5 Best Hotels in Culebra, Vieques and Culebra

The most sophisticated place in Culebra is an assemblage of lovely plantation-style cottages on a picturesque hilltop overlooking Fulladoza Bay. Though just a five-minute drive south of Dewey, it feels completely isolated—in a good way. Come here to unplug, opting for one of the spacious villas, tastefully decorated in crisp white with soaring ceilings, modern rain-showers, and large balconies. The family villa sleeps five. The friendly staff is more than accommodating and can help set up snorkeling and diving trips, as well as transportation to the beach.

The best rooms in Mamacita's venerable guesthouse have balconies overlooking the canal, but this is a decidedly no-frills establishment suitable for budget-minded travelers. Simple rooms have tropical furnishings, flat-screen TVs, renovated bathrooms, and soundproof windows. Set beneath slowly rotating ceiling fans, the locally popular restaurant, also named Mamacita's, and on-site Caribbean Bar get crowded—particularly during happy hour, which starts early in these parts.

This building, which shares Mamacita's mangrove-lined canal, has spick-and-span guest rooms—as simple as they come—with louvered windows and calming color schemes. The inn sits on the edge of Dewey, putting you within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and grocery stores. The staff sends you off to the beach with towels and a little cooler filled with ice. If you plan to spend most of your time off-property and merely want a place to hang your hat, this is one of the best values on the island.

A few of the one- and two-bedroom cottages at this 60-acre estate, hidden away on Culebra's western coast, sit directly on a long, sandy beach; most cottages, however, are a bit farther inland, though they have great coastal views from covered verandas. Each unit has a full kitchen and bath. There's also a shared beach house with showers and other amenities, including a pool with an oceanfront deck. The waters of nearby Luis Peña Channel are perfect for snorkeling, and it's about a 10-minute drive to Flamenco Beach.

Colorful and breezy, this Spanish-style guesthouse is centrally located, next to the popular Dinghy Dock restaurant–bar. Guest rooms are simple, and all have water views; they share kitchen access, although some units have their own. (Room 10 is the one to snag, with a private sunbathing terrace and full kitchen.) The shady terrace, with several hammocks hanging between palm trees and colorful mosaic-tiled communal tables, is a great place to hang out. In addition to its own mooring dock, there are kayaks and paddleboards that you can rent to explore Ensenada Bay. The guesthouse owner offers on-site water-taxi and charter services to nearby islands.