Culebra, Puerto Rico

Originally called Passage Island, this 7-mile by 4-mile island was first inhabited by the Taíno and Caribe Indians. They gave way to the pirates that used these waters as a refuge. The Spaniards ousted the pirates when the land was colonized in 1879. This is the last portion of Puerto Rico colonized by the Spaniards.

Culebra is still a refuge, but instead of protecting pirates, it is now part of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses part of Culebra and 23 adjacent islands (like Isla Culebrita and Cayo Luis Peña). The refuge, one of the oldest under the US Fishing and Wildlife Service, is well known as a nesting site for a variety of seabirds, and preserves important habitat for endangered sea turtles and the Culebra anole. Two last words about Culebra: Flamenco Beach. One of the best beaches in the world.