Culebra National Wildlife Refuge

Culebra National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1909 by President Theodore Roosevelt, making it the first federal wildlife reserve in the Caribbean. It spans 1,510 acres encompassing 21 offshore cays surrounding Culebra Island, located approximately 17 miles east of Puerto Rico's main island. The refuge protects subtropical dry forest, mangrove, lagoon, grassland, and rocky canyon habitats, and is a sanctuary for threatened species including the hawksbill sea turtle, green sea turtle, Culebra Island Giant Anole, and Virgin Islands Tree Boa. The Flamenco Peninsula hosts more than 30,000 nesting pairs of Sooty Terns, the refuge's ambassador species. Hiking trails and public areas are open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM with no entrance fee.