contains:
✅ 81 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 5, 10 & 15-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Puerto Rico

Dewey, Culebra’s only town, is the best base for Playa Tamarindo, with guesthouses, small rentals, the ferry dock and the island’s few bars and cheap kitchens where travelers meet. The other option is the campground at Playa Flamenco, the only place on Culebra where camping is allowed. A car makes either base far easier, since the beach is not reachable by walking from most lodging.
Best hostels in Puerto Rico


Best quality hotels in Puerto Rico

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Playa Tamarindo is a quiet, fairly safe beach, but conditions change with the swell. On calm winter and spring mornings the water is clear and gentle. When swells build, rip currents run along the point, so swim only where the water looks flat and stay in sight of other people. Rocks and some reef near the shore can scrape feet, so water shoes help. Shade is limited, so bring a hat, reef-safe sunscreen and plenty of water. Midday sun is intense year-round. Leave nothing visible in a parked car, since break-ins at remote lots happen, and carry only what you need onto the sand.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Playa Tamarindo

Playa Tamarindo sits on the northwest coast of Culebra, reached by taking the ferry from Ceiba (about 1 hour, roughly US$2.25 each way for passengers) or a short flight from San Juan or Ceiba (about 20 to 30 minutes, roughly US$100 to 200 round trip). Once in Dewey, the island’s main town, you can get a público or taxi toward the Playa Flamenco side, then walk the dirt path and short trail to the water. Allow about 15 to 20 minutes by car from the ferry dock, and note that a golf cart or small rental car (about US$60 to 120 a day) makes the unpaved final stretch much easier. Book ferry tickets early on weekends and holidays since seats sell out.
Playa Tamarindo is best known for snorkeling, with calm, clear water and a reef edge that holds sea turtles, rays, and schools of reef fish a short swim from shore. Swimming is pleasant on most days when the Atlantic swell is low, and the bay stays mellow compared with open-coast beaches. Surfing is not a draw here since waves are small and the reef is shallow, so board riders head to Puerto Rico’s main island instead. Bring your own mask and fins or rent them in Dewey for about US$10 to 20 a day, and snorkel in the morning when visibility is sharpest.
Yes, Playa Tamarindo is free to visit, with no entrance fee at the beach itself, which sits inside Culebra’s protected coastal lands. Your main costs are getting there: the Ceiba ferry runs about US$2.25 each way for passengers, and a golf cart or car rental in Dewey runs roughly US$60 to 120 a day. Bring water, snacks, and reef-safe sunscreen because there are few or no services right at the sand. Parking along the nearby dirt road is free, though space is limited on busy weekends.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Puerto Rican beaches near Playa Tamarindo

Explore more nearby:

  • Flamenco Beach—Mile-long crescent, rusted tanks, rock-edge reef, beachside camping| 1 km away
  • Playa Zoni—East-facing sunrise, open Atlantic swell, tide-line beachcombing, no facilities| 8 km away
  • Playa La Chiva—Refuge shoreline, turtle seagrass, birdwatching, rough dirt road| 24 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Puerto Rico including Playa Tamarindo and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all beaches

Or checkout all Puerto Rico has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Puerto Rico
Country photo of Puerto Rico
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Playa Tamarindo

Playa Tamarindo is a half-day stop, not a base. I would give it one early morning for the turtles, then move on to Flamenco or Dewey by midday. Bring water, food and reef-safe sunscreen, because nothing is sold here. A second visit only makes sense if the sea is glassy and you want one more turtle swim.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Puerto Rico. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story